Sony RX0 II camera

The uniqueness of the new Sony RX0 II, like its predecessor RX0, lies in the combination of a very compact body and a relatively large matrix (sensor).

There are simply no analogues on the market!

A 1 ”matrix (sensor) was placed here (a multilayer CMOS matrix with a built-in DRAM buffer of our own design by Exmor RSTM is used). For comparison, action cameras use noticeably smaller matrices of 1 / 2.3 "and 1 / 2.5" sizes.

Increasing the light-receiving sensor, all other things being equal, potentially allows for a higher quality of shooting.

Separately, it should be said about the case. Feels like the Sony RX0 II is as tough as a tank.

The manufacturer declares that itwithstands falls from a height of up to 2 m.Without any additional box, the camera can be used at a depth of 10 m.

An extremely positive impression is also caused by the level of materials used (metal case) and the overall workmanship.

What's new?

The new Sony RX0 II (DSC-RX0M2), announced this spring, is based on the RX0 (DSC-RX0), which was released in the fall of 2017.

Sony RX0 II is hardly a completely new model. Rather, it is an update from its predecessor.

The previous RX0 turned out to be very "professional" in the sense that it is not the most convenient and understandable camera for amateurs.

But in the second version, the manufacturer decided to make the model more friendly for mass users.

In promotional videos, the emphasis is on using the camera when traveling, filming vlogs, family shots, etc.

The main changes to the Sony RX0 II over the Sony RX0 are:

• the presence of a rotary screen, which, according to the idea, will be useful for selfie lovers and bloggers;
• the ability to record 4K video directly into the camera, previously for 4K recording mode it was necessary to use a special external recorder;
• reduction of the minimum focusing distance to 20 cm (previously at least 50 cm).

All these changes, of course, will make the Sony RX0 II more attractive in the eyes of buyers, but one very significant drawback (for ordinary users) of the Sony RX0 has migrated to the new Sony RX0 II model.

What are we talking about?

Video recording without autofocus?

Perhaps someone does not know, butaction cameras lack autofocus... Their lenses are locked at a hyperfocal distance, which provides a very wide field of focus (or depth of field (DOF)).

For example, when shooting an action camera GoPro or the same Sony, "everything is sharp" in the frame will be at a distance of about 25 cm from the lens to infinity.

Considering the initial purpose of action cameras, and the fact that many models do not have a screen at all, this method looks logical and optimal.

SonyRX0II (andSonyRX0) also lacks autofocus for video recording.But such a simple solution with a hyperfocal lens distance will not be enough here.

Due to the use of a larger sensor, the depth of field will be shallower. When the Sony RX0 II lens is fixed at a hyperfocal distance, the field of focus begins not from 25 cm, but from 1 m from the camera and to infinity.

Therefore, the Sony RX0 II has two preset focus modes. The first (PF), in which the field of focus is in the range from 1 m to infinity.

And the second (PF NEAR), in which the field of focus will be at a distance of 0.5 to 1 m from the camera.

You can switch between these modes right during video recording by pressing a special button on the body.

Additionally, the Sony RX0 II has the ability to pre-focus with a minimum focusing distance of 20 cm. You lock the focus before recording and during shooting it remains "in the same position."

Such nuances can create a lot of inconvenience.

If you will be shooting yourself with the camera in your hand, the focus mode "0.5-1m" is unlikely to work.To do this, you need to have a fairly long arm. Therefore, you will have to use the preliminary autofocus. But during recording, your face can easily go out of the field of focus, and the camera does not know how to refocus.

In the case of using a "selfie stick", the focus mode "0.5-1m" will already be optimal, but when the camera is directed to some distant objects, you will have to press the button and switch the Sony RX0 II to the focus mode "1m - infinity".

As you can see, the camera still has a number of focusing nuances that make it not the best choice for home use, video blogging.

It would be much more convenient ifSony has also added autofocus to both conventional compact cameras and mirrorless cameras.This is quite expected from a device with such a price.

As for the photography mode, there is a preliminary autofocus available. In this case, there is no tracking autofocus. Sony RX0 II is able to recognize in the frame not only faces, but also eyes. Today this feature is found in so many new cameras.

Branded handle

Sony RX0 II model can be supplied with VCT-SGR1 grip... This modification is called DSC-RX0M2G (with the letter G at the end) and costs about $ 80 more.

It should be noted that this is not a manual stabilizer and there are no built-in batteries.

The VCT-SGR1 grip is designed to be more comfortable to hold the camera in your hand, and can also act as a compact tripod.

On the platform where the thumb rests, there are buttons for starting video recording, releasing the shutter when taking photos and a zoom rocker. By the way, the Sony RX0 II does not have an optical zoom.

In order for these buttons to work, the VCT-SGR1 knob and the camera are wired.

By installing an additional adapter next to the camera, you can place, for example, an external microphone or a lighting lamp.

We can note that there is definitely a benefit from using this pen. I also liked that, thanks to the separate buttons, you can take both photos and videos without the need to constantly change modes in the camera itself.

Features of use and quality of shooting

The functionality of the Sony RX0 II camera was formed, among other things, based on the professional use of this model.

The menu is simply stuffed with various settings that are spread over dozens of pages.

Advanced video recording modes are available, such as S-Log2, with a relatively high bitrate.

If desired, the camera can be hung with additional accessories, placed on a barn, etc.

The standard external microphone jack is taken for granted here.

Combining several cameras at once into a system is provided. The Sony RX0 II can also connect to a dedicated Sony CCB-WD1 station.

Thanks to the Wi-Fi wireless interfaces, the Bluetooth camera can work in conjunction with smartphones and computers.

But with all the richness of various manual settings, the aperture cannot be changed. It is fixed - F: 4.

The focal length of the 35mm equivalent lens is 24mm. Not a bad option, but sometimes a wider viewing angle may be lacking.

Sony RX0 II is not equipped with optical stabilization... Electronic stabilization is available for video recording. When comparing videos, we can say that there is definitely benefit from it.

In 4K recording mode, it's easy to notice the higher level of detail compared to Full HD.

The manufacturer separately emphasizes that the registration of the image, at the same time, goes without merging the pixels with the use of 1.7 times more pixels required to form a 4K video frame.

By the way, the maximum frame rate for 4K video recording is 30 fps. Of course, I would like to have a 60 fps mode.

For Full HD, in turn, the maximum speed is up to 120 fps.

There is also a very powerful HFR slow motion mode with a speed of up to 1000 fps... It should be noted here that the higher the speed, the lower the quality of the shooting. The rollers in HFR mode are only a few seconds long.

The device provides a very good field for Slow Motion experiments.

In a relatively sparing mode, when recording Full HD video without using Wi-Fi, the capacity of the replaceable battery was enough for 1 hour 5 minutes of Sony RX0 II battery life.In heavier modes, the camera will work noticeably less.

If necessary, the RX0 II can be powered not only from the battery, but also from a source connected via Micro USB... Using a power bank, you can significantly extend the battery life of the device or recharge the battery, which is very convenient.

Heating up the camera during extended video recording in advanced modes, especially if it has such a miniature body, is a common problem. She also touched the Sony RX0 II.

The manufacturer even gives a whole table of the dependence of the operating time of this camera before shutdown due to overheating from the video recording mode, using or not using a connection to a smartphone and the ambient temperature.

In general, if you are recording a long video, be prepared that after a while (15-60 minutes) the Sony RX0 II may turn off.

The Sony RX0 II camera provides a very decent level of photo and video shooting. For its size, the results are very impressive.

conclusions

If we talk about serious, including professional photography, the Sony RX0 II is a very interesting solution for a certain kind of tasks.

With its compact size, it provides high image quality and has a number of features and settings specifically addressed to professionals.

The manufacturer tried to make the Sony RX0 II more versatile than its predecessorby capturing the attention of a wider audience.

Happened? Not really…

Yes, the addition of a rotating screen with the ability to conveniently shoot selfies, 4K recording without any external recorders will increase the number of people interested in this model.

But,if the Sony RX0 II got traditional autofocus for video, it would definitely be a landmark change.

And so you again get the inconvenience with the preset focus areas, switching them. Many will be uncomfortable and difficult to delve into such nuances.

Once again, we welcome Sony as a company that is not afraid to experiment, because the direction of the Sony RX0 / RX0 II cameras turned out to be very unusual, bold, controversial and not without flaws.

The Sony RX0 II will be a good tool for the enthusiast, traveler, but if you are looking for a more advanced alternative to an action camera, especially when you often record yourself, this model is not the best option in our opinion.

Briefly about the product

• digital camera
• matrix 15.3 MP (1 ′)
• shutter speed: 0.00 - 0.25 s
• sensitivity 125 - 12800 ISO
• 4K video shooting
• swivel screen 1.5 ′, waterproof housing
• microSDXC, Memory Stick, microSD, microSDHC memory cards
• interfaces Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI, microphone input
• weight without batteries 117 g
• 59x35x41 mm