Sony RX100 VII vs Sony ZV-1 Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony RX100 VII
60
SCORE
|
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony ZV-1 Mark II
63
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony RX100 VII and Sony ZV-1 Mark II are compact cameras with clearly different strengths. The 2019 RX100 VII packs an electronic viewfinder and a fixed zoom lens into a 102 x 58 x 43 mm body. The 2023 ZV-1 Mark II drops the viewfinder entirely, measures 106 x 60 x 47 mm, yet weighs 10 g less at 292 g. The RX100 VII offers eye-level framing through its electronic viewfinder, while the ZV-1 Mark II frames every shot on its rear screen, which flips for self-recording. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 25, 2019 | May 23, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 102 x 58 x 43 mm | 106 x 60 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 302 g | 292 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX100 VII is the safer pick for handheld stills in dim light, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the ZV-1 Mark II does not. Its electronic viewfinder, with 2,360,000 dots, also gives an eye-level option in bright sunshine where the ZV-1 Mark II offers only the rear screen. Its 357 autofocus points likewise outnumber the 315 on the ZV-1 Mark II. For fast action the ZV-1 Mark II pulls ahead, shooting at 24 fps against 20 fps and offering a 1/32000 second shutter for far shorter exposures in daylight than the RX100 VII's 1/2000. Output size is a similarity rather than a difference: both produce 20 MP images from a 1-inch CMOS sensor, with the same Bionz X processor. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
20 fps045 | 24 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | None |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz X | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
6430200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 144080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 3200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
3570300 | 3150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast motion is equally easy on either camera. Both record 4K video, and each offers 120 fps as its top frame rate, so a splash or a wingbeat can be stretched dramatically in the edit. Built-in timelapse and the same recording formats, including XAVC S, come on both. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 68/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen and wireless use works the same way on both: a 3-inch LCD with touch control and a flip screen for high, low and self-facing angles. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth come on both for phone transfer, and neither offers GPS or weather sealing, so geotag in software and keep rain off either body. Flash is the practical split. The RX100 VII carries a built-in flash for quick indoor snaps, while the ZV-1 Mark II has none but supports an external flash instead. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras run on the same NP-BX1 battery and charge over USB, so one set of spares and a power bank cover either body. The ZV-1 Mark II holds the longer rating at 290 shots, against 260 for the RX100 VII. Card support is a near match: each has a single slot taking SD, SDHC and SDXC media, with the RX100 VII also accepting Memory Stick Pro Duo and the ZV-1 Mark II taking Memory Stick Duo Hybrid. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick Duo Hybrid |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-BX1 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
260 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the RX100 VII if you shoot mostly stills. Its electronic viewfinder makes eye-level composition possible in bright light, its stabilisation steadies handheld evening and indoor shots, and its built-in flash covers quick indoor snaps.
For video-first creators the ZV-1 Mark II is the better match. The flip screen frames self-facing 4K, the 24 fps burst and 1/32000 second shutter keep pace with fast movement, and its 290-shot rating tops the RX100 VII's 260 while an external flash is supported.