Camp Snap Camera CS- V105 Review with Sample Photos - Is it Worth all of the Hype?

April 15, 2026

I’m sure you’ve seen ads for the Camp Snap camera all over your social media feeds. Or maybe that’s just me? Regardless, I’ve been incredibly curious about them for the last couple of years so when I received one for Christmas last year, I couldn’t wait to try it out. I love the general concept — a point-and-shoot digital camera meant to mimic a classic disposable 35 mm film camera from the 1990s and 2000s. The photos are captured on a digital memory card, but you’re not able to see what the photos look like until you import them into your computer. It’s meant to force you to live in the moment instead of taking a million photos on your iPhone until you get the “perfect” one. To me, this is exactly the kind of thing we need in modern society. Social media has definitely taken over in an unhealthy way and it’s time to scale it back and slow down. I’ve been using the Camp Snap camera for a few weeks now and I wanted to share the things I love about it and share some sample photos!

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

PROS OF THE CAMP SNAP CAMERA

As I mentioned above, the whole point of this camera is to go back in time a little bit and take photos because we see something we love or we’re experiencing a moment that we don’t want to forget. There’s no digital screen on the back that lets you flip through the photos you’ve taken. There’s just a photo counter so you can see how many photos you’ve taken. When you’re ready to see how your photos turned out, you connect the camera to a computer and import the photos. I love that you don’t have to overthink or obsess over the photos, you just snap a photo and move on. That’s the whole magic of disposable cameras from the 90s. You had to wait a week for your film to get developed and the photos typically weren’t great. They were crooked or out of focus or underexposed… it was part of the magic. For some reason, those kinds of photos are just more memorable to me. They aren’t perfect, and that’s why they’re great. They aren’t curated or overprocessed… they just captured the moment the way that it was. It makes photography more fun and less stressful. As a professional photographer, I need this sometimes. I constantly burn myself out trying to take the perfect photo, but the Camp Snap camera allowed me to enjoy the moments, instead of trying to capture the ultimate photo.

Another great feature is the fact that it weighs absolutely nothing. The inside of the camera is practically hollow except for a little digital computer board and a micro SD memory card. The only reason I know what the inside looks like is because I dropped it in a river and had to open up the inside to let it dry out! Surprise, surprise, I dropped my camera into a body of water. This isn’t the first time and it surely won’t be the last. I’ll never forget when I dropped my favorite film camera, the Holga GCFN, into a river in Japan and my husband had to fish it out for me. Lucky for me, since the Camp Snap camera is just filled with air, it floated right on top of the water and we were able to push it back to us with a stick. Ugh, story of my life! Miraculously, my Camp Snap camera still works even after all that!

Since I travel a lot, the weight and size of a camera is incredibly important to me because I usually bring 5 or 6 cameras at a time everywhere I go. The Camp Snap camera doesn’t take up any space at all in my camera bag and I was even able to fit it in my purse when we’d go out at night. It might be the most mobile and lightweight camera I own, which is a major plus for me.

I also love that it has a flash. The old disposable cameras have flashes too, and it’s part of the whole aesthetic when you’re taking photos. What’s nice is that you can choose whether you want it on or not. There’s a switch on the back that has the options “on”, “off”, or “flash”. It’s not the brightest flash in the world, and I’d say it’s a little less powerful than the flashes on disposable cameras but it’s still nice to have if you’re inside a restaurant or something and want to take photos of your friends or family.

Lastly, the quality of the images surprised me. They’re not great by any means, but because of how lightweight and plastic the camera feels, I had convinced myself that the camera couldn’t possibly be taking photos at all! Not to mention, the camera makes the most ridiculous digital sound when you snap a photo and it’s kind of hilarious. I was positive that the photos were going to be beyond salvageable. I was pleasantly surprised when I imported the photos and they weren’t blurry or dark or unusable. It’s totally functional and super fun to use. Also, the fact that it has an f/1.8 lens is definitely a plus too, because it works relatively well in low light. I was pleased by how much detail it was able to capture in the evenings as the sun was going down.

Oh, and the Camp Snap camera comes in tons of fun colors which is always a plus!

CONS OF THE CAMP SNAP CAMERA

Definitely don’t go into this experience expecting high quality digital photos. They are meant to be low quality for aesthetic purposes. The photos aren’t supposed to be perfect and they aren’t even technically as good as an iPhone photo. BUT! There is an overall vibe to the images that is really unique and definitely reminds me of a disposable 35 mm camera. They are silly and quirky and fun for posting to social media or just to have memories to flip through one day.

I would love if the images were just a tiny bit higher quality though, because I find them to be way oversharpened and that begins to look too digitized to me, and not film-like. I wish they’d replace the plastic lens with a glass lens, which would make a huge difference. I love using toy cameras, particularly the Holga GCFN and Diana F+ (you can read more about the Holga on my blog here and the Diana F+ here), but I always prefer the glass lenses when it comes to plastic cameras. I also think that they should just add a few more megapixels to the images - currently it takes 8 MP images. I think they could create slightly larger files and still maintain that film-like quality. The classic disposable cameras really aren’t as bad of quality as you might think. They are typically loaded with Kodak Gold 800 or Fujifilm 400 film, which are both quite sharp and handle various lighting scenarios with ease. Even though the camera lenses on the disposable cameras are plastic, film photography in general just has a better quality to it than these low megapixel digital photos. And also with film photography, you have the option to scan your negatives in higher quality and you could potentially print them way larger than you could ever print these Camp Snap photos. Unfortunately, because they are digital images right out of the camera, you can’t increase the quality in any way once they’re taken. They’re perfectly fine for posting to social media and viewing on a phone, but I wouldn’t recommend printing them any larger than maybe 4x6.

And just something else to keep in mind, since there are no distance settings, you can’t get too close to your subject or it will be out of focus. You’ll notice that in some of the photos in the gallery below. I’d say keep at least 2-3 feet away and you should be fine.

SO, WOULD I RECOMMEND THE CAMP SNAP CAMERA?

In a lot of ways, yes! I think it’s a fun camera to play with and would be perfect for capturing a family vacation or just a night out with friends if you need some time away from your iPhone or want to be more present in the moment. To be honest, I think this would be a great camera for a young child or preteen just getting into photography. Because it’s entirely plastic, you don’t really have to worry about them breaking it. You could drop this on a concrete sidewalk and it would likely still work. It’s pretty sturdy and isn’t super expensive so you could replace it if you need to. In the long run, it would actually be more affordable than buying a bunch of disposable cameras because you can take as many photos as you want with this camera, and you also don’t have to pay for film processing and scanning. I remember when I was in middle school and starting taking photos with my mom’s cameras and I would have loved this camera.

If you’re looking for something new and different to change things up or if you’re looking for a gift for a photographer friend or child in your life, the Camp Snap camera is a unique option that they wouldn’t be expecting. I was super excited when I got it for Christmas because I always love a new camera. It comes in a cute little box and is incredibly easy to use right away. I probably wouldn’t use this camera for client work, even though I do use somewhat “crappy” film cameras sometimes, because I don’t have that option to scan the images in higher quality or blow them up larger. But I will be bringing this camera along for fun little day trips when I don’t feel like dragging my heavy cameras around, or if I just want a break from the stress of photography but don’t want to not bring a camera with me. I don’t go anywhere without a camera, so I think this will be one that I toss into my purse more often than I’d think!

If the Camp Snap camera sounds like something you’re interested in trying out, I’d also recommend giving a disposable 35 mm camera a try! I’ll always promote film photography over digital because there’s really nothing like it and I never want it to go away!

I recently got to play with the Camp Snap CS-8 Digital video camera too and that was a blast. It looks like an old Super 8 vintage camera but is entirely digital as well. It has built in creative modes that are meant to look like film, with dust specks and different retro color tones you can choose from. The one I got to test out belongs to a family member but I walked away really wanting one! The footage is lo-fi and you can’t watch it until you upload it to your computer too, so it really is like shooting with an old camcorder. There are only a few settings on all of the Camp Snap cameras too so they’re incredibly user-friendly and easy for anyone to use, even kids or older folks.

I’d say just give it a try and see what you think!! If you’re thinking about buying a Camp Snap camera as a gift, I think it’s a super fun choice! Or you can check out one of my gift guides for more ideas - 15 Unique Gifts for Photographers or The 20 Best Gift Ideas for the Artist in Your Life.

WHERE TO BUY THE CAMP SNAP “DISPOSABLE” CS-V105 CAMERA

B&H Photo
Amazon

WHERE TO BUY THE CAMP SNAP CS-8 VIDEO CAMERA

B&H Photo

WHERE TO BUY A DISPOSABLE 35 MM FILM CAMERA

FUJIFILM QUICKSNAP FLASH (ISO 400 FILM)

Amazon
B&H Photo

KODAK FUN SAVER (ISO 800 FILM)

Amazon
B&H Photo

If you found this post helpful in any way, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Sony RX100 VII Full Review with Sample Photos | How Does it Compare to the Ricoh GR IIIx and Canon G7X Mark II?

March 30, 2026

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Ricoh GR IIIx and shared my thoughts on why it’s a perfect point and shoot camera for fine art photographers and those who want to create gorgeous, high quality photos in a pocket-sized camera. Today I’m going to be reviewing a similar, but more approachable point and shoot camera, the Sony RX100 VII. I was actually shooting with the Sony RX100 VII and Ricoh GR IIIx at the same time on my recent trip to Miami, so I could test them against each other and decide which one I liked best. The Sony RX100 VII is definitely a bit less intimidating and easier to use for those who might not have as much experience with photography or who don’t want to spend too much time flipping through a menu screen to get the shots that they want. The Sony RX100 VII is filled with features that make it a great versatile, travel camera, especially if you want something that is an all-in-one point and shoot with amazing photo and video features. Both of these cameras are incredible for how small they are, but I recommend reading both blog posts so you can fully understand each camera for what they offer. The Canon G7X Mark II and Mark III are also extremely popular (and almost cult-y!) point and shoot cameras but they can be difficult to get your hands on, especially without paying an inflated price. The Ricoh and Sony are currently not sold out everywhere so you can get them for a standard price, and in my opinion, offer just as many great features and are capable of gorgeous photos too! I wanted to share a few of my favorite features of the Sony RX100 VII, along with tons of sample photos so you can decide if this is the camera for you!

sony rx100 vii review with sample photos-21.jpg

sony rx100 vii review with sample photos-17.jpg

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

STANDOUT FEATURES OF THE SONY RX100 VII

24-200MM ZOOM LENS
One of the main features that differentiates the Sony RX100 VII from the Ricoh GR IIIx is that the Sony has a 24-200mm zoom lens and the Ricoh has a 40 mm fixed lens. A zoom lens comes in handy in so many situations if you’re using it as a travel camera. Personally, I often find myself on boat rides or tours or hikes where I need to zoom in to capture an animal or a monument off in the distance. I’m always surprised by how much I use a zoom lens when I’m traveling, but it’s because I’m constantly switching between taking landscapes and portraits or trying to capture architecture or animals. It just makes it a super versatile camera because you can use it in pretty much any situation. I tend to shoot wide, especially when I’m traveling, which makes the fact that the lens goes as wide as 24 mm a huge plus for me. I have a professional lens that is only 28-70mm and I truly do notice the difference when I’m missing that extra 4 mm of focal length. Over the years, I’ve learned that I need a zoom lens in my life at all times. It’s just a necessity! It allows you to capture such a variety of photos in a short period of time without having to switch to other cameras to get what you need.
POP-UP FLASH
I love a tiny camera with a pop-up flash. First of all, it’s just cute, but second of all, it adds another layer of potential for a camera. It means you can take it with you out to dinner, or on a nighttime walk, or to a party with your friends. It means you’re not limited just because you’re in a dark environment. Not to mention, flash photos in general have been having sort of a reemergence in popularity over the last few years. For a while it seemed like natural lighting was all the rage, but it’s fun to see flash photography come back into style like it was in the 80s and 90s. Since the Sony RX100 VII can shoot in full auto or full manual, you can have complete control over the flash and whether you want it to come on automatically or not. It’s pretty rare that I use the flash, but I do love to have the option. It’s great for candid and lifestyle photography, or for a fill-flash if you’re in an environment with dark or unusual shadows.
AMAZING VIDEO CAPABILITIES
It’s hard to believe this little camera can do 4K video, but leave it up to Sony to make great video accessible with even a miniature pocket camera. The Sony RX100 VII can shoot up to 4K at 30 fps and is perfect for vlogging or shooting at unusual angles because of it’s articulating screen. It also has an Active Steadyshot mode that helps with smoother video and reducing camera shake. Sony is always competitive and top of the line when it comes to video, so you won’t really find better video in a point and shoot at this pricepoint.
F/2.8-4.5 WIDE APERTURE ZEISS LENS
At this point in my career, I’ll rarely ever buy a camera if it doesn’t have a lens with at least an f/2.8 aperture capability. I find myself shooting in low light more than I’d like, so I absolutely need a lens that can handle it. Just as a general rule, I pretty much shoot with as wide of an aperture as my lenses can offer. This means I prefer shooting in aperture priority so I can leave the aperture at f/2.8 and the camera handles the rest. I wouldn’t recommend doing this unless you have some experience because it will often lead to overexposed images. If you’re ready to experiment though, try it out and adjust the exposure compensation if you’re getting blown out highlights. You will likely have to adjust the exposure for each lightling scenario. Once you get used to it, it’s not too much of a hassle to change the exposure constantly because it’s totally worth it. Using the widest aperture of the lens will get you gorgeous portraits though, and is perfect for photographing food, flowers, or other close-up subjects. It will give you a nice, dreamy background and makes your photos immediately look more expensive. For wide landscapes or wide street shots, I will usually change the aperture to f/5.6 or 6.3 to get more of the image in sharp focus. The fact that this camera offers a Zeiss f/2.8 lens means it’s serious business though. Zeiss lenses are known to be super sharp and have a great reputation for being some of the best glass out there. You can’t go wrong with a Zeiss lens.
COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL WITH AUTO AND MANUAL OPTIONS
What I love most about all three of the point and shoot cameras I’ve mentioned is that they all include an option to shoot in full manual. They aren’t just point and shoot cameras. You can adjust each and every setting to your liking and use it just as intricately and specifically as you might with an expensive DSLR or mirrorless camera. They also all have the option of shutter priority, aperture priority and full auto mode, so they cater to every kind of photographer, from beginner to professional. You don’t have to be a camera genius to work these little point and shoots. I do find the Ricoh GR IIIx to be a little more complicated to use for the average consumer, but both the Canon G7X Mark II and the Sony RX100 VII can be as simple as you want it to be. You can pull it out, turn it on and snap a photo in 2 seconds, or you can spend 30 minutes adjusting the camera settings to your liking before capturing the perfect, planned pro-level photo. There’s just no limit to who can use this camera. They all include some interesting in-camera creative modes like black and white, sepia, and various color tones, so you could spend days testing out all of the options and creating some unique photos.

ANY NEGATIVES?

The Sony RX100 VII is an amazing little camera, but for me personally one of the main features I need in a camera is a multiple exposure function (you can read more about what a multiple exposure is here). I love layering images and creating unique and strange photos, but for most people, this is not a deal breaker. You always have the option of experimenting with something like this in photoshop later if multiple exposures are something you’re interested in trying out.

There isn’t anything else really that I didn’t love about this camera. I actually used this one more than the Ricoh GR IIIx on my trip because it was just easier to use. The zoom lens came in handy quite a bit, and I didn’t feel the need to go into the menu screen too often to adjust settings. It’s just a great all-around camera for all experience levels. If I had to be nit-picky, I’d say the camera could be a bit slow turning on and off, which was an issue when I was on a boat tour in the everglades attempting to catch alligators as we drove by them on the boat. But in most scenarios, the camera was plenty fast enough to capture the photo I needed.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I find the Sony RX100 VII to be similar to the Canon G7X Mark II that I have in a lot of ways. They both take beautiful photos for their size and do surprisingly well in their full auto modes. They are incredibly travel-friendly and small, but also feel fancy in your hand. They both have zoom lenses that make them versatile and multi-functional. The Sony definitely wins in the video category though, as the Canon G7X Mark II and Mark III are a bit more dated, so if you think you’ll be doing more video, I’d recommend the Sony. The Ricoh GR IIIx is really the one that’s the most different than the Sony and Canon, and would take a bit more getting used to. I would recommend the Ricoh for photographers who are maybe more advanced and are in need of higher quality images from a better sensor. If you’re just hoping to capture photos from your travels for sharing to your blog or social media, or you want a camera that covers a lot of ground but is small and compact, the Sony RX100 VII and Canon G7X Mark II are great options. So… which one would I choose? There’s nothing inherently wrong with the Sony in any capacity, I just personally would prefer the Canon G7X Mark II because I prefer the color tones of Canon, or the Ricoh GR IIIx because it includes a multiple exposure function. These are just personal preferences though, and come from years of experience of knowing which brands and features I prefer. Sony cameras are just as reliable though and it really all comes down to your personal style. I’d definitely recommend browsing through the images in this blog post to decide if this camera matches your personal style. :) All of the images I included below are edited very lightly in order to preserve the true aesthetic of the images right out of camera. I have a full YouTube video coming soon too so stay tuned!

Don’t forget to check out my blog posts about the Canon G7X Mark II and the Ricoh GR IIIx too. I also have a blog post about the 15 Best Digital Cameras for Beginner Photographers Under $1500 if you’re looking for even more options!

WHERE TO BUY THE SONY RX100 VII CAMERA

I always recommend B&H Photo because they have competitive prices, but with crazy fast shipping and excellent customer service!

SONY RX100 VII: B&H Photo

RECOMMENDED CARRYING CASE: MegaGear Ever Ready PU Leather Camera Case

WHERE TO BUY THE RICOH GRIIIx:

RICOH GR IIIX: B&H Photo

RECOMMENDED CARRYING CASE: Ricoh GC-12 Soft Case

WHERE TO BUY THE CANON G7X MARK II:

(a bit harder to find but you can typically find gently used options or refurbished ones)

Amazon (usually renewed or refurbished)

KEH Camera (used options)

eBay (used options)

<3 Myles Katherine

(click to enlarge images)

Ricoh GR IIIx Review and Comparison with the Sony RX 100 VII | Sample Photos in Miami, Florida!

March 9, 2026

Point and shoot cameras are all the rage these days and the popular ones like the Canon G7X Mark II and Fujifilm X100VI are constantly sold out everywhere. But there are quite a few lesser known brands that offer amazing little point and shoot cameras too. It’s crazy what these tiny cameras are capable of these days. I recently had the chance to test out the Ricoh GR IIIx on a trip to Miami and got to fully experience how much point and shoot cameras have improved since the early 2000s. I constantly think about my very first point and shoot camera, the Canon ELPH Powershot sd900. It was unfortunately stolen one day after I set it down at a street festival, but I won my first photography contest with a photo I took with that camera! So, in a way, point and shoot digital cameras are really what started my career as a photographer and artist!

The Ricoh GR IIIx has so many incredible qualities and it definitely impressed me with it’s ability to create photos that don’t look like they came from a point and shoot at all. It’s super compact, aesthically gorgeous, and is capable of creating images that are cinematic, film-like, and creatively inspiring. I actually tested it against the Sony RX 100VII and noticed a few key differences right away. My main takeaway from shooting with those two cameras alongside each other is that the Ricoh GR IIIx is really meant for fine art photographers who are looking for pro-level photographs in a tiny package. It’s the perfect travel camera, as all point and shoots are, but it truly stood out against the Sony RX 100VI in terms of creating photographs that look like fine art vs. candid, wide angle lifestyle shots. If you’re looking for a camera that acts more like a large DSLR or mirrorless camera, the Ricoh GR IIIx might be the better option. I always dream of the day I can shoot a whole portrait session or wedding with a point and shoot but I think my clients might think it’s a bit strange if I showed up with a camera half the size of my hand! Maybe one day…

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

STANDOUT FEATURES OF THE RICOH GR IIIX

1. Large APS-C Sensor

The 24.2 MP APS-C sensor on the Ricoh GR IIIx is really the key ingredient here in terms of photo quality when comparing it to the smaller 20.1 MP 1-inch sensor on the Sony RX 100VII. This sensor is more similar to what you’d find on a large, pro-level mirrorless or DSLR camera. I noticed right away how beautiful the images were, especially in low light or with a wide open aperture. I kept asking myself, why do I drag around these giant DLSR cameras all day when I could create images that are just as beautiful with a tiny, pocket-sized camera! It made all of the difference in the world when I was exploring Miami, because I’m so used to carrying around a backpack that weighs a million pounds on my travels. For this trip, I was just walking around with a small side bag and these two point and shoot cameras that weighed next to nothing. It was a game changer. I’m not sure I can ever go back to my previous ways! After using the Ricoh GR IIIx for a few days, it quickly became obvious that if your goal is to create images that you’re hoping to submit to galleries, to enlarge for prints, or images that are more “fine art”, street-style photography, the Ricoh GR IIIx is the ideal choice. The Sony RX 100VII is better for sharing to social media, capturing candid moments with friends and family, or for basic travel photography that doesn’t require a lot of thinking. The Ricoh GR IIIx is a bit more advanced and isn’t quite as user-friendly, but even though it’s geared toward more fine art photography, it’s still easy enough to use for the average consumer. All point and shoot cameras are meant to be simple, hence “point…and…shoot”, but the Sony RX 100VII wins if you’re looking for a camera that does it all without being too complicated. The Ricoh GR IIIx is better for professional photographers with a bit more experience who are looking for a pocketable travel camera that takes pro level images.

2. Multiple Exposure Function

The fact that the Ricoh GR IIIx has a multiple exposure function really levels up the camera for me in comparison to the Sony RX 100 VII. For my personal style of photography, having a multiple exposure option is a necessity. It’s hard for me to justify spending money on a camera that doesn’t have this function. However, for a lot of people this is really just a fun feature that they won’t use often, if ever. But for professional photographers, it offers that extra option for additional creativity. If you haven’t experimented with multiple exposure, I highly recommend giving it a try to see how you like it! The menu on the Ricoh is a bit annoying to scroll through, but it’s relatively easy to switch to the multiple exposure function once you find it in the menu.

3. Super sharp 40 mm f/2.8 fixed lens

When it comes to the Ricoh GR IIIx and the Sony RX 100 VII, the lenses on the cameras are probably the main and most important difference between the two. The Ricoh GR IIIx has a 40 mm f/2.8 fixed lens. This means you don’t have the option to zoom and you’re stuck with one focal length. However, 40 mm is kind of the perfect focal length if you’re looking to create a blend of portraits, landscapes, macro photography and travel. While I personally prefer wider lenses, the 40 mm is another reason this camera has a sort of “fine art” feel to the images. 40 mm is more zoomed in than the eye sees naturally, so it adds a sort of dreamy, intimate quality to the photos. While the zoom function is nice on the Sony RX 100 VII, sometimes it’s nice to work with a fixed lens because it forces you to think about composition more. You have to move and adjust to your scenario and I think it causes you to plan and execute your images a little more effectively. The Sony RX 100 VII might be easier to use because you can just zoom in to your subject to capture what you need, but sometimes I find that it can cause you to be somewhat lazy and not put as much effort in to your shot.

4. Beautiful Macro Mode

I’m not a macro photographer by any means, but once I realized that the macro mode was so easily accessible on the main dial of the Ricoh, I figured I might as well try it out! I was amazed at how stunning the images were and how simple the feature was to use. I was able to take beautiful nature shots that looked like they were made with a super expensive lens on a DSLR. The background blur when using the macro mode was gorgeously soft and natural looking. I travel a lot and I love taking photos of beautiful plants and foliage when I’m in new places, and I can tell this would be a feature I’d end up using more than I expected. The Sony RX 100 VII does not have a macro mode, but it has a closer focusing distance so you can just bring the camera in closer to your subject to get the shot. However, you won’t get that gorgeous background blur and softness that you’ll find with the Ricoh GR IIIx.

Ricoh GR IIIx

Sony RX 100VII

Ricoh GR IIIx

Sony RX 100VII

5. Gorgeous Color Tones

At the end of the day, the thing that matters most to me as a photographer is if the camera can produce photos that are beautiful, sharp and eye-catching right out of the box. I don’t love when I have to do a ton of post-processing to get my images where I need them to be. I experimented with a few side by side comparisons using the Ricoh GR IIIx and the Sony RX 100VII in Miami and noticed that the color tones of the Ricoh were much more natural and aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion. The Sony is much more saturated with bright, popping colors that might be more popular on social media, but that aren’t necessarily ideal for photographers who want more creative control over their images. I can’t stand when images are over-sharpened, over saturated and overly contrasty. I prefer to have an image that can be manipulated more easily to match my personal style, and that I don’t have to spend hours pulling out weird, overly saturated reds, oranges and yellows. The Ricoh images might seem flat and understated when compared to the Sony, but because the color tones are more natural, it’s easier to enhance them without running into weird, frustrating color adjustment problems. The ultra-wide lens on the Sony can also distort shapes a bit, whereas the Ricoh GR IIIx is more true-to-life and creates more natural portraits.

Ricoh GR IIIx

Sony RX 100 VII

Ricoh GR IIIx

Sony RX 100VII

FINAL THOUGHTS

I had such a blast using the Ricoh GR IIIx and I was actually a bit surprised by how much I loved it. As someone who travels a lot, it was such a breath of fresh air to know that I could use such a tiny camera and still produce pro level images without having to lug around my giant DSLR camera. I found the Sony RX 100VII easier to use overall, but the image quality just doesn’t really compare to the Ricoh GR IIIx if you’re a professional photographer who is used to high-quality, large sensor cameras. The background blur and lens quality of the Ricoh GR IIIx is something special. That’s not to say that the Sony RX 100 VII isn’t a great camera, because it truly is. But it depends on your needs as a photographer. For me, I wish I could blend the two together, because I love the large sensor, multiple exposure option, and color tones of the Ricoh, but I prefer a wider lens (like the 24-200 that the Sony offers) when I’m traveling. The fact that the Ricoh only has 1080p up to 60 fps when it comes to video and the Sony has 4K up to 30 fps is also an important factor to keep in mind too when weighing your options. Lastly, in terms of main differences, the Ricoh does not have a flash. It does have a hot shoe mount so you can always add your own, but I found the built-in flash to be super convenient on the Sony, especially when traveling and being out and about at night. If you’re hoping to take selfies with your friends and family while traveling, the Sony is the better option. The 40 mm lens of the Ricoh is too zoomed in to get a good group selfie and the camera just isn’t made for late night, candid party photos. So, are you hoping to create pro-level fine art photography and want a pocket sized camera that can keep up with the higher end DSLRs and mirrorless cameras? Then the Ricoh GR IIIx is for you. Or, are you looking for the perfect all-around travel point and shoot that is super easy to use, takes great video, and has a zoom lens and flash for ultimate candid, lifestyle photos ready for posting on social media? If that’s you, then go for the Sony RX 100 VII. Of course, it really all comes down to the photographer. If you’re a great photographer you can take incredible images with any camera, so by no means is either of these cameras “better” than the other. What matters is how much passion you have and what matters most to you when creating photos.

One thing about both of these cameras is that they are slippery and feel very fragile. I’d recommend making sure your wrist strap is tight, or consider a case like this one for the Ricoh, or this one for the Sony.

If I absolutely had to choose between the two? It’s tough because I probably used the Sony RX 100VII more on our trip because of how user-friendly it is, but ultimately I care about image quality and creative functionality, so I’d probably go for the Ricoh GR IIIx if I really had to choose! It’s hard though because I really need both! Maybe one day that perfect blend of these two cameras will come to life and I’ll be first in line for that one!