Sony DSC-RX100 II Review

By Swapnil Mathur

 

 

Digit Rating: Good

3.5/5

Features:

Performance:

Value:

Design:

PROS

• Large 1-inch sensor allows high ISO shooting without much noise
• Fast f/1.8 aperture at 28mm end
• Extremely fast AF
• Incredibly sturdy and compact

CONS

• No quick access to all settings
• Telephoto aperture of f/4.9 is slow

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MRP: 42990

The Sony DSC-RX100 II is an updated version of the RX100, which in our opinion brings mostly surface level upgrades to the camera. The sensor and the lens remain the same as the predecessor, which is bound to generate mixed feelings, however, all is not lost. Read our review to find out just why the RX100 II is a justified successor to the very popular RX100.

The Sony RX100 was a game changer in many respects when it came out last year. While it was a large sensor camera (not the first of its kind), what it did was bring a large sensor into a rather compact camera. We reviewed the RX100 and fell in love with it almost immediately, although we did feel it lacked a few essential features. Now with Sony releasing the RX100 II (version 2), we’re seeing a better rounded camera, something the RX100 should have been in the first place. However, the specs on the camera are identical to its predecessor. This makes us think that not much has really changed, but we got our hands on a unit and deciphered that for ourselves.

Body and Ergonomics
The only way to tell that you’re holding the RX100 II and not the original RX100 is when you catch a glimpse of the “RX100 II” branding. Oh and it’s written on the top edge of the pull-out screen that can tilt around and because the screen tilts, it sort of bulges out from the back, but just ever so slightly. The back otherwise remains absolutely identical to the RX100. The buttons are neatly arranged and are easy to get used to, the dial works smoothly and the movie button is just about comfortable to reach.

The top gets something that was MUCH needed, a multi-function hot-shoe port. You can attach Sony’s proprietary accessories to the camera using this port, or just attach a giant external flashgun. The original RX100 was missing this hot-shoe, and we couldn’t figure out why Sony would make such a kick-ass camera (that impressed everyone from n00bs to pros) and leave out the damn hot-shoe port! That’s like making a superbike but leaving out the disc brakes. Catastrophe avoided, as the RX100 II has this much needed feature.

In terms of ergonomics, nothing really has changed from the RX100. It’s still a gorgeous hunk of metal that is extremely hefty, giving the RX100 II the same solid build as the RX100. However, the addition of a new screen and a hot-shoe also means the RX100 II has gained 41 grams of weight, which, isn’t noticeable at all.

Features
The Sony DSC RX100 II features a 20 megapixel BSI Sensor, but this isn’t just any sensor. Sony chose to go the large sensor route when it comes to the RX100, and the same 1-inch slab of silicon finds its way into the RX100 II. Then there’s the Carl Zeiss 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 T* lens making a re-appearance. In terms of core features, the RX100 II is identical to its predecessor, though it would seem that some software tweaks have been done to the AF, but we’ll talk more  about that later.

The camera also packs a Wi-Fi and NFC Chip, to allow for transferring of photos to smartphones and tablets almost instantaneously. The Wi-Fi is helpful in uploading the images to the Web straight from the camera, for anyone who might get lazy, and let’s face it, who wants to bother with transferring images to a computer with a cable using software and THEN uploading it?

Now the screen on the back is somewhat magical in of itself. Sony calls it WhiteMagic technology, where a “white” pixel is combined with the RGB pixels to boost brightness and clarity under the mid-day sun. Nikon’s D7100 has a similar display technology and given the two companies’ prior relationship, we wonder if the Nikon is actually using Sony tech. In our use, we found that regardless of the brightness of the sun, the screen on the RX100 II displayed the images fairly well. Of course, this wasn’t AS GOOD as viewing them indoors, with no bright lights to distract us, but that doesn’t take away from the visibility under the bright, unrelenting, mid-day sun.

Last but not the least, the familiar multi-function ring makes an appearance. We loved how the ring on the RX100 could be configured to perform different functions, and that very feature continues to with the RX100 II. Would have been real stupid if Sony had pulled it, which we’re glad it didn’t.

Performance
Initially, when we looked at the specs of the RX100 II, we felt that there was nothing different about this camera at its core from the RX100. That, ladies and gentlemen, as it turns out, is absolutely true. However, we’re not mad! The reason for us not being too upset about this happens to be the fact that we loved what the RX100 had to offer. It was a near-perfect formula that Sony had, and they chose to run with it a second time. No harm there. What we would have loved is a better aperture range as shooting at f/4.9 when zoomed in all the way at 100mm can make it a little difficult for the camera to collect light, unless you go to ISO 3200 or above.

Now working with the core specifications, the performance of the RX100 II is almost identical to that of the RX100, which in of itself was pretty damn good. We, in fact, tested the camera alongside the Fujifilm X100s, our current top point and shoot camera, which has an APS-C sensor. The sensor on the Sony has a crop factor of 1.8 with respect to the Fujifilm and 2.7x on the 35mm standard. The reason this comes into play is because what is little known about apertures is that they too have crop factors, especially with respect to bokeh