At the beginning of 2019 we explored Sony's ultracompact lineup, and we came across the RX100 V, which essentially left us speechless. A year later it was the turn of its successor, the Sony RX100 VI, with specific improvements and a considerable premium on its price. Today we make room for the new member of the family, the RX100 VII. Sony uses this opportunity to correct some missteps, and of course, continue optimizing the strongest points of this series, including autofocus, Burst modes, and connectivity with secondary accessories.
One of the main complaints the general public has about ultracompact cameras is that they have already been replaced by smartphones and have nothing extra to offer. Fortunately, that is not true. While for many people it is enough to take photos with their phones, the latest generation of ultracompacts has technical advantages that mobile devices may never match, or at least not without a change of format.
One of the most notable examples is the Sony RX100 VII. Starting with one of the best autofocus systems on the market, 4K video with oversampling, an excellent quality lens, and solid Burst levels, this ultracompact deserves our full attention. Whether the plan is to capture action moments, do some urban photography, or dive into the world of vlogging with external microphones, the Sony RX100 VII can handle all that and much more.
Sony RX100 VII: Small... But Only in Appearance
Announced originally in July 2019, the Sony RX100 VII features a 20.1-megapixel effective CMOS sensor, backed by the Bionz X image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 12,800 with a lower boost of 64, while the shutter speed ranges from 1/2,000 to 30 seconds, or 1/32,000 with the electronic system. Its three-inch screen is touch-sensitive and tiltable (90 degrees downward or 180 degrees upward for selfie mode), with a resolution of 921,600 dots. On the viewfinder side, the OLED module is still there, pop-up format, 2.36 million dots of resolution, and 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus system on the Sony RX100 VII works so well that you probably won't need to modify anything beyond its standard settings. The number of options is impressive, to the point that some users might feel a bit intimidated, but the camera allows you to disable several of those options to simplify the menu. The number of points available in this edition of the ultracompact rises to 357, always based on phase detection, covering almost 70 percent of the sensor. This is accompanied by a slight reduction in focusing time, which is now 0.01 seconds faster compared to the focus of the RX100 VI.
This means it is very difficult to see the Sony RX100 VII stumble. The inclusion of real-time tracking and eye tracking is among the most positive, moving from faces to eyes (including those of animals) without difficulty, and without needing to hold down a button. However, you can impose your will on the autofocus with a simple touch of the screen.
What about Burst? First, Sony decided to lower the ceiling from 24 FPS to 20 FPS to prevent the viewfinder and the screen from 'turning off' during shooting, a more than acceptable trade-off, considering that users prefer to see the action even during bursts. And second, if someone needs to go faster, they now have the Single Burst mode, with series of shots composed of seven frames, at a maximum speed of 90 frames per second. Single Burst also works at 60 FPS or 30 FPS, two good options to experiment with.
If we limit ourselves to studying its exterior, the body of the Sony RX100 VII almost shows no changes compared to its predecessor. Light and compact to the core, with the same built-in 24-200 lens, and small controls, a compromise we must accept with the format. Even so, the camera manages to incorporate a microphone input, in case audio quality is a priority. The only problem is that we don't have a shoe to mount it, but you can always improvise something. For example, using a shoe adapter with a 1/4 thread.
Doubts about the mode dial? As expected, Sony did not modify any input: Full Auto, Programmed Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Recall Memory Values 'MR', Movie Mode, High Frame Rate 'HFR', Panoramic Sweep, and Scene Selection 'SCN'. Any additional details about the available values in each mode can be found in the help guide, perfectly translated into Spanish.
Want to capture 4K video? Then good news: The Sony RX100 VII is even better than its predecessors in that aspect. The sensor update allows capturing additional detail thanks to its oversampling obtained from 5.5K, with a very light crop. Something similar happens when activating the new SteadyShot Active mode, which combines digital and optical stabilization. The final crop does not go beyond 1.2x, and it still looks great. As for recording time, the factory limit remains at five minutes, but it can be disabled (remember to watch the temperature).
Accessories for Sony RX100 VII
We must admit: these days, with €1,180 on its tag, the Sony RX100 VII does not offer the best price-performance ratio. Its sisters also carried that same premium at the time, but we are convinced it will not resist the test of time, and the cost of accessories remains at very competitive levels. If you want to know more, here is the list we have prepared.
Batteries and Power
The official specifications of the Sony RX100 VII announce about 260 shots with a full battery charge. USB charging makes energy recovery more flexible with ports and power banks, however, it would be ideal to acquire an extra module. That brings us to the compatible Gloxy NP-BX1 battery, and the Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car. A good combo, whose cost does not cross the barrier of €40. This combination is identified by the SKU code "0712565913,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-3967".
Tripods and Supports
Searching for a tripod for Sony RX100 VII should not present any difficulty, but it would be logical to accompany the camera with models as light as it is. Thus we arrive at the Manfrotto Pixi, which can transform into a selfie stick once you close its legs, and its price of €25 makes it almost irresistible. Do you prefer something more robust? The answer is the Clampod Takeway T2. Maximum load of ten kilograms, a formidable grip, total portability, and the security that it will not let you down.
Bags
Solid, although a bit complicated for those with very large hands. Personally, I don't think the RX100 VII presents major problems during handling, however, it needs good protection during transport, and at the top of the list we have the Lowepro Dashpoint 30 bag. Padded interior, space for memory cards, and a belt hook define its design. On the other hand, if security is a factor to consider, it's not a bad idea to look for a Pacsafe Camsafe ZP, with a steel wire reinforcement, and materials resistant to knife cuts.
Memory Cards
With 4K modes at 100 megabits per second, the Sony RX100 VII wants a card that has reasonable specifications in terms of reading and writing. If an investment of €55 is reasonable for you, look no further than a SanDisk Extreme Pro 128-gigabyte SDXC card. 170 megabytes per second reading, 90 megabytes per second writing, V30 certification, and the guarantee of a good brand behind it.
Other Accessories
The Sony RX100 VII has a microphone input. Why not take advantage of it? The purchase may seem intimidating at first, but the Boya BY-MM1 is an excellent starting point, since besides being directional, it includes all the accessories to use it immediately. And to get those 'hidden' shots in normal scenes, nothing better than adding a PhotoBall K9. Free your creativity with this fabulous crystal ball, and surprise everyone. These items are identified by SKU code "0713786311,PhotoballK9".
In summary, the Sony RX100 VII faces and corrects some of the weak points of the previous model... but they are not deep enough to justify the direct upgrade for the moment. However, if you are looking for a new camera and the RX100 series has been on your radar for a while, don't think twice. It is a very complete ultracompact, and it will serve you well. Good luck!
