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Sony Announces the RX1R and RX100II High End Cyber-shot Cameras

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The New Sony RX1R and RX100II have officially been announced! The Cyber-shot RX-series, consisting of the multiple award winning Full Frame RX1 and large 1″ sensor ultra compact RX100, now has two new versions with more power and even better image quality.

Starting with the Full Frame RX1R, we have basically the same exact unit as the RX1 physically, but with a major change in fornt of the sensor itself. Specifically the Low-Pass Anti-Aliasing Filter has been removed, giving the full frame sensor a more clear view of the world 😉 Basically the low pass filter helps smooth the light out as it goes through and helps with morie’ and other issues like chromatic aberrations. In this process however, the image gets softened a bit as a whole and needs to be re-sharped or corrected for on camera. Ultimately the costs is a little resolution for better control on the other issues as a compromise.

The result when you remove the filter?

Sharper image quality and detail retention which means more effective resolution out of the sensor. The RX1R is also compatible with the new triluminos color standard that Sony is using for it’s TV’s and other video products. The DSC-RX1R, is available for pre-order @ BHPhoto for $2798 US (Click Here)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R

Be sure to Click on the Images Below for the High Res Versions!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Digital Camera
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Digital Camera

The DSC-RX1R, is available for pre-order @ BHPhoto for $2798 US (Click Here)

Sony RX1R Official Press Release from Sony

A revolution in resolution: enthusiast-oriented Cyber-shot™ RX1R delivers sharpest ever detail

7 June 2013

  • Joins the acclaimed Cyber-shot™ RX1 full-frame compact camera with 24.3 effective megapixels and Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* F2 lens
  • No optical low-pass filter for uncompromised image resolution
  • Ideal for landscapes and other high-detail scenes
  • TRILUMINOS Colour for richer, more natural colours

A new sister version of Sony’s acclaimed Cyber-shot™ RX1 full-frame compact camera satisfies the most critical photographer’s hunger for sharper, more detailed pictures.
Building on the awesome imaging power of the RX1, the RX1R takes pixel-perfect picture quality to new heights. The model’s ‘R’ suffix denotes a further improvement in the pocket-sized camera’s already spectacular resolution.
In common with many DSLR cameras, the original Cyber-shot™ RX1 features an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) in front of the sensor to suppress unwanted moiré and colour artefacts. The enthusiast-oriented RX1R removes this low-pass filter, guaranteeing flawless capture of fine details without any blurring or dispersion. To compensate for the OLPF’s removal, the camera’s processing functions have been optimized to maintain image sharpness without compromising lens/sensor performance*.
Bringing new levels of realism to landscapes and other finely-detailed subjects, the modified edition RX1R lets photo enthusiasts express their creativity with unprecedented clarity. While weight and dimensions remain the same as the ground-breaking RX1, the special edition RX1R adds other refinements to suit discerning photographers.
In addition, compatibility with TRILUMINOS Colour technology ensures even richer, more natural colours when viewing stills and video on the new generation of BRAVIA televisions featuring TRILUMINOS Display. Videographers can also add an optional stereo microphone, allowing Full HD movie soundtracks to be captured with even greater clarity.
Introduced in September 2012, the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX1 is world’s first compact fixed-lens camera with a 35mm full-frame 24.3 effective megapixel sensor. It’s already won several prestigious European accolades, including ‘Best Premium Camera’ in the 2013 Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards. Read the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX1 press release (12 September 2012) here.
The Cyber-shot™ RX1R full-frame compact camera can be pre-ordered from via www.sony.co.uk/RX from today and is generally available in Europe from mid-July, 2013.
* Moire and/or colour artifacts may be visible in some photographic situations. Colour reproduction performance is the same as the RX1.

Sony RX1R – First Look Video

The RX family is growing! Today, we’re excited to announce the addition of the Cyber-shot RX1R full-frame camera.
Identical to the RX1 in camera body and design, the new special edition RX1R has had its optical low pass filter removed for increased resolution and detail.
Mark from the Sony DI Team walks us through the key differences and benefits of the RX1R.

Sony RX1R Sample photos

The DSC-RX1R, is available for pre-order @ BHPhoto for $2798 US (Click Here)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100II

Next we have the New Cyber-shot DSC-RX100II, which received several major upgrades! First off, it got the killer articulating screen on the back similar to the Nex-6, a new 20mp image sensor that is better in low light, built in Wi-Fi, Full HD 24p video, a Hot Shoe, and the new Triluminos Color upgrade. It also got a price increase of $100 US making it $748 US instead of $648 US for the original RX100. I think it’s worth the extra $100 for the articulating screen alone, but the built0in wi-fi is a nice feature, plus a better sensor is always welcomed.

The DSC-RX100II, is available for pre-order @ BHPhoto for $748 US (Click Here)

Be sure to Click on the Images Below for the High Res Versions!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2 Digital Camera
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2 Digital Camera
Sony rx100II Back
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2 Digital Camera

Sony RX100II – First Look Video

RX100 fans, we’ve got big news to share: The RX100 II is here!
One of the most exciting things about this baby: the new Exmor R sensor is the world’s first 1.0-type back illuminated sensor, and it increases the camera’s sensitivity in low-light situations by 40%!
Hit the Play button to get the full scoop from SGNL by Sony.

Sony RX100II Sample Photos

The DSC-RX100II, is available for pre-order @ BHPhoto for $2798 US (Click Here)

RX100II Official Press Release from Sony:

<h3″>Sony Cyber-shot™ RX100 II featuring new Exmor R™ CMOS sensor delivers better low-light images, Wi-Fi/NFC and tilt LCD
27 June 2013

  • Enhances the hugely popular RX100 with improved picture quality and convenient new features
  • New 20.2 effective megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R 1.0-type CMOS sensor boosts sensitivity for better low-light images
  • Wi-Fi and easy One-touch smartphone connection with NFC
  • Add accessories with Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal
  • 3.0-type White Magic™ LCD tilts up or down
  • Full HD 24p/25p movie for rich, cinematic video footage
  • TRILUMINOS™ Colour for richer, more natural colours

The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 II from Sony puts even more shooting power in your pocket. Sleekly styled in strong, light aluminium, it’s a perfect travel partner for quality-conscious photographers who want DSLR-style images from a pocket camera with generous control options.
Building on the superb picture quality of the multi-award winning RX100, the new camera now delivers even better results if you’re shooting indoors or at dusk without a flash. The newly developed back-illuminated Exmor R™ 1.0-type CMOS sensor increases sensitivity while reducing picture noise in tricky low-light scenes. Combined with the exceptional f1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, you’ll see the difference with exceptionally crisp, natural stills and Full HD video in any shooting situation – from parties to night-time landscapes.
Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect the camera wirelessly with your smartphone and transfer photos or videos for easy sharing. It’s also the first ever camera from Sony with NFC (Near Field Communication), giving the extra convenience of One-touch connection with Android smartphones and tablets. There’s no set-up needed – simply touch your mobile device against the RX100 II and a wireless connection is made instantly. One-touch Remote even lets you trigger shutter release from your smartphone — great for group shots when you don’t want to be left out of the action.
The camera’s enthusiast appeal is further enhanced by a new Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal. Expand your photographic possibilities by attaching optional accessories – including an electronic viewfinder, powerful external flash and stereo microphone – via the versatile Multi Interface Shoe. The Multi Terminal also allows the addition of other options such as a shutter-release remote controller.
The bright, detail-packed 3.0-type White Magic™ LCD now tilts up and down[i], giving greater freedom to compose shots in comfort. Hold the camera high up to reach over crowds, or get down low and see things from the perspective of pets and children.
Compatibility with TRILUMINOS™ Colour technology ensures even richer, more natural colour reproduction with the new generation of BRAVIA televisions featuring TRILUMINOS™ Display.
Full HD video modes are expanded with the addition of 24p/25p shooting for smooth, cinematic movies. Other refinements include a step zoom function that’s accessible via the camera’s customisation menu. Instantly choose from five popular focal lengths using the control ring – 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm or 100mm: it’s an intuitive alternative to zooming in and out when you’re in a hurry.
The PlayMemories Mobile app has been updated to enable the one-touch capabilities of the RX100 II, and also now features an enhanced user interface. It is available now for free from the Google Play store for all Android smartphones.
Introduced in June 2012, the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX100 is world’s first compact fixed-lens camera with a 1.0-type 20.2 effective megapixel sensor. Read the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX100 press release (6 June, 2012) here.
The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 II digital compact camera from Sony is available to pre-order from sony.co.uk/RX from today and is generally available in Europe from mid-July, 2013.
Key specifications

Model RX100 II
Image Sensor 1.0-type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R™ CMOS sensor with back illumination technology(Effective resolution) Approx. 20.2 megapixels(Gross resolution) Approx. 20.9 megapixels
Lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens); F1.8 (Wide) – 4.9 (Tele); focal length = 10.4-37.1mm; 35mm effective focal length (Still Image 3:2) = 28-100mm
Zoom range Optical: 3.6x; Clear Image Zoom 7.2x
Screen 7.5cm (3.0-type) (4:3) / 1,229,000 dots / Xtra Fine TFT LCD; adjusts up 84° / down 45° (approx.)
Image stabilisation (Still image) Optical SteadyShot(Movie) Optical SteadyShot Active Mode with electronic compensation (anti-rolling)
Focus modes Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus
Focus area Multi point AF (25 points) / Centre weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible spot (face tracking)
Sensitivity (still image) Auto (ISO160-12800, selectable with upper/lower limit), 160/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800 (Expandable to ISO 100/125)Multi Frame NR: Auto(ISO160-25600),200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800/25600NB: ISO25600 is achieved by using overlay burst shooting
Continuous shooting Speed Priority Continuous Mode: Approx.10 fpsContinuous mode: 2.5 fps (AF-S)
Shooting modes Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto (Program shift available), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Selection, Movie, Sweep shooting
Picture Effect modes Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Posterisation, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolour, Illustration
Other Shooting functions Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Dual Rec, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), MR (memory recall), Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, Peaking, MF Assist, Auto Framing, Photo Creativity, Shooting Tips
Movie record AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 50p/60p) / 24M FX (1920×1080, 50i/60i, 24p/25p) / 17M FH (1920×1080, 50i/60i, 24p/25p)MP4: 12M (1440×1080, 25p/30p) / 3M VGA (640×480 25p/30p) *NTSC formats selectable as Setup menu option
Battery life (Still Image) Approx. 350 / Approx. 175 min. (CIPA standard)(Movie) Approx. 80 min.( AVCHD, MP4, shooting in factory preset mode)
Dimensions (WxHxD) Approx. 101.6 x 58.1 x 38.3mm (CIPA compliant)
Accessory terminals Multi Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe
Weight Approx. 254g (body only)Approx. 281g (with battery and Memory Stick Duo)
Supplied accessories Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1, Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Shoulder Strap Adaptor, Instruction Manual

Closing remarks

That is about it for now, but thanks for checking in on the exciting new RX1R and RX100II Cyber-shot cameras that Sony just came out with. I will get the new cameras in the Lab soon for real world testing and reviewing 😉

In the mean time, I have the original RX1 coming to the Lab either today or tomorrow I believe. Full Frame Sony Sensor and Zeiss Glass equals killer image quality, and I will show you exactly what the camera can do in the real world, and everything else you need to know about the top of the line point and shoot.
I’ll catch up with you all later and please feel free to ask questions or comment below!
Jay

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6 Comments

  1. Nice upgrades – I am particularly interested in the RX100 MII – I love my RX100 – not sure if the changes warrant the $100 price hike.
    I am most interested in the new sensor as they say it gives 1 stop more light. Then I guess then articulated display. I wish I had a better reason to be more excited about the hot shoe, but with the crazy price for the viewfinder which I assume is the same as the RX1 uses – but maybe Sony will come out with a cheaper option, I hope anyway as having a option to get a viewfinder on the RX100mII would be very nice for those very bright days as paying $600 dollars for a viewfinder for a camera that costs $749 makes no sense and I think very few folks will do especially now with the articulated display.
    I think Sony knows they can hike the price as they know it is still the king of the hill camera in that size even though competitors are getting closer.
    So I am glad that the size did not really change – maybe marginally which is OK.
    The things I had wished for in this upgrade:
    Faster lens:
    – especially at the zoom end – something to compete with the Panasonic LX7 and Fuji X20 – so a 1.8-4.0 or a 1.8-2.8 would have been enough to leave the competition in the dust not just a little bit behind.
    A touch screen display:
    – seems like there is not so much cost involved with touch screen technology – I would have paid $30-$50 more if it had touch display with touch to focus and shoot like so many of the Olympus and Panasonic cameras have.
    A Fn1 and even Fn1 & Fn2 buttons:
    It is hard to fault the RX100 so any improvement is of cause super nice –
    but as customers now paying $749 we should also expect certain things for that price –
    Of course there are many very nice cameras on the market now for that price – for example the new Fuji X-M1 for $799 with a kit lens and it has a much larger APS-C size sensor – but for me it is the size of the RX100 and RX100mII that is the key as one always needs to have a really small body for certain occasions but so far no other camera has been able to deliver the image quality of the RX100/mII so therefore users have put out the big $$ for this little camera.
    I think it is just matter of time until Canon, Pansonic, Fuji, and Nikon etc will start placing larger sensors into their small point and shoot cameras
    – so for example if Panasonic put a 1 inch sensor in their LX7 with their nice lens F1.4-F2.3 and their nice menu system and hot shoe with a much cheaper viewfinder then Sony would be in trouble with the RX100/mII – now the LX7 is at $376 so they have $400 to charge for a larger sensor – they could even just buy the 1 inch sensor from Sony as Olympus does for their OMD-5 and Nikon does for their Nikon D7000 and D8000
    Just a matter of time –
    But nice to see some improvements – I am really keen to see how the new sensor stacks up in low light – and if it truly can deliver better low light image quality then I will be upgrading my RX100 to RX100mII soon.
    I bought the Sony HX50v recently – I do enjoy it, even though I still gripe that it does not support RAW. However the IQ is very impressive for that size sensor – it has the Exmor R sensor which does a really nice job –
    So I expect that images will be even better now as the new RX100mII gas the Exmor R –
    The HX50v does amazingly well in low light – the noise reduction is quite aggressive so I would not blow up the images past 11×14 – but with the larger sensor I assume they do not need to be as aggressive on the noise reduction.
    The RX100 was and is the best point and shoot in the world and now with improvements the RX100mII will remain so or at least until the other camera makers do not put a 1 inch or larger sensors in their point and shoots.

    Reply

    1. IMO Sony have done an amazing job putting a 1.8-4.9 lens in such small body (just compare with the size of Nikon 1 lenses). A 1.8-2.8 lens will be like a double of the size and weight. The LX7 and X20 have faster lens, but its only possible due the smaller sensor.
      If the Panasonic to upgrade the LX7 to 1 inch sensor camera, they need completely redesign the lens. The bigger sensor = bigger lens.
      But I agree, the $450 viewfinder is a bit too much. I think the price is huge because it was originally for the RX1, but now others cameras are compatible with, so they need to release some cheaper model. (somewhere about $200)

      Reply

  2. Today I had a chance to try (a bit) booth cameras.
    The RX1R is exactly the same RX1, not too much to say.
    The RX100 II in other hand is very different. Its a bit thicker (because of the tilt screen) and noticeable heavier than the RX100. The side ports are a bit different, and the in the top have some cosmetic differences. The tilt screen don’t work the same way as the NEX 6: its harder to move, its a bit strange, but feels solid.
    I didn’t have a chance to test the hot shoe…
    One more thing I noticed: unlike the RX100 (Japan made), the RX100 II is made in China. May because of the big demand of the first version, Sony needed to move the production to other country? I don’t care too much, but some are going to be pissed.

    Reply

  3. Thanks for the comments guys, and I also agree the viewfinder is too much . Seems we must pay a premium for the full frame coverage. Not sure why Sony doesn’t offer the existing OLED at a discounted rate, other than the full frame compatibility issue.
    I think Sony wanted to get away from the flood zones so they moved and consolidated several facilities. China clearly offers some incentives to do business their.
    I am really excited about the RX100II and can’t wait to get my hands on it. My biggest beef with it is the 1/2000sec max shutter speed. the RX1 also suffers from this. I can understand the RX100 not having a faster shutter considering the price point, but the RX1 and RX1R should have at least a 1/4000 shutter IMO. The extra $100 gets you 1-stop better low light performance thanks to the new sensor, a killer articulating screen, and a hot shoe! Just the screen would justify the price in my opinion, but a new sensor and hot shoe really polished this RX model up. It’s potentially all you need, literally in your pocket. Of course to utilize the hot shoe you would need to carry more stuff anyway.
    I got a lot more to say about the RX1, but I’ll put in the review. I’m going to start working on the RX1 review tomorrow! I have a ton of test photos already and can get 75% of the review done. I need more sample pics and I want to do a video overview of the menu system and the camera in my hands. After that I have 4 new lenses to test!!
    Take care guys and sorry for the delayed reply. I’m on call for work and I’m getting killed with troubles do to the thunderstorms!
    I get off on-call Wednesday, so I’ll have more time to respond better and get some articles up 😉
    Have a good day and thanks again for the comments and Hands-on info about the new RX cameras!
    Jay

    Reply

    1. hi Jay,very nice reviews!,I pre-order the RX 100 II,and keep my finger crossed!I think you got the price ($2798 vs $749)top of review for rx 100 ii!wish you all the best!
      Mircea

      Reply

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