Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 VI review

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 VI review

12 Jul

83%

Overall score

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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 VI is the latest pocketable compact camera to feature a 1″-type image sensor. Unlike existing models in the marketplace, the RX100 VI ventures into the do-everything/travel camera space, with the addition of a 24-200mm equivalent F2.8-4.5 lens.

Like its immediate predecessor, the Mark VI offers quick and accurate on-sensor phase detection autofocus, the ability to shoot at up to 24 frames per second and highly detailed 4K video taken from the full width of its sensor. It becomes the first RX100-series camera to offer a touchscreen and has a redesigned electronic viewfinder that can be activated or stowed-away with a single push.

Key features:

20.1MP 1″-type stacked CMOS sensor
F2.8-4.5, 24-200mm equiv. zoom lens
Retractable 2.36M-dot EVF with 0.59x equiv. magnification
24 fps burst shooting (with continuous autofocus)
UHD 4K video at 30p and 24p, 1080p slow-motion capture
5-axis image stabilization
3″ touchscreen LCD
On-sensor phase-detection autofocus
Wi-Fi with NFC for quick image transfer to mobile devices
USB charging

Despite the significantly increased lens range, the RX100 VI is less than 2mm (5/64″) thicker than the Mark V. The result is a camera that can lend itself to a wider range of photographic situations (making it a solid traveling companion) but with a less bright lens that means sacrificing some of the low-light capability of its sister models.

The RX100 VI has a recommended selling price of around $ 1,200 before sales tax, or £1,150/€1,299 in Europe, including VAT.

What’s new and how it compares

The RX100 VI is more of a travel zoom than an enthusiast compact. We see how it compares with Panasonic’s TZ / ZS models, as well as its immediate predecessor.

The RX100 VI incorprorates a touchscreen but it’s still most satisfying if you don’t try to get too involved.

The RX100 VI is a very powerful travel camera and highly capable for family photography, but it’s not as good in low light as some of its peers.

Autofocus is very impressive: delivering a very high hit-rate even when you shoot 24 times per second. Eye AF is also hugely valuable. The design of the autofocus system is a little convoluted, though.

The RX100 VI can shoot some very attractive, detailed video and has an extensive feature set to support this. There are also significant limitations in terms of time and absent features.

The RX100 VI produces some of Sony’s nicest JPEGs yet and, on our sample at least, the lens looks excellent.

The RX100 VI is a hugely capable camera. It trades some of its predecessors’ low light performance for greater daytime flexibility, though the price tag is steep.

360Photography