Sony’s cameras demonstrate, among other things, that the company can accomplish goals that competitors cannot meet. Even if this does not directly convert into remarkable sales statistics, it does provide the impression that Sony is on the cutting edge of technical innovation.
The first iteration of the Sony RX1 was introduced in 2012, and it set a precedent for innovation by combining a full-frame sensor with a small chassis and a lens that did not zoom. Not too much longer after that, Sony released the RX1R, which had nearly the exact specifications as its predecessor, with the exception that the anti-aliasing filter that was previously present on the sensor had been removed.
Now that we are even farther along in the process, we have the RX1R II, equipped with yet another innovation developed by Sony. The world’s first variable optical low-pass filter (OLPF) is paired with the same full-frame 42.4 million-pixel sensor in the A7R II small system camera. Together, these two components provide the world’s most advanced imaging technology.
In a nutshell, this indicates that the effects of an OLPF may be toggled on or off as desired. You can use it if you are photographing something prone to more patterning, such as small patterns or textures, but you can switch it off if you are capturing anything else, such as landscapes or portraits, where detail is essential.
Sony DSC-RX1RM2 Build Quality
The RX1R II, like the cameras that came before it, has a very high-quality appearance and feel, and its substantial weightiness contributes to the overall sense of excellent quality.
The thick lens on the front of the device appears and almost has the sensation of being removable, even though this is not the case. It is unlikely that you will be able to fit this camera in a tight pocket, but you may have a little more luck with a looser jacket pocket – that is, if you feel comfortable putting a high-cost item like this into your bag at all. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to fit this camera in a tight pocket.
There is no protruding grip on the front of the camera; nevertheless, it has a leather coating, which helps to make it feel relatively secure, and there is support for your thumb on the back of the camera.
Sony DSC-RX1RM2 Performance
When you open the files from the RX1R II on your computer, you are met with a feeling of equal parts pleasure and discomfort. You are lucky if you have a powerful machine that can manage the enormous file sizes (uncompressed raws are around 80 MB per). In that case, you should be ready to wait as your CPU gets up to speed.
However, once you are there, it is difficult not to be struck by the incredible degree of detail that the sensor can record. Images captured in the real world and taken throughout the whole sensitivity range reveal astonishing facts and look excellent when printed at full size. They also hold up well under inspection when considered as their whole.
Sony DSC-RX1RM2 Image Quality
The quantity of detail that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II can resolve is, without question, the most fantastic feature of this camera. The point is excellent over the whole range of sensitivity, and this impression is maintained whether you are looking at photos at conventional printing sizes or 100% on screen. This is because the dynamic range of the sensor is so broad.
You are possibly to swap between the results of employing an anti-aliasing filter by utilizing the variable OLPF. When photographs are printed at standard sizes, it might be difficult to discern much difference between those captured with the feature enabled or disabled.
There is a slight but noticeable change when the zoom level is set to 100%, which you could find particularly helpful if you are shooting macro, wish to trim your image or photograph anything with excellent detail. Moiré patterning can occur when an anti-aliasing filter is not present. However, I did not notice this in any of the photographs I took with the OLPF set to the “off” position.
It is remarkable how much noise there is, or more rather, how little noise there is. You may shoot with complete assurance over the whole native sensitivity range, and you’ll still be able to produce prints of good quality up to ISO 12800.
The camera automatically performs noise reduction to JPEG photos; the amount of removal may be seen more clearly compared to the raw images that correspond to those JPEGs. It’s not overly heavy-handed, but if you want maximum control over the details, it’s advisable to apply your noise reduction in post-production rather than relying on the software provided by the studio.
Sony DSC-RX1RM2 Specs
| Body type | Large sensor compact |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 7952 x 5304 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 42 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 44 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| Processor | BIONZ X |
| Color space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600, expandable to 50-102400 |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 102400 |
| White balance presets | 9 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (with fine-tuning) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Extra fine, fine, standard |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3, DCF 2.0)Raw (Sony ARW, 14-bit uncompressed) |
| Image parameters | ContrastSaturationSharpnessColor SpaceCreative Style |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 35 mm |
| Optical zoom | 1× |
| Maximum aperture | F2 |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleFace Detection |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | Yes (4x) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Normal focus range | 24 cm (9.45″) |
| Macro focus range | 14 cm (5.51″) |
| Number of focus points | 399 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,228,800 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,359,296 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | AutoProgramAperture priorityShutter speed priorityManualMemory Recall |
| Scene modes | PortraitSports ActionLandscapeSunsetNight SceneHandheld TwilightNight PortraitAnti Motion Blur |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot-shoe) |
| Flash modes | Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/2000 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleContinuousSpeed priority continuousSelf-timerContinuous bracketingSingle bracketingWB bracketingDRO bracketingLPF bracketing |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2,5, 10 sec) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 |
| Videography notes | Supports bit rates as high as 50Mbps using XAVC S codec |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion NP-BX1 battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 220 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 507 g (1.12 lb / 17.88 oz) |
| Dimensions | 113 x 65 x 72 mm (4.45 x 2.56 x 2.83″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | None |
Sony DSC-RX1RM2 Final Verdict
The RX1R II demonstrates how technologically advanced Sony’s products can be. At long last, the full-frame fixed lens compact market welcomed a new participant in the form of Leica’s Q camera, which was released a year ago. To Sony’s credit, they have developed something that not only has an excellent viewfinder but also has a higher resolution than that of Leica.
The beauty of the pictures cannot be denied; looking at them is an absolute pleasure. The attention to detail gives them their distinctive appearance, and it is impossible not to be struck by them when you view them on your computer screen again. Having said that, you will need a fast computer if you don’t want to be bothered by the enormous file sizes that the camera creates.
