DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Sony RX100 VII sensor isn’t as good as previous generation models, DxO mark says

Feb 10, 2020 by John Aldred 5 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The Sony RX100 VII is the latest in Sony’s line of popular RX100 compact cameras. DxOMark recently posted their review of the RX100 VII’s sensor in Sony’s latest iteration and found it to be a little lacking compared to previous generations.

Released in July 2019, the RX100 VII is an update to the RX100 VI. It was a welcome update, particularly for vloggers thanks to the addition of the microphone socket. It features the same 24-200mm equivalent lens introduced in the RX100 VI, but it also came with a new stacked BSI CMOS sensor, which DxOMark says doesn’t stand up to the earlier model.

Aside from the microphone socket and the new sensor, the RX100 VII and RX100 VI are essentially the same camera, albeit with a $200 price difference.

  • 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor
  • 24-200mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.5 stabilized zoom
  • Real-Time Tracking AF for stills and video
  • ISO 100-12,800, with expansion to ISO 64–25,600
  • Bursts at 90 fps, or up to 20 fps, blackout-free
  • 3-inch touchscreen
  • 4K UHD/30fps video, Full HD at up 120fps
  • Wi-Fi with Bluetooth and NFC

DxOMark gave the RX100 VII an overall score of 63, which is pretty disappointing. Especially so when the original Sony RX100 released in 2012 scored 66. DxOMark says that they expected the RX100 VII to score closer to 70, which is what the Sony RX100 V scored.

DxOMark’s final conclusion doesn’t say that the sensor sucks, although it’s not really a glowing recommendation. The new sensor does come with some benefits, like real-time tracking AF, but still…

With sensors larger than those found in typical compacts, offering 20MP resolution and high image quality with low noise, and with dynamic range approaching that of some interchangeable-lens camera, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 series has come to define an enthusiast’s advanced compact ever since it was introduced in 2012.

Although it doesn’t quite match the exceptional imaging performance of the previous generation of 1-inch type BSI CMOS sensor, the Sony RX100 VII’s newly-developed “stacked” sensor comes very close. With its built-in DRAM and enhanced PDAF providing a number of benefits, along with the Real-Time Tracking AF feature, it seems a fair tradeoff. All in all, with its new capabilities and solid image quality, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII looks like one of the most compelling compacts available.

Given DxOMark’s findings, that $200 price difference between the RX100 VII and RX100 VI is an awful lot of extra money to pay for a microphone jack and reduced image quality.

You can read the full review on the DxOMark website.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Sony finally adds a microphone jack to its RX100 line with the new RX100 VII Sony replaces the RX100 V with the RX100 VA boasting some RX100 VI features First leaked images of the Sony ZV-1 show a vlogging-oriented RX100 VII successor DxO Mark splits from DxO Labs and becomes an independent company

Filed Under: news Tagged With: BSI Sensor, CMOS, sony, Sony RX100 VII, sony sensor

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« Teen brothers spent 8 years recreating full “Toy Story 3” with toys and stop motion
Should beginners work for free to build their portfolio? »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Watch: How good (or bad) is an $8.50 tripod?
  • How to light and photograph Lego building interiors
  • Lighting Setup: How to light your portraits with £50 LED tubes
  • Review: Insta360 announces its first gimbal – The AI-tracking Insta360 Flow
  • World Press Photo 2023 regional winners show why AI will never kill photography

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy