Sony RX100 series vs Panasonic Lumix LX series; what's the best advanced compact under $600?

What’s a better value, a Sony RX100 series camera, or one of the Panasonics (LX10 & ZS100)? I did extensive research of these cameras. First let’s talk about the Sony RX100 cameras. There are currently six versions of this camera. The RX100 is probably the most bang for your buck advanced compact camera of them all. RX100 II steps it up a notch by introducing a BSI sensor, for better lowlight performance, as well as a partially articulating screen. From then on, the improvements in subsequent RX100 series cameras seem relatively slight. After the RX100 II, RX100 series cameras have featured improved exposure bracketing, more fps, as well as 4k video. The RX100 mark six, is my favorite of the RX100 cameras; at it’s long telephoto end, it’s actually not bad in terms of aperture. In this, as well as the RX100 V, you can take as many photos per second as standard cinematic video, albeit for a limited buffer time. The RX100 mk 6 has phase detect autofocus, which is considered as a great feature that might well be the deal breaker for people, despite it’s $1,200 price tag. And the RX100 mk 6 is the first of it’s series to include a lens with ED elements, meaning that the “Zeiss” brand name on the camera this time is more than merely a label, and more true to Zeiss. Now let’s switch over to the Panasonics. In my opinion, the LX10 is a better value as opposed to the ZS100; keep in mind that image quality is of utmost importance to me in a camera. That being said, the LX10 has better image quality, especially at the telephoto end, which wouldn’t be a major problem if you’re using a stopped down aperture on the ZS100. Like the much pricier RX100 VI, the LX10’s lens is comprised of ED elements, and at least one HR element, which means that you’ll notice less diffraction, or loss of sharpness, as you stop down the aperture ever farther, or if you want optimum sharpness at all focal lengths. In my opinion, the LX10 is better than the RX100 & RX100 II because of a few improvements; touch screen, 180 degree tilt screen, lens sharpness, aperture, better (more advanced) exposure bracketing, focus stacking (What?!), 5 axis O.I.S (Optical image stabilization) as well as 4k features. I actually got a chance to use 5 axis O.I.S from Panasonic before, and let me tell you, it's a great feature. About two years ago, when I bought my RX100 II, the LX10 was actually about the same value as the Sony, because the Panny cost at least $100 more. Honestly, I think that I’d pay $100 more if only my budget would allow me to. Today I’d definitely purchase one, because the price is about 1 cent less than the Sony. making it currently a better value in my opinion. However, as many are probably familiar with, no camera is perfect. And that includes the Panny, which is slightly larger than the RX100 II, and when it comes down to pocketability, even a few millimeters can make a big difference. I already think that the RX100 is too thick, however, as I have written before, having a body that’s heavier than the lens can help with image stabilization. Another thing that I don’t like about the LX10 is that the lens, when set to maximum telephoto reach, is longer than it is at all other focal lengths; I doubt that’s a problem for most people, but for me, as for photomicrography & imaging using a telescope, that is a serious problem, but I won’t go into detail as to why that is. For other types of photography, however, the LX10 might just be of better value than all Sony RX100s, although the newer RX100s are pushing the envelope. The LX10, when compared to the Sony RX100 II (but not later versions) has a better sensor characteristics, such as ISO performance, dynamic range, and color depth. I should’ve waited and kept saving up for the LX10! I kind of had the intuition to do that, but I guess I didn’t do as much research as I should’ve. So there it is, the Panasonic Lumix and Sony RX100 VI are two of my personal favorite advanced compact cameras of all, although with a $600 budget, the prize goes to Panasonic. We could argue all day about mirrorless and/or SLR cameras, which might be even better value, and their respective lenses; but this is about compact cameras in particular.