Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA Digital Camera

The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA Digital Camera from Sony enhances the already impressive RX100 V by expanding the buffer capacity to 233 images, minimizing display lag in the electronic viewfinder, and incorporating several additional features. Equipped with a 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor, the RX100 VA delivers high-resolution images with sensitivities reaching ISO 12800. Its Fast Hybrid AF system boasts 315 focal-plane phase-detection points, covering 65% of the sensor's image area, and can achieve focus in as little as 0.05 seconds. This autofocus system is adept at tracking subjects throughout the frame, even during high-speed shooting. Furthermore, Sony's BIONZ X processor facilitates continuous shooting at rates of up to 24 fps, supported by the enhanced buffer capacity of 233 JPEG images and improved High Frame Rate recording capabilities.

Similar to the RX100 V, the RX100 VA is capable of recording HD video at 960 fps in High Frame Rate Mode, as well as UHD 4K video at 30/24 fps. A notable enhancement in the RX100 VA is its dual video recording feature, which allows the camera to capture two video files simultaneously. Additionally, it retains the Gamma Display Assist from the RX100 V, which enhances contrast while utilizing a flat S-Log2 gamma, along with the Photo Capture mode that enables the extraction of 8.29MP still images from video footage.

The RX100 VA maintains the same physical design as its predecessor, the RX100 V, ensuring compatibility with all existing accessories. It features a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, offering an equivalent zoom range of 24-70mm and a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.8, which provides exceptional versatility across various shooting conditions. The camera is equipped with a pop-up 0.39" 2.36m-dot OLED Tru-Finder EVF and a 3.0" 1.23m-dot tilting LCD, delivering clear previews of the subject being captured. Furthermore, the RX100 VA retains the lens control ring, built-in ND filter, and customizable buttons found in its predecessor, along with Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities for seamless smartphone connectivity.

20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS Sensor & BIONZ X Image Processor

The RX100 VA is equipped with a 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor, which provides exceptional image quality at ISO levels reaching up to 12800, all while maintaining remarkably swift performance. This sensor incorporates stacked pixel architecture, a high-speed signal processing circuit, and enhanced memory capabilities, resulting in a data throughput increase of more than five times. This advancement facilitates features such as 40x super slow motion, an Anti-Distortion shutter, UHD 4K video recording, and additional functionalities. Furthermore, the sensor includes focal-plane phase-detection autofocus points, allowing for rapid and accurate focusing in as little as 0.05 seconds.

Complementing this sensor is the BIONZ X image processor along with a front-end LSI, which significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of the entire imaging system. This combination allows for continuous shooting with autofocus and auto-exposure at rates of up to 24 frames per second. An expanded buffer capacity enables extended continuous shooting, accommodating up to 233 JPEG images. Additionally, the front-end LSI contributes to the overall enhancement of image quality, particularly at elevated sensitivity settings.

Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens

The integrated Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, featuring a zoom range equivalent to 24-70mm, is well-suited for a diverse array of shooting scenarios. Its wide-angle to short telephoto capabilities are particularly favored by photographers, enhanced by a bright aperture range of f/1.8-2.8. This configuration facilitates impressive low-light performance and provides excellent depth of field control. The lens design incorporates two aspherical elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberrations and contribute to the clarity of images. Additionally, Zeiss' advanced multi-layered T* coating mitigates ghosting and flare resulting from light reflections.

Fast Hybrid AF System with 315 Phase-Detection Points

The RX100 VA features an on-sensor phase-detection autofocus system that enhances autofocus speed for both photographs and video recordings. This camera employs a hybrid approach, incorporating 315 phase-detection points that span 65% of the frame, in conjunction with a contrast-detection system, ensuring rapid and precise focusing across various scenarios. Additionally, the RX100 VA offers minimized blackout, facilitating improved tracking when utilizing the electronic viewfinder or LCD screen.

UHD 4K Video Recording

The RX100 VA stands out as a formidable tool for videography, capable of producing UHD 4K films lasting up to 5 minutes with remarkable precision. By employing a full pixel readout without binning, this camera gathers approximately 1.7 times the data required for 4K output. The technique of oversampling enhances image clarity while minimizing the occurrence of moire and jagged edges. During video recording, Fast Hybrid AF ensures swift and accurate tracking through the use of phase-detection AF points. Furthermore, the camera supports Sony's sophisticated XAVC S format, enabling high bit rate recordings of up to 100 Mbps.

In addition, the RX100 VA provides various picture profiles and image controls, including the S-Log2 gamma, which facilitates an expanded dynamic range by capturing a flat image. The Gamma Display Assist feature allows users to monitor a more natural representation while utilizing S-Log2. Additional functionalities such as timecode, zebras, peaking, and more are included to streamline the shooting and editing processes. When recording internally, the camera captures video with a 4:2:0 sampling at 8-bit, but it can also output via HDMI to an external recorder, enabling the capture of 4:2:2 uncompressed video in an edit-ready format.

Moreover, the camera includes a Photo Capture function, allowing users to swiftly extract an 8.29MP still image from their UHD 4K recordings. The RX100 VA is also switchable between NTSC and PAL formats, enhancing its versatility for global use.

High Frame Rate and Slow Motion Shooting

The RX100 VA boasts remarkable speed, providing users with significant advantages in video recording. It features advanced High Frame Rate shooting capabilities, allowing for exceptional slow-motion effects. In Full HD, users can utilize a standard setting of 120 fps, which facilitates impressive slow-motion playback when edited. Furthermore, the camera includes a specialized HFR mode that can elevate the frame rate to an impressive 960 fps. Videographers can choose between Quality Priority and Shoot Time Priority modes based on their specific needs. The camera is capable of outputting Full HD files from slightly lower resolutions, ensuring high-quality images across all frame rates. Additionally, the end trigger mode allows users to capture 4 or 6 seconds of footage prior to pressing the record button, ensuring that no significant moment is overlooked.

Body Design and Wi-Fi Connectivity

The pop-up 0.39" XGA OLED electronic viewfinder delivers a resolution of 2.36 million dots, ensuring sharp and vivid imagery. It is enhanced with a Zeiss T* coating, which guarantees clarity across the entire frame. The rear 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD screen is capable of tilting 180° upwards and 45° downwards, facilitating shooting from various angles and aiding in the composition of ideal selfies. This screen boasts a resolution of approximately 1.23 million dots, and the incorporation of WhiteMagic technology enhances its brightness for improved visibility in bright conditions.

A manual control ring encircles the lens, featuring a seamless, click-less design that allows for swift and silent adjustments of settings. This ring can be customized to manage a range of functions, including zoom, aperture, and Picture Effects, at varying levels. Custom buttons and other programmable options can be assigned to over 40 different functions, providing quick access to frequently used settings.

Additionally, a built-in 3-stop neutral density (ND) filter is included, enabling the use of wider aperture settings in bright lighting conditions. The pop-up flash assists in illuminating subjects in low-light environments. The redesigned menu system simplifies navigation through settings.

With built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, users can instantly transfer images to mobile devices for direct sharing on social media, via email, or to cloud storage platforms. The camera also supports NFC (Near Field Communication), allowing for a one-touch connection with compatible mobile devices without the need for complex setup. Once connected, the mobile device can display a live view image and, through Smart Remote Control, remotely operate the camera's shutter release. Furthermore, the RX100 VA can now connect to a smartphone using a QR code for expedited access.

Other Camera Features

• Anti-Distortion electronic shutter can enable completely silent shooting as well as the ability to work at shutter speeds as fast as 1/32000 second. This shutter also keeps rolling shutter effects to an absolute minimum and enables photographers to work in bright light with wider apertures.
  
  
• Step Zoom lets you quickly change between five common focal lengths (24, 28, 35, 50, or 70mm) by rotating the control ring.
  
  
• Clear Image Zoom allows users to enlarge the center of the still or movie frame being shot by up to 5.8x equivalent when using optical zoom as well.
  
  
• Eye AF in AF-C mode will lock on and tack a subject's eye, even as the face moves.
  
  
• Users can set a minimum shutter speed when using ISO AUTO to help minimize shutter blur.
  
  
• Creative Style settings: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, and Sepia (all with +/- 3 step contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustment).
  
  
• Picture Effect modes: Posterization (Color, B&W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-Key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-Tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, and Illustration.
  
  
• Adjustable Picture Profile parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-2, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode (Movie, Still, Cinema, Pro, ITU709 Matrix, White & Black, S-Gamut), Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, and Reset.