In 2013, Sony defied industry standards by releasing the first models in its RX10 bridge camera family. Most bridge cameras include monster-sized zoom ranges that you may never utilize to their total capacity. Because of this, the manufacturers are forced to employ small 1/2.3-inch sensors, which lowers the image quality.
But Sony focused on quality rather than quantity and only included a 24-200mm zoom lens in their camera. So even while it does not have the telephoto reach of traditional bridge cameras, it nevertheless covers the focal lengths that most of us use daily most of the time.
The fact that this lens maintains a maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range indicates that it will be an excellent choice for photographing in dimly lit environments.
That’s not the end of it. The less ambitious focal range made room for a more ambitious 1-inch sensor, which is far more significant than the sensor used in a typical bridge camera and produces a significantly superior image quality.
Sony RX10 II Build Quality
The exterior appearance and layout of the RX10 have remained mostly unchanged from the first-generation model in the second generation; however, some modifications have been made to the internal components. Nevertheless, if you have any experience with the first generation of the RX10, you will feel right at home with the RX10 II.
This bridge camera is relatively large, and it is easy to imagine someone mistaking it for a DSLR. It does have a large, chunky grip with a textured coating that makes it feel nice in hand, but while it is possible to use the camera one-handed, it’s more likely that you’ll want to use a second hand to steady the lens. Although it does have a lovely feeling in the hand, it is possible to use the camera one-handed.
An LCD screen on the top of the camera displays essential parameters such as the aperture and shutter speed. It is helpful for rapidly confirming that you have the settings you want to be chosen, and if you are shooting in poor light, it may be lit for you.
Also located on the top of the camera, within easy reach of your thumb, is an exposure compensation dial. This dial has the ideal degree of stiffness to prevent you from inadvertently knocking it during everyday camera use.
On the other side of the top plate is a mode dial, on which you’ll discover one new addition: the HFR mode (high frame rate), which is used for generating super-slow-motion movies. This mode allows you to record video at a much higher frame rate than usual.
Sony RX10 II Performance
It should not come as a surprise that the Sony RX10 Mark II can generate exceptional-quality photographs. The Mark II improves upon the already impressive legacy of the first camera, and we found that the sensor performed exceptionally well in the RX100 IV.
When shooting with the Standard Creative Style option, images (JPEG) taken directly from the camera have a good saturation level while maintaining a natural look and feel. Experimenting with various Styles of the topic you’re photographing is something you’re free to do if you want. For example, some subjects may be suited to a more vivid approach, while others may benefit from a more subdued color palette.
Even when zoomed in to 100%, photographs taken at the lower end of the sensitivity scale include astonishing detail. To understand what we’re talking about, look at the feathers on the image of the bird below at its full resolution.
Sony RX10 II Image Quality
The images produced by the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II instantly amaze due to the camera’s ability to reproduce vivid colors and capture superb detail even when the sensitivity is adjusted to lower levels. Both the auto white balance and the matrix metering provide well-balanced exposures. Auto white balance is accurate and dependable. The dynamic range of the sensor is also extreme, and it is possible to improve it even further by using the camera’s capacity to take multiple HDR shots at once.
Up to ISO 800, image noise is well suppressed; however, after you reach this sensitivity setting, the grain becomes discernible when High ISO Noise Reduction is turned off. In addition, at an ISO of 3200, color speckling begins to appear. By reaching the maximum standard sensitivity of ISO 12800, both types of noise are easily discernible, even when viewing the image at 25% of its original size.
On the other hand, on the bright side, these high-ISO images still include a good amount of information. Preset High ISO Noise Reduction to Normal will drastically decrease noise, but in the process, it will also blur some of the clarity in the photographs. If you would rather have images with less noise, you should choose the Normal setting instead.
This is only noticeable at an ISO of 64000, but it does show the limitations of the 1-inch sensor, which cannot compete with the signal-to-noise ratio of more significant APS-C designs. But, again, this only becomes evident at that ISO.
The lens of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II is exceptionally well made, and very few issues can be found with it. It exhibits minimal distortion over its available focal range and maintains a high level of sharpness up to the image’s edges.
You could see a bit of chromatic aberration on the edges of areas with a lot of contrast, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. You can also take photographs with a shallow depth of field and an attractive bokeh blur in the background thanks to the f/2.8 aperture of the lens, which, when paired with the comparatively big size of the 1-inch sensor, provides you with this capacity.
Sony RX10 II Specs
| Body type | SLR-like (bridge) |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 5472 x 3648 |
| Other resolutions | 4864 x 3648, 5472 x 3080, 3648 x 3648, 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2592, 3648 x 2056, 2544 x 2544, 2736 x 1824, 2592 x 1944, 2720 x 1528, 1920 x 1920, 640 x 480 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| Processor | Bionz X |
| ISO | Auto, 100 – 12800 (expands to 64-25600) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 64 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
| White balance presets | 9 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Optical |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Extra fine, standard, fine |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 24–200 mm |
| Optical zoom | 8.3× |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8 |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View. |
| Digital zoom | Yes (4X) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Normal focus range | 3 cm (1.18″) |
| Macro focus range | 3 cm (1.18″) |
| Number of focus points | 25 |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,228,800 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,359,296 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/32000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject/scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash Range | 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) |
| External flash | Yes (Multi-interface shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off |
| Continuous drive | 14.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Videography notes | High-speed modes at 240, 480, and 960 fps |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI with 4K still and uncompressed HDMI output) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 813 g (1.79 lb / 28.68 oz) |
| Dimensions | 129 x 88 x 102 mm (5.08 x 3.46 x 4.02″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | None |
Sony RX10 II Verdict
Despite its many advantages, the RX10 II is expected to be well received by only a specific subset of consumers, much like before. Moreover, it’s not a cheap camera by any stretch of the imagination. Still, suppose you’re looking for something great for general photography that provides true quality without the bother (and price) of interchangeable lenses. In that case, this might be a viable alternative for you.
The new sensor delivers photos that are outstanding, vivid, and packed with a great deal of information. In addition, this camera has fantastic image quality. If you are a bridge camera user and prioritize picture quality over an extensive zoom range, then you may be highly intrigued by the RX10 II. On the other hand, the RX10 II may not be for you if you love wide zoom ranges.
However, if you believe you will require additional reach shortly, the Panasonic FZ1000 may be a better option. It has a maximum focal length of 400mm (equivalent), twice as long as Sony’s full focal length of 200mm. However, the maximum aperture of the Panasonic drops to f/4 when it is zoomed out.
Sony RX10 II FAQs
When did Sony RX10 II come out?
The Sony RX10 II was first made available to consumers in June 2015.
Is the Sony RX10 II a good camera?
The Sony RX10 II is regarded as a capable camera by most users. The picture clarity is satisfactory, and the device has powerful video recording capabilities.
Is the Sony RX10 II full frame?
The Sony RX10 II does not have a full-frame sensor. Instead, it has a sensor that is 1 inch in size.
What resolution is Sony RX10 II?
The Sony RX10 II has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, making it a very high-definition camera.
Is Sony RX10 II suitable for low light?
Because of its quick zoom, high ISO capabilities, and picture stabilization, the Sony RX10 II is, in fact, an excellent choice for shooting in low light.
What is the price of RX10 II Mark 2?
The price of the RX10 II may change depending on where you buy it and who you buy it from, but when it was first launched, it had a price tag of approximately USD 1,000.
Is Sony RX10 II worth the money?
Your requirements and financial constraints will determine whether or not the Sony RX10 II is worth the money. However, it is a great point-and-shoot camera built to professional standards.
How many megapixels is the Sony RX10 II?
The Sony RX10 II has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, making it a very high-definition camera.
Is Sony RX10 II good for bird photography?
Because of its long zoom lens, quick autofocus, and high-speed continuous recording, the Sony RX10 II is an intelligent option among photographers who want to take pictures of birds.