In my experience, I would suggest being really cautious with those flexible Gorillapod legs for long exposures... they tend to introduce micro-jitters that basically ruin ur shot if there’s even a light breeze. Since ur using a Sony RX100 VII, you might want to consider a fixed-leg option to ensure reliability and safety during ur trip. Here's what I recommend for maximum stability:
* Manfrotto PIXI EVO 2-Section Mini Tripod - It's way better than the basic PIXI because the legs have two different angles. Dropping it low to the ground is KEY for night shots.
* SmallRig Tabletop Mini Tripod with Panoramic Ball Head BUT2664 - This thing is all-metal and honestly feels more durable than anything else in this price range. Make sure to double-check the tension on the ball head before you walk away!! I've seen too many people trust a loose head and have their gear tilt. Anyway, stick to these and you'll be fine. gl!!

In my experience, honestly, those plastic vlogging grips are a total letdown for long exposures... unfortunately I've had issues with the legs flexing under any real wind. For your situation, I'd skip the toys and grab the SmallRig Tabletop Mini Tripod BUT2664. It's actually all aluminum and way more rigid than the PIXI, plus it only costs about $30. It's lowkey the best budget pick for keeping that RX100 VII rock solid! peace 👍

Just saw this and had to jump in because I have been through like five different setups for my RX100 over the years. Honestly, most of the plastic stuff is trash if you are doing long exposures. I remember being in the middle of a desert trying to get a shot of the stars and my old tripod just kept sagging... it was so frustrating. Since then, I have stuck to metal only. Quick question though, are you mostly sticking to flat surfaces like walls or tables, or are you actually hiking on uneven rocks and dirt? That makes a big difference. In my experience, the Leofoto MT-03 Spider Desktop Tripod is the absolute gold standard for this camera. It is all aluminum and has these folding legs that let you grip onto stuff, way better than a Gorillapod. If you want something cheaper that still feels premium, look at the Ulanzi MT-24 Metal Tripod. I have used both and while the Ulanzi is great for the price, the Leofoto is the one I actually trust when the wind picks up. The build quality comparison between these and the Manfrotto stuff is night and day, seriously.

Watch out for those dirt-cheap generic plastic stands that look legit but feel like toys. Theyll basically vibrate the second a breeze hits, which is a total nightmare for long exposures on ur RX100 VII. Ngl, I've wasted money on those and it SUCKS. Heres what I recommend for your sling bag:
- Sony-branded Bluetooth grips: AMAZING for vlogging and they feel super solid, but they're kinda pricey and maybe too short for some angles.
- All-metal mini tripods (like from Ulanzi): These are way more stable for night shots cuz they dont flex at all. Honestly, the extra weight is worth the stability.
- Carbon fiber table-tops: Super light for backpacking but they usually push that $75 limit. I'm really happy with a solid metal setup. It fits right in a jacket pocket and wont wobble during a 30-second shot. Best choice for long exposures is definitely fixed metal legs over plastic ones!! gl

ngl i am in the exact same boat and its been like six months of searching. i am usually very satisfied with how my rx100 performs but this tripod situation is the only thing i cant solve. i have to disagree with some of the previous posts tho because even those metal stands dont feel reliable enough for my peace of mind. my situation is basically identical:

• been looking for half a year and still nothing works well
• i have no complaints with the camera but the support gear is lacking
• everything i try feels too risky for a windy night shot its just frustrating that i still havent found a solid answer. im basically stuck in the same loop trying to find something that actually keeps the gear safe.

Bump - same question here