July will see the release of two second-generation Sony Cyber-shots: the RX100 II with a new back-illuminated Exmor R 1-inch CMOS sensor and f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and the Cyber-shot RX1 full-frame compact camera with a 24.3 effective megapixels and Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* F2 lens.
Front view of the Cyber-shot RX100 II. (Source: Sony.)
A successor to the RX100, the RX100 II is Wi-Fi enabled and is the first camera from Sony to launch with NFC technology, which enables users to transfer and share images online by touching an Android smart-phone or tablet to the base of the camera. One-touch remote enables users to trigger the shutter and zoom the lens from a smart-phone or tablet. A new Multi Interface Shoe accepts optional accessories like an electronic viewfinder, powerful external flash and stereo microphone. The Multi Terminal also supports a shutter-release remote controller.
The RX100 II sports a 3-inch White Magic LCD, which tilts up and down. Full HD video recording is 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 customisation menu. Using the control ring photographers can step instantly to any of five popular focal lengths: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm or 100mm.
Sony’s new Cyber-shot RX1R. (Source: Sony.)
Building on the RX1, the Cyber-shot RX1R dispenses with the optical low-pass filter (OLPF) in front of the sensor to optimise image sharpness and record fine details without any blurring or dispersion. To compensate for the OLPF’s removal, the camera’s processing functions have been optimised to maintain image sharpness without compromising lens/sensor performance. While weight and dimensions remain the same as the RX1, modified RX1R provides greater image clarity. Other features and functions are unchanged.
The new Cyber-shots will be available in Australia mid July 2013. The RX100 II will be priced at $899, while the RX1R will sell for SRP $2999. Full details are available from www.sony.com.au.
