Sony CyberShot RX1R II Review
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The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II is a full-frame, 42MP compact camera with a fixed 35mm F2 lens. The successor to the 24MP RX1R, the Mark II inherits a lot of technology from Sony’s flagship a7R II mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
Between the continuing evolution of the RX100 and a7-series’, Sony is on a big roll when it comes to small tech. And in this case, ‘small’ doesn’t mean ‘insignificant’. With many of its recent cameras, Sony has achieved the miniaturization of technology and functionality traditionally reserved for bulkier DSLRs and the like.
With the Cyber-shot RX1R II for example. Sony has somehow managed to cram a high-res electronic viewfinder, a Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm F2 lens and the same full-frame 42MP BSI CMOS sensor and autofocus system from the a7R II into a coat-pocketable body. For many photographers that probably sounds like a dream come true, but as you might expect, there have been a few compromises along the way.
Key features
- 42MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
- BIONZ X processor
- Fixed ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm F2 lens
- Hybrid autofocus system
- Variable low-pass filter
- Tilting 3″, 1.23 million dot LCD
- Pop-up 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- 1080/60p video recording
- Wi-Fi with NFC
Though the RX1R II bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessor, there are a lot of changes. And since the introduction of the RX1 and RX1R back in 2012, Leica introduced the Q, a full frame compact with a fixed 28mm F1.7 lens. Though it sits above the RX1R II in price and offers a wider lens, a lot of photographers will see them as natural competitors – at least in spirit. Take a look at how they compare.
| Sony RX1R | Sony RX1R II | Leica Q | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $ 2799 | $ 3299 | $ 4250 |
| Sensor | 24MP CMOS | 42MP BSI CMOS | 24MP CMOS |
| Low-pass filter | No | Variable | No |
| ISO range (expanded) |
50-102400 | 50-102400 | 100-50000 |
| Lens | 35mm F2 | 35mm F2 | 28mm F1.7 |
| Min. focus distance | 14cm | 14cm | 17cm |
| AF system | Contrast det. | Hybrid | Contrast det. |
| AF points | 25-pt | 399-pt | 49-pt |
| EVF resolution | No EVF | 2.36M-dot OLED | 3.68M-dot LCOS |
| LCD | 3″ 1.23M-dot fixed | 3″ 1.23M-dot tilting | 3″ 1.04M-dot fixed touchscreen |
| Burst rate | 5 fps | 5 fps | 10 fps |
| Video | 1080/60p | 1080/60p | 1080/60p |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes, with NFC | Yes |
| Battery life (CIPA) | 220 shots | 220 shots | N/A |
| Dimensions | 113 x 65 x 70mm | 113 x 65 x 72mm | 130 x 80 x 93mm |
| Weight | 482 g | 507 g | 640 g |
For some more preliminary impressions of the RX1R II, check out Barney’s Gear of the Year article, and the accompanying video below.
Now, let’s get to the full spec sheet of the RX1R II.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)