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Sony RX100 VI Keeps HFR Adds Long Lens!

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Sony RX100 VI HFRSo nearly two years after the excellent RX100 V by Sony was released, which won on our recommendation for slow-motion camera on a budget for both 2016 and 2017, the new RX100 VI or the sixth iteration of this specific camera line has been announced. It keeps the same body size but out goes the fast f1.8-f2.4 lens of old which was surprisingly good for a now average f2.4 to f4.5 24-200mm equivalent or 8x optical zoom which is great as a do it all range.  Many are not thrilled but we will have to see if the sensor advancements, the new 4 stop stabilization, and noise suppression works well enough to keep it an acceptable low light option.

Our main interest in these cameras lies in the fact that HFR mode or (High Frame Rate) has been a key selling point since the cameras first appeared. The RX 100 V improved resolution and recording time and we are glad to see that the new RX 100 VI maintains those specs. We estimate it will at least be the same 7sec in Shoot Time Priority and 4 seconds in Quality Priority.

RX100 VI Specifications:

SENSOR TYPE1.0″-type (0.52″ x 0.35″) Exmor RS® CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2

NUMBER OF PIXELS (EFFECTIVE)Approx. 20.1 Megapixels

OPTICAL ZOOM 8.0x

FOCAL LENGTH (F=)f=9.0–72 mm, Still Image 3:2 f=24–200 mm*, Still Image 4:3 f=25–220 mm*, Still Image 16:9 f=24–210 mm*, Still Image1:1 f=30–260 mm* *35 mm format equivalent

SCREEN TYPE3.0-type (7.5cm) (4:3)/921,600 dots/Xtra Fine/TFT LCDADJUSTABLE ANGLEUp by approx. 180 degrees, down by approx. 90 degrees

Video Modes:

MOVIE RECORDING MODE (NTSC)NTSC/PAL Selector: [PAL] mode AVCHD: 24 M FX (1,920×1,080/50i)/17 M FH (1,920×1,080/50i), XAVC S 4K: 25p 100 M (3,840×2,160/25p)/25p 60 M (3,840×2,160/25p), XAVC S HD: 50p 50 M (1,920×1,080/50p)/50p 25 M (1,920×1,080/50p)/25p 50 M (1,920×1,080/25p)/25p 16 M (1,920×1,080/25p)/100p 100 M (1,920×1,080/100p)/100p 60 M (1,920×1,080/100p), NTSC/PAL Selector: [NTSC] AVCHD: 24 M FX (1,920×1,080/60i)/17 M FH (1,920×1,080/60i), XAVC S 4K: 30p 100 M (3,840×2,160/30p)/30p 60 M (3,840×2,160/30p)/24p 100 M (3,840×2,160/24p)/24p 60 M (3,840×2,160/24p), XAVC S HD: 60p 50 M (1,920×1,080/60p)/60p 25 M (1,920×1,080/60p)/30p 50 M (1,920×1,080/30p)/30p 16 M (1,920×1,080/30p)/24p 50 M (1,920×1,080/24p)/120p 100 M (1,920×1,080/120p)/120p 60 M (1,920×1,080/120p)

Super Slow Motion HFR (Same as the RX10 IV):

HFRRecordingNTSC/PAL Selector: [PAL] mode XAVC S HD: 50p 50M(1920×1080/250fps), 50p 50M(1920×1080/500fps), 50p 50M(1920×1080/1000fps)/25p 50M(1920×1080/250fps), 25p 50M(1920×1080/500fps), 25p 50M(1920×1080/1000fps), NTSC/PAL Selector: [NTSC] mode XAVC S HD:60p 50M(1920×1080/240fps), 60p 50M(1920×1080/480fps), 60p 50M(1920×1080/960fps)/30p 50M(1920×1080/240fps), 30p 50M(1920×1080/480fps), 30p 50M(1920×1080/960fps)/24p 50M(1920×1080/240fps), 24p 50M(1920×1080/480fps), 24p 50M(1920×1080/960fps)Sensor Readout Number of effective pixels

Sensor Readout Number of effective pixels HFR in the NEW RX100 VI:

Quality Priority:

  • 240fps/250fps (1824×1026) Same as Old V Model
  • 480fps/500fps (1824×616) 174,968 pixel Increase!
  • 960fps/1000fps (1244×420) 86,256 pixel Increase!

Shoot Time Priority:

  • 240fps/250fps (1824×616) 174,968 pixel Increase!
  • 480fps/500fps (1292×436) 127, 088  pixel Increase!
  • 960fps/1000fps (912×308) 64,896 pixel Increase!
Sensor Readout Number of effective pixels HFR in the older RX100 V according to listed website specs:

Quality Priority – Near 4 Seconds rec time:

  • 240fps/250fps (1,824×1,026)
  • 480fps/500fps (1,676×566)
  • 960fps/1000fps (1,136×384)

Shoot Time Priority- Near 7 Seconds rec time:

  • 240fps/250fps (1,676×566)
  • 480fps/500fps (1,136×384)
  • 960fps/1000fps (800×270)

Sony | Cyber-shot | RX100 VI – Product Feature by Sony:

As you can see the HFR mode has been beefed up in resolution compared to its predecessor the RX100 V in both Time Priority and Quality to better detail retention when you go by the Sony official website spec however, In this article, our reader Slowmosage found that the actual RX100 V manual lists higher resolution specs for HFR which are identical to the RX100 VI and the RX10 IV so if those are accurate there is no increase in resolution.  We will have to wait and see if that camera was still shooting lower resolution and the manual was not written properly.

Even with the higher resolution, there is still severe line skipping and sadly the 240/ 200fps modes are still not true 1080p which will introduce some aliasing and moire and seems in a way calculated to keep these cameras out of the professional capture matrix in video mode.

Sony is recycling the technology, sensor, and processing of that larger SLR style camera and introducing it in the new RX100 VI pocketable version.  The AF system is the same, the HFR resolution is the same and it seems besides body shape and lens everything else is identical.

There is no word on recording time on HFR mode but the 120fps 1080p mode is continuous and has audio recording.  The HFR modes are absent of audio recording as before so no improvement there.

Class 10 or higher SDXC memory card is required for HFR Mode to work!

See inside the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI (with pop-up EVF) by e PHOTOzine:

Sony | Cyber-shot | RX100 VI – Walkthrough Melbourne – 4K HDR(HLG) by Sony | Camera Channel:

We are excited by the possibilities in slow motion mode for this camera and the retention of HFR resolution. Hopefully, the time recording has remained the same or perhaps even increased but we will have to wait for more details to be released.

The new 315pt AF is as responsive as the Sony a9 and a7 III cameras since it uses the same advanced Bionz processing engine. This is a big selling point for the camera. This system was introduced in the RX10 IV so it is a recycled component for the line.

Broad coverage from a 315-point wide-area phase-detection AF coverage

The Mic Jack port is a killer feature for many Vloggers and Videographers, sadly the camera has no option for a Mic In Jack. Sony protectionism once again reigning in the features as it could cannibalize the sales of more expensive cameras. This camera screams for having a Microphone option. Sony could sell their own Shotgun Mic for a premium but seems they are not interested in souping up these tiny cameras.

Also announced is the VCT-SGR1  Grip for $99 USD which has a record, shutter release and zoom controls for the camera. It would have been ideal to have a Gimbal system in the grip but it is just the handle type which becomes a small tripod if needed.  The funny thing is it is aimed at Vloggers but there is also no Mic Jack in the grip which is another lost opportunity.

Sony | Cyber-shot | RX100 VI and Shooting Grip – Vlog – Sony | Camera Channel:

The pricing is worrisome for many as the camera will now have an MSRP of $1,199 instead of the $998 of the previous model.  That is a hard pill to swallow considering more capable mirrorless cameras and SLRs command the same price range.   Inflation in camera prices is more of a worldwide phenomenon lately with at least 30% increases across the board on a multitude of brands. We believe it has to do with dwindling sales in which the market will sell fewer models but at higher prices to retain profitability.  We still feel this camera will find it’s way down to $1000 USD in a year’s time to be able to move units.

We will have video samples and more HFR details as the camera starts to be used in the field and impressions posted, camera should be available for pre-order soon on Amazon and Adorama, we will update this post then. -HSC

More Info on the RX100 VI Here: https://www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100m6/

More info on the VCT-SGR1 Grip here:  https://www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras-tripods-remotes/vct-sgr1

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18 thoughts on “Sony RX100 VI Keeps HFR Adds Long Lens!”

  1. The RX100VI has the same exact HFR resolutions as the RX100V. You even wrote an article about this before, and I was the one that pointed it out to you.

  2. The HFR resolutions are exactly the same as the RX100V. You even wrote an article about that, and I was the one that pointed it out to you.

    1. This camera was released today, I think you mean the RX 10 IV which is the SLR style version of the RX series.

      1. No I don’t, the improvement in HFR resolution was from the RX100IV to RX100V. It’s exactly the same pixel wise. I’m kinda surprised you forgot about that. Look at your past RX100V articles and you will see the HFR resolution is the same as the RX100VI.

        1. The RX10 IV has the same resolution but it is a much more expensive camera and a different body/model. The Gains in this article refer to the RX100 series from the V to the new VI which is where the increase is happening. And Yes the resolution is the same as last year’s RX10 IV which means Sony is recycling that technology into this camera in a smaller form factor. Even the AF seems to be the same which means the only real change comes from the EVF, Touch Screen and the long lens. It certainly does make this camera better but it is not a tech advancement for the segment.

  3. For me the Sony RX100 is all about high frame rate video recording and I have been waiting for an upgrade for a while. I have downloaded a manual of the RX100 V and I was disappointed to see that the effective pixel number read out from the sensor has not been changed for this new model.

    The change of the lens is even a downgrade from the older lens for my applications as I mostly film wide angle and the more light gets to the sensor the better, especially with slow motion recording where there is always a demand for light.

    1. The lens is a let down for sure but read above, there are good gains for higher frame rates at 480fps and 960fps. More lines are saved. We will have to wait for samples but it should improve. They could have done a 4x zoom instead of 8x to maintain low light ability.

    2. Klaus, you are right. The effective pixel number is the same from the RX100V. No change. This article needs to be changed. There is no improvement at all in resolution.

      1. There is an improvement in the RX100 VI compared to the RX100 V which is the point of the article. Will add a mention that this is the same resolution as the RX10 IV

  4. Why hasn’t the article been corrected yet? There is no HFR resolution increase from the RX100V to RX100VI.

    1. The manual slowmosage provided is the same spec on the V as the VI. As you say we have to see if the website specs are wrong and the manual is right. Only way to really compare is to shoot with both cameras but the lens change could be a very different result due to softness on the new one.

      1. That’s what I meant. I was referring to the manual of the RX100V. Based on that, it shows the same HFR resolution as this upcoming RX100VI.

        1. We are quite busy but updated the article, if you can find a clear comparison between both cameras shooting the same scene in HFR mode please send it our way. It will help with this discrepancy in the website and manual.

  6. I have asked about the difference at Sony customer service in Europe and according to them when there is a discrepancy between technical data on the homepage and in the manual it is most likely correct in the manual.

    Anyway, lets see what the upcoming Sony a6700 has to offer in the slow motion department.

    1. Thanks Klaus that is the answer we got from them back then. They also said they did not know the specifics so the Manual was the only resource.

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