DPReview TV: Sony RX100 VII review

Mine just arrived. Really nice, small camera. IQ is good considering the size of the sensor. AF seems amazing so far. It's got eye-AF, animal-eye AF, and all sorts of other modes, including very good tracking. TBH, the AF system is more impressive than my D850.

I have a D850 and lots of glass, but this is a great supplemental camera, especially when I want to travel light.

I bought a MkVI recently and I'm really impressed. So this version looks great although not worth upgrading for what I do. Having said that the lens and IQ are the same and these are top notch. The technology and features packed into a small package like this is simply amazing. I've owned everything from 120mm film to DSLR's and LX3 type compacts. This is is in another league. It is expensive but its the best and you get what you pay for.

As for all of those posters who declare they would never buy a 1" compact, well thats great but why comment? If its not your type of camera then we don't need to know.

Personally I love compact cameras, even going back to the days of half frames pens and canonette rangefinders. At the moment this is the pinnacle of compact cameras. Keep it up Sony. It will be fascinating to see where we are at in 5 years time.

If only Canon had upgraded the internals of the G5X to be competitive, instead of thinking it was the body design that was the problems. G5X + RX100 VII internals = my dream compact camera.

Failing that could Fuji please bring out an updated x40?

I prefer the written review that I can read.

Not everyone wants to watch videos. There is this novel concept, it's called READING. Try it sometime.

Is there a way to view a script for this video?I'm interested in the content.
But based on videos with the same host it seems I'd have to watch a 10 minute video to get 30 seconds of information.

I don't trust the long term reliability of that popup EVF.

RX series pack a lot of camera into a tiny package. It resides in my (always with me) shoulder bag. It covers from ultrawide (24mm) to telephoto (200 mm). I rarely need a shallow DOF and when I do I usually fudge it in software. Autofocus works poorly in low light and manual focus is too finicky with this camera. The image quality is quite good to 17"x22" (with DXO Elite noise removal). Dynamic range was not much of a problem, if you expose for the highlights. The image quality is good and I do well in clubs and juried exhibitions.

So, besides the price, what are my issues:

1) The controls could be bigger and manual focus could be less finicky .
2) An option to attach a lens hood and filters.
3) Better low light performance

Overall, RX100 M6 (and M7) is the best compromise in terms of size/weight, flexibility/convenience and image quality. I estimate I get about 80% of what I shoot with interchangeable lens cameras using this camera. Not bad for a camera this size and weight.

Prices of compact cameras went crazy, no wonder nobody buys them any more. 1' sensor in little toy camera at $1200? No way. $500 would be asking too much.

This camera shouldn’t be more than $1k. Personally $899 would be ideal. For the price Sony should include a complementary grip, an extra battery, & 4k 60p. After using the M2 the tiny size was a turn off for me. I’ll just wait for the RX10 V. It fits my needs more.

I had a Rx100 VA, but I sell it because it overheat in 4K too quickly. I live in Puerto Rico, here the temperature rise too much in summer and the RX100 overheating quickly, it useless for making video. Great video quality indeed. I keep my RX10 II, no overheating, 24-200mm F2.8 all the way, ND Filter and mic and headphone jack.

Except price positioning this is a nice camera for its size, image quality and capability. Its a great video camera as well.

Price point should have been sub 1000$.

Waiting for the RX100VB with that faster lens.

I own an rx100 v1. I have always been disappointed with the quality of the images it produces. IMHO the sensor and lens is just not up to scratch. Its not comparable to 4/3 or aps-c... This confirmed for me in the sample images in this episode. Yes I know it has a different sensor and lens, but the images are soft and quite noisy.

Combine this with the exorbitant price(at least double what it should be) and I wonder how they sell any at all.

I'd rather have a faster, wider lens than super zoom range, but that's just me. Sony has obviously done their research and I'm not the target audience.

Regardless, you get a lot of camera in a tiny package.

I think it would be a nice second camera to go with my a6300, 18-135/Sigma 30 when I don't want to or can't carry that combo in a fanny pack. The RX100 VII in a small belt-pouch would be nice to have when traveling. Thank you Sony for creating such great cameras. :)

Despite the $1200 price tag, limitations, and such, Sony isn't targeting A7iii users with this tiny, pocketable POINT& SHOOT.

Don't forget that's the first requirement, and for that, it points and shoots well with a lens range that wss unheard of back in the Tamron 28-200mm Super 35mm film days.

Did people whine all day about the f stop of the Tamron?
No. They simply realized the portability (back then) of such a small, long-zoom lens opened up a world of picture taking without so much weight or bulk.

It's weird. You had 35mm film camera buyers spending $500+ on the body, $500 on the Tamron, but no complaints back then about the price for portability.

Today, you get Better in a Smaller camera for about the Same price range, and people whine?

This may be irrelevant, but the rectangular lens opening is a turn-off. It says P&S rather than tiny high-tech alternative. I like the lens opening to be round and almost as big as the lens barrel (with a filter thread).
It's kind of like bigger wheels on a car: not really necessary, but it looks cooler.

What boredom with the Smarphoniers ... When you will understand that although smartphones are the answer to all your prayers, for others they are not, it does everything, but nothing really good, we only use them to call. I have a Fiio Hi Res music player that once cost me € 450, because the qualities of an audio smartphone are not satisfactory to me, nor the audio quality of the Apple headphones, nor are the qualities like a camera, and I'll spend whatever it takes on a dedicated camera and a decent audio system. What I would not like or crazy would be € 1,000 for a smartphone, I can spend € 1,000 on a compact camera, € 700 on a Hi Res player and another € 200 on headphones and I can even spend € 700-1100 on a watch Mechanical wristband But I will not spend more than € 200 on a Smartphone.

I know this wasn't the point of the review but I had no idea phones had improved so much. I still prefer a camera since cameras don't ring or buzz or interrupt what you're doing.

I got this camera and it’s astounding what they’ve packed into it. The video eye AF is a total gamechanger. I tried really hard to buy the Canon G7XIII instead but even though the RX100VII is a lot more expensive, it’s totally worth it. In fact the G7XIII seems so flawed (broken AF) and lackluster in its specs that I can’t believe Canon would even release it. I felt this was such an interesting story that I made a video about it: https://youtu.be/P1i_Hzz0KKA. Once again Sony just kills it. The RX100VII is not perfect but it’s mile ahead of the competition.

I jumped to the "Compared to smartphones" section of the review and could not believe what I was hearing. No smartphone can produce the same results as this or any other iteration of a 1" sensor camera from Sony.

That is a lot of money. Cam does almost everything well. What you did not mention but when I saw Jordan walking is very noticable: te non existent IBIS. That for video is a real letdown. But 1200 dollar for a cam with no removable lens to somone like me is really way too much.

I have the model RX100iv. The photos and videos look stupendous on a 75" UHDTV.

get a cheap e-m10 III with 5 axis IS would be more practical for 200mm FL
What shutter speed in this toy is needed to handheld 200mm?
than what ISO have to be used at that high shutter speed?

200mm just trying to dfool the unknown public

not yet for me! just wait....for newer mark
until Sony feature weather sealing!

Arrgg.....why nikon! why you gave up NIKON DL18-50? :(( i hate you!

The difference between smartphone images and those from one inch sensor cameras is pretty evident when one starts post processing the images, there is so much more scope with one inch sensor images

Amazing technology in a small package. Sure, there are a few clunky UI elements. But it wouldn't be a Sony if those weren't there. But it's a mini A9 for goodness sake. In your pocket. For $1200. No Pixel can even come close.

Won't pay $1200 for a compact no matter how much features it has.

Thanks for the review. Great as always. Imho, the mkIV through the mvVII are not that different. Or I should really say, as a mkIV owner, I am in not compelled to move to the newer versions. Too much of the same.

The stabilization while Jordan was walking was not very good for a version VII of a camera. I just do not see it. These are great little cameras though. Whichever version you pick up.

And another thing...
...these videos are great!

Well done! The big question - How long can these pocket cameras survive?

I can't wait for your review of the Osmo Mobile 3 and how a Huawei P30 Pro mounted on the Osmo compares with this RX100 VII in real-life traveling uses.

ive been holding it wrong since the M1........damn

night shots from your phone dont usually come out too good BUT

i dont mind the high price, as long as i can make phone calls from my rx100

LEAF SHUTTER!

Dropped 3 times, still working?

These 1" cameras are going away, because they are competing for the same audience as the phones. Slightly better is not enough the trouble.
There is a visible polarization of photo shooters happening now. The indiscriminate shoot everything Instagram crowd values convenience beyond anything. Phones are best in that regard. On the other side of the spectrum are much-work, much-time retired connoisseurs chasing what they consider art and buying expensive heavy equipment. The third pole are commercial shooters, which use whatever brings more money. The 1" cameras don't serve any major category.

Mine has the f/1.8-2.8 aperture which I like...I'm not sure about the slower, longer f/l lens on the newer ones.