Robert Rill Loc: Pennsylvania

Thinking about trading in my larger cameras - Nikon P900 and/or Nikon 7100 w/Tamron 18-400 for Sony RX100 VI. I have a disorder that causes my hands to shake and using heavy cameras with long lenses is a problem. Has anyone used the Sony camera and can make any recommendations. Per the specifications it very small and light which could be an advantage but I am concerned the keys could be too small. Any recommendations as to stabilization. Thanks.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The most current version of that camera, version VII, is only $100 more and B&H is including a 128 gigabyte Sandisk SDXC card for no additional cost.

Robert Rill Loc: Pennsylvania

Thanks, but hoping to trade in cameras for a used VI.

stevefrankel

Stabilization works fine. I think you'll be very happy with it if you can handle the small EVF.

Robert Rill Loc: Pennsylvania

Thanks the info. Maybe I'll try out the the VI or VII and see how the EVF works.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My wife picked the VI because the lens changed on the VII. Sony added some telephoto reach but her research suggested it lost a little sharpness. She and I are old! Vision ain't what it used to be. I don't think I've seen her use the EVF because, with her glasses, she does better using the screen for composition. Her photos are good!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The Sony RX100 VI is an very good bridge camera. I think it be acceptable for you. The only other alternative is Olympus and Panasonic 4/3rds for the image stabilization, but it comes at a cost compared to the Sony RX100 VI. It is worth consideration but you may not be able to afford the cost. Hopefully, in this case, the Sony RX100 VI will fulfill your needs.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I’m 86 and I find the Sony RX100 VI exceptionally easy to use. However I only use it as a carry-around and for longish hikes and bike rides. Otherwise I stay with the full frame stuff, which is of course far heavier.
I think you’ll be very happy with the RX100 VI or VII once you get used to them.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

I purchased a used RX 100 VI about one year ago in mint condition for 1/2 of the new price. I use it largely as a back up for my FF DSLR for landscape photography where high image quality is essential. The IQ of this little camera is phenominal and an image would have to get quite large before I could see any difference between it and the FF DSLR, and I'm not sure about that even then. My only complaint about it is I've had some difficulty in learning the camera as I've never had a Sony before and am not familiar with the menus but the camera shouldn't be blamed for that. I purchased Alexander White's manual for the camera and it's been a great help. I find it amazing that for such a small camera the manual is 260 pages long! I chose the VI over the earlier models because of wanting the reach of the 200mm equivalent lens and I couldn't see any feature with the VII that I needed for my uses and the VI was considerably less expensive, the VII having just been introduced.

If high image quality is essential I would strongly recommend this little camera. It really is pocketable.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

I use the RX100 III and love the camera. It is more capable than I am and also very simple to just grab and go. I love mine.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A less expensive alternative would be the Sony HX99, shoots RAW and has a 24-720 mm Zeiss zoom and has Optical SteadyShot image stabilization used to minimize the appearance of camera shake. This camera would save you $725.00 if that is a concern.
The Sony RX100VI has 4 stops of image stabilization and a 24-200mm Zeiss zoom.
I have used these pocket Sony's on my vacations for years and have had excellent results.
Either camera will produce excellent 20X30 prints if necessary. Both have pop up viewfinders which are great for sunny outdoor shooting.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

rfreudenheim

The RX100 line of cameras are an excellent value no matter which one you pick. Your original post included concern for being able to hold its small size. I cannot recommend highly enough getting the hard shell case that Sony sells for it. It greatly improves the ability to grip the camera thus lowering the drop risk. Sometimes these cases are out of stock, but it is worth hunting around for one or waiting.
Again, the image quality of these cameras is great and overall very much worth the money. Enjoy!!

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

If you’re concerned about “drop risk”, I suggest the best and least bulky, least expensive protection is a simple Op /Tech wrist strap. The skinny one that is 1/2” strap with the quick release.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/221925-REG/OP_TECH_USA_1801021_Cam_Strap_QD_Black.html

I have had one on my RX100 from the day I bought it and if the camera is not in my pocket, it’s on my wrist.

As for the camera, it is an exceptional performer in each of it’s variations. I don’t consider it a replacement for my “real” gear; more of an option when carrying the heavy stuff is not practical. But it has limitations to be aware of. Biggest 2 are terrible battery life and frustratingly complicated menus system. I never set foot out with my RX100 without 1 batt in camera and at least 2 more in my pocket. More than 2 in my pocket if I plan to spend a day shooting. Yes, the batt life is that bad.

Sony is notorious for most difficult to navigate menus, especially if you are not familiar with it. If you use any Sony regularly, you might be more comfortable using the menu, but if you alternate between other brands (as I do with Nikon being primary) it can be a pain using Sony

That said, the images can be stunning.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

My wife just received her “Like New” Sony RX100 VI from MPB. She replaced her Canon G16 which is a great little camera as well but now discontinued. She loves the size, focal range and video capabilities. It has the same size 1” sensor that her larger Sony Camcorder has and both take great videos and stills. I like the size & weight of my G15 a little better, it weighing 3 oz more than the the Sony, but I’m sure one would get used to it. The video and stills appear to be better than the smaller sensor G15. I recommend that you keep a strap on the camera, either on your wrist or around your neck, to keep from dropping it as it is truly tiny. The buttons and controls are spaced well though and I have no problem negotiating them. The f/2.8-4.5 lens worked well in dimly lighted rooms and the transition to bright areas was seamless. The 24-200 focal range works great and is far more useful than my 28-140 equivalent G15. I thought she would miss the 1.8-2.8 aperture of the G16 but she has not. She just used the video for it’s max 29.9 minutes and the camera was only slightly warm so all that is a go. The batteries are small so I ordered another two and a Watson double charger for our travel needs. The only negative is the audio is a little lacking but still useable but there may be settings we’ve yet to explore. The MPB price was about $500 less than a new one and you can’t tell it from brand new. They had a VII model for just $100 more. A new one has a 1 year warranty and MPB’s warranty is six months. Good luck!

whitehall Loc: Canada

I have the RX 100 Va. which has the same features as the RX 100 VI but for the lens which only zooms to 70 instead of 200 but it is faster. Excellent carry around camera. I also have an Olympus 5D mkiii and a Canon FF. They each have their purpose but for sheer portability they cannot beat the Sony