With the RX line, Sony has expanded and established a range of products to which this adds Sony RX10 II, renovation of a compact SUV with ultra teleobjetive equivalent to a 24-200mm with a constant opening ƒ / 2.8and capacity XAVC S 4K recording at a bit rate of 100 MB / s per second.
The Sony RX10 II would classify as a family camera. It’s balanced features make it a very versatile camera designed for situations in which we are far from the action or where we need a high-quality video without having to carry a dedicated camcorder. Inspirational photographers, however, notice that the sensor stack 1″ fall short for serious work, but few cameras offer characteristics like those of this camera. Let’s see a table with the main specifications…
Sensor | BSI-CMOS Exmor R 1″ ‘stacked’ (13.2×8.8 mm) |
megapixels | 20.1 megapixels |
Processor | BIONZ X |
ISO range | 100-12800 |
Optics | Carl Zeiss 24-200mm (equiv.) Ƒ / 2.8 |
Focus motor | 25 points for contrast detection |
LCD monitor | 3 “with 1,228,800 points |
EVF | 100% coverage with 2,359,296 pixels |
Burst | 14 frames per second |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n NFC |
Size and weight | 129x88x102 millimeters and 813 grams |
In this line, we also find the Sony RX100 Mark IV, which retains the sensor size, reduces its size by incorporating a much smaller but also very bright, high-quality lens. Sharing the philosophy of RX100 line, the RX10 cameras are versatile and suitable for almost any situation where we need to have a decent camera handy.
We might think that the RX10 II and IV share RX100 intended as equipment for street photography and although both serve perfectly for that purpose, the new RX10 is a big little to go unnoticed.
Sony RX10 II: Construction and design
As for the design, we encounter a classic RX in which we found a sealed magnesium alloy body, sharp lines and a great finish. Its prominent grip offers a lot of stability on the subject, leaving the shutter and zoom on top to easily reach up to the index.
We have two dials in addition to the aperture ring on the lens, so we have dedicated to each parameter controls. The manual control is simple and fast, and semi automatic can compensate the exposure with the dial dedicated to this function in the upper zone. Another great detail is the top screen which contains the parameters we are using at the time. It is especially useful if you put the screen horizontally as a viewfinder to frame waist while we look at the parameters on the upper screen.
As noted above, although it is a lightweight computer, the size makes the camera does not go unnoticed especially if we gala of the table position. It is a camera that takes pictures at home, the little kids playing in the park and with which record video in high resolution. If you need a discreet camera to take pictures, you definitely have to go to a compact with a smaller body and a more discreet goal.
In the objective as usual among compact high end, we find a ring to change the aperture in thirds of step. The central barrel that we can use to focus manually or change the zoom positions, that if you slaved parasol also makes the target even bigger.
Use and experience
Shoot with the new Sony RX10 II is equivalent to having handed reliable equipment. It gives a very comfortable feeling that you have everything you need in your hands. Pressing a button, we can move on to photograph 4K recording a great quality.
We have noted that this new camera has the potential for urban photography especially if we use the zoom, but their natural area is the high level of domestic consumption. The team is at its best SUV, covering all focal lengths in both photo and video with an aperture of ƒ / 2.8 all the way. Few compact on the market offers a bright super zoom with 4K recording.
As for the overall quality there is little to object to taking into account the limitations of the equipment, If we try to use this camera as an inspirational team to keep improving in the type of photography that interests us, I think it’s better to opt for other equipment with APS-C sensor that offers us more possibilities, such as an SLR or mirrorless.
In the Sony RX10 II it has been valued versatility over image quality but that, again, is very good for the team it is. As for the ISO performance, the camera meets to approximately 1600-3200 is the point from which we will notice how the fine detail is degraded.
Ready for (almost) any situation
This camera is designed for a domestic audience looking for a camera SUV without spending money on two dedicated cameras or additional lenses for SLR initiation, all in one size and weight in a very measured.
Nevertheless, the camera has its limitations, and in situations where we have to turn up the ISO and make use of telezoom we are quite sold because the grain and fuzziness will bill at the end result. This is not a problem for the amateur user, but the image will suffer when making an impression to a more interesting as an A4 size and that is something to consider.
The Sony RX10 II is a camera with which we should not complicate and it is easiest to shoot on automatic, but I would recommend using the Program mode compensating the exposure with the dial dedicated to this function. So we can get images in high contrast situations such as backlight or sunset allow us to control blacks and whites to expose correctly. Since the camera is ready to shoot in semi-automatic easily anyway, why not take advantage?
Image quality and post processing
With regard to image quality, keep in mind that this is a camera with a sensor 1″ and does not pursue the highest quality, but maximum versatility. It has very clear its purpose, which is to be solvent in multiple situations. little retouching can give photographs, beyond a subtle correction exposure for printing in a 13×15 or upload them on your Facebook quickly thanks to the PlayMemories Mobile application that can spend a photograph at the time to any mobile device the application is installed.
If we also enjoy the digital video might interest us this camera incorporates recording 4K 25p with a bit rate of 100MB / s and curved slog 2 that offers some colors that can subsequently flatten etalon after assembly. It highlights the inclusion of two 3.5mm jack ports with which we can monitor sound output and include an external microphone. Personally, I think that adding a recording and am too big for such a small sensor that just will take advantage of the increased resolution, with the price increase as a direct result of this addition.
We can get juice to your photos with Photoshop if we expose correctly, but if we pull with high ISO and speed set to maximum, the detail is lost in the digital noise and jitter. The image is ‘usable’ even 3200 ISO but we keep in mind that we will not detail. The RAWs not give much information floating to edit aggressively and even less if pixels with digital noise.
Connectivity and menus
The menu design Sony focuses on simple, it is to have all options at hand. Not to make use of sub-menus is something that is appreciated, so we can go sailing through the different tabs, accessing the camera options without having to dive among graphics submenus that just land and hindering the use of the camera.
Maintain connectivity WiFi and NFC is a success and enables us to allow us through the application shoot camera remotely or swap photos between our devices. Although it is a little messy, thanks to this connectivity we will publish a picture on Instagram with much higher quality than any mobile phone, which is very useful for sharing our day to day on social networks.
The Sony RX10 II is an excellent camera, but expensive. Compared with competitors such as the Panasonic FZ1000 or Canon G3X, the Sony RX10 II is a team that exceeds specifications but has a worse value with its launch price.
The Sony RX10 II is a camera that meets the basic functions of a camera photo and video in almost any situation. Who understands photographic knows that a compact of these features has a value difficult to digest, but if we wait for expectations launch relax, we could find a little cheaper in the price range that I personally yes I find it interesting, that would be hovering around 1000 dollars.
It’s best description is that it is a versatile team that can look over its shoulder at many compact. The magnesium alloy body is resistant and it is sealed so we can use it in the rain without problems. The goal is the video in 4K, although in my opinion it fits great, it is a great addition and a claim for many users.