Sony RX100 VII Review
Dubbed the "ultimate pocket rocket," by one reviewer, the Sony RX100 VII is, by most accounts, the highest quality compact camera you can buy right now. But is it worth nearly $1200? That's the question with this seventh iteration of Sony's popular RX100 series of pants pocket-friendly compact cameras. Let's start with the good about the Sony RX100 VII. JPEG image quality from the RX100 VII's 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor was great, with DPReview reporting that photos had pleasing color and rich detail. The RX100 VII is also extremely versatile with a "sharp" 8x zoom (24-200mm equivalent) lens built in, and a host of high-end features including image stabilization, fast and accurate autofocus with eye detection for people and pets, and speedy 20 frames per second burst shooting with subject tracking. In some ways, this compact camera mimics the sports shooting capabilities of Sony's top-of-the-line A9 II mirrorless camera. It's also great for vlogging with the ability to shoot crisp 4K video and an eternal mic port letting you connect a microphone to the camera for sparkling sound. At the same time, this is still a tiny camera that's "slippery" and awkward to hold, with tiny buttons and dials that are hard to adjust. While the lens' focal length is impressive, the aperture rating at full zoom length is slow, so it's not great for shooting in low light. Those are the main trade-offs but for travelers and more serious photographers looking to put their heavy gear down and pick up something smaller to take anywhere to shoot photos that will blow your smartphone away, this little Sony shooter may be worth it.
"The RX100 VII is the most capable pocket camera currently on the market. It offers a versatile zoom range and an industry-leading AF implementation, as well as good image quality and smooth, stabilized 4K." - DPReview, read the full review here.
"On paper, the RX100 VII is amazing. Its size is amazing, its 24-200mm lens is (sort of) amazing, its high-speed shooting is amazing and its latest-gen AF system is amazing. The only thing that’s not amazing is the experience of actually using it." - Digital Camera World, read the full review here.
"From the absence of expected features to its lofty price tag, there's plenty to irk those drawn to the likes of the RX100 VII. And yet, with its strong image quality, detailed 4K videos and a class-leading AF performance, the latest addition to the RX100 line still manages to be one of the most capable compacts right now." - Tech Radar, read the full review here.
"The RX100 Mark VII, like its predecessors, is without a doubt an incredibly powerful camera for its size. But its price is also incredibly high. It does indeed shoot very nice video and decent photos, and it’s almost certainly the best point-and-shoot camera you can buy today. But there are a few misses." - The Verge, read the full review here.
"If you want a camera that's fast enough to shoot fast-moving subjects - wildlife, sports, or just your kids - and small enough to fit inside a coat pocket, then there's simply no better option currently on the market than the RX100 VII." - Photography Blog, read the full review here.
"Sony proves once again that it has some amazing technology in its arsenal that be packed down into the tiniest of bodies. If you’ve got the cash to spend and you want the best possible camera for your pocket, this is without doubt the one to go for." - Trusted Reviews read the full review here.
"The Sony RX100 VII has the appeal of a golden retriever puppy wagging its tail and making you smile. In the end, it's a fun compact camera that produces better-than-expected image and video quality. And who doesn’t like puppies?" - Shutterbug, read the full review here.
"About as perfect as small-scale, high-end compact cameras get. If you can afford one, that is, as this has never been a budget series." - Pocket Lint, read the full review here.
"If you’re after a do-it-all pocket travel camera that’s also great for video and action, the RX100 VII is hard to beat. It’s not cheap, but there’s nothing else that offers all of this and still fits in your pocket." - Cameralabs, read the full review here.
"The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII point-and-shoot is a modest update to the RX100 VI, offering better autofocus and video stabilization for a bit more money." - PC Magazine, read the full review here.