The Sony DSC-RX1R II is a monster of a fixed lens camera. It has a Full frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor with 399-point phase-detect Fast Hybrid AF system. It also has the first ever variable optical low-pass filter which lets you shoot with all of the quality of the sensor or with reduced per pixel quality when you want to avoid moire and aliasing. For landscape and nature photographers this is a great feature as they can shoot unconstrained for quality without having to purchase a body with or without the low pass filter.  This is real innovation and shows just how far Sony is evolving the camera space forward.

There is no real competition feature for feature that can rival Sony in the portable camera space.  Should we be worried?  We think this will push others to innovate and differentiate cameras in the future with real must have features that do what no camera phone can do.  However it could also cause stagnation as Sony becomes the go to player while others struggle.

Sony RX1R II Specs:

Slow motion?

As you can see from the spec table above the camera can shoot 1080p 60fps and 720p at 120fps.  Nothing big by today’s standards but it’s good to have. We assume the quality will be similar to that of the A7s with a probability of more artifacts due to the larger pixel count as more detail will have to be thrown out to get such a small footage sample. It could however offer full frame down-scaling to 1080p as that would be artifact free.  720p mode will be harder to achieve for 120fps so until samples are released there is no way of knowing how good or bad this mode will be.

MOVIE RECORDING MODE (NTSC)AVCHD: 28M PS (1,920 x 1,080/60p) / 24M FX (1,920 x 1,080/60i) / 17M FH (1,920 x 1,080/60i) / 24M FX (1,920 x 1,080/24p) / 17M FH (1,920 x 1,080/24p), XAVC S HD: 60p 50M (1,920 x 1,080/60p) / 30p 50M (1,920 x 1,080/30p) / 24p 50M (1,920 x 1,080/24p) / 120p 50M (1,280 x 720/120p), MP4: 28M (1,920 x 1,080/60p)/16M (1,920 x 1,080/30p)/6M (1,280 x 720/30p)

MOVIE RECORDING MODE (PAL)AVCHD: 28M PS (1,920 x 1,080/50p) / 24M FX (1,920 x 1,080/50i) / 17M FH (1,920 x 1,080/50i) / 24M FX (1,920 x 1,080/25p) / 17M FH (1,920 x 1,080/25p), XAVC S HD: 50p 50M (1,920 x 1,080/50p) / 25p 50M (1,920 x 1,080/25p) / 100p 50M (1,280 x 720/100p), MP4: 28M (1,920 x 1,080/50p) / 16M (1,920 x 1,080/25p) / 6M (1,280 x 720/25p)

No 4k Recording?

Surprisingly absent is 4k or UHD video recording which is now ever more prevalent in new camera releases.  This is a camera after all for photographers and purists with it’s fixed lens. As a video camera it is limited and the absence of 4k shows the main focus for stills in this release.

RX1R II World’s First* Optical Variable Low-pass Filter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKoWrkEj1qo

The video above shows how the new Optical Low Pass Variable filter works.  If there is one feature this camera will be remembered for is for finally offering real choice within the same body for variable measure of low pass filtering.  If you want a moire/aliasing free image you want it on and if you want all the detail it’s sensor can achieve just dial it up of full on.

Multi Frame NR (Noise Reduction)

“This mode combines four shots’ best details to significantly suppress noise and raise sensitivity, letting you clearly capture dark scenes without a tripod or flash. Camera shake blur is also lowered while contrast and detail are raised.” → Continue Reading Full Post ←