Recommendations of solid compact point-and-shoot alternative to Sony RX100 VII?

[TumblingTiger]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

 

[marksee]

You wrote-

• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light

Maybe I misunderstood, but the sensors are the same size as the Sony.

I have both models. Overall I like them, but every camera has it's drawbacks as you know.

Learning the menu-still frustrated after a year. Very complicated compared to my Canons.

The 100 is smaller and easier to handle. Older technology.

The 200 is bigger, heavier, but if you need the reach. If you don't consider the Canons.

 

[TumblingTiger]

You wrote-

• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light

Maybe I misunderstood, but the sensors are the same size as the Sony.

I didn't realise that. For some reason, I thought it was smaller.

I have both models. Overall I like them, but every camera has it's drawbacks as you know.

You mean the Canon and Sony? Or the Panasonic and Sony?

Learning the menu-still frustrated after a year. Very complicated compared to my Canons.

I agree!

The 100 is smaller and easier to handle. Older technology.

The 200 is bigger, heavier, but if you need the reach. If you don't consider the Canons.

When you say older technology, do you think the AF or face tracking is as good? I don't care that much about the reach. Also, how do you feel the photos compare between the RX100 VII and the Panasonic ZS200 (or 100)?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[RLight]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

X100V is my vote.

If you’re not in a hurry, might I suggest you wait a month? The R8, or whatever it’s called, should do better still. G1X IV is rumored this year too.

Really there isn’t a good option due to contrast detection of the G7X and G5x series. G1X III is DIGIC7 (old), x100v is a fixed lens and the Panasonic has a slow lens, except the 100 series, which has an inferior sensor due to poor amplification making tons of noise. All to say that iPhone ain’t bad and is in fact hard to beat at the moment. It takes APS-C now to beat the iPhone. I still shoot a G5x II because I despise the shooting experience of a smartphone. I keep my R for real shooting. Point and shoots are dying off in relevance, no disrespect. Canon needs to refresh the lineup to remain competitive. Sony too. The Fuji ain’t bad, but it’s pricey and fixed 35.

 

[marksee]

I can't compare Sony IQ to Panasonic or Canon as I don't have a Sony. I based my selection on zoom range as it's my most important consideration. I settled for the Panasonics because they have the longest range and largest sensor combination. Not perfect, and older technology, but again the only choice for me. You don't seem to need the extended zoom range so if you can afford it the Sony has the best and newest features. Not the best menu, but if you use P mode or auto you won't need to use the menu often. Good luck. I would like to know your choice and level of satisfaction when you've selected.

 

[TumblingTiger]

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

I do think the G7X III is a contender here. I'm often handing this camera over to someone to take pictures of me speaking at events, so I do need something that's dummy-proof, hence, my desire for a camera with a pretty solid point & shoot AF.

X100V is my vote.

I like the Fuji X100V, but just looking for a camera with a zoom lens, so ruled this one out.

Really there isn’t a good option due to contrast detection of the G7X and G5x series. G1X III is DIGIC7 (old), x100v is a fixed lens and the Panasonic has a slow lens, except the 100 series, which has an inferior sensor due to poor amplification making tons of noise. All to say that iPhone ain’t bad and is in fact hard to beat at the moment. It takes APS-C now to beat the iPhone. I still shoot a G5x II because I despise the shooting experience of a smartphone. I keep my R for real shooting. Point and shoots are dying off in relevance, no disrespect. Canon needs to refresh the lineup to remain competitive. Sony too. The Fuji ain’t bad, but it’s pricey and fixed 35.

I do see what you mean about the iPhone giving these cameras a run for their money. I have an iPhone 14 Pro, and in many situations, it seems to take sharper photos than the £950 Sony RX100 VII, which is supposed to be a top-of-the-line pocket camera. I do wonder if the G7X III would actually take better photos than my iPhone 14 Pro.

Thanks for your input on this.

 

[Jon_T]

... I do see what you mean about the iPhone giving these cameras a run for their money. ...

As to ease of use, yes. Interesting that all the camera Mfg's. complained (whined) for years how they're losing sales to smartphones, but they have "little-to-nothing" to improve camera's full Auto (P&S) mode to match the smartphones' simple P&S IQ.

... I have an iPhone 14 Pro, and in many situations, it seems to take sharper photos than the £950 Sony RX100 VII, which is supposed to be a top-of-the-line pocket camera. ...

As noted none of the current compact cameras will overall match the P&S simplicity of use and IQ of current smartphones.

However, the iPhone 14 Pro taking better pictures than the Sony RX100 VII more due to not properly using the RX100 VII. Smaller size sensor will provide greater depth-of-field than the much larger 1"-Type Sensor.

In lower light/ higher ISO conditions the RX100 VII will provide better IQ; if used correctly. Plus the RX100 VII has a much more versatile 24-200mm EFL lens.

... I do wonder if the G7X III would actually take better photos than my iPhone 14 Pro. ...

Probably not for reasons noted above.

As an quick example of a shot would not been able to capture with smartphone due to camera-to-subject distance. ZS100; PP RAW 800 ISO; 250mm EFL.



Cheers,
Jon

 

[Chris 222]

Canon G1X3.

 

[Jon_T]

Canon G1X3.

Yes I know (and most likely everyone on DRP forums) your a G1X3 F@NBOY.

But For myself and many others the zoom tele range is FAR too limited for a general purpose/ travel camera — just as my with 24-105mm f/4 L 105mm.

The ZS100 pic in my post you replied, I would NOT have been able to get with the GX1 3.

As I've mentioned to 'several times' I was initially interested in the G1X 3 when it first came out as I had the 80D; but lost interest due to the lens zoom range and max apertures for the $$$.

A camera like any other tool, use the tool that best meets one's purposes.

Great if the G1X 3 meets your needs, but not mine for a pocketable travel zoom compact.

 

[GrahamB52]

G7X ii

 

[RLight]

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

I do think the G7X III is a contender here. I'm often handing this camera over to someone to take pictures of me speaking at events, so I do need something that's dummy-proof, hence, my desire for a camera with a pretty solid point & shoot AF.

X100V is my vote.

I like the Fuji X100V, but just looking for a camera with a zoom lens, so ruled this one out.

Really there isn’t a good option due to contrast detection of the G7X and G5x series. G1X III is DIGIC7 (old), x100v is a fixed lens and the Panasonic has a slow lens, except the 100 series, which has an inferior sensor due to poor amplification making tons of noise. All to say that iPhone ain’t bad and is in fact hard to beat at the moment. It takes APS-C now to beat the iPhone. I still shoot a G5x II because I despise the shooting experience of a smartphone. I keep my R for real shooting. Point and shoots are dying off in relevance, no disrespect. Canon needs to refresh the lineup to remain competitive. Sony too. The Fuji ain’t bad, but it’s pricey and fixed 35.

I do see what you mean about the iPhone giving these cameras a run for their money. I have an iPhone 14 Pro, and in many situations, it seems to take sharper photos than the £950 Sony RX100 VII, which is supposed to be a top-of-the-line pocket camera. I do wonder if the G7X III would actually take better photos than my iPhone 14 Pro.

Thanks for your input on this.

It won’t (take better pictures then your iPhone), but the G7X III is more dummy proof.

Now the G1X III, will. But not by much. AF is lacking, as is 4K. No perfect option here. That’s when I vote pass/wait. I do have a G5X II though in all fairness. It takes spectacular 4K, even compared to the iPhone. Bigger sensors still outgun in video as all the AI compute still can’t keep up with 4K/30, yet.

 

[KEG]

G7X ii

A camera which is greater than the sum of its parts.

 

[dhaas]

I bought a Sony RX100 VII for two trips in 2021 (Humpback whales and an African safari) and learned the Sony menus with an online video by one of their ambassadors. Can't recall his name bt it helped "Canon set up" the menus easier.......The AF on the Sony RX100 VII is fabulous......

I eventually sold it because I've been a Canon user from SLRs to the original Canon G7X and now Canon G7X II.

Canon menus make more sense to me and a Canon G7X II used can be found for $350 USD or better sometimes....I've bought and sold several but always look at the lens blades as a potential damaged part. People seem to treat their cameras badly I have actually had one I simply pulled the damaged blades off with needle nose pliers and used a press on lens cap and it took fine pictures.......

The Canon G7X II / III and G5X II contrast AF if set on the AiAF tracking choice works good 80-90% of the time.

Search my name for previous posts in this and the Sony compact forums for examples and more info.

These days I shoot my Canon G7X II in a Fantasea housing and also my iPhone 13 PRO Max in a DiveVolk housing.

Those two devices satisfy my photo needs and make travel easy

Hope this helps!

David Haas

 

[TumblingTiger]

The Canon G7X II / III and G5X II contrast AF if set on the AiAF tracking choice works good 80-90% of the time.

These days I shoot my Canon G7X II in a Fantasea housing and also my iPhone 13 PRO Max in a DiveVolk housing.

Hope this helps!

David Haas

David, this is super helpful. And to everyone, thanks so much for your input on this. Today, I decided to buy the G7X III. Although the G5X II seems to be the more solid camera for picture taking, it annoyingly lacks a mic input, which is a dealbreaker for me for vlogging and seems to be a huge and confusing feature omission.

I agree the Sony RX100 VII has incredible AF functionality and responsiveness, but I just can't quite justify the price point and feature set for what I'm doing--mostly taking quick point & shoot event photos of speakers. I also prefer the picture character of the Canons (perhaps due to the wider aperture) especially after watching this video and reading this review by the VERY helpful Gordon Laing at Camera Labs.

 

[KEG]

The Canon G7X II / III and G5X II contrast AF if set on the AiAF tracking choice works good 80-90% of the time.

These days I shoot my Canon G7X II in a Fantasea housing and also my iPhone 13 PRO Max in a DiveVolk housing.

Hope this helps!

David Haas

David, this is super helpful. And to everyone, thanks so much for your input on this. Today, I decided to buy the G7X III. Although the G5X II seems to be the more solid camera for picture taking, it annoyingly lacks a mic input, which is a dealbreaker for me for vlogging and seems to be a huge and confusing feature omission.

I agree the Sony RX100 VII has incredible AF functionality and responsiveness, but I just can't quite justify the price point and feature set for what I'm doing--mostly taking quick point & shoot event photos of speakers. I also prefer the picture character of the Canons (perhaps due to the wider aperture) especially after watching this video and reading this review by the VERY helpful Gordon Laing at Camera Labs.

Shoot RAW and get DXO photolabs.

 

[Yannis1976]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

G7X III is worse than G5X II in lens IQ and is definitely worse in AF/CAF than your RX100VII. Had the G7X II and G5X II and both were considerably worse than my RX100VI in CAF/Face/AF. The difference was quite substantial!

Fuji is a different monster with much better low light performance and good CAF (not great), but personally I miss the selfie screen and is also very expensive.

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port

LX10 has a great lens and good face/eye AF.

• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor

Bigger sensor than G7X, RX100, so probably a bit better in low light and good sharp lens. I would miss the tilt and selfie screen.

• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

Since I have tried most of the 1" compact cameras, I would stick either with the Sony RX100V and VI/VII (different lens) or the Canon G5X II. Otherwise start checking the ILC market (m43, Fuji etc).

 

[Yannis1976]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

How come the G1X III has a worst AF with PDAF vs G7X III and G5X II with their contrast detect AF sensors?

X100V is my vote.

If you’re not in a hurry, might I suggest you wait a month? The R8, or whatever it’s called, should do better still. G1X IV is rumored this year too.

Really there isn’t a good option due to contrast detection of the G7X and G5x series. G1X III is DIGIC7 (old), x100v is a fixed lens and the Panasonic has a slow lens, except the 100 series, which has an inferior sensor due to poor amplification making tons of noise. All to say that iPhone ain’t bad and is in fact hard to beat at the moment. It takes APS-C now to beat the iPhone. I still shoot a G5x II because I despise the shooting experience of a smartphone. I keep my R for real shooting. Point and shoots are dying off in relevance, no disrespect. Canon needs to refresh the lineup to remain competitive. Sony too. The Fuji ain’t bad, but it’s pricey and fixed 35.

 

[Chris 222]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

How come the G1X III has a worst AF with PDAF vs G7X III and G5X II with their contrast detect AF sensors?

Simple, it does not... LOL.

 

[Clive99]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

How come the G1X III has a worst AF with PDAF vs G7X III and G5X II with their contrast detect AF sensors?

Simple, it does not... LOL.

I just picked up a G1XIII. AF is pretty good for action. Not sure what the claim vs G7XIII and G5xII is based on?

 

[RLight]

I've owned the Sony RX100 VII for couple weeks, which cost me just under £1000 and aside from noticing it's a bit glitchy, I find the menus utterly confusing. I could of course sit down and try to read a whole book on how to use it properly, and there's certainly merit to that, but I'm really only looking for a camera that:

• has sharp, accurate face-tracking & AF
• has larger sensor to take better pictures in low light (without flash mostly), although I'd like one with a built-in flash
• provides a significant step up in quality vs. the iPhone 14 Pro I own
• is good at taking pics of people (speakers at indoor conferences not always well-lit, family, kids events). I won't take pics of pets, wildlife, fast-moving sports, etc)

Can anyone recommend a good point & shoot alternative? Here are 3 I'm considering:

• Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200
• Fuji X100V- fixed lens (prefer having zoom lens)

And others I considered & ruled out:

• Canon G5 X MII- no mic port & poor battery life from what I've seen
• Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200- smaller sensor, so maybe not best in low light
• Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10- no mic port
• Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II- no built-in flash, smaller sensor
• Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ95- I've heard this isn't much better than an iPhone 14 Pro, which is the phone I own
• Ricoh GR IIIx- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV-E10- no built-in flash
• Sony ZV1- no built-in flash

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

G7X III is the best of these. However comma, the G1X III is better yet, but its AF is lacking vs the G5x II or G7X III.

How come the G1X III has a worst AF with PDAF vs G7X III and G5X II with their contrast detect AF sensors?

Simple, it does not... LOL.

I just picked up a G1XIII. AF is pretty good for action. Not sure what the claim vs G7XIII and G5xII is based on?

Me. I’ve owned the G1X III for 2 years, and the G5X II for close to 1 1/2 years. I’m no novice at this I can assure you. You should have a look at my detailed reviews of both, I’m thorough.

Disable continuous focus on the G1X III, causes slight AFMA-like issues. Was Canons first real swag at it where it’s on by default, and it does speed up AF acquisition, but at the cost of AF accuracy as it appears to reduce the AF lock threshold.

The G1X III is pretty good btw, just the newer DIGIC8 G7X III and G5X II have twice the compute power, and it shows, even though they are CDAF, Canons bottleneck prior to DIGIC8 was the processing power behind AF for on-chip calculations.

Where things get complicated is image quality. G1X wins in sheer resolution, G5x wins in reach. High ISO? Depends if you use third party or not and shot RAW.