June 22, 2024 – According to SonyAlphaRumors, Sony is planning to release the RX100 VIII camera by the end of 2024. This upcoming model is expected to introduce AI and Vlog-related features, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor. Additionally, Sony is rumored to be launching a new lens to replace the current 24-200mm offering.
The predecessor model, the RX100 VII (known as the “Black Card 7”), was released on July 25, 2019, and incorporated numerous technologies from Sony’s full-frame mirrorless Alpha 9 camera. The RX100 VII shared a similar design and the same lens as the RX100 VI, providing a 24-200mm zoom range with a maximum aperture of f/2.8-4.5.
This advanced compact camera featured a newly developed 1-inch stacked 20.1-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the latest BIONZ X image processor. It offered five-axis image stabilization, 357 phase-detection AF points, and 425 contrast-detection AF points, enabling a focusing speed of approximately 0.02 seconds. The camera also boasted real-time tracking and real-time eye autofocus, capable of handling both human and animal subjects.
Sony claimed that the RX100 VII offered similar shooting speed and focusing performance to the Alpha 9 camera, with capabilities such as 60 AF/AE tracking detections per second and 20 frames per second continuous shooting without black screen interruption.
Moreover, the RX100 VII supported vertical video shooting, which catered to the vertical screen viewing habits of smartphone users. It also allowed for an external microphone to be connected, enhancing video recording capabilities.
The upcoming RX100 VIII is expected to continue the legacy of the RX100 series, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as AI and Vlog features. With the addition of a new lens to replace the current 24-200mm option, photography enthusiasts and professionals alike are eagerly anticipating the release of this new model.
