First off to clear some things up. No, your phone is not better. Sure in good light and still subjects a phone can take images that look just as good for the most part. In very dark shots you could argue the Pixel 3 night mode will do a much better job (again if subject is completely still) However, if you need quick autofocus, tracking anything that moves, ability to zoom from 24 to 200 (not digital zoom although Sony clear zoom is a nice feature), full controls, etc...you are out of look with a typical phone. Second thing to clear up...is it worth $1200? I see this all over on the RX100 series. Absolutely no way for another person to answer that. Worth is a relative term. If you are in the market for a phenomenal compact camera that in decent light will perform with its bigger brothers than this camera is worth it. Can it replace your larger camera and lenses? Again...it possibly could. The question is can you live with the limitations? This is one I am facing now. I also have the full frame Sony A7III along with some nice lenses. I have compared and compared these two cameras in all settings. For the most part the RX100 VII does very well and even better in some cases. With the now added external mic it is even closer (no place to mount the mic, but you can see my other reviews for a nice light bracket that works great). Now, as the sun goes down the A7III jumps way ahead. Realize the A7III is a low light beast and has a much larger sensor. The A7III is also much heavier especially with a lens attached. I am more likely to take the RX100 VII along with me. Autofocus on both is Sony high end good which is among the best if not the best. There are many articles and videos complaining about Sony's menu system which this camera also has. I say meh. I get it is not the best, but you have so many customization options that once you are setup you do not need to get deep into the menu any more. I really never got this complaint. Most buttons are customizable, you have the fn button which brings you into another area that you setup and you have "My Menu" which you customize.
I realize I am not really reviewing, but I am sure some may run into this type of debate so this is just my thoughts.
For me...this camera is worth the price. Whether I keep my A7III is up in the air right now. This camera really can do everything the A7III can in a much smaller body. Do I really need great low light ability?
My nit picking items....Sony....include the stick on hand grip with this camera. To charge extra with this camera being slick is very petty. Also, for $1200 you should include a second battery and a small charger. Again, petty IMHO. You know the battery is not great so add another. Also...there are many that wish you made this same but camera with the 24-70 option with wider aperture. I am one of those people. The 200 zoom is nice for many but lower light option would be nice
Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera with 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor (DSCRX100M7)
4.3 | 587 ratings
Price: 1298
Last update: 10-01-2024
About this item
20. 1MP 1. 0 Type stacked CMOS sensor, Zeiss Vario Sonnar T 24 200 millimeter F2. 8 F4. 5 large aperture high magnification zoom lens
0. 02 sec. High AF speed, 357 point focal plane Phase detection AF and 425 point contrast detection AF
Up to 20 fps blackout free shooting, using up to 60 times/sec. AF/AE calculations. Diopter Adjustment: -4.0 to +3.0 m-1. Operating Temperature- 0 degrees C.- +40 degrees C. / 32 degrees F. - 104 degrees F
AI based real time tracking for stills and movies, and touch tracking. Real time eye AF for human (stills and movies), and for animal (stills only)
4K video with us log3 and Interval Shooting. Microphone jack and vertical position data recording. Active mode image stabilization in 4K video recording, and Movie Edit add on compatible
0. 02 sec. High AF speed, 357 point focal plane Phase detection AF and 425 point contrast detection AF
Up to 20 fps blackout free shooting, using up to 60 times/sec. AF/AE calculations. Diopter Adjustment: -4.0 to +3.0 m-1. Operating Temperature- 0 degrees C.- +40 degrees C. / 32 degrees F. - 104 degrees F
AI based real time tracking for stills and movies, and touch tracking. Real time eye AF for human (stills and movies), and for animal (stills only)
4K video with us log3 and Interval Shooting. Microphone jack and vertical position data recording. Active mode image stabilization in 4K video recording, and Movie Edit add on compatible
Product information
Top reviews from the United States
Paris Tx Guy
Best compact camera on the planet. Worth it?
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2019Gigachip
Well Worth the Pricetag
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2019
Gigachip
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2019
Now the lengthy part...
I'm coming from owning a fair share of cameras as a professional photographer. As of this review, I have a Sony A7m2 with the kit lens, but also the 70200g f4 lens, plus other various lenses. The Sony a6000 + nex 5n, RX100m3, Fuji X100F. Further down in the review III will be the RX100m3 and VII is the one the review is for.Why does this become part of the review? Its because I can put this camera against some stiff competition before writing this review. As far as usefulness, I think this camera is 10/10. I used to carry the RX100m3 along everywhere with me because of its size. I kept it, for the fact that it has f1.8 at its widest vs 2.8 of the RX100m7. Now I carry the III and the VII everywhere. However, the one I have used primarily these past few weeks have been the VII because of its reach. I know 90% of my photos never exceed the range of 70mm. Found this out a 3rd time because of a 2 month trip to Viet Nam and Japan where I took only the III and X100F. During that trip I only encountered maybe 5 times max where I wish I had 200mm reach. Well, now I have that, and more. I'll upload photos later after this review.
Build quality: 10/10
Is basically the same as you can expect from Sony and its previous RX models. Same high quality.
Image quality: 8/10
I love it. Obviously it won't compete with the bigger cameras I have, but in good lighting (always a key) the image quality is amazing. The range this camera provides helps in making better bokeh portraits compared to the 24-70mm range of previous models (not including the VI). *my opinion you may not agree
Video: N/A
Honestly, not much a video person. Having an option to add a mic really pushed me to buying this camera. That was the selling point to me. Otherwise I wouldn't have bought this since I didn't buy the VI either.
Where does this camera fit in?
As expected, I can see this camera fit perfectly in my travel kit. Where 90% of the time I would use it while traveling, only pulling out the III when I go walking around at night or poorly lit conditions.
If you know the limitations of this camera it will not let you down. Just, as explained earlier, it isn't going to be good for wildlife, but as a portraits and everyday camera. I think it nails it.
What I wish:
Weather Sealing! C'mon Sony, you pulled through with the mic input. I want to use these cameras in raining conditions. I'm a firm believer of what these tiny guys can do.
Images in this review
Ana Rose Alwine
Most expensive purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024Fred
Great compact camera
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024Charles, Michigan
Better than I expected
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023nelson innis
llego en mal estado / not funcioniung correctly
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023