01/03/2026 12:27 am
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So I finally caved and bought one of those Sony RX100 cameras, the mark VII version I think, because everyone said it's the best for travel. I'm heading to Japan in like three weeks and I really wanted good photos but man I am already so frustrated and confused. I opened the box and it's just so small and slippery? Like I'm genuinely terrified I'm gonna drop it and break it before I even get to the airport. It's basically like holding a wet bar of soap and for something that cost me nearly a thousand dollars I'm kinda mad it feels so flimsy in my hand.
I've been looking online for what else I need to buy but there's just so much junk out there and I have no idea what is actually important or what is just a waste of money. I saw something about a grip you have to stick on the front with tape? Is that real? That sounds super sketchy for such an expensive camera. And then there are screen protectors and extra batteries and these little leather cases that look cool but are they even protective? I dont want to buy stuff just to have it, I need things that actually matter.
I've seen people mention things like:
- a sticky grip thing for the front
- extra batteries since the life is bad
- a glass cover for the screen
- some kind of special wrist strap
I'm really sorry if these are dumb questions I've just never owned a real camera before and the manual is like a billion pages long and doesn't even explain what accessories are actually worth it. I have about $100 left in my budget for extras after spending way too much on the camera itself so I need to be smart about what I get.
What are the absolute bare minimum things I need so I don't ruin this thing or run out of power while I'm walking around Kyoto? Like if you could only pick three things that every beginner needs for this specific camera what would they be? I'm mostly worried about dropping it and the battery dying halfway through the day or something...
6 Answers
12
01/03/2026 12:28 am
I felt the same way when I first took mine to Osaka! It is basically like a wet bar of soap tbh.
- Sony AG-R2 Attachment Grip
- Way better than a bulky cage because it keeps the camera tiny.
- Wasabi Power Battery 2-Pack and Charger for NP-BX1
- Cheaper than Sony and an amazing life saver for long walks in Kyoto. Having three batteries total is huge!
11
01/03/2026 1:28 am
I spent a ton on the Sony LCJ-RXK Jacket Case for my Tokyo trip and honestly, I was so disappointed. It looks classy but it makes the camera way thicker and flipping the flap to take a shot is a total nightmare. It just hangs there awkwardly while you are trying to focus. I ended up hating it. Instead, I would look at these three things:
- The Lowepro Tahoe CS 20 Protective Pouch is cheap and actually protects the body from scratches in your bag without the bulk.
- Power-wise, I had issues with cheap generic batteries swelling in the heat. If the Sony ones are too pricey, just grab an Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger. You can charge the camera via USB while you eat lunch, which is way easier than swapping tiny batteries constantly.
- For safety, the Altura Photo Rapid Fire Wrist Strap is a solid budget choice that wont break but keeps the camera glued to you.
11
01/03/2026 1:33 am
I spent a ton on the Sony LCJ-RXK Jacket Case for my Tokyo trip and honestly, I was so disappointed. It looks classy but it makes the camera way thicker and flipping the flap to take a shot is a total nightmare. It just hangs there awkwardly while you are trying to focus. I ended up hating it. Instead, I would look at these three things:
- The Lowepro Tahoe CS 20 Protective Pouch is cheap and actually protects the body from scratches in your bag without the bulk.
- Power-wise, I had issues with cheap generic batteries swelling in the heat. If the Sony ones are too pricey, just grab an Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger. You can charge the camera via USB while you eat lunch, which is way easier than swapping tiny batteries constantly.
- For safety, the Altura Photo Rapid Fire Wrist Strap is a solid budget choice that wont break but keeps the camera glued to you.
2
01/03/2026 12:48 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, you might want to consider screen protection. I would suggest the Sony PCK-LG1 Screen Protect Glass Sheet over the JJC Optical Glass Protector. While JJC is cheaper, the Sony glass is thicker and wont peel. Additionally, replace the factory string with a Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap. Its anchor system provides a necessary safety margin compared to the stock lanyard. This setup ensures your investment stays secure while walking around Kyoto.
2
03/03/2026 8:29 am
Honestly its just ridiculous how Sony treats these high-end compacts. I was so satisfied when I saw the specs for the 20fps burst and that stacked sensor, but the actual physical experience is such a scam for the price. Spending nearly a grand and getting a body that feels like a polished stone is just poor engineering and it drives me crazy.
- Most manufacturers like Ricoh or even Canon at least give you a bit of thumb rest or texture from the factory.
- Its basically a hidden tax where you have to buy extra bits just to keep from dropping it on the pavement.
- The design is clearly for aesthetics over actual functionality and human hands. It really is a joke that they put so much R&D into the internal tech and then totally ignore the ergonomics. Its like they want you to drop it so you have to buy another one... just saw this thread and had to vent because it is so frustrating when you just want to take photos without a heart attack.
2
03/03/2026 7:58 pm
Jumping in here to help clear up the confusion. Before I suggest a full kit, are you planning on keeping the camera in a pocket or a small shoulder bag while walking around Kyoto? The best setup really changes based on how you carry it. If you want to fix the handling, I'd compare the SmallRig L-Shape Handle for Sony RX100 VII with the basic Sony stick-on. The SmallRig is a solid metal base that makes the camera feel much more substantial and secure, whereas the Sony one is just a bit of rubber. If you prefer a DIY route, a lot of us long-time users actually use a small piece of Dragon Grip Anti-Slip Grip Tape cut to fit the front. It is less than ten bucks and honestly provides better traction than the expensive options. Regarding the power issue, instead of just more batteries, you might find a compact power bank like the Anker 523 Power Bank PowerCore 10K more useful. You can top off the camera via USB while you are at lunch. It is often more convenient than fumbling with those tiny batteries when you are on the move. Let me know about the bag situation and I can be more specific.
