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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.

camera

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.

Headline Specifications
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.

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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.

Sony RX100 VII vs credit card front
RX100 VII versus credit card top view
RX100 VII and credit card rear side

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.

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Body Specifications
    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$ 899ebay.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 049ebay.com
5.
 
Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 US$ 1 299ebay.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 US$ 749ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 301 g 240 n Jun 2018 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony ZV-1 105 mm 60 mm 44 mm 294 g 260 n May 2020 US$ 799ebay.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.

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Check RX100 VII price at
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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.

Sony RX100 VII sensor measures

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.

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Sensor Characteristics
    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 36484K/30p21.812.441863
2.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
4.
 
Leica C-LUX 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.348164
5.
 
Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653170
6.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
7.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
9.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864
11.
 
Sony ZV-1 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.666966
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.

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Core Features
    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 VII2359 n3.0 / 921 tilting Y 1/2000s 90.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IIInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
4.
 
Leica C-LUX2330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony ZV-1none n3.0 / 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.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the RX100 VII

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.

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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.

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Input-Output Connections
    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 / monoY-micro2.0YYY
2.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III-stereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Leica C-LUX-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
7.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
11.
 
Sony ZV-1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-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.

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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]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX100 VII4.5/5..4/5..4/55/5 Jul 2019 US$ 1 199 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II4/5+4/582/100..4/5 Jul 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III..+ +4/581/1004/5.. Jul 2019 US$ 749 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica C-LUX....3.5/5..4.5/54/5 Jun 2018 US$ 1 049ebay.com
5.
 
Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 US$ 1 299ebay.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 US$ 749ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2018 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony ZV-14/5+4/585/1004/54.5/5 May 2020 US$ 799ebay.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.

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Check RX100 VII price at
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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.

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    Specifications Summary
    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 AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 90 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer 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)

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