Comparing Nikon D500 + 70-300mm and Sony RX100VII images

[redhed17]

I got a used Sony RX100VII a few months ago, and have finally got round to comparing the images against a Nikon D500 and 70-300mm. They both have 20Mp sensors, but the Nikon does have the extra reach of 300mm vs the 200mm of the Sony. Over the summer I usually take pics of the Cricket in the park, so that is a good subject to take pics of to compare.

I calibrate the RAW files from each camera, and they were pretty close opening them up and applying the calibration. I shot the cameras side by side to try and match the images as much as I could, though the Sony does 20fps and the Nikon 10fps. The D500 was on a tripod, and the Sony handheld next to it.

Someone may find this useful/interesting.

D500 at 300mm @f5.3, 1/500th


Sony RX100VII at 200mm @f4.5, 1/500th


D500 at 300mm cropped @f5.3, 1/640


Sony RX100VII at 200mm cropped @f5, 1/400


The D500 has a slightly shallower depth of field, and is a bit sharper, partly because it is a larger crop to match the images on the Sony. The Sony may be slightly focusing behind, but I'm not 100% sure if it's a larger depth of field. I'm very happy with the comparison though.

I don't know why the D500 is saying f5.3, as it should be f5.6 fully zoomed to 300mm.

 

[Nod]

Shows how capable the little Sonys are. There are still things that DSLRs (and other interchangeable lens systems) do better but as a general travel option, the RX-100vi is what I now take (looked at the extra bells and whistles that the vii offered and decided that the couple of hundred quid was more useful to me!!!) When we go somewhere new, I'll probably take a system but for our "normal" holidays, the Sony will do just fine.

 

[redhed17]

I got the M7 ahead of the M6 because of the Intervalometer, which could come in useful, and the zero blackout is nice. The difference in price for the cameras used were not that large, so I went for the M7. Glad I did.

When I am travelling I take both these cameras, because photography is the main reason for the trip. I have on recent trips been not so wary of using the Sony's for the 'serious' images, rather than for memory shots, or quick shots whilst walking around. The AF is better than the D500, and in some other ways the M7 performance is better bar image ultimate quality.

 

[ajophotog]

Plus the nikon was sharper due to a faster shutter speed I would imagine in the second shot. Maybe try shoting the Nikon at 200mm and the sony at 200mm and croping in to see how far behind the Sony is.