A7vs RX100 VI
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
Travel & Vlogging — RX100 VI (2018): The RX100 VI trades fast apertures for a remarkable 24-200mm zoom range — giving it more versatility than any previous model. 4K/30p, 24fps burst, a pop-up EVF, and an articulating screen round out an exceptional compact package. Variable aperture limits low-light performance at the long end, but for travel and events where reach matters, there is no practical alternative at this size.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
RX100 VI (2018)
- Travel photographers who need versatile reach in a pocketable body
- Vloggers and content creators who need 4K and an articulating screen
- Event photographers who want discreet, capable wide-to-tele coverage
- Wildlife and sports enthusiasts who want a compact travel option
Quick take: The a7 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 (2013) | RX100 VI (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £299 | £700 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch BSI Stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p, 960fps HFR |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | Fast Hybrid AF, 315 phase-detect points, Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None | Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 24fps |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~240 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 301g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | Pop-up EVF, 2.35M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / Memory Stick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 | RX100 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history