No RX100 VIII? Seriously?

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

I have the RX100 VI and still use it quite a bit when I'm not in the mood to carry my pro gear.

After all this time, and with compact cameras gaining in popularity again, why has Sony abandoned this line? I'd love an upgraded version and I know many folks feel the same way.

C'mon, Sony! Wake up! I know there was likely some RX100 development beyond the 7!

Robert

Click to expand...

Not much hope. Seems to be zero intelligent activity in Sony Cyber-shot area since middle of 2019 when the M7 was released.

Since then the RX100M7A has surfaced to suit the Euro rules, but they did it in a near zero cost way. No improvements and maybe only a backward step of possibly (unproven so far) of removing ability to charge the battery in-camera.

As for an M8, what is the M7 missing that needs an update (apart from the often stated USB-C socket)? Would anyone be able to actually afford it?

As for me, still using M6 and cannot see any valid reason why I would ever need to update to M7 let alone M8. If I need better quality I reach for my ten year old M4/3 gear.

Click to expand...

sportyaccordy said:

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

I have the RX100 VI and still use it quite a bit when I'm not in the mood to carry my pro gear.

After all this time, and with compact cameras gaining in popularity again, why has Sony abandoned this line? I'd love an upgraded version and I know many folks feel the same way.

C'mon, Sony! Wake up! I know there was likely some RX100 development beyond the 7!

Robert

Click to expand...

Not much hope. Seems to be zero intelligent activity in Sony Cyber-shot area since middle of 2019 when the M7 was released.

Since then the RX100M7A has surfaced to suit the Euro rules, but they did it in a near zero cost way. No improvements and maybe only a backward step of possibly (unproven so far) of removing ability to charge the battery in-camera.

As for an M8, what is the M7 missing that needs an update (apart from the often stated USB-C socket)? Would anyone be able to actually afford it?

As for me, still using M6 and cannot see any valid reason why I would ever need to update to M7 let alone M8. If I need better quality I reach for my ten year old M4/3 gear.

Click to expand...

Theres a lot the M7 can improve on.

The JPG engine sucks. My phone has a much better gamma curve.

IP68 rating. It's so portable. But you can't use it near water or dust. I'm at the beach this week and it's painful.

10 bit video, and just more serious video capability in general. Again most phones have 10 bit video.

ML-enabled enhancements, like sweep panorama, fake bokeh, better/faster image stacking and hi res modes.

I am kind of over lugging around a $4K ILC kit. If Sony could make a 1" compact that ticks all those boxes, Id be happy to pay like 1500-2000 for it. Obviously it wont match a real large format camera in a laboratory but who cares. Everyone who wants more than a smartphone doesnt want an ILC.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

sportyaccordy said:

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

I have the RX100 VI and still use it quite a bit when I'm not in the mood to carry my pro gear.

After all this time, and with compact cameras gaining in popularity again, why has Sony abandoned this line? I'd love an upgraded version and I know many folks feel the same way.

C'mon, Sony! Wake up! I know there was likely some RX100 development beyond the 7!

Robert

Click to expand...

Not much hope. Seems to be zero intelligent activity in Sony Cyber-shot area since middle of 2019 when the M7 was released.

Since then the RX100M7A has surfaced to suit the Euro rules, but they did it in a near zero cost way. No improvements and maybe only a backward step of possibly (unproven so far) of removing ability to charge the battery in-camera.

As for an M8, what is the M7 missing that needs an update (apart from the often stated USB-C socket)? Would anyone be able to actually afford it?

As for me, still using M6 and cannot see any valid reason why I would ever need to update to M7 let alone M8. If I need better quality I reach for my ten year old M4/3 gear.

Click to expand...

Theres a lot the M7 can improve on.

The JPG engine sucks. My phone has a much better gamma curve.

IP68 rating. It's so portable. But you can't use it near water or dust. I'm at the beach this week and it's painful.

10 bit video, and just more serious video capability in general. Again most phones have 10 bit video.

ML-enabled enhancements, like sweep panorama, fake bokeh, better/faster image stacking and hi res modes.

I am kind of over lugging around a $4K ILC kit. If Sony could make a 1" compact that ticks all those boxes, Id be happy to pay like 1500-2000 for it. Obviously it wont match a real large format camera in a laboratory but who cares. Everyone who wants more than a smartphone doesnt want an ILC.

Click to expand...

Exactly.

I don't know why anyone pushes back on the idea of improving on the RX100VII. It's now still very good, but also very dated.

Let's be honest about it! The question is whether or not an update is good business.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

Sony might think NO, but I think they'd be shocked how well it would sell IF they got the upgrades right.

Click to expand...

Digital Nigel said:

MrHollywood said:

sportyaccordy said:

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

I have the RX100 VI and still use it quite a bit when I'm not in the mood to carry my pro gear.

After all this time, and with compact cameras gaining in popularity again, why has Sony abandoned this line? I'd love an upgraded version and I know many folks feel the same way.

C'mon, Sony! Wake up! I know there was likely some RX100 development beyond the 7!

Robert

Click to expand...

Not much hope. Seems to be zero intelligent activity in Sony Cyber-shot area since middle of 2019 when the M7 was released.

Since then the RX100M7A has surfaced to suit the Euro rules, but they did it in a near zero cost way. No improvements and maybe only a backward step of possibly (unproven so far) of removing ability to charge the battery in-camera.

As for an M8, what is the M7 missing that needs an update (apart from the often stated USB-C socket)? Would anyone be able to actually afford it?

As for me, still using M6 and cannot see any valid reason why I would ever need to update to M7 let alone M8. If I need better quality I reach for my ten year old M4/3 gear.

Click to expand...

Theres a lot the M7 can improve on.

The JPG engine sucks. My phone has a much better gamma curve.

IP68 rating. It's so portable. But you can't use it near water or dust. I'm at the beach this week and it's painful.

10 bit video, and just more serious video capability in general. Again most phones have 10 bit video.

ML-enabled enhancements, like sweep panorama, fake bokeh, better/faster image stacking and hi res modes.

I am kind of over lugging around a $4K ILC kit. If Sony could make a 1" compact that ticks all those boxes, Id be happy to pay like 1500-2000 for it. Obviously it wont match a real large format camera in a laboratory but who cares. Everyone who wants more than a smartphone doesnt want an ILC.

Click to expand...

Exactly.

I don't know why anyone pushes back on the idea of improving on the RX100VII. It's now still very good, but also very dated.

Let's be honest about it! The question is whether or not an update is good business.

Click to expand...

That’s entirely what it’s about! Of course the legacy RX cameras could be improved—but where’s the business case for the business case for developing improved models?

Digital Nigel said:

Sony might think NO, but I think they'd be shocked how well it would sell IF they got the upgrades right.

Click to expand...

Obviously Sony, despite making all the 1” sensors, knows much less about this market than you do. Perhaps you could help Sony with its decision by sharing your detailed business case, with the supporting data?

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

Because Sony's always made great market choices? They have been almost hilariously bad at it for decades and often in the face of rather obvious market trends.

Betamax anyone?

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MrHollywood said:

Mylo, PSP Go and memory sticks? LOL!

I give you SONY, the same company that gave us Kraven and Madame Web. ;-)

PS: Yeah, I think and updated RX100VIII would sell VERY well. And it would bring more shooters into the system, which is a big part of the game.

Robert

Click to expand...

Digital Nigel said:

MrHollywood said:

Exactly.

I don't know why anyone pushes back on the idea of improving on the RX100VII. It's now still very good, but also very dated.

Let's be honest about it! The question is whether or not an update is good business.

Click to expand...

That’s entirely what it’s about! Of course the legacy RX cameras could be improved—but where’s the business case for the business case for developing improved models?

Digital Nigel said:

Sony might think NO, but I think they'd be shocked how well it would sell IF they got the upgrades right.

Click to expand...

Obviously Sony, despite making all the 1” sensors, knows much less about this market than you do. Perhaps you could help Sony with its decision by sharing your detailed business case, with the supporting data?

Click to expand...

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

Because Sony's always made great market choices? They have been almost hilariously bad at it for decades and often in the face of rather obvious market trends.

Betamax anyone?

Click to expand...

Good system, even when dead consumerwise, Betamax carried on in professional and TV station destinations.

Guy Parsons said:

Mylo, PSP Go and memory sticks? LOL!

I give you SONY, the same company that gave us Kraven and Madame Web. ;-)

PS: Yeah, I think and updated RX100VIII would sell VERY well. And it would bring more shooters into the system, which is a big part of the game.

Robert

Click to expand...

The trick now is to understand in advance how many likely buyers, and if the numbers are OK (100,000 sales, 200,000 sales, who knows) maybe R&D could take place. But it takes something like two years to get from drawing board to sales even in the best circumstance, and who knows what the Internet influencers are pushing in two years time?

Plus of course the likely cost will be daunting and if the tariff situation in USA still carries on then that's a big market that has had a severe dampener put on it.

Basically most folks don't want to carry stuff, and if the phone they are carrying does good enough then why add more to their load?

Click to expand...

Dave Sparks said:

Guy Parsons said:

MrHollywood said:

Because Sony's always made great market choices? They have been almost hilariously bad at it for decades and often in the face of rather obvious market trends.

Betamax anyone?

Click to expand...

Good system, even when dead consumerwise, Betamax carried on in professional and TV station destinations.

Dave Sparks said:

Mylo, PSP Go and memory sticks? LOL!

I give you SONY, the same company that gave us Kraven and Madame Web. ;-)

PS: Yeah, I think and updated RX100VIII would sell VERY well. And it would bring more shooters into the system, which is a big part of the game.

Robert

Click to expand...

The trick now is to understand in advance how many likely buyers, and if the numbers are OK (100,000 sales, 200,000 sales, who knows) maybe R&D could take place. But it takes something like two years to get from drawing board to sales even in the best circumstance, and who knows what the Internet influencers are pushing in two years time?

Plus of course the likely cost will be daunting and if the tariff situation in USA still carries on then that's a big market that has had a severe dampener put on it.

Basically most folks don't want to carry stuff, and if the phone they are carrying does good enough then why add more to their load?

Click to expand...

And for those willing to carry a compact camera, how large is the market for those cameras costing more than $1K? There are a lot of more affordable options for the majority of people who don't want to pay premium prices.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

I don't know why anyone pushes back on the idea of improving on the RX100VII. It's now still very good, but also very dated.

Click to expand...

sportyaccordy said:

Digital Nigel said:

MrHollywood said:

Exactly.

I don't know why anyone pushes back on the idea of improving on the RX100VII. It's now still very good, but also very dated.

Let's be honest about it! The question is whether or not an update is good business.

Click to expand...

That’s entirely what it’s about! Of course the legacy RX cameras could be improved—but where’s the business case for the business case for developing improved models?

sportyaccordy said:

Sony might think NO, but I think they'd be shocked how well it would sell IF they got the upgrades right.

Click to expand...

Obviously Sony, despite making all the 1” sensors, knows much less about this market than you do. Perhaps you could help Sony with its decision by sharing your detailed business case, with the supporting data?

Click to expand...

Its not like people are asking for a whole new camera system. An RX100 VIII is a pretty low risk endeavor. Update the existing sensor to handle 10 bit video, add some ML/AI functionality, offer a weather sealed version.

In fact, an IP68 RX100 would broaden Sony's portfolio as I'm pretty sure that level of weathersealing is impossible with an ILC. Sony could start a whole separate "rugged" FLC lineup.

Click to expand...

sportyaccordy said:

In fact, an IP68 RX100 would broaden Sony's portfolio as I'm pretty sure that level of weathersealing is impossible with an ILC.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

LOL! Lots of people won't buy a camera this old, even if they're making "new ones."

A RX100 with better AF alone would sell well. Throw in some other upgrades and even better.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

This is a 6 year old camera and it's easy to make a better version with recent advancements in AF, batteries, EVF, and more. This is 2025, folks and the RX100 series should not be a lost cause.

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MrHollywood said:

Small compacts are selling again....ask the folks at B&H.

Robert

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Digital Nigel said:

So, all you’re asking for is an all-new sensor, new hardware platform, new software and a new ruggedised, weather-sealed body, with a larger battery? It would be bigger, heavier, and much more expensive to make, plus it would have to include a large premium to cover the significant R&D costs that would have to be recovered from a much smaller market. So, think German Leica-level pricing. Still want one?

Click to expand...

sportyaccordy said:

Digital Nigel said:

So, all you’re asking for is an all-new sensor, new hardware platform, new software and a new ruggedised, weather-sealed body, with a larger battery? It would be bigger, heavier, and much more expensive to make, plus it would have to include a large premium to cover the significant R&D costs that would have to be recovered from a much smaller market. So, think German Leica-level pricing. Still want one?

Click to expand...

No, I asked for what I asked for. Don't tack on extra stuff (nobody said anything about an extra battery).

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sportyaccordy said:

Yes, it would be bigger, heavier, and more expensive. No, it wouldn't require huge R&D costs to cover as Sony already has a lot of this tech and know how elsewhere. None of what Im asking for is new.

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sportyaccordy said:

Theres absolutely no reason this would have to be priced like a Leica either.

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sportyaccordy said:

Olympus basically makes a cheaper version of what I'm talking about in the TG-6. RX100 is actually heavier, mostly due to the metal body but also probably the bigger faster lenses.

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sportyaccordy said:

As for why it's easier to weather seal something like an RX vs an ILC, obviously they have more control over the lens/body interface, and the camera being smaller with less controls and ports means less stuff to seal.

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sportyaccordy said:

Are there any IPx8 ILCs?

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tbcass said:

MrHollywood said:

LOL! Lots of people won't buy a camera this old, even if they're making "new ones."

A RX100 with better AF alone would sell well. Throw in some other upgrades and even better.

Click to expand...

As an owner of an RX100vii I can assure you that the AF is excellent and more than good enough for what such a camera is used for.

Click to expand...

tbcass said:

tbcass said:

This is a 6 year old camera and it's easy to make a better version with recent advancements in AF, batteries, EVF, and more. This is 2025, folks and the RX100 series should not be a lost cause.

Click to expand...

The EVF is good enough. The improvements you are suggesting would not be enough to tempt more sales of such a compact camera that is unsuitable for shooting things like sports where the improvements would be most useful. The desires of a few DPR members are not enough to increase sales.

Click to expand...

tbcass said:

tbcass said:

Small compacts are selling again....ask the folks at B&H.

Robert

Click to expand...

All Sony has to do is start pushing sales of the RX100vii because no other manufacturer has a fixed lens compact camera that can match it.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

tbcass said:

MrHollywood said:

LOL! Lots of people won't buy a camera this old, even if they're making "new ones."

A RX100 with better AF alone would sell well. Throw in some other upgrades and even better.

Click to expand...

As an owner of an RX100vii I can assure you that the AF is excellent and more than good enough for what such a camera is used for.

Click to expand...

The AF on my RX100VI is very good, but you're dreaming if you don't think better AF isn't available. Tons of advancements have occurred on that front and that's what sells new cameras.

Click to expand...

Dak on cam said:

MrHollywood said:

tbcass said:

MrHollywood said:

LOL! Lots of people won't buy a camera this old, even if they're making "new ones."

A RX100 with better AF alone would sell well. Throw in some other upgrades and even better.

Click to expand...

As an owner of an RX100vii I can assure you that the AF is excellent and more than good enough for what such a camera is used for.

Click to expand...

The AF on my RX100VI is very good, but you're dreaming if you don't think better AF isn't available. Tons of advancements have occurred on that front and that's what sells new cameras.

Click to expand...

Apparently not, since the better autofocus performance did not make you buy an RX100M7.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

tbcass said:

MrHollywood said:

LOL! Lots of people won't buy a camera this old, even if they're making "new ones."

A RX100 with better AF alone would sell well. Throw in some other upgrades and even better.

Click to expand...

As an owner of an RX100vii I can assure you that the AF is excellent and more than good enough for what such a camera is used for.

Click to expand...

The AF on my RX100VI is very good, but you're dreaming if you don't think better AF isn't available. Tons of advancements have occurred on that front and that's what sells new cameras.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

MrHollywood said:

MrHollywood said:

This is a 6 year old camera and it's easy to make a better version with recent advancements in AF, batteries, EVF, and more. This is 2025, folks and the RX100 series should not be a lost cause.

Click to expand...

The EVF is good enough. The improvements you are suggesting would not be enough to tempt more sales of such a compact camera that is unsuitable for shooting things like sports where the improvements would be most useful. The desires of a few DPR members are not enough to increase sales.

Click to expand...

Good enough for YOU. It's actually not very good. Usable and better than nothing? Sure. But a better EVF is an easy fix.

Click to expand...

MrHollywood said:

MrHollywood said:

MrHollywood said:

Small compacts are selling again....ask the folks at B&H.

Robert

Click to expand...

All Sony has to do is start pushing sales of the RX100vii because no other manufacturer has a fixed lens compact camera that can match it.

Click to expand...

They can't push something as old and dated without looking silly, which is exactly why they don't do it. The RX100 line is solid, but they ARE behind when it comes to the technology we have today.

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MrHollywood said:

There are many advancements possible with the RX100 line that don't alter the form factor. How is this even a debate?

Robert

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MrHollywood said:

Dak on cam said:

MrHollywood said:

The AF on my RX100VI is very good, but you're dreaming if you don't think better AF isn't available. Tons of advancements have occurred on that front and that's what sells new cameras.

Click to expand...

Apparently not, since the better autofocus performance did not make you buy an RX100M7.

Click to expand...

I actually did buy it. Sadly it was stolen (off my boat!), but I still have the RX100V and VI.

I'm a professional shooter, so my primary gear is mostly Nikon, pair of Z9's, Zf, Zfc and so on. I've also owned Sony cinema cameras. I tend get the "better tool" whenever practical, but I'm not buying a 6 year old camera.

Yeah, nobody buys cameras for better AF, right? That's your position?

Oh boy.

Robert

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tbcass said:

MrHollywood said:

Dak on cam said:

MrHollywood said:

The AF on my RX100VI is very good, but you're dreaming if you don't think better AF isn't available. Tons of advancements have occurred on that front and that's what sells new cameras.

Click to expand...

Apparently not, since the better autofocus performance did not make you buy an RX100M7.

Click to expand...

I actually did buy it. Sadly it was stolen (off my boat!), but I still have the RX100V and VI.

I'm a professional shooter, so my primary gear is mostly Nikon, pair of Z9's, Zf, Zfc and so on. I've also owned Sony cinema cameras. I tend get the "better tool" whenever practical, but I'm not buying a 6 year old camera.

Yeah, nobody buys cameras for better AF, right? That's your position?

Oh boy.

Robert

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That's not what he said. I shoot sports as a hobby. For a professional shooting sports the best AF is a good investment. The problem is if the RX100vii had the best AF in the world it still would be a poor sports camera because of lens range limitations and mediocre ergonomics due to it's small size. The refusal to buy an RX100vii simply because it's an old design really doesn't make much practical sense. Advancements in cameras has slowed to a snails pace to the point that a 6 year old camera is 95% as good as a new one.

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