The RX100 VII is the latest and greats ultra compact pro grade camera from Sony. The RX100 VII features the same 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 Zeiss lens that the predecessor RX100 VI offered, but it now has a mic input, 20 FPS blackout shooting like the Sony A9, and even better autofocus abilities.
In addition when recording in 4k video the RX100 VII now offers “active mode” stabilization which is better than just the “standard mode” which the RX100 VI offers. Standard is only optical stabilization where active offers some digital intelligence which really helps! Also, the 5 minute record limit can be circumvented by enabling the high temperature cut off option in the menu. So, the RX100 VII can now record until the battery dies is most cases, unless working in higher temp environments of course.
The RX100 VII also offers interval shooting which is awesome for making timelapse videos!
The mic input is the biggest deal to most people I would say, but the other new features are also a welcomed improvement.
Since the RX100 VII offers the mic input I did test the camera out for vlogging purposes as you will see below in the Vlogging test video. Here is a closer look at the new Mic Input and what the camera can look like when set-up for a vlogging purposes. This photo is from Sony, but I will show you my rig set-up that I was using down below in that section of the review.
Anything Missing?
Unfortunately the RX100 VII does not have a built in ND filter like the RX100 VA which I reviewed Here >>
When comparing to the RX100 VA in particular, the RX100 VI and RX100 VII are missing the built in ND filter which is disappointing. I really enjoyed that feature for slowing the shutter speed down. This is awesome for video and also great for photography. I used that feature a lot on the RX100 VA when I wanted the water to have that extra silky smooth look. In addition the lens having more range comes at a cost as far as max aperture speed which translates into low light performance. The RX100 VA has a 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 effective lens, which is better for low light situations so the RX100 VA has the low light advantage.
Also the minimum focus distance is larger on the RX100 VI and RX100 VII when compared to the RX100 VA. We are talking about 1.97″ / 5 cm on the RX100 VA vs 3.15″ / 8 cm on the RX100 VII. When it comes to close up photography, this is a significant difference worth noting and again advantage goes to the RX100 VA.
Sony RX100 VII – Key Features:
- 20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor w/ DRAM chip
- BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
- ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.8-4.5 Lens
- 24-200mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Fast Hybrid AF System with 357 Points
- Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for Humans and Animals
- 20fps black-out free (Sony A9 Technology)
- Single Burst Drive mode at up to 90fps
- UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
- 4k Active Steadyshot
- default 4k video limited to 5 minute clips
- 4k Video clips at new High Temp Mode can record much longer
- No Built in ND Filter
- Microphone Jack
- Interval Shooting – Time-Lapse
- HFR Mode for Full HD Video up to 960 fps
- 0.39″ 2.36m-Dot OLED Pop-Up EVF
- 3.0″ 921.6k-Dot 180° Tilting Touchscreen
- ISO 12800
- Minimum Focus Distance = 3.15″ / 8 cm
- Battery = NP-BX1, 3.6 VDC, 1240 mAh
- Weight = 10.62 oz / 301 g (Body with Battery and Memory)
- Price = $1298 US @ BHPhoto
Sony RX100 VII – Camera Photos
I took a bunch of photos of the RX100 VII while I was reviewing it over so you can get a closer look at the goods 😉 Be sure to click on the images for a larger view if you like!
Sony RX100 VII Review – Youtube Version
Here is my Sony RX100 VII review “youtube version”, and be sure to scroll down for all the sample photos, links to tutorials, recommended accessories, and much more!
Lab Testing Photos
These Sony RX100 VII ISO test photos were all taken in raw quality so you can see exactly what the 1″ Exmor RS Sensor produces in the Sony RX100 VII.
Here is the full scene @ ISO 100 and ISO 12800 and below that are the 100% Crops. Also, in these ISO sample photos you can see the lens does suffer from a little distortion when looking at the horizontal lines towards the top of the scene. It’s not to bad though and in the real world and won’t cause much of a problem unless you are shooting bricks and things like that and need perfect lines at close range. This can also be easily corrected in a program like Adobe Lightroom as well.
Be sure to click the images for a closer look!
ISO 100 
ISO 100 
ISO 200 
ISO 200 
ISO 400 
ISO 400 
ISO 800 
ISO 800 
ISO 1600 
ISO 1600 
ISO 3200 
ISO 3200 
ISO 6400 
ISO 6400 
ISO 12800 
ISO 12800
RX100 VII – Zoom Range and Sharpness Test
Again, these were taken in raw quality and be sure to click on the photos for a closer look.
9mm which = ~24mm effective
100% Crops 
100% Crops 
100% Crops
19mm which = ~50mm effective
100% Crops 
100% Crops 
100% Crops
36.7mm which = ~100mm effective
100% Crops 
100% Crops 
100% Crops
72mm which = 200mm effective
100% Crops 
100% Crops 
100% Crops
Sony RX100 VII – Minimum Focus Distance Testing
The minimum focus distance for the Sony RX100 VII is 3.15″ to Infinity / 8 cm to Infinity on the wide end at 9mm (24mm effective) and 3.28′ to Infinity / 1 m to Infinity on the telephoto end at 72mm (200mm effective)
9mm – 24mm effective @ 3.15″ or 8cm
f/4 
f/4, 100% Crop 
f/5.6 
f/5.6, 100% Crop 
f/8 
f/8, 100% Crop 
f/11 
100% Crop, f/11
72mm (200mm effective) @ 3.28′ to Infinity or 1 m
MFD @ 72mm (200mm effective), f/5.6 
MFD @ 72mm (200mm effective), f/5.6 
MFD @ 72mm (200mm effective), f/8 
MFD @ 72mm (200mm effective), f/8 
MFD @ 72mm (200mm effective), f/11 
100% Crop, f/11
Real World Photos
Actions Sample Photos
Sample Auto HDR Photos
Fully Processed HDR Photos
Sony RX100 VII Recommended Accessories
- Sony NP-BX1 Battery @ BHPhoto
- Memory Cards @ BHPhoto
- Sony VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip @ BHPhoto
- Sony RX100 VII Case @ BHPhoto
- Sony AG-R2 Attachment Grip @ BHPhoto
- Vello Hot Shoe Bracket @ BHPhoto
- Lens filter kit solutions >>
- Sony RM-VPR1 Remote @ BHPhoto
- Rode Microphone @ BHPhoto
- Recommended Shotgun Style Microphones for Video >>
- Recommended High Quality Lavalier style Microphone >>
- RX100 VII Microphone Mount Vlog Bracket Handle Grip w Cold Shoe Mount >>
- Small Rig Cage Kit @ BHPhoto
- Gimbal @ BHPhoto
- Recommended Tripods @ BHPhoto
Gear used in this video:
Conclusions
So at the end of the day the Sony RX100 VII as the latest and greatest ultra compact pro grade camera in Sony’s line-up. The addition of the mic input is probably the most significant feature, but as I covered in this review Sony also added several other powerful updates such as better Autofocus tracking, interval shooting (timelapse), longer 4k record times with the High temp shut off option, 20fps black out free shooting, and active stabilization when recording in 4k video to name a few. These features mostly appeal to vloggers and shooters looking for better AF performance for sports and video tracking in particular.
The Sony RX100 VII is in my opinion made for folks looking for the highest quality most powerful ultra compact camera available. Basically Pro shooters that do not want to carry there full frame gear around because it’s to heavy for a hike, going out to dinner, concert, family adventures like amusement parks and so forth…
That about wraps up this review of the Sony RX100 VII and I really hope you got what you were looking for! Please feel free to ask questions or comment below as always, and have a great day 🙂
Check current Sony RX100 VII Price @ BHPhoto >>
Today’s Best Photography Deals & Rebates >>
Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.me/SonyAlphaLab
