Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI

THE POPULAR POCKET ROCKET GETS A REBOOT.

GIVEN THAT THIS is the sixth iteration of Sony’s RX100 series of travel compact is evidence to the popularity of these pocket shooters. However, unlike the older models, the RX100 VI expands the appeal of Sony’s premium travel compacts to a wider range of photographers and subjects, thanks to its superfast autofocus and longer reach of the 24–200mm zoom lens.

The RX100 VI debuts a brand-new Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens that benefits from the built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilisation, which adds up to four stops of shake compensation. The compromise for the better reach in the new camera comes at the cost of the built-in neutral density (ND) filter that featured in the previous models. This means that, in some conditions, you won’t be able to use the lens at its maximum aperture, or drag out the exposure.

Like the RX100 IV and V, the RX100 VI also features a 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, but Sony has used a new stacked design that delivers incredibly fast readout speeds. In combination with an upgraded BIONZ X image processor boasting a new front-end LSI chip (large-scale integrated microprocessor), the RX100 VI is capable of a burst speed of up to 24fps along with faster autofocus (AF) as compared to its predecessors. In fact, Eye AF tracking speed is twice as fast as the Mark V. Buffer memory holds up to 233 JPEGs compared to only 150 in the previous model.

Where the previous models didn’t feature a touchscreen, the RX100 VI introduces touch-to-focus and touch shutter functions to the series on a display that not only turns 180° like the older models, but now tilts downward by 90° as compared to 45° in the Mark V. While the rear and top panel setup hasn’t changed, there is a pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is surprisingly large for a camera that small.

Autofocus is a hybrid system of 315 phase-detection points that cover 65% of the frame, along with 25 contrast-detection areas. This brings autofocus speed down to 0.03 seconds, something Sony claims is the world’s fastest AF system in a 1-inch sensor camera. High-density Tracking AF points increase focus accuracy for moving subjects, while Sony’s excellent Eye AF tech is also onboard for portraits. Like the Mark V, you can’t fault image quality here. Image noise is well controlled up until ISO 800, beyond which you’ll find some colour noise. But that doesn’t mean you need to stick to shooting at lower sensitivities, as even at ISO 3200, your images will hold up well, especially if you shoot in RAW and indulge in some post processing.

Missing is a hotshoe and a microphone port, so you can’t use an external flash gun and will need to add soundtrack to video in postprocessing if you are using this as a vlogging camera. With relatively few body-mounted controls and limited customisation options, the RX100 VI can be fiddly to use. Although the touchscreen helps alleviate this problem, the functionality on the screen is limited and feels more laboured as compared to cheaper rivals like the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II and Panasonic Lumix TX220. If you can get past that little niggle, the RX100 VI is one of the best travel compacts available today, especially in terms of performance and its spec sheet.

[ SHARMISHTA SARKAR ]