Sony release Cybershot RX100 II M2 and RX1R

Sony have experienced great success with their RX100 camera, a pocketsized zoom camera with a large sensor for the body size. To supplement the range they have just announced their CyberShot RX100 II and the RX1R.

The RX100 II adds Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC, alongside a tilting screen and a higher sensitivity sensor. The RX1R removes the optical low pass filter for sharper images.

The Sony CyberShot RX100 II (M2) is still a compact digital camera however has the ability to use an electronic viewfinder. With added Wi-Fi connectivity and a tilting LCD screen it will appeal to an even wider audience.

The camera uses a 1 inch CMOS sensor which can produce images at 20.2 megapixels, but it also features a new sensor to improve sensitivity. The ISO range is now rated between 100 and 12,800 which will be useful to those people who like to shoot indoors without flash. With Wi-Fi and NFC support it will be easy to share images across other devices, without cabling.

Sony have incorporated their new Multi Interface Show on the RX100 M2 giving compatibility with a range of optional accessories including an electronic viewfinder, external flashes and a stereo microphone. You can also add a shutter release remote controller.

The rear of the camera features a super high res 1,229,000 3 inch screen, but it can now tilt 84 degrees up and 45 degrees down. They have added a step zoom function to quickly switch between popular focal lengths. You can record full HD videos with 24p and 25p options.

The camera still uses the versatile 10.4-37.1mm F1.8-F4.9 lens (35mm equivalent of 28-100mm). It has 10 fps continuous shooting capabilities and features the capable 25 autofocus system. The camera is a little bigger and heavier than the previous version, weighing 281g and measures 101.6×58.1×38.3mm.

The camera will cost $750 in America.

The Sony CyberShot RX1R is going to sold along with the RX1. It uses a 24.3 megapixel sensor and features a 35mm Carl Zeiss Sonnar T F2 lens. The new camera is almost the same as the previous version but now omits the optical low pass filter to improve image sharpness.

Ditching the optical low pass filter is hot news in the camera industry with many companies releasing versions of popular cameras in this manner. Nikon released the D7100, Fuji the X100S and Pentax with the K5 IIs.

Sony say the new R model will capture sharper images with more detail. The ‘R' moniker is added to signify increased Resolution. Sony do note however that more moire or colour artifacts may be present as part of the counterbalance of removing the low pass filter.

The camera will cost $2,800, putting it firmly against some of the leading SLR camera.

Kitguru says: The Sony range is currently very strong and features a focus on high image quality. Me? ill keep my Leica M8 for another while.

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