- Sony RX100 in 2025 – which RX100 is right for you and what are the best alternatives?
- What is the Sony RX100?
- Sony RX100 models compared
- Overview of the Sony RX100 models
- How the RX100 evolved over the years
- Strengths of the Sony RX100 series
- Common issues with Sony RX100 models
- What is special about a 1 inch sensor?
- Differences to Micro Four Thirds cameras
- Alternatives to the Sony RX100 with a 1 inch sensor
- Canon PowerShot G7 X series
- Canon PowerShot V1 and V10
- Panasonic Lumix 1 inch compacts
- Sony ZV 1 and ZV 1 II
- OpenMemories Tweak – what is it and which RX100 models are compatible?
- Who is the Sony RX100 for?
- Conclusion – which Sony RX100 is right for you?
Sony RX100 in 2025 – which RX100 is right for you and what are the best alternatives?
The Sony RX100 series has been one of the most interesting compact cameras with a 1 inch sensor for many years. Many people use it as a small travel camera, as an everyday carry camera or as a compact backup for a larger system camera. By now there are seven generations of the RX100, plus some strong alternatives and a few things you should know before you buy.
In this guide we will look at what makes the Sony RX100 special, how the different RX100 models compare, what common issues you should be aware of and which 1 inch and Micro Four Thirds alternatives are worth a look. I will also briefly touch on the OpenMemories Tweak and who the RX100 is still a good choice for in 2025.
What is the Sony RX100?
The Sony RX100 is a compact travel camera with a built in zoom lens and a 1 inch sensor. Compared to typical compact cameras or smartphones, the larger sensor offers:
- better image quality, especially in low light
- more headroom for editing and post processing
- a bit more background blur and subject isolation
At the same time the camera is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. This mix of image quality and portability is exactly what makes the Sony RX100 so interesting.
Typical use cases:
- city trips and holidays
- street photography and everyday moments
- family events, parties, concerts
- vlogs and YouTube when you want to stay small and discreet
Sony RX100 models compared
The RX100 line consists of seven generations. All use a 1 inch sensor with around 20 megapixels, but they differ in lens, autofocus, viewfinder and video features.
Overview of the Sony RX100 models
The table below gives you a quick overview of the most important differences between the RX100 models.
| Model | Year | Focal length (35 mm equiv.) | Aperture | Sensor type | Viewfinder (EVF) | Max video | Key features | Launch RRP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX100 (Mark I) | 2012 | 28–100 mm | f/1.8–4.9 | 1″ CMOS | no | Full HD | first 1 inch compact camera from Sony, very compact | approx. 650 € (*) |
| RX100 II | 2013 | 28–100 mm | f/1.8–4.9 | 1″ BSI CMOS | no | Full HD | tilting screen, hot shoe, WiFi/NFC | approx. 750 € (*) |
| RX100 III | 2014 | 24–70 mm | f/1.8–2.8 | 1″ BSI CMOS | yes | Full HD | fast zoom, built in ND filter, compact pop up EVF | approx. 800 € (*) |
| RX100 IV | 2015 | 24–70 mm | f/1.8–2.8 | 1″ stacked CMOS | yes | 4K, about 5 min | first stacked sensor, super slow motion, 5 min 4K limit | approx. 950 € (*) |
| RX100 V | 2016 | 24–70 mm | f/1.8–2.8 | 1″ stacked CMOS | yes | 4K, about 5 min | very fast AF, up to 24 fps burst shooting | approx. 1.000 € (*) |
| RX100 VA | 2018 | 24–70 mm | f/1.8–2.8 | 1″ stacked CMOS | yes | 4K, about 5 min | updated processor, improved menu and AF | approx. 1.000 € (*) |
| RX100 VI | 2018 | 24–200 mm | f/2.8–4.5 | 1″ stacked CMOS | yes | 4K, about 10 min | much longer zoom range, touchscreen, travel zoom | approx. 1.200 € (*) |
| RX100 VII | 2019 | 24–200 mm | f/2.8–4.5 | 1″ stacked CMOS | yes | 4K without fixed 30 min limit (thermally limited) | microphone input, AF performance similar to Sony a9 | approx. 1,200 € (*) |
The differences are mainly about how you want to use the camera: the early models are more classic compact cameras, the RX100 III to V are fast all rounders and the RX100 VI and VII are powerful travel zooms.
How the RX100 evolved over the years
You can roughly divide the evolution of the RX100 into three phases.
1. Compact camera with large sensor (RX100, RX100 II)
- classic compact camera concept, but with a much larger sensor
- 28–100 mm zoom, no viewfinder, photo first design
2. Premium compact with EVF and better video (RX100 III, IV, V/VA)
- 24–70 mm f/1.8–2.8, built in electronic viewfinder
- RX100 IV and V with 4K video, slow motion and very fast autofocus
- designed as small all round cameras for photo and video
3. Travel zoom and vlogger focus (RX100 VI, VII)
- 24–200 mm zoom, a bit slower but far more reach
- RX100 VII with microphone input, improved rolling shutter and longer 4K recording times
- ideal as a travel camera when you need telephoto but do not want to swap lenses
Strengths of the Sony RX100 series
The Sony RX100 did not become a classic by accident. Typical strengths include:
- 1 inch sensor with very good image quality
- high quality ZEISS zoom lens
- pop up EVF from the RX100 III onwards
- RAW support and plenty of manual controls
- fast autofocus from the RX100 V, with Eye AF and real time tracking on the RX100 VII
- compact metal body that fits in a jacket pocket
The RX100 III to V are very versatile thanks to the bright 24–70 mm lens and the built in viewfinder. The RX100 VI and VII stand out as travel zooms with their 24–200 mm range.
Common issues with Sony RX100 models
Even though the RX100 line is very popular, there are some typical weaknesses you should be aware of.
4K overheating
- RX100 IV and RX100 V often stop 4K recording after 3–5 minutes, especially in warm conditions
- later models allow you to raise the auto power off temperature, but the body is still very small and heats up quickly
Battery life
- all RX100 models use the small NP BX1 battery
- in real world use you get around 200–300 photos or a few short clips
- one or two spare batteries are almost essential if you shoot all day
Weather sealing
- there is no real weather sealing
- dust, sand and moisture are not ideal for the zoom mechanism
- you should be careful at the beach and in heavy rain
Grip and handling
- the body is smooth and fairly small
- many users add a small front grip or a half case to make it easier to hold
Menu structure
- classic Sony problem: lots of options spread across many pages
- it is worth mapping your most used functions to custom buttons and the Fn menu
What is special about a 1 inch sensor?
The 1 inch sensor in the Sony RX100 sits between a phone and a larger system camera in terms of size and performance.
Key characteristics of a 1 inch sensor:
- size around 13.2 x 8.8 mm
- much larger than typical smartphone sensors
- noticeably less noise at ISO 800, 1600 or 3200 compared to most phones
- more dynamic range and flexibility in post processing
- more background blur is possible, especially with f/1.8–2.8 on the RX100 III to V
At the same time the lens can stay relatively compact, so the overall camera remains pocket friendly. This combination is what makes the Sony RX100 and other 1 inch compacts so attractive.
Differences to Micro Four Thirds cameras
Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras like the Panasonic Lumix G or OM System models use a larger sensor than 1 inch. The MFT sensor is roughly twice the area of a 1 inch sensor.
Advantages of MFT over 1 inch
- better image quality in low light
- more subject separation with fast prime lenses
- interchangeable lenses for different use cases
- better ergonomics, larger batteries, more direct controls
Advantages of the Sony RX100 over MFT
- much smaller and lighter
- everything in one body, no need to carry extra lenses
- very discreet, ideal for travel, street and daily life
- with the 24–200 mm zoom (RX100 VI/VII) you cover a lot of situations with one lens
If you want to invest more into photography long term, try telephoto lenses or aim for maximum background blur, MFT (or directly APS C) will be more flexible. If you simply want a small 1 inch compact camera as an upgrade from your phone, the Sony RX100 is a very comfortable option.
Alternatives to the Sony RX100 with a 1 inch sensor
The market for 1 inch compact cameras is smaller than it used to be, but there are still some interesting alternatives to the Sony RX100.
Canon PowerShot G7 X series
The Canon PowerShot G7 X, G7 X Mark II and G7 X Mark III (*) are classic competitors to the Sony RX100 III to V.
- 1 inch sensor
- 24–100 mm f/1.8–2.8 zoom
- very popular with vloggers, especially the G7 X Mark II and III
- typical Canon look with different colour science and handling
Canon PowerShot V1 and V10
Canon positions the newer V models more for creators.
- PowerShot V10 (*): tiny vlogging camera with 1 inch sensor, built in stand and fixed wide angle lens
- PowerShot V1 (*): modern all round camera with large 1.4 inch sensor for photo and video, more in line with current hybrid system cameras
The Canon PowerShot V1 is especially interesting if you are mainly focused on video content and want an all in one solution.
Panasonic Lumix 1 inch compacts
Panasonic also offers several 1 inch compact cameras.
- Lumix LX10 / LX15: 24–72 mm f/1.4–2.8, very bright lens, more photo focused
- Lumix TZ200 / TZ202: 24–360 mm travel zoom, not as bright but extremely flexible in reach
The TZ series is a strong travel zoom alternative to the RX100 VI/VII if you prefer Panasonic menus and handling.
Sony ZV 1 and ZV 1 II
The Sony ZV line (*) also uses a 1 inch sensor and is partly based on RX100 technology, but is clearly optimised for vloggers.
- side flipping screen
- better built in microphone
- special features like product showcase and background defocus on a dedicated button
If your main focus is video and YouTube, a Sony ZV 1 or ZV 1 II is often a better choice than a classic RX100.
(*) Affiliate links
OpenMemories Tweak – what is it and which RX100 models are compatible?
OpenMemories Tweak is an unofficial app for certain Sony cameras that use the older PlayMemories platform. With it you can:
- remove the 30 minute video limit
- unlock PAL / NTSC switching
- add more language options if your camera only offers a few
In the RX100 line the following models usually work with OpenMemories Tweak:
- Sony RX100 III
- Sony RX100 IV
- Sony RX100 V and VA
Important: this is a community project, not an official Sony feature. You use it at your own risk and should be aware that in the worst case it may affect warranty or support.
Who is the Sony RX100 for?
The Sony RX100 is no longer a brand new camera in 2025, but it can still be a great fit depending on how you shoot.
The Sony RX100 is a good choice if
- you want a high quality 1 inch compact camera that fits in a jacket pocket
- your smartphone is no longer enough for your photo and video needs
- you like to shoot on holidays and city trips
- you want a small companion for your larger system camera
- you are willing to live with the limitations in battery life and 4K overheating
The RX100 is less suitable if
- you need to record long 4K clips in one take
- you rely heavily on shallow depth of field and low light work
- you already own a very good smartphone camera and the difference is not that important to you
Conclusion – which Sony RX100 is right for you?
If you are looking for a 1 inch compact camera, it is worth taking a closer look at the individual RX100 models.
- for a smaller budget and a photo first use, the RX100 II or RX100 III are interesting
- as versatile all rounders with a good balance of bright lens, EVF and video, the RX100 V or RX100 VA work very well
- for travel with 24–200 mm zoom and solid video performance, the RX100 VI and RX100 VII are strong options
On top of that you have alternatives like the Canon G7 X series, Canon PowerShot V1, Panasonic Lumix LX and TZ and the Sony ZV 1 models if you lean more towards video.
In the end the Sony RX100 remains a very compelling 1 inch compact, especially on the used market. Once you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each model, you can pick exactly the RX100 that best fits your projects, shooting style and budget.
(*) Affiliate links
