Sony RX1R II
Tiny Package
Being a photography enthusiasts, I sometimes cringe at having to carry a medium to large sized DSLR cameras, especially when I’m on holiday or covering an event overseas. Lugging around what seems to be a truck load of gadgets through airport security is no fun either.
Having a small and compact camera on hand – instead of my trusty Canon 6D – seems to be my modus operandi for travel. However, most compact sized digital imaging devices don’t offer the same flexibility and performance as a full-fledge DSLR.
This is no longer the case, as the possibilities are endless with the Sony RX1R II – a professional full-frame compact camera that nestles into your palms comfortably. Just slightly bigger and boxier than its brethren, the Sony RX100, the RX1R II boast of being the ultimate compact for enthusiasts and professional alike.
The Full Experience
This camera is not for the faint hearted, and it is definitely not for beginners who are just dipping their toes into photography. Why? Simply for its expensive price, in addition to its expansive performance and features.
It is a wonderment that Sony has managed to fit a full-frame CMOS sensor in the RX1R II, marking a first for the brand towards offering powerful cameras in small sizes. The only other camera in the market featuring a full-frame sensor is the Leica Q, which costs more than the RX1R II (if you can believe it).
Enjoy the View
One thing to note about the RX1R II is that it now features a tilting screen and a pop-up viewfinder – similar to the ones you’ll find on the RX100. And much like the latter, the RX1R II also does not have a touchscreen display. Seeing as you’re paying close to RM15,000 for the device, I would’ve have liked to see more features on the RX1R II aside from its large megapixels, sophisticated PDAF system and full-frame CMOS sensor. That’s just me nit-picking though…because the value for money for me isn’t all that apparent right now.
How Do I Do This Again?
Fiddling and exploring the RX1R II is like going on a wild adventure, one that you don’t know if you’ll survive. There is a steep learning curve on which settings to use, or rather, you should be using to get the optimum performance and results.
The autofocus on the RX1R II made me feel like I was playing Russian roulette; depending on the mode, you’ll be able to hit the jackpot….by pure chance. A word of disclaimer here: I am not a professional photographer; I just an idiot who had an expensive toy to play with.
Beautiful Output
Having said that, after figuring out how to work the RX1R II (and finding what are my preferred settings), the camera is capable of producing amazing images – thanks to its extensive dynamic range and high ISO performance. Taking still life photography in any various lighting was made painless by its 35mm F2 lens.
Its macro focus range – in manual mode – also allows for better control and that ever so popular shallow depth of field. I enjoyed taking portrait shots with the camera, thanks to this.
Taking this to cover an event, however, was not a very smart choice. Despite having a digital zoom, the RX1R II is cumbersome on this front. For the maximum quality and control, moving closer (or farther) to your subject would be more prudent. What a love/hate relationship I have with the 35mm fixed-lens.
Viewfinder
The RX1R II’s electronic viewfinder allows you to mimick the motion of actually taking a photo on a DSLR. It features corner-to-corner visibility on an XGA OLED display.
Tilting Screen
Want to shoot at hard to manage angles? Worry not, the RX1R II now comes with a tilting screen that offers you 109 degrees up to 41 degrees down.
Customised Buttons
A plus point for the RX1R II is that you can customise the buttons on the top right dials to access any one of 49 different functions. This can be set within its settings menu.
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Specs
Price: RM14,999
Dimensions: 113 x 65 x 72 mm
Weight: 507g
Sensor: 43.6-megapixels 35 mm Full-Frame Exmor CMOS sensor
Lens: 35mm F2 ZEISS Vario Sonnar T* Lens
Focus Range: 24 cm – Infinity (14 cm – 29 cm in Macro mode)
Display: 3-inch TFT Tilting Xtra Fine LCD
ISO: Auto, 100-25600, expandable to 50-102400
Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Connectivity: USB 2.0, HDMI, Wireless with NFC
Score
Value – 6.5
Performance – 8.5
Features – 8
Design – 8
Usability – 7
Total score: 7.6
Verdict: It certainly is a powerful compact camera, but that price though…
