Which Sony Cyber Shot DSC-RX100 camera do I have?
December 15, 2023 8:48 AM Subscribe
It has the word "ZEISS" (as opposed to "Carl Zeiss") at the top of the lens, 20.2 mega pixels in the tank, a single port with a flip cover on the (user's) right hand side and no tilt screen. From what I can see, Sony has done seven generations of the RX100, differentiated by Roman numerals, but I can't find one that precisely matches mine in any of the photos I've studied online. I bought this camera in London about five years ago and - needless to add - no longer have the receipt.
Best answer: Tried to check the exif data/metadata of any photos taken with the camera? There is a "Camera Model" tag that should specify the camera model. Most image viewers should have the information, and there are online exif viewers too. On Windows you can right click on a photo and chose "Properties" and then "Details".
posted by rpn at 9:09 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rpn at 9:09 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I had a VII for a while and it definitely said on the camera body that it was a VII. On the top plate, IIRC. Also, you should be able to check on the base of the camera next to the serial number.
Other thoughts:
There have been *eight* RX100s, not seven: I through VII and also a VA (which sits between the V and VI).
They all have a 20MP sensor, so that's no help.
The VII was released in 2019 so it's unlikely to be that if you bought it five years ago.
They had a pretty confusing release programme where they tended to keep older models on sale when they released new ones (but not all of them - I think the IV is still on sale alongside the VA, VI and VII currently? Or it was for a while) so just knowing the date isn't hugely helpful, but if it was new and about £1000 when you bought it, it was probably whatever was the top-end model at that point - meaning probably a VI or a VA.
If it is between those, the way to tell would be the lens - does it cover 24-70mm or 24-200mm? The VA had the shorter lens, the VI the longer.
There's a pretty comprehensive table of features for every model here.
posted by parm at 9:24 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Other thoughts:
There have been *eight* RX100s, not seven: I through VII and also a VA (which sits between the V and VI).
They all have a 20MP sensor, so that's no help.
The VII was released in 2019 so it's unlikely to be that if you bought it five years ago.
They had a pretty confusing release programme where they tended to keep older models on sale when they released new ones (but not all of them - I think the IV is still on sale alongside the VA, VI and VII currently? Or it was for a while) so just knowing the date isn't hugely helpful, but if it was new and about £1000 when you bought it, it was probably whatever was the top-end model at that point - meaning probably a VI or a VA.
If it is between those, the way to tell would be the lens - does it cover 24-70mm or 24-200mm? The VA had the shorter lens, the VI the longer.
There's a pretty comprehensive table of features for every model here.
posted by parm at 9:24 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Actually, reading what you've said again, if it doesn't have a tilting screen, the only model it can be is the I. All of the others have a tilting screen.
posted by parm at 9:26 AM on December 15, 2023
posted by parm at 9:26 AM on December 15, 2023
The tilt screen started with the II. I and II both had "Carl Zeiss," not ZEISS (I just dug my I out of a drawer to check). So...I think there's a non-zero possibility you got a counterfeit. These cameras were going for $1000+ for the newest model, so it would have been worthwhile.
posted by praemunire at 9:29 AM on December 15, 2023
posted by praemunire at 9:29 AM on December 15, 2023
(If you care enough to want me to take pics of the I to compare, I can do it later.)
posted by praemunire at 9:30 AM on December 15, 2023
posted by praemunire at 9:30 AM on December 15, 2023
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. Armed with all your information and advice, I'm now pretty sure it's the first generation model I've got here - the OG, so to speak.
Both the serial number plate and the metadata simply list it as RX-100 with no suffix, which I'm assuming must be how Sony numbered the first model, and all the info in parm's table suggests the same conclusion.
I'd be surprised if it was a counterfeit as I bought it new from a large and reputable UK chain of specialist photographic retailers. More likely, there was some variation in the ZEISS v Carl Zeiss notation, based either on where the camera was sold (US v UK) or over time. Quite possibly, my memory is playing tricks on me when I say I bought it only five years ago.
I asked the question because this camera died on me recently and I've decided it makes more sense to replace it than to pay the fairly hefty repair fee. I'm not sure I need any of the bells and whistles on the later, much more expensive RX-100 models, so I'm going to try and find another first generation one if I can.
posted by Paul Slade at 10:13 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Both the serial number plate and the metadata simply list it as RX-100 with no suffix, which I'm assuming must be how Sony numbered the first model, and all the info in parm's table suggests the same conclusion.
I'd be surprised if it was a counterfeit as I bought it new from a large and reputable UK chain of specialist photographic retailers. More likely, there was some variation in the ZEISS v Carl Zeiss notation, based either on where the camera was sold (US v UK) or over time. Quite possibly, my memory is playing tricks on me when I say I bought it only five years ago.
I asked the question because this camera died on me recently and I've decided it makes more sense to replace it than to pay the fairly hefty repair fee. I'm not sure I need any of the bells and whistles on the later, much more expensive RX-100 models, so I'm going to try and find another first generation one if I can.
posted by Paul Slade at 10:13 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: FWIW, and you didn't ask, I would generation up at least a little. Autofocus got much, MUCH better on that line over time.
posted by The Bellman at 10:48 AM on December 15, 2023
posted by The Bellman at 10:48 AM on December 15, 2023
I recently replaced my wheezy I with a VA. There are meaningful differences between the models, not just unqualified improvements--the VA has a F1.8-2.8 24-70 mm and the VI a F2.8-4.5 24-200 mm (and later models continue with the longer, slower zoom). The VA is thus the closest in general approach to the I while having much better autofocus, the tilt screen, some WiFi capacity, etc. You thus might want to look for a lightly used VA. I'd wonder about the likely remaining useful life of a used I still knocking around out there. These aren't DSLR tanks, after all.
posted by praemunire at 10:57 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 10:57 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by sagc at 9:02 AM on December 15, 2023