The RX100 series of compact high performance camera models started with the original RX100 model in 2012. The most recent and still current iteration of the line is the RX100-7, introduced in 2019. This continues the theme of the series, which is to pack the greatest possible amount of image quality and performance into a tiny package. Judged on that criterion I think we can say that the RX100 line is the most successful and most ground breaking series of compact camera models ever presented to the market.
The downside of this remarkable technological achievement is that these tiny cameras are victims of their own success. They are so small and their controls so tiny that they suffer from compromised ergonomics and a less than wonderful user experience.
The Mk7 is the third model of this line which I have purchased, used and evaluated. The previous two were the Mk4 and Mk5A. The Mk7 uses the same or very nearly identical body size and configuration as the earlier models but adds a substantially longer zoom range while retaining the already excellent image quality and performance.
General observations
The paradox of the RX100 compacts is that although they are specified like a high end mirrorless interchangeable model with every imaginable parameter being user adjustable, in practice we find that the most agreeable way to use the device is to set up all the controls and capture parameters for general purpose single shot mode then operate the camera as a point-and-shooter, with very few user inputs in the process. This is because the process of actually making most of the adjustments and changing the settings involves operating tiny, fiddly buttons and delving into long convoluted menus and sub-menus and sub-sub-menus.
Preliminaries
* A teensy-tiny camera uses teensy-tiny batteries, in this case the Sony NP-BX1 model. These are actually pretty impressive for their size but if we plan on making a lot of images two or three batteries will be required.
* Batteries must be charged. Unfortunately in the era of USB-C devices, the RX100-7 still uses a micro-USB charging plug. If Sony ever decides to produce a new RX100 model it will need to use a standard USBC connection like most other current model cameras.
* A wrist strap is desirable for safety. I use small, light cheap generic ones.
* Sony sells the camera without the AG-R2 stick-on accessory grip. I have no idea why they would not include this 2 cent accessory with every RX100 camera sold. I have tried various accessory grips, including more elaborate ones in metal, wood and plastic, but I find the little AG-R2 is the best.
* RX100 cameras are “pocketable”. So carry them in a pocket right ? Well……..maybe…..The problem is that pockets are often unfriendly places in which to carry a camera, especially an expensive one like the RX100-7. So I carry mine in a little pouch which is much more camera-friendly and has space for two spare batteries, spare SD cards and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
* Sony’s version of an owners manual is the On-line User Guide. This is comprehensive and reasonably well written with multiple internal cross references. The problem is the sheer scale of the variables which can be user configured and the problem of figuring out what is their purpose. About this the User Guide provides little guidance. It tells us what settings we can make but not why we would select one in preference to another. The problem is not particular to this camera or Sony cameras in general but most compacts have a more limited selection of user assignable functions.
Setup Phase of use
This generally involves allocating user preferred functions to buttons and dials and making menu settings. On this camera there is not much we can or would want to do about changing button functions. I have alluded to the menus above. There are far more menu items than we usually find on a compact camera and they are not arranged in photographer-centric groups. Items are not searchable and there are many idiosyncratic items such as “Focus Standard’ and “Exposure Std. Adjust” the meaning of which are not self evident.
For a newcomer to Sony-menu-world, the RX100-7 can be quite a challenge to set up.
The irony of all this is that most users will probably never find a way to make use of many of the multitude of user configurable features and capabilities which this camera offers.
Setup Phase score 8/15
Prepare Phase of use
This is the minute or few in which we might wish to efficiently re-configure the camera for a new use case.
On many cameras this involves moving a dial or dials to a new position and/or selecting from several items in a quick menu of some kind or selecting a pre-programmed Custom Mode, which in Sony-world is generally found on the MR (memory recall) position on the Mode Dial.
The RX100-7 actually manages this phase decently well. It has an MR function which works as advertised.
It offers, via the [fn] button a 12 item user configurable set of adjustable parameters which are easy to access. This is well implemented on Sony cameras including the RX100-7.
Unfortunately the [fn] button, like all the buttons on this camera, is tiny and in my hands impossible to locate and operate by feel. Which means that actually using the Function Menu is less streamlined than is the case on larger Sony or other brand models on which the appropriate button can be located by feel and the adjustment made with the camera at the eye.
Prepare Phase score 10/15
Holding
With the Sony AG-R2 stick-on accessory handle fitted the RX100-7 offers a holding experience which is reasonably comfortable for such a diminutive little device.
It is not wonderful though and nowhere near as good as a model with a proper ergonomic handle. The absence of a proper handle also deprives the designers of a place to locate a front control dial.
The thumb support is raised only 1mm above the back of the body and would benefit from being 2-3mm higher with no detriment to the compact dimensions of the device.
Holding score 9/20
Viewing
The viewing experience provided by this camera is not quite as enjoyable as the specifications might suggest. Both the monitor screen and EVF panel are well specified. In use the monitor provides a bright clear preview of the image with clear, bright white camera data displays on a black background beneath the image preview. The panel is double hinged to tilt down 90 degrees or up 180 degrees as required. The camera can be used for vlogging with the user on the lens side of the device. There is no option to tilt the screen up or down in portrait orientation.
The best thing about the eye level viewfinder is that the camera actually has one. This is very desirable outdoors in bright light when the monitor panel is difficult or impossible to see clearly or at all. However the experience of using the viewfinder is less than optimal. First it has to be popped up for use. Second, camera data is displayed in thin, light grey characters above and below the preview image. These are difficult to see clearly in bright light. Also in bright light the absence of a rubber eyecup allows stray light to enter the viewfinder eyepiece, greatly impairing visibility of the preview image.
The level gauge is well designed and implemented.
Viewing score 10/20
Operation
If we elect to use the RX100-7 as a point-and-shoot-er, it provides snappy performance, good autofocus and good results. But as soon as we try to make use of the multitude of user controllable functions the experience becomes rather less enjoyable.
While conducting this ergonomic evaluation of the RX100-7 I have also been using my usual camera, the Canon EOS R7. With the R7 I can easily adjust all primary and secondary exposure, focus and framing parameters while looking continuously through the viewfinder and without having to change grip with either hand. Not only is this possible, it is something I do routinely and efficiently.
On the RX100-7 we can make all these adjustments and more, if we wish. But in practice, doing so requires us to bring the camera down from the eye to locate and operate one or more of the controls, none of which provides any useful haptic feedback for the user. Someone who has not used the camera might say “so what, why is that a problem, it still gets the job done right ?” … Well….yes… but in practice I find, and other reviewers have also reported that doing so is more bother than it is worth.
So what I do and what several reviewers report doing is to set up the camera for general purpose, single shot stills and leave it that way all the time.
Operation score 10/25
Review Phase of use
The RX100-7 has all the review functions I expect of a modern camera, with no problems in this department.
Review score 5/5
Total score 52/100
Comment
I conducted this evaluation and scoring exercise without referring back to my notes about the same process on the RX100-4 and RX100-5A several years ago.
I scored the RX100-4 at 51/100 and the RX100-5A at 52/100.
As the three cameras offer essentially the same user experience this indicates a decent degree of consistency in the scoring process.
The viewfinder pop-up-push-down mechanism on the Mk7 is designed to reduce the number of actions required to use the EVF and it does work as advertised. But in practice this provides at best only a marginal ergonomic advantage.
My basic settings
Although the RX100-7 offers a mind-boggling range of user configurable functions, capabilities and settings, I find that in practice it works best as a K.I.S.S. device.
So I leave most menu settings at default, including those the purpose of which I have never quite figured out.
I leave button functions at default.
I set the viewfinder slider switch on the upper left of the body to switch the camera on as well as elevate the viewfinder.
* Auto ISO Min.SS: fast (to prevent blur from camera shake)
* AF-C: I use continuous AF all the time even for single shot pix.
* Focus Area: Tracking, Center. I focus and re-compose for off center subjects. On this camera I find that easier and more reliable than trying to move the focus area around the frame.
* Drive Mode: Single shooting.
* ISO Auto
* Steady shot On
* Subject detection: Human
* Face/eye priority in AF: On
* Grid line: Off
* Touch operation: Off (prevents fingers sending the focus area all over the screen)
* RAW image capture.
* Panorama function: I set this up to operate with the camera in portrait orientation, right hand high, swing from left to right.
Final thoughts
I think that Sony has the makings of a really good camera in the RX100-7. But the user experience is diminished by ergonomic limitations imposed by the tiny size of the device. If the product development people at Sony could bring themselves to package the inner workings of the RX100-7 into a housing about the size and basic configuration of the a6400, they might have themselves a really winning formula with wider appeal than the current RX100 series. Especially if they worked a well designed front control dial into the design. There are several ways this could be achieved with good ergonomic effect. Oh, yes, and remove those menu items which most users will simply leave at default, which is probably about 75% of them.
And that’s about it for this post.
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