Sony RX100 VII Comparison Review
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in July 2019 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.
Is the Sony RX100 VII a good camera? The RX100 VII has a Camera Elo of 2506. This rating puts the RX100 VII among the top 10 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the RX100 VII also ranks among the top 10 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 5-star performance rating.
Sony RX100 VII |
---|
Fixed lens compact camera |
24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
20 MP, 1" Sensor |
4K/30p Video |
ISO 125 - 12 800 (80 - 25 600) |
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots) |
3.0 LCD, 921k dots |
Tilting touchscreen |
90 shutter flaps per second |
260 shots per battery charge |
102 x 58 x 43 mm, 302 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Sony RX100 VII vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony RX100 VII alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony RX100 VII | 102 mm | 58 mm | 43 mm | 302 g | 260 | n | Jul 2019 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
2. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 111 mm | 61 mm | 46 mm | 340 g | 230 | n | Jul 2019 | US$ 899 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G7 X Mark III | 105 mm | 61 mm | 41 mm | 304 g | 235 | n | Jul 2019 | US$ 749 | amazon.com | |
4. | Leica C-LUX | 113 mm | 67 mm | 46 mm | 340 g | 370 | n | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 049 | ebay.com | |
5. | Sony RX10 II | 129 mm | 88 mm | 102 mm | 813 g | 400 | Y | Jun 2015 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
6. | Sony RX100 II | 102 mm | 58 mm | 38 mm | 281 g | 350 | n | Jun 2013 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
7. | Sony RX100 III | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 290 g | 320 | n | May 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
8. | Sony RX100 IV | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 298 g | 280 | n | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony RX100 V | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 299 g | 220 | n | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony RX100 VI | 102 mm | 58 mm | 43 mm | 301 g | 240 | n | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony ZV-1 | 105 mm | 60 mm | 44 mm | 294 g | 260 | n | May 2020 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony RX100 VII was launched in the US market at a price of $1,199. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Sony RX100 VII features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony RX100 VII among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony RX100 VII | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 21.8 | 12.4 | 418 | 63 | |
2. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.2 | 12.4 | 583 | 65 | |
3. | Canon G7 X Mark III | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.2 | 12.4 | 583 | 65 | |
4. | Leica C-LUX | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.1 | 12.3 | 481 | 64 | |
5. | Sony RX10 II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 23.0 | 12.6 | 531 | 70 | |
6. | Sony RX100 II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.5 | 12.4 | 483 | 67 | |
7. | Sony RX100 III | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.4 | 12.3 | 495 | 67 | |
8. | Sony RX100 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.6 | 591 | 70 | |
9. | Sony RX100 V | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.4 | 586 | 70 | |
10. | Sony RX100 VI | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.1 | 12.3 | 478 | 64 | |
11. | Sony ZV-1 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.2 | 12.6 | 669 | 66 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The RX100 VII indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the RX100 VII can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX100 VII has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2359k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.59x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Sony RX100 VII in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony RX100 VII | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 90.0/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 30/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon G7 X Mark III | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 30/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Leica C-LUX | 2330 | n | 3.0 / 1240 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Sony RX10 II | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 14.0/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Sony RX100 II | optional | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
7. | Sony RX100 III | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Sony RX100 IV | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1228 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 16.0/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Sony RX100 V | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Sony RX100 VI | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Sony ZV-1 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | swivel | Y | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | n | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The LCD screen on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.
One convenient feature of the RX100 VII is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony RX100 VII | - | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon G5 X Mark II | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
3. | Canon G7 X Mark III | - | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Leica C-LUX | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
5. | Sony RX10 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
6. | Sony RX100 II | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
7. | Sony RX100 III | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
8. | Sony RX100 IV | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
9. | Sony RX100 V | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
10. | Sony RX100 VI | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
11. | Sony ZV-1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y |
It is notable that the RX100 VII has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
The RX100 VII has a zoom lens built in (9-72mm f/2.8-4.5), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 200mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.
Further information on the features and operation of the RX100 VII can be found in the free online Sony RX100 VII Manual or on the Sony support site.
Expert reviews
While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the RX100 VII handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony RX100 VII | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2019 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
2. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 82/100 | .. | 4/5 | Jul 2019 | US$ 899 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G7 X Mark III | .. | + + | 4/5 | 81/100 | 4/5 | .. | Jul 2019 | US$ 749 | amazon.com | |
4. | Leica C-LUX | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 049 | ebay.com | |
5. | Sony RX10 II | 5/5 | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
6. | Sony RX100 II | 5/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2013 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
7. | Sony RX100 III | 5/5 | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | May 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
8. | Sony RX100 IV | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony RX100 V | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony RX100 VI | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony ZV-1 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2020 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Sony RX100 VII FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the RX100 VII.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the Sony RX100 VII?
The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Sony RX100 VII to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Sony equipped the RX100 VII with the BIONZ X image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony RX100 VII?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.
Does the Sony RX100 VII have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the RX100 VII is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Sony RX100 VII?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Sony RX100 VII?
No, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Sony RX100 VII?
The RX100 VII offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Sony RX100 VII feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Does the Sony RX100 VII support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the Sony RX100 VII use?
The camera gets its power from the Sony NP-BX1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Where can I find the best deals for the Sony RX100 VII?
Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Sony.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 1D Mark III vs Sony RX100 VII
- Canon G5 X vs Sony RX100 VII
- Canon R5 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Canon T2i vs Sony RX100 VII
- Fujifilm X-T2 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Leica TL2 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Nikon A1000 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Nikon D3200 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Nikon D750 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Nikon Z30 vs Sony RX100 VII
- Sony A7R IVA vs Sony RX100 VII
Camera Model | Sony RX100 VII | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 | |
Launch Date | July 2019 | |
Launch Price | USD 1 199 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | |
Sensor Area | 116 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 15.9 mm | |
Crop Factor | 2.7x | |
Sensor Resolution | 20 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 472 x 3 648 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 2.41 μm | |
Pixel Density | 17.18 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 125 - 12 800 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 80 - 25 600 ISO | |
Image Processor | BIONZ X | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 63 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.8 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.4 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 418 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.59x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 921k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 90 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Near-Field Communication | NFC built-in | |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Sony NP-BX1 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 260 shots per charge | |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
Body Dimensions |
102 x 58 x 43 mm (4.0 x 2.3 x 1.7 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 302 g (10.7 oz) |
Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.
You are here: Home » CAM-parator » Sony RX100 VII Review