Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 RII Digital Still Camera

At the forefront of imaging technology, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II Digital Camera features a full-frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X processor, all housed within a compact design that includes a fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens. This combination enables users to capture highly detailed images with remarkable clarity. Furthermore, the RX1R II introduces a groundbreaking variable optical low-pass filter system, which utilizes voltage adjustments on a liquid crystal layer to modify the light-splitting characteristics of the sensor array. This innovative feature empowers users to focus on detail, reduce moiré and aliasing, or find an optimal compromise between these aspects.

The sensor is equipped with 399 phase-detect autofocus points within a Fast Hybrid AF system, allowing for rapid subject locking and tracking. This feature is also applicable in continuous shooting mode, achieving a maximum speed of 5 frames per second, which is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. Furthermore, the enhanced processing capabilities and speed of the RX1R II's sensor and processor combination facilitate image capture at extended sensitivities, ranging from ISO 50 to 102400. Additionally, Sony has introduced an uncompressed 14-bit RAW format, ensuring the highest quality images.

Beyond these significant imaging enhancements, the design of the body has been refined. The RX1R II now features a pop-up 0.39" 2.36M-dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder. This viewfinder offers a remarkable magnification of 0.74x, providing comfortable and clear eye-level viewing, and incorporates a 4-lens optical system with two glass molded aspherical elements to guarantee sharp and vibrant images. Complementing this, the 3.0" 1,228.8k-dot LCD monitor can tilt upwards by 109° and downwards by 41°, allowing for versatile shooting angles and positions.

The camera features a remarkable Zeiss 35mm lens at the front, delivering a traditional wide-angle focal length that is ideal for street photography and documentary projects, making it a perfect match for a compact and discreet camera. This lens boasts a rapid f/2 maximum aperture, allowing for the creation of images with a shallow depth of field and facilitating performance in low-light conditions. Additionally, the lens incorporates three aspherical elements, one of which is an advanced aspherical element designed to reduce aberrations and distortion.

The video capabilities have significantly improved due to the adoption of the high bit rate XAVC S format. This format enables the recording of Full HD 1080p video at a rate of 50 Mbps, accommodating frame rates of up to 60 fps. Furthermore, the camera is capable of capturing HD 720p video at frame rates reaching 120 fps, ideal for slow-motion effects, and includes a 3.5mm jack for connecting external microphones and audio equipment.

In addition to these enhancements, the model incorporates various features such as Bright Monitoring, Eye AF, support for 4:3 and 1:1 aspect ratios, and an ISO auto minimum shutter speed. The camera is also equipped with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC (Near Field Communication) for seamless pairing with smartphones or tablets, facilitating remote control and image transfer. Moreover, the RX1R II is compatible with Sony's PlayMemories Camera apps, allowing users to expand the camera's functionality over time.

42.4MP Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ X Image Processor

The DSC-RX1R II is equipped with a full-frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, which collaborates with the BIONZ X image processor to deliver high-resolution images and videos while effectively reducing noise and enhancing processing speed. This sensor architecture incorporates a gapless on-chip lens design and an anti-reflection coating, along with the removal of the optical low-pass filter, to optimize light capture and detail enhancement. Furthermore, the inclusion of a copper wiring layer significantly boosts data transmission speeds, enabling the production of high-resolution 42.4-megapixel images at sensitivities reaching ISO 102,400.

Variable Optical Low-Pass Filter

The introduction of the world's first variable optical low-pass filter empowers users to adjust the level of filtration required for each specific image, thereby enhancing the detail captured by the 42.4-megapixel sensor. This innovative system employs a liquid crystal layer, which is manipulated through voltage application to regulate the light-splitting capability. Users can select from three distinct settings: Off, Standard, and Hi. This remarkable feature enables the RX1R II to perform effectively across various conditions that would typically necessitate multiple cameras. Furthermore, a low-pass filter bracketing function is provided, allowing users to swiftly assess the differences among the various modes.

Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 Lens

The RX1R II is equipped with a fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens, which provides sharp images and remarkable control over depth-of-field. With a maximum aperture of f/2, it allows for a shallow depth-of-field and enhances image quality in low-light situations. To ensure optimal image quality, the lens features an optical construction of 8 elements arranged in 7 groups, incorporating three aspherical elements, including one advanced aspherical element, which effectively reduces aberrations and distortion. Additionally, the nine-blade diaphragm contributes to the overall image quality by creating smooth out-of-focus areas. This lens also includes a specialized macro mode that reduces the minimum focus distance from 11.8 inches to a mere 7.9 inches.

Fast Hybrid AF with 399 Phase-Detect Points

Quickly and decisively focus on your subjects with the enhanced Fast Hybrid AF integrated into the RX1R II. This system employs 399 phase-detection AF points on the sensor, offering 45% coverage, in conjunction with 25 contrast-detection AF points, thereby enhancing the speed, precision, and tracking capabilities. The back-illuminated sensor structure facilitates faster readout, enabling effective tracking while capturing images at a maximum continuous shooting rate of 5 frames per second. Users can monitor the active AF points through a continuous AF Display.

Additionally, this AF system features Lock-on AF tracking, which analyzes extensive scene information to significantly enhance accuracy and stability. The Eye AF function is also included, prioritizing the subject's pupil to achieve outstanding portrait results, even with a shallow depth of field.

Full HD 1080p Video Recording in XAVC S Format

Beyond its remarkable still photography, the RX1R II is equipped with outstanding video recording features, facilitated by the inclusion of the XAVC S format in this model. This allows for the capture of high-bit rate footage in Full HD 1080p at 50 Mbps, with frame rates reaching up to 60 fps. Additionally, it supports HD 720p recording at 120 fps, enabling the creation of slow-motion videos. Furthermore, the camera is designed with a 3.5mm microphone input jack, permitting users to connect standard microphones to enhance audio quality.

Body design

3.0" 1,228.8k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor

Featuring an impressive resolution of 1,228.8k dots, the LCD screen offers photographers an exceptional interface for composing images, fine-tuning settings, and reviewing both video and photographs. Additionally, it is capable of tilting upward by 109° and downward by 41°, facilitating various shooting angles. Furthermore, the screen is engineered to perform effectively in bright sunlight, a condition that typically diminishes the visibility of most displays.

Retractable 0.39" 2.36M-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder Electronic Viewfinder

The advanced 4-lens optical system, which incorporates two glass molded aspherical elements, ensures that the high-resolution 0.39" 2.36M-dot XGA OLED viewfinder accurately represents the content of your recordings, including the impact of your camera settings. Additionally, the viewfinder can be effortlessly extended from the camera body for use and conveniently retracted for storage. This viewfinder provides users with the advantage of rich tonal gradations and enhanced contrast, featuring premium attributes such as 100% frame coverage and a 0.74x magnification, facilitating comfortable and stable eye-level composition.

Physical Controls & Magnesium Alloy Construction

The camera continues to utilize a magnesium alloy construction, with its design and layout having undergone refinement rather than a complete overhaul. Alongside the pop-up viewfinder and tilting electronic viewfinder (EVF), the various dials and buttons on the camera have been updated to enhance comfort in handling and control. Additionally, the lens retains the same physical focusing ring and aperture dial as the previous model, providing users with improved tactile control over their settings when desired.

Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW Format

In response to input from photographers, Sony has launched an uncompressed 14-bit RAW format option for those seeking the highest image quality from their cameras. This format provides enhanced tonal gradations, eliminating the artifacts typically associated with compressed formats.

Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC

The RX1R II is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for the immediate sharing of images to mobile devices. This facilitates direct online sharing to social media platforms, via email, and to cloud storage services. The camera also supports NFC (Near Field Communication), enabling a one-touch connection with compatible mobile devices, eliminating the need for complicated setup procedures. Once paired, the mobile device can display a live view from the camera and remotely operate the shutter.

Furthermore, the built-in Wi-Fi connection supports PlayMemories Camera Apps, which enable users to customize the camera's functionalities based on their specific shooting preferences. A variety of applications are available to enhance the creation of portraits, intricate close-ups, sports photography, time-lapse sequences, motion shots, and other specialized imagery.

Other Camera Features

• Multiple aspect ratio support enables the use of 4:3 and 1:1 in addition to the standard 3:2 and 16:9 options. Also, thanks to the high-resolution sensor, images in the 16:9, 4:3, and 1:1 ratio still manage to offer 36, 38, and 28 megapixels, respectively.
  
  
• A Multi-Interface Shoe located on the top of the camera enables support for a variety of accessories, including remotes, flashes, microphones, and more.
  
  
• Capture One Express (for Sony) is a free downloadable RAW conversion software that will help users get the utmost quality from their image files.
  
  
• Precise white balance adjustments for tuning the exact color using amber-blue and green-magenta axes.
  
  
• Bright Monitoring boosts image brightness by changing shutter speed for better preview of a night sky or dark scene.
  
  
• ISO Auto Minimum Shutter Speed allows users to prevent image blur by setting a minimum shutter speed that when reached will then start changing the ISO sensitivity.
  
  
• Thirteen Creative Styles, including Vivid and Portrait, are available for capturing images with pre-defined looks that can flatter specific subject matter.
  
  
• A 1200-zone evaluative metering system ensures balanced exposures and can be set between Multi Pattern, Center Weighted, and Spot metering.
  
  
• Face Detection is available to base exposure and focus on up to eight recognized faces. Furthermore, Eye AF can be used for even greater precision by maintaining critical focus on a subject's eye.
  
  
• 2x Clear Image Zoom can be used to effectively double the magnification afforded by any lens in use with minimal image degradation. For even greater magnification, 1.4x and 2x Smart zoom is available, as well as 4x, 6.2 and 8x digital zoom.