How I Transformed My Sony RX100 VI Into a Pocketable Film Camera (And How You Can Too)
The Sony RX100 VI isn’t perfect, but I absolutely love this camera. It’s compact, powerful, and versatile—basically the dream for street photography and travel. But straight out of the box, it felt a little too digital, a little too sharp, and honestly, a little boring in terms of design.
So, I decided to customize my Sony RX100 VI. If you've been wondering how to make your Sony RX100 VI look more like a pocketable film camera, here’s exactly how I did it—and how you can too.
Table of Contents
How to Customize the Sony RX100 VI with a few accessories
With just a few affordable accessories— I transformed the look of my RX100. I gave it a serious upgrade by adding a sleek skin, taking its style from a 6 to a solid 10 in terms of aesthetics.
I also added a filter ring adapter, so I can swap out ND filters to control light without fiddling with shutter speed, plus a diffusion filter to soften the image since it felt a bit too sharp for my taste.
For better handling, I added a hand grip, and I finished it off with a dark wooden button to complement the overall look.
The cost of this Sony RX100 custom setup? €80 euros. The result? A seriously stylish Sony camera.
Before committing, I wasn’t sure how these accessories would come together, so I bought a few different options. For this purchase, I went with AliExpress, because it has more options and cooler skin designs to choose from. Amazon’s prices are usually double for the same product.
Setting up the skin was surprisingly easy—just patience, good lighting, and maybe some glasses if needed, to get the details right. The entire customization can be done in just one afternoon!
Now, let’s get into each of these custom builds. I’ve also attached links so you can purchase them if interested. I’m not affiliated with any of these sellers – just sharing my custom setup.
Here’s exactly what I added.
Sony RX100VI Skin
The first thing I did was apply a custom Sony RX100 VI skin to give it a unique, film-inspired look. Right out of the box, the camera’s design is fine, but nothing special. A skin not only makes it stand out but also adds a bit of protection against scratches.
I went with a design that mimics vintage film cameras, and the difference was immediate—this thing went from a tech gadget to a retro-looking pocketable film camera.
How to Apply a Skin to the Sony RX100 VI
Installing a Sony RX100 VI skin is one of the easiest but most impactful upgrades you can make. It’s a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Clean the Camera – Any dust or oil on the surface can cause bubbles or peeling later.
Work in Good Lighting – This helps you line up edges properly.
Start with Larger Pieces – Align the biggest sections first before applying the smaller details.
Use a Hair Dryer (Optional) – Some skins benefit from a little heat to help the adhesive settle, especially around curved areas.
Be Patient – Take your time to avoid misalignment.
Here is the skin I used: Sony RX100VI Skin
Sony RX100VI Hand Grip
The Sony RX100 VI is tiny, which is great for portability but not so great for handling.
I fixed this by adding a Sony RX100 VI hand grip, which makes it much more comfortable to hold. If you’re planning to use this camera a lot, I highly recommend this upgrade.
Here are the two hand grips that I got:
Sony RX100 VI Diffusion Filters
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Sony RX100 VI is the lack of built-in filter threads. That means you can’t directly attach ND filters or diffusion filters.
To fix this, I installed a Sony RX100 VI filter adapter, which lets me swap out different filters on the go. This little accessory completely changes how you can shoot with this camera.
ND Filters: Essential for controlling light without adjusting shutter speed—especially useful for video.
Black Mist / Diffusion Filters: Soften the digital sharpness and add a dreamy, organic quality to the image.
Links to the accessories for Sony RX100 VI:
Sony RX100 VI Wooden Shutter Button
I attached a wooden shutter button, and while it’s purely aesthetic, it adds a touch of elegance. Plus, it feels a lot nicer to press compared to the default button.
Here is the link: Sony RX100VI Wooden Shutter Button
And this is the full custom setup that completely transformed my Sony RX100 VI. Now, it’s better looking, more functional, and more enjoyable to shoot with.
The question is: should you customize your RX100 VI? Absolutely. It's easy, fun, and makes the camera feel uniquely yours.
Sony RX100 VI Custom Setup– 3 Years Later
After three years of using my Sony RX100 VI custom build, here’s how everything held up.
The Skin – Apart from a one edge where the vinyl started lifting slightly, the Sony RX100 VI skin has held up well. It still gives the camera a unique look and protects it from scratches.
The Wooden Shutter Button – This tiny upgrade turned out to be a great investment. It adds a premium feel and is still as solid as day one.
The Hand Grip – If you plan on using the RX100 VI regularly, a Sony RX100 VI hand grip is a must. It makes handling much more comfortable, and after three years, mine is still firmly attached with no signs of peeling.
The Filter Adapter – After a trip where my RX100 VI was under pressure inside my backpack, the filter adapter came loose. I think if I had been more careful, it would still be holding up, but it's something to keep in mind if you plan on traveling with filters attached. Would I Buy It Again? Yes, but I’d be extra careful when packing my camera to avoid unnecessary pressure on the adapter.
Overall, I still love this camera, and everybody simply fell in love with it immediately at first sight, for the looks and the size of it. It's simply a cute and unique camera.
Sony RX100 VI Specs Overview
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI is a premium compact camera that delivers a powerful mix of versatility, portability, and high-end imaging technology. If you're looking for a small yet powerful camera for travel, street photography, or video, this one packs a serious punch.
Sensor & Processing Power
Sensor: 20.1MP 1-inch stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with a DRAM chip for high-speed performance and reduced noise.
Processor: BIONZ X image processor for detailed images, better low-light performance, and fast autofocus.
Lens & Zoom Capabilities
Lens: ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens.
Zoom: 8x optical zoom, covering a wide-to-telephoto range (equivalent to 24-200mm in full-frame terms).
Aperture: f/2.8 at 24mm and f/4.5 at 200mm—decent for daylight shooting but not ideal for low-light bokeh shots.
Autofocus & Shooting Performance
Fast Hybrid AF with 315 phase-detection points, covering about 65% of the frame for fast, accurate focus.
Super-fast AF speed: Focuses in just 0.03 seconds, making it great for street photography and fast-moving subjects.
Burst Shooting: Up to 24fps continuous shooting with full autofocus and auto-exposure tracking.
Viewfinder & Display
Pop-up XGA OLED Tru-Finder® EVF with 2.35-million-dot resolution—compact but not the most comfortable for extended use.
3-inch tiltable LCD touchscreen (921,600 dots), allowing tap-to-focus and easier framing from different angles.
Video Capabilities
4K UHD recording (3840x2160 at up to 30p) with full pixel readout and no pixel binning for better detail.
Super Slow-Motion: Captures up to 960fps, making it perfect for creative action shots.
HDR Support: 4K HDR (HLG) for improved dynamic range in video.
Other Features
Optical SteadyShot™ Image Stabilization – Helps reduce camera shake, equivalent to a 4-stop advantage.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth for wireless sharing and remote control.
Battery Life: Around 240 shots per charge (not great, but expected for a compact camera).
A bit of a backstory - Why did I choose the Sony RX100 VI?
Three years ago, my main camera was the Sony A7III. I took it everywhere—commuting, shooting street photography, and working on personal projects.
At the time, I was pouring most of my energy into studio projects, YouTube videos, and creating film simulations. It was all exhausting, so I needed a way to shoot creatively without pressure—just for the enjoyment.
Street photography became my way of recharging and finding fresh inspiration.
But there was a problem – the A7III was just too big. It was a hassle to carry around, and I was always drawing attention. I was too visible. The moment people see a large camera, they react differently—it’s harder to capture natural, candid moments.
I knew I needed something smaller, lighter, and, most of all – discreet.
My first attempt? The Sony ZV-E1—and I hated it. The build felt cheap, the optics were underwhelming, and worst of all, it didn’t shoot RAW. Even my phone shoots RAW! The JPEGs lacked detail, and the image quality reminded me of a disposable camera. It was an instant disappointment.
So, I returned it and kept searching. That’s when I discovered the Sony RX100 series.
The RX100 VI immediately stood out for a few reasons. It’s compact, solidly built, and comes with anice little zoom lens that’s great for various subjects. Best of all, it’s tiny—smaller than my phone.
At the time, I wanted a camera with better color science than my A7III, which leaned heavily toward magenta and sometimes made it harder to create film simulations. After watching countless comparisons, I realized that Sony’s color science started improving from the RX100 V onward. So, I searched local listings for used cameras and found an RX100 VI in mint condition for €450. No-brainer.
I instantly fell in love with its power and portability. From that moment on, I took it everywhere.
Thanks to its small size, I could carry it effortlessly. The 24-200mm lens meant I didn’t need to bring extra lenses, yet I could still shoot everything from wide scenes to telephoto shots. I’d just slip it into my pocket, walk around, and take a shot whenever I felt like it.
One of the best things? I became practically invisible when shooting street photography. People either didn’t notice me or didn’t take me seriously with such a tiny camera. It was perfect.
Do I Still Love It?
Absolutely—but no camera is perfect. The Sony RX100 VI still delivers stunning images in a pocketable form, but after years of use, I’ve discovered both its strengths and weaknesses.
Let’s get into the pros, cons, and whether it’s still worth buying today.
What I Love About the RX100 VI
1. Insane Zoom Range in a Tiny Body
The Sony RX100 VI packs a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 lens*, which is pretty wild for a camera this small. You can go from wide landscapes to tight portraits without swapping lenses—perfect for travel, street photography, hiking, or just everyday shooting.
There are Sony RX100 users that use this for sports, and professional shootings. it doesn't mean it's the best, but it works in certain situations.
2. Fast Autofocus
The camera features a Fast Hybrid AF system with 315-point phase-detection autofocus, covering approximately 65% of the frame. This enables quick and accurate focusing, even on moving subjects.
3. High-Speed Shooting
It supports continuous shooting at up to 24 frames per second with full autofocus and auto-exposure tracking. That means you can nail the perfect shot, even in fast-moving scenes.
4. 4K Video
The RX100 VI can record 4K UHD videos with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, resulting in high-quality footage with minimal moiré and jaggies. It also offers 4K HDR compatibility for enhanced dynamic range.
5. The Touchscreen
Sony finally gave us a touchscreen in the RX100 series, making it easier to tap-to-focus and use the touch shutter. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference in usability.
6. Truly Pocketable
Despite all these features, the RX100 VI is still compact enough to slip into your pocket. No extra lenses, no bulky bags—just a powerful, all-in-one camera that’s always ready to shoot.
The Sony RX100 VI is easily one of the most versatile compact cameras out there. Whether you’re a travel photographer, content creator, or just someone who wants a high-quality camera without carrying a full setup, this thing delivers. It’s not perfect, but for its size, it’s an absolute beast.
Disadvantages of Sony RX100 VI
Simple. Minuscule & low resolution EVF, low resolution screen, small sensor, narrow aperture lens, no proper weather sealing, also size makes it hard to handle at times.
The size
In a sense, the size is both an advantage and also a disadvantage. It's easy to carry, but at the same time it's slightly too small to hold comfortably, and I still feel my hand is crimping on all dials making it hard to use. I wouldn't mind it to be a bit larger for handling comfort, more buttons, a non pop-up EVF and even less overheating.
The pop-up EVF
A very smart idea, but I hate it. When doing street photography, I want to be able to take out the camera and put it directly at my eye without any extra steps. Having to pop it up, forces me to waste seconds, which are crucial in street photography.
And the size of the EVF is simply uncomfortable. Seems to me, Sony has this obsession of packing as much power in as little cameras as possible. It's their thing, but they need to understand smaller doesn't always result in better handling experience. it wouldn't have bothered me to have a size of the camera that incorporates the EVF. It would also help with handling while still being pocketable.
Sensor
The RX100 is incredibly portable and features a versatile lens, making it perfect for activities like nature hikes or street photography. However, its small 1-inch sensor and modest aperture mean low-light performance isn't its strongest point, and you will have to work to get the slightest amount of bokeh. Older models did have a wider aperture lens, but with a more limited focal range of 24-75mm and an older color science which is heavily magenta casted.
Low-res screen
Screen is low resolution and is inaccurate in terms of brightness/exposure. If you set your brightness at +2 the images will appear overexposed when in reality they are not. This is a common issue in all my Sony cameras. Finally, even at +2 brightness, the screen is not bright enough for outdoors.
Weather Sealing
I think this camera could really use some weather sealing, as it has none right now. It would be very unfortunate to pay 900-1300 euro for a brand-new camera and a couple rain drops to destroy it forever.
The Price
Lastly, the price is rather high for what it offers. The RX100 VI goes for around 900 euros brand new, and the RX100 VII goes for 1100-1300 euros nowadays. Which is quite a lot compared to the competition. The Canon V2 costs roughly 900 euros, has a flippy screen, and is capable of 4K60fps for up to 2 hours.
While the Sony RX100 series offers superior image quality compared to smartphones,due to its advanced lens and RAW capabilities, it's important to recognize that the RX100 VII, released in 2019, has not seen significant updates since.
In contrast, modern smartphones, priced between €500 and €1,200, have rapidly advanced, now featuring capabilities like 4K video recording at 60fps with 10-bit color depth, superior OLED displays with wide color gamuts like Bt.2020, and enhanced computational photography, providing superior video quality compared to the Sony RX100 series, all while being able to record underwater. To remain competitive, Sony should consider updating the RX100 line to incorporate these advancements and meet the evolving expectations of users.
If Phones can give us more for better prices, Sony can too!
Sony recently announced the RX100 VIIA, which is basically just a repackaged RX100 VII. In 2025, this feels like a missed opportunity to introduce something new, considering the tech is already outdated.
And the price is creeping into the APS-C camera range, where you can get features like weather sealing, 10-bit Log, and 4K 50fps in cameras like the Canon EOS R7 or Panasonic Lumix GH5 II.
I know I am comparing apples with pears when comparing APS-C with this tiny camera, and although I love this camera, the tech is outdated and doesn’t really justify the price.
Would I still buy it?
Yes! Why? It's a tiny power house.
I much prefer to take this little camera with me on hiking trips or street photography in general, as it attracts less attention and requires a lot less space to carry. Also, the super versatile 24-200mm lens covers pretty much all lenses you need for portrait, travel, street photography, journalism, and so on. All fitting inside your pocket!
If low light performance, image bokeh, and ergonomics are not dealbreakers for you, then this camera might replace your full frame. It certainly did for me.
For the past year, even with the limitations of the camera, I mostly preferred using the RX100 to my bigger mirrorless cameras.
For portability, discretion, and versatility, it’s still hard to beat. So – if you’re looking for a fun, pocketable film-style camera that can go anywhere, the RX100 VI is a great choice—especially with the right custom build.
Want better colors from your RX100 VI? Try out the free Sony film simulation bundle and get a more cinematic, film-like look straight out of camera.
Coming Soon – Sony film simulation contest 🏆
I’m kicking off something big—and I want you to be a part of it!
Our very first Sony Film Simulations Photo Contest is here, and it's all about celebrating creativity and the awesome things you can do with Sony cameras straight out of the box.
Can you guess what the prize is?
All the details drop on March 3 via email, forum, and Reddit. I’m super pumped about this, and I think you’ll be too!
Looking forward to March 3!