Sony RX100 Mark VII

So I have decided to keep pretty much all my equipment except the Sony RX100 Mark VI.  Not that there’s anything wrong with my Sony RX100 Mark VI.  It’s a very capable camera.  Physically there is nothing wrong with the camera at all.  No scratches or dents.  The body is as awesome when I bought it a few months back earlier this year.  I am going to go to the camera shop where I bought it because they have a 50% trade in policy towards a new purchase.  So I’ll get about $800 back and I’ll only have to spend another $800 for the Sony RX100 Mark VII body.  I’ll get the usual accessories like the battery grip and the necessary lens adapters so I can attach the necessary filters to the camera.  

I have made several nice sales on Shutterstock this month including a whopping $1.50US for a video today.  But I sold a few photos for over $20 a piece and a few videos for $25+.  I have a big decision to make by 6am tomorrow.  Do I cash out my photography earnings by tomorrow and put it against the purchase of a new Sony RX100 Mark VII or wait another month before buying the camera?  The camera doesn’t come out for a few more weeks so I have time.  And I still love using the Mark VI.  So you know what I’ll be doing.  

Sony RX100 Mark VI - The perfect pocket camera

I've had the Sony RX100 Mark VI for a couple of weeks now.  And it's been the perfect little pocket camera packing a 24-200MM lens.  No more need for any DSLR camera.  You have one that fits in the palm of your hand.

The pros of the little pocket camera definitely out way the cons which there aren't many.  The internal ND filter is gone.  No problem.  Still had an external ND filter which I can easily attach to the new Sony RX100 Mark VI.  There is still no mic jack on the camera.  It's actually ok for me as I don't do YouTube videos.  And if I did, I can use my Canon Vixia HF G40.  Since I do not do podcasts or add voice over to any of my footage clips, I really do not need an audio out on the Sony RX100 Mark VI.

Footage wise, the camera is amazing.  Color reproduction is fantastic and the footage is tact sharp from 24mm to 200mm.  Photos are sharp as well and color accurate.  I am so glad the lens goes out to 200mm as well.  No more carrying around heavy lenses such as the Canon L f2.8 70-200MM.  That was such a heavy lens to carry on your back.  Especially when hiking in the mountains.

I can do long exposure photography with the Sony RX100 Mark VI.  One downside of the Sony RX100 Mark VI is that it only goes to f11.  Not f22 or higher like most lenses.  But you cannot expect that from such a small camera.  I can carry around my Sony RX10 Mark II with its 24-200MM lens which does go to f16 so I can get the star effect on street lights at night.

I've yet to test the camera for astrophotography.  With it's 1 inch sensor, which is relatively small, I figure it's going to be fairly noisy beyond ISO 1600.  I only do astrophotography in the summers, on weekends which isn't too often. 

Sony RX100 Mark II

I had this little pocket camera in the past but upgraded to the Sony RX100 Mark IV which was a good walk around camera as well.  I sold both to upgrade to a DSLR body and a camcorder.  But I think I will buy the Sony RX100 Mark II again as it was a great all around pocket point and shoot little camera.  Plus I could buy some accessories for it as well and attach it to my telescope to do some astro videos of the planets and do some small astrophotography with it. 

Plus it's an awesome pocket walk around camera that is light and fits right into my jean pockets.  I have 3 Canon DSLR's with various lenses but together the weight of those cameras combined kills my back when I'm walking for long distances.  Anther good reason to have a small walk around pocket camera.

I was saving up money to buy the Canon Vixia HF G40.  But I do have a great little camcorder in the Canon Vixia HF R62 which does everything that I need from a camcorder.