Exploring the Sony RX100 Series: From the RX100 to the RX100 VII

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Nearly ten years ago, I published a hands-on review on the advanced compact Sony RX100 III, and that review of the third iteration of Sony’s RX100 series has since become one of the most popular articles on ItsJustLight.com, still drawing thousands of visitors to the site each month. Even though it’s more than a decade old, the RX100 III is still a camera that sells incredibly well on the used market and remains beloved by photographers around the world. I was so impressed with this pocketable camera that after testing and reviewing it, I bought one for myself, bringing it across the world on some incredible adventures. From the humid jungles of Cambodia to the smoldering volcanoes of Indonesia (and an awful lot of places in between), this camera captured memories and moments that I’ll never forget. It survived many a monsoon season downpour, some (accidental) drops into the mud, and many near disasters, yet it continued to produce incredible images that have made it one of my favorite cameras.

With seven models in this legendary lineup released from 2012-2019, Sony’s RX100 series has evolved dramatically, with each model adding more advanced features. In this article, we’ll do a quick overview of the entire RX100 lineup, then dive into the latest model, the RX100 VII, exploring whether this might just be the final chapter in Sony’s iconic compact camera series or whether there may be a new version, with an RX100 VIII still to come.

Falling in Love with the Sony RX100 Series

When I travel, I take a lot of photos. A lot, a lot. For someone who has always had a camera in hand since long before I began doing it professionally, photography has been my way of both cementing moments in my memory and keeping a visual journal for myself and for others. My travels across numerous countries around the world have been life-changing, and during so many of them, my little RX100 III churned out tens of thousands of images, captured memorable videos, and served as a reliable tool that enabled me to capture wildly high-quality photos (and videos) without toting around several kilos of gear.

What I love about the RX100 series is that it balances portability with professional-grade performance that comes from a large one-inch sensor and sharp glass squeezed into a pocketable camera that barely draws attention. From the very first RX100 model released in the summer of 2012, Sony helped to usher in a new era of pushing the boundaries on what was possible from compact cameras. The inclusion of a 20.2 MP Exmor CMOS sensor combined with a 28-100mm equivalent f/1.8-4.9 lens helped to make this camera an instant standout. Six additional models further refined the concept over the following seven years, adding features like stacked sensors, new lenses with more reach, improved burst shooting, faster autofocus, 4K video capture, touchscreen interfaces, and more. For photographers, both professional and amateur alike, who wanted high quality from a small, pocket-size camera, the RX100 series has consistently remained one of the best options available.

A Quick History and Overview of the RX100 Series

The Sony RX100 series has undergone an incremental evolution since its introduction back in 2012, with each model building on the success of its predecessor with key advancements that kept the series competitive in a crowded compact camera market. From the first RX100, which redefined what compact cameras could achieve with its large sensor and fast lens, to the most recent RX100 VII, which introduced real-time tracking and Eye AF, this series has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in a pocket-sized camera. Below, we’ll briefly review the history of each model in the RX100 lineup and the innovative features that defined them.

• • Sony RX100 – June 2012
    The original Sony RX100 introduced a 1-inch 20.2 MP Exmor CMOS sensor and was a major achievement for advanced compact cameras at the time. It featured a fast f/1.8-4.9 28-100mm equivalent lens, which made it great for producing beautiful bokeh and delivering good low-light results.
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• • Sony RX100 II – June 2013
    This model added a back-illuminated sensor, which further improved low-light performance. The RX100 II also saw the introduction of a Multi Interface Shoe to use an external viewfinder or flash as well as a tiltable LCD screen. It also added Wi-Fi and NFC for easier sharing and remote control via smartphones.
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• • Sony RX100 III – May 2014
    The Sony RX100 III introduced a built-in, pop-up electronic viewfinder and a wider 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 lens, replacing the 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 from the previous models.
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• • Sony RX100 IV – June 2015
    The RX100 IV introduced a stacked 20.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor, improving processing speed and efficiency. This model was the first to offer 4K video recording and featured super slow-motion video at up to 960fps.
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• • Sony RX100 V – October 2016
    The RX100 V improved autofocus speed to 0.05 seconds with 315 phase-detection points. It also increased the continuous shooting speed to 24fps and expanded the buffer size, making it useful for fast-moving subjects.
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• • Sony RX100 VI – June 2018
    This model expanded the zoom range to 24-200mm with an f/2.8-4.5 aperture, adding versatility for different types of photography without significantly increasing the camera size. It also brought touchscreen functionality for focus control.
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• • Sony RX100 VII – July 2019
    The RX100 VII introduced real-time tracking and Eye AF for both humans and animals, improving autofocus precision. It also added a 3.5mm microphone input for vloggers and maintained blackout-free shooting at 20fps.
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The RX100 VII: Still a Great Option in 2024

In 2019, Sony released the most up-to-date version of its pocket-sized pro-featured camera, the Sony RX100 VII. With its 20.1-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, the RX100 VII introduced cutting-edge features like real-time tracking and Eye AF for humans and animals, significantly improving autofocus performance. It also added a 3.5mm microphone input for better audio capture—a first in the RX100 series—making it a great option for vloggers. The camera’s 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens and 20fps blackout-free burst shooting ensured it remained an incredibly versatile tool for both photographers and videographers alike.

RX100 VIII Rumors: Will Sony Release a Successor to the RX100 VII?

Sony RX100 VIII rumors have been circulating for years, and in 2024, speculation seems to have picked up again. Looking at the RX100’s relatively consistent release history, one might have reasonably expected a new version by 2020. But 2020 came and went, followed by radio silence. Now in 2024, the RX100 VII remains the most recent model, still enjoying strong sales. Has Sony moved on? With smartphones offering RAW image capture and 4K video, perhaps compact cameras seemed like a bad investment?

Despite the rise of alternatives and lightweight mirrorless cameras, there’s been a resurgence in interest for fixed-lens, compact-form cameras, driven in part by social media platforms like TikTok. Cameras like the Fuji X100 VI, Ricoh GR IIIx, and Sony RX100 VII have been in hot demand thanks to this renewed interest. While the market has diversified, the RX100 series still holds its own, combining portability with pro-level features that continue to make it relevant today.

Sony has consistently driven innovation in the camera world, introducing impressive advances in autofocus, video capabilities, and sensor technology across their product lines. It would be exciting to see some of these updated advanced features and specs make their way into the small, pocketable body of an RX100 VIII. The fact that, even after half a decade, the Sony RX100 VII still holds its own in the market is a real testament to the lasting impact of the RX100 series. For anyone reviewing their options for a feature-rich compact camera that’s well suited for travel, the RX100 VII remains a strong contender, demonstrating the powerful legacy Sony has built with this iconic lineup. I’m keeping my eyes eagerly peeled for any official announcements, and it seems like many others are as well.