Exploring the Versatility of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII Camera: A Comprehensive Guide

This blog post provides a comprehensive look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII camera, which is a top-performing compact camera loved by photographers and videographers alike. From its high-quality features to its advanced technology, we will explore everything you need to know about this camera to create amazing shots.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 25 2019

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor Type1″
SensorStacked BSI-CMOS
Weight302g
MSRP$1200USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

When it comes to capturing excellent images and videos, choosing the right camera is crucial. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII camera is a highly popular and versatile camera that offers a lot of advanced features for both photo and video. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie, this camera is an excellent choice for capturing high resolution and sharp pictures. Let's dive deeper and explore the essential functionality of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII camera, from its lens to its autofocus system, and beyond.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-quality images
Large 1-inch sensor
Fast autofocus
Compact size
24-200mm zoom lens
4K video recording
Easy to use interface
Wi-Fi connectivity
Image stabilization
Great low-light performance

Cons

Expensive
Limited battery life
Small buttons and controls
No flip-out screen
Not ideal for professional use
Limited zoom range for some users
No headphone jack for audio monitoring
No weather sealing
Limited customization options
No built-in ND filter

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

Weather sealed
Dimensions102 x 58 x 43mm
Weight302g
Thickness43mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeLarge sensor compact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.59x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII has a 20MP sized Stacked BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII has a native ISO range of 125 - 12800 which can be boosted to 64 - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jul 25 2019

Announced

125 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1″
Extended ISO64 - null
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

63 / 102

Color Depth

21.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.4 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

418 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1″

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Battery Life260 shots
Battery ModelNP-BX1
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII supports SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII uses the NP-BX1 model of battery pack. This is rated for 260 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 357 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII features a Stacked BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII weather sealed?

No the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII announced?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII was announced on Jul 25 2019

Does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII?

The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII has a native ISO range of 125-12800, which can be expanded to ISO 64-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews