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Sony updates its top-end compact cameras

by adamhanlon

Sony has announced upgrades to its top-end compact cameras. The RX100 II has an 20.2 megapixel back-illuminated APS-C Exmor sensor, which gives superior low light performance. It also now has a “multi interface hot shoe and HD filming in 24p/25p. The full frame sensor RX1 has been changed to the RX1R by having its low pass filter removed, giving superior details.

Both cameras will be available from mid-July, with the RX100 II to retail at $850 and the RX1R at $2800 in the U.S.A.

Press Releases.

Sony Cyber-shot™ RX100 II featuring new Exmor R™ CMOS sensor delivers better low-light images, Wi-Fi/NFC and tilt LCD Enhances the hugely popular RX100 with improved picture quality and convenient new features

The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 II from Sony puts even more shooting power in your pocket. Sleekly styled in strong, light aluminum, 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, 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™ Color technology ensures even richer, more natural color 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 customization 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 from today and is generally available in Europe from mid-July, 2013.

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

  • 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 uncompromized image resolution.
  • Ideal for landscapes and other high-detail scenes.
  • TRILUMINOS Color for richer, more natural colors.

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 color artifacts. 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 Color technology ensures even richer, more natural colors 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 Sony from today and is generally available in Europe from mid-July, 2013.

  • Moire and/or color artifacts may be visible in some photographic situations. Color reproduction performance is the same as the RX1.