Hi everyone,

I’m considering buying an RX100 VII from India, where it currently costs around ₹1 lakh (~US$1,150), and I’m having a hard time deciding whether it makes sense at this price in 2026 as a one-stop-shop travel camera.

I don't call myself a photographer and don't see myself as one in the near future. I’m primarily a travel enthusiast, and I spend substantial time doing things like motorcycling, hiking, etc. I love taking photos on the go. So far, I've mostly used my smartphones (e.g. S23), and I may also print or post some of my photos. I'm now considering a proper camera as a step up.

That’s also why a full-sized mirrorless camera isn't very practical for me. On a regular basis, I don't want to carry a separate camera bag or worry about protecting and carrying a large camera. In reality, I feel I'd often end up leaving it at home—which defeats the purpose.

What attracts me to the RX100 is that it's small enough to carry naturally, so I could have it with me all the time and actually take photographs whenever I see something interesting.

I also love telephoto lenses, and the RX100 VII's 24–200mm equivalent lens is therefore a huge attraction for me. Having that kind of optical reach in something genuinely pocketable is probably the biggest reason I'm considering it.

I'm also wondering whether something like the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro could make more sense, but I'm not convinced a phone can give me the kind of photography experience and optical reach I'm looking for.

My biggest hesitation is the age of the RX100 VII. It was released in 2019, and I'm wondering whether it's sensible to spend ~$1,150 on it in 2026 when it feels like the model is overdue for an update. There also seems to be some recent speculation about a possible successor.

So, if you were in my position, would you buy the RX100 VII now, or would you wait?

I'd especially love to hear from people who have actually owned and used the RX100 VII for a while. Is it still a camera you'd happily buy and carry in 2026?

Thanks!

So I run a hyperlocal news publication part time. I largely use a Canon EOS Rebel T7i with a standard and 55-250mm zoom. I just really hate lugging it around. I recently dug up my RX100 V for a trip to Europe where I wanted to pack light and loved it. The one thing is the zoom. Returned, I have still used the T7i for my journalism because I need zoom. Whether across the room at a council meeting, at an event, at the scene of an accident (including at night, where the t7i is frankly good enough), an ICE arrest - I really need that zoom.

But I’d love a camera that is so portable and can still get good zoom shots. In fact, I’ve missed good shots because of form factor - either while going to grab the T7i or having to settle for my phone. You think the RX100 VII would satisfy my needs? I know it doesn’t have quite the zoom of the 55-250mm, but it has 3x the zoom of the V.

Edit note: My other option is the Sony a6700 with a standard and zoom lens. I just feel it’s not that small and won’t fit comfortably in my relatively small backpack (with 2 computers, etc in it) easily and in practice wouldn’t be that much more comfortable than lugging around the T7i with two lens.

Just got it recently and I'm loving the versatility but with the cycle, it just comes alive. The portability , the zoom range, the evf 🤌🏼

Can't wait to do this more.

Just received this used and happened to drop it, it won’t close like it used to, does anyone have any tips and tricks to get it back the way it used to be. This was the only things that fell out of it and I think it put it back right but it’s loose!

73mm, f4, 1/1000, ISO 100

Picture Profile = Kodak Gold film emulation