It’s like a camera from another time, but the fifth generation Sony RX10 V could be the ideal all-rounder purchase in 2026 for some people. This all-in-one super zoom camera can handle travel, wildlife, and sports photography thanks to its AI-powered Real-time Recognition AF using its 24-600mm zoom lens. The single body covers everything from wide-angle to super tight, which means no extra lens or camera bodies. A one-stop shop if you like.
“The RX10 series is renowned for its versatility thanks to its all-in-one form factor partnered with the integrated 24-600mm lens,” said Jun Yoon, Head of Digital Imaging, Sony Australia & New Zealand.
“In the RX10 V, we’re introducing features and technologies from our Alpha lineup, further strengthening its position as an outstanding choice for passionate shooters looking for performance, portability, and creative flexibility.”
Although this camera would not be suitable for professional work, it’s more than capable of handling jobs for the go-to camera guy in the work team, school, or family. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad camera; it means it’s a good camera that fits a certain need.
WHAT’S GOOD
It’s easy to use.
The RX10 V has a familiar button layout and grip design for those used to the Sony Alpha series. A larger 4 Quad-VGA OLED electronic viewfinder with approximately 3.68 million dots and approximately 0.78x magnification gives excellent
shows the subject clearly for composition. A 3.0-type LCD monitor, upgraded to approximately 1.62 million dots, displays fine detail.
The RX10 V is like a point-and-shoot on steroids. It adds AI-powered Real-time Recognition AF for accurate subject recognition. This will make capturing wildlife much easier for people who just want to get the shot. Paired with blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 30 fps with full AF/AE tracking, it holds focus on fast, unpredictable subjects. All you need to do is touch a subject to start Real-time Tracking. AF/AE calculates up to 60 times per second to track fast movement.
The reach is outstanding. The zoom covers 24mm to 600mm with optical image stabilisation, spanning everyday images to sports and wildlife. Macro focusing reaches approximately 3cm at 24mm and approximately 72cm at 600mm for tele-macro. This makes the RX10 V excellent for product shots too.
The Z-series NP-FZ100 battery extends still shooting to approximately 630 shots, roughly 50% more than the previous model.
Although the sensor is only a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor, the BIONZ XR™ processing engine drives great stills and videos.
Speaking of video… the RX10 V is an ever-better video camera. You’re able to shoot 4K/120p, including 4K slow motion at up to 5x. For smooth video results, you’ll also get Active Mode stabilisation. AI subject recognition also drives an Auto Framing function that keeps the subject in the centre during recording. S-Cinetone™ is a baked-in look that pros use, and I’m happy to see it in this camera. If you want to maximise your dynamic range, then the ability to use S-Log3 will make post-production far better. And, you can import up to 16 user LUTs and monitor the graded look while shooting in Log.
The Multi Interface (MI) Shoe™ also carries audio as a digital signal with compatible microphones like those from DJI for clean cable-free recording.
So there’s plenty to celebrate.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Although the ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T 24-600mm lens offers great flexibility, it doesn’t have a constant aperture. It will start at F2.4, then reduce to F4.0 from 100mm onwards. The sensor is also tiny. It’s a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor with approximately 20.1 effective megapixels. So in good light, you’ll get great results, but as soon as conditions get dark, you’ll see a lot of noise.
The zoom reach is excellent, but to use it, you need power, so you’ll have to wait until it extends after turning it on. It’s also slow when zooming in video mode.
The other downer is the lack of pre-capture. A feature that makes photographing wildlife a lot easier.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The RX10 V is available in Australia from late July 2026.
CONCLUSION
As written above, the RX10 V could be the ideal all-rounder purchase in 2026 for some people. It’s perfect for schools and businesses that need a flexible camera that offers far better results than a smartphone. From sports, to wildlife, to close-up product shots, you have a camera that can do it all. The video is even better, so not only do you get great stills from any distance, you can capture quality video.
So if this camera suits your needs, I would thoroughly recommend checking it out.
