The SONY RX100M7 had been reviewed by famous YouTubers even before its release, and its performance truly amazed us. Naturally, my husband pre-ordered it as soon as reservations opened, and it arrived at our home recently. I asked him to write a review, so please take a look below.

Why We Chose the RX100M7

Although he’s a car enthusiast, he’s not that knowledgeable about cameras. So please read this as the impressions of a complete amateur user who enjoys car photography as a hobby.

He had been using the RX100M3 (M3) for many years but was thinking about upgrading. At one point, he even pre-ordered Canon’s G7 X Mark III because it was rumored to have an external microphone jack.

However, when news came out that Sony was releasing the RX100M7 (M7), he decided to cancel the G7 X Mark III reservation and buy the M7 instead. He immediately reserved it on the Sony Store’s launch day, and it arrived at our home on August 30th.

The main reason for choosing the M7 over the M5 or M6 was definitely the addition of the external microphone jack. Also, the lightning-fast autofocus performance, said to be inherited from the α9, was the deciding factor.

External Microphone Input

Of course, as a car lover, he enjoys taking photos, but he also wants to capture videos and engine sounds clearly. While every camera has a built-in microphone that can record engine sounds, it often picks up a lot of wind noise and has a limited frequency range, making the recorded engine sound quite different from reality. Personally, he finds that unacceptable for enjoying the sound.

When looking for a compact digital camera that supports an external microphone, there were hardly any options. The M3 he owned didn’t support it, which was a major frustration.

The RX100M7 maintains a compact size similar to previous models but now includes an external microphone jack, making it a long-awaited model for him personally.

Lightning-Fast Autofocus

It’s important not only when photographing moving cars but also at home, where we have two kids aged 2 and 5. They’re constantly moving around and rarely stay still. In such situations, autofocus speed is crucial.

With the previous M3, the autofocus often couldn’t keep up, resulting in many failed shots when capturing moving subjects. But the M7’s autofocus is truly amazing. While not perfect, it achieves sharp focus in a very high percentage of shots. It might even be comparable to or better than the α7 III, which is his main camera.

The eye autofocus and face recognition are extremely convenient. The moment a child looks at the camera, the focus locks precisely on their eyes, producing razor-sharp photos. This camera is highly recommended for parents who want to capture their children’s growth.

Lens Performance and Image Quality

The RX100M7’s lens has an aperture range of F2.8–4.5 and a focal length of 24mm–200mm. Compared to the RX100M3’s F1.8–2.8 24–70mm lens, it’s a bit darker but offers significantly better telephoto reach.

When upgrading from the M3 to the M7, he was initially concerned about the darker lens affecting background blur at wide apertures, but that turned out not to be an issue at all. In fact, the improved telephoto capability allows for even more pronounced background blur than the M3, which he’s very satisfied with.

The detail rendering seems about the same as the M3, but the colors appear even more vivid, making the photos look beautiful even to an amateur eye.

Compared to the mirrorless α7 III he uses as his main camera, the RX100M7 shows a slight noise graininess when shooting indoors at night or in dim lighting. Also, the α7 III captures finer details in portraits, so this is probably the limit of a compact digital camera’s performance.

Still, for everyday snapshots, the RX100M7 delivers top-class image quality. If you want to shoot seriously as an artist, a DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended, but for those who don’t require that level, this camera’s image quality is more than satisfying.

Video Performance

Honestly, the video quality is quite beautiful. Many YouTubers have reviewed this in detail, so I recommend checking their videos for more information. The image stabilization is excellent, and among digital stabilizers, it’s close to the smoothness of the GoPro Hero7.

By the way, the GoPro Hero7’s stabilization is amazing, and lately, he often shoots with just that because carrying a gimbal is a hassle. If GoPro’s stabilization is rated 10, the M7’s is probably around 7 to 8, in his opinion.

Walking shots are smooth and almost free of discomfort, but when shooting from the passenger seat of a car, the M7 struggles a bit with compensating for car vibrations, sometimes causing awkward control and sudden changes in framing.

Genuine Case (LCJ-RXK)

When purchasing the M7, he also bought the official jacket case and shooting grip at the same time.

First, let’s introduce the genuine case. There weren’t many detailed reviews available, so he bought it as a test, and it turned out to be quite good.

The exterior is synthetic leather but doesn’t feel cheap at all; it’s very solidly made. It covers the entire camera body, so it offers excellent protection against scratches.

When taking photos, you just unbutton the front cover and open it. During shooting, the cover stays attached to the bottom of the camera with another button, so you don’t have to put the cover down anywhere.

Also, you can use a tripod, charge the camera, and connect an external microphone without removing the case, which is very convenient. Before buying, he imagined it might be less user-friendly, but after using it, he’s very satisfied with its practicality and convenience.

Shooting Grip (VCT-SGR1)

When buying the M7, he chose the shooting grip kit, which means the camera body and shooting grip come as a set. The model number is DSC-RX100M7G.

This shooting grip connects to the camera’s tripod socket and uses a USB connection for camera controls. This USB connection allows you to operate the shutter, start/stop recording, and zoom right from the grip.

With the included bracket, you can also mount an external microphone, making it convenient for vloggers and selfie shooters. It also doubles as a mini tripod, handy for shooting on tables at restaurants and such.

Overall Impression

This camera is quite expensive, so buying it takes courage. However, Sony’s RX100 series continues to be sold new even after older models are discontinued, so the used market prices remain very stable. This means it has a high resale value, making it effectively an affordable camera to own.

If you want to shoot seriously as an artist, a DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended, but for travel and everyday use, it’s perfect for those who want photos a step above smartphone quality. The lightning-fast autofocus is also great for pet and child photography. Plus, the external microphone jack lets you record clear, beautiful audio for videos, making it ideal for vloggers as well.