PRESS RELEASE: The new Sony RX100 MKVII has A9 Speed and Real Time EYE AF!
Sony has announced the new RX100 VII and I was able to get a preview of it while in New York testing the new A7RIV. It’s the same body, now has a microphone input and offers A9 Level Speed and real time EYE AF. Sony seems to be aiming this to the vlogging world as with its handle, flip up screen and mic in put one can take this anywhere for high quality video recording. With real time EYE AF focus issues are now fully a thing of the past.
I do not have one in hand but can get a hold of one soon, so will request a review unit. I have shot with them all, I-VI and owned the MKI and MKII. This new MKVII is the first (IMO) that is worthy of upgrading to from the older versions. Having a pocket camera with the speed and power of an A9 with the amazing AF and now a MIC input makes it worth it for me. New sensor, blackout free shooting, up to 90FPS shooting speed, A9 Level Performance and the 24-200mm Lens for ultimate versatility. This seems to be a knockout pocket camera.
Press release and blurb below but the RX100 VII can be pre ordered at B&H Photo HERE. It comes in at $1198.00 and will start shipping in August 2019. So next month!
Newest Addition to RX Series Delivers Alpha 9 Level Speed and AF Performance with Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF
• Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals
• ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm F2.8 – F4.5 Large Aperture High Magnification Zoom Lens
• New Single Burst Shooting Drive Mode at up to 90fps speed
• Pro-level movie functionality including 4K HDR (HLG), Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for movie shooting, 4K Active SteadyShot™, Vertical-position data recording for movies and integrated microphone jack
SAN DIEGO — July 25, 2019 —Sony Electronics today announced a new addition to its award-winning series of RX compact cameras: the RX100 VII(model DSC-RX100M7). Utilizing technologies that were previously available only in Sony’s acclaimed Alpha 9 full-frame mirrorless camera, the RX100 VII achieves new levels of performance in a compact camera, in both stills and movie shooting.
The RX100 VII is powered by a newly developed 1.0-type stacked 20.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the latest generationBIONZ X image processor, which work together to deliver peak autofocus and speed performance that has never before been available in a compact camera. Flexibility of shooting is ensured by a ZEISS®Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mmviiiF2.8-4.5 high magnification zoom lens, making the RX100 VII a versatile choice for all types of shooting scenariosand users, ranging from photo enthusiasts to professionals.
“The RX100 VII sets a new standard for performance in compact cameras,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions at Sony Electronics. “Sony will continue to drive innovation in the world of imaging, constantly pushing to empower creators with the most capable tools that allow them to realize their vision, and create like they have never been able to before.”
New Standard for AF Performance in a Compact Camera
The RX100 VII offers a world-leadingv357 focal-plane phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points. In addition, thanks to a newly optimized lens drive control, the world’s fastestv0.02 secviAF acquisition time is realized. A major leap in AF/AE tracking performance during continuous shooting means the camera performs AF/AE calculations up to 60 times per second captures fast moving action at 20fps with AF/AE tracking, ensuring that each moment is shot with swift and accurate focus.
In addition, the image sensor realizes blackout-free shootingivfor a completely live view, even when continuous shooting at 20fpsiii; the same experience as the Alpha 9.The RX100 VII also debuts a new drive mode, Single Burst Shootingix, for capturing the perfect high-speed shotat up to 90fpsxin JPEG/RAW format utilizing the anti-distortion shutter. Single Burst Shootingixallows the photographer to frame fast moving action and shoot as if taking a single shot, but the camera will actually deliver seven still images taken at 90fps, 60fps or 30fps, so the user can select the perfect moment.
For the first time in a compact camera, the RX100 VIIintroduces advanced Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF capabilities. Real-time Tracking utilizes Sony’s latest algorithm, including artificial intelligence-based object recognition to ensure that subjects can be captured with excellent accuracy, even via the touch panel on the rear screen. Real-time Eye AF, the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, employs A.I.-based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real time. This results in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of eye af for both humans and animals, which allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on composition.
Movie Making Marvel
The compact and lightweight characteristics of the RX100 VII (approx. 302g / 102mm x 58mm x 43mm mean it can always be carried and has mounting flexibility that larger cameras simply cannot match.
Despite the small form factors, there are a multitude of pro-level movie making capabilities, including:
4K in-body movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in high bit rate XAVCS™xi
Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for video
4K Active SteadyShot that is 8x more effective than 4K Standard SteadyShot
Industry standard 3.5mm microphone input
Hybrid Log-Gammaxii(HDR) / S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
Compatibility with Movie Edit add-on from the imaging edge TM’ mobile application for movie stabilization and editing
Vertical-position data recording for movies
Interval Shooting for stunning time-lapse videos
Super Slow Motion recording at up to 960fps
180-degree flip screen for ease-of use while vlogging
Shooting Grip Kit for Vloggers
Sony will also be introducing a Shooting Grip Kit (DSC-RX100M7G), which includes an RX100 VII and Shooting Grip (VCT-SGR1) that allows for easy recording and zooming right at your fingertips; Bracket with Accessory Shoe; and two Rechargeable Battery Packs(NP-BX1. Pair this kit with an external microphone (sold separately), such as the Sony Stereo Microphone (ECM-XYST1M) which mounts onto the bracket’s accessory shoe and allows for a convenient and simple vlogging setup.
New Jacket Case for the RX100 Series
Sony has also introduced a new leather-look body case for the RX100 series(LCJ-RXK), which includes a lens jacket and shoulder strap to protect the camera from bumps and shocks. Available in black, it provides easy access to the microphone jack and USB terminal, which enables charging and image transfers without the need to remove the case.
Pricing and Availability
The RX100 VII compact camera will ship in August 2019 for approximately $1,200 US and $1,600 CA.
The RX100 VII Shooting Grip Kit will be available later in 2019 for approximately $1,300 US and $1,700 CA.
The LCJ-RXK jacket case will ship in August 2019 for approximately $85 US and $110 CA.
It’s amazing what they’ve packed into this camera, it’s truly the swiss army knife of the digital camera world. I owned the original Mk I and now own the Mk V. To be honest….I kind of miss the Mk I, I feel it actually took better pictures to some extent, especially at base ISO. Not sure if it’s the lens, or the sensor being dialed more for video in the new models.
Well the promo pic of the lady smiling at herself while looking in the mirror, sorry, screen, tells me all I need to know. Remember when cameras were built for photographers who wanted to make great photos instead of making themselves internet stars?
Not interested in that area of photography. Ok, go on throw rocks at me.
Yes for sure you can make amazing photos with it. Then they should show that in the pics.
Ricoh gets it.
Most cameras were made for people who took snapshots of their friends and families, and their vacations.
How have we reached the point where a compact camera with a 1″ sensor costs almost as much as a new full frame body, and more than some older full frame models? It just seems wrong somehow.
Still not weather sealed. Will buy one under this condition.
It’s nice that Sony is pushing the boundaries of technology and miniaturization, and I’m sure the autofocus will be incredible, but on the optical side, I’m not sure if a slow-ish superzoom is the right way to go with a compact. I have a RX100iii, and I find myself pushing the boundaries on low-light capability a lot more than I do wishing for a much longer focal length. For non-action still shooters like myself, I think Canon’s taking a much more interesting path (24-120 1.8-2.8 in the G5xii is a pretty compelling upgrade), and I really wish Sony would show the VA line some love.
I’m amazed that they even make these small sensor cameras anymore. For 90% of shooting an Iphone would do as well or better i’d think. An iphone actually fits in your pocket and the battery lasts all day. To use this as a vloging camera you have to rig it up… at which point it no longer is a small camera.
I am also amazed at this and surprised to see another RX100 model. Today our phones can do almost all that these pocket cameras can do. So yea, I sort of agree.
Phone cameras are not as good image quality (do an comparison, the RX sensor and lens can make noticeably better images) nor do they offer this much zoom. Depends on what matters to you or not, but there are reasons to prefer these over phones, and they are quite small.
I have the RX100.6 and love it along with the A9. Amazing that the 7 will be even better. These little cameras have gotten so good, that for me, full frame is now more for special or demanding situations.