Sony unveils three new cameras

Front view of the new Sony ?7R II mirrorless digital camera with a 24-70mm lens fitted. (Source: Sony.)

Featuring a new back-illuminated 35 mm full-frame CMOS image sensor with 42.4 megapixels, the ?7R II camera introduces greater light collection efficiency plus an expanded circuitry scale. Aided by a quick-transmission copper wiring layer, the new chip outputs data about 3.5 times faster than the previous model, while minimising image noise. Coupled with  the  BIONZ X  image processing engine, the new camera is the first to be able to support 4K video recording (QFHD: 3840 x 2160) in  Super 35 mm format.  The resulting footage is visibly sharper because the camera can process readout data from every pixel without pixel binning, to effectively suppress jaggies and moirø©. The XAVC S format now supports 4K recording at a bit rate of up to 100 Mbps as well as Full HD recording at 50 Mbps. Clean HDMI output to an external recorder or monitor is available   and an included cable protector guards jacks and prevents cables from disengaging accidentally.

Like its predecessor, the ?7R II includes 5-axis SteadyShot Inside image stabilisation, which offers up to 4.5 EV of camera shake compensation.  The Fast Hybrid AF has been enhanced and 399 focal plane phase-detection AF points now cover 45% of the image area. 25-point contrast-detection AF coverage is also included. The new shutter’s braking mechanism cuts mechanical front/rear curtain vibration by about 50% and makes the shutter durable enough to have been tested to 500,000  cycles.

A new XGA OLED Tru-Finder provides high definition, contrast and depth plus a magnification of  0.78x, the highest in its class.  Zeiss T* Coating  minimises internal reflections. Both mechanical and electronic shutters are available, the latter supporting Silent Shooting with no vibration. Integrated Wi-Fi and NFC support direct image and movie transfers to an  Android smartphone or tablet for easy sharing. For more information, visit http://www.sony.net/Products/di/en-us/products/dkw5/index.html.  

The new RX10 II high-zoom camera. (Source: Sony.)

The newly-announced Cyber-shot RX10 II camera  features the world’s first  memory-attached 1.0-type stacked CMOS image sensor with a built-in DRAM (memory) chip. Stacked under the pixel area of the new Exmor RS CMOS sensor is a Hi-speed signal processing circuit, which is further extended by attaching a DRAM chip (memory) to buffer huge image data from the sensor. This supports a five-fold increase in read-out speed, compared with normal Exmor R chips. The sensor’s high readout speed, which enables the Anti-Distortion Shutter, greatly reduces image distortion caused by the rolling shutter phenomenon. The maximum shutter speed of 1/32000 second can freeze extremely fast motion.

The  RX10 II also supports 4K video recording using the XAVC S codec as well as a new high-frame-rate (HFR) movie recording mode that records at up to 960 fps for super slow motion playback. The integrated lens is a powerful Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* with a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the 8.3x zooming range. Still frame coverage at the 3:2 aspect ratio is equivalent to 24-200mm in 35mm format. Full details of the RX10 II are available at http://www.sony.net/Products/di/en-us/products/ht7k/index.html#chapter-sec_4/3.  

The new RX100 Mark IV. (Source: Sony.)

Sony’s popular Cyber-shot RX100 has been given yet another make-over to produce the RX100 Mark IV, which features a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm  f/1.8-2.8 lens, 20.1-megapixel 1.0-type stacked CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip  and BIONZ X processor and a top shutter speed of  1/32000 second. Serious videographers can choose between pro-quality XAVC S or AVCHD movie recording, the former supporting 4K resolution at up to 100 Mbps.Dual Rec still shooting at 17-megapixel resolution is available during movie recording.

Sensitivity extends to ISO 12800, and shutter-related functions have been improved to support expanded bracketing. The high-contrast retractable electronic viewfinder (EVF) delivers a high resolution equivalent to 2,359,000 dots, while the 180-degree tiltable 3-inch LCD screen provides flexible options for shot composition. A convenient lens-mounted control ring allows manual control over functions such as selecting shutter speed, aperture, and other creative options.

Accelerated readout enables the RX100 IV to support continuous shooting at up to 16 fps as well as super slow motion movies with frame rates of 960/1000fps, 480/500fps, or 240/250fps (NTSC/PAL). Fast Intelligent AF featuring high-speed, highly accurate contrast-detection autofocus that includes features derived from the ?7 series, which minimise wasted lens motion, predict the AF range and accelerate the lens drive, thereby improving response times. Manual Focus (MF) Assist magnifies the area of focus to enable more precise adjustment, while Peaking highlights the sharpest or most in-focus area with a choice of colour.

Full details of the new camera can be found at http://www.sony.net/Products/di/en-us/products/f5kd/index.html. The Cyber-shot  RX100 IV is scheduled for release in Australia in July, while the  RX10 II and the  ?7R II full-frame interchangeable lens camera will go on sale in August.  The ?7R II is compatible with Sony’s growing line-up of ? -mount lenses, which includes  12 native ‘FE’ full frame lenses.   By early 2016, Sony will add an additional 8 new lenses to its FE full frame line-up.  For further information or stockist details, contact Sony Australia on 1300 720 071 or visit www.sony.com.au.