Sony Launches RX0 II, the World's Smallest and Lightest Premium Ultra-Compact Camera

• Superb image quality delivered by 1.0-type stacked 15.3MP[i] image sensor condensed into waterproof[ii] rugged, highly compact body
• Featuring ZEISS^® Tessar T* 24mm[iii] F4 fixed wide-angle lens
• Movie shooting with 4K[iv] internal recording and new image stabilisation solutions
• Advanced functionality for stills photography including up to 1/32000 sec. Anti-distortion Shutter and up to 16fps[v]continuous shooting
• Diverse range of shooting scenes enabled by waterproof 180 degree tiltable LCD panel and Clear Image Zoom
• Perfect for selfie with enhanced colour reproduction, new Soft Skin Effect mode and advanced Eye AF
• Microphone jack and Shooting Grip (VCT-SGR1) delivers minimal and ideal Vlog shooting solution
• Multi-camera solution that enables creative video expression from various viewpoints

Sony today introduced an exciting new addition to its highly popular compact camera line-up with the launch of the world's smallest and lightest[vi] premium compact camera, the RX0 II(model DSC-RX0M2). Building upon the waterproof/dustproofⁱⁱ,shockproof,[vii] crushproof[viii] and ultra-compact qualities of the original RX0, thenew model now offers internal 4K recording, an up to 180-degree and down to 90-degree tiltable LCD screen that even works underwater[ix],ⁱⁱand new image stabilisation solutions for video recording.

At the heart of the RX0 II sits a 1.0-type stacked 15.3-megapixelⁱ Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor and an advanced BIONZ X™ image processing engine that offer enhanced[x]colour reproduction including beautiful skin tones. This power packed combination have been optimised to deliver lightning fast performance and exquisite image quality for both stills and movie shooting across a wide sensitivity range of ISO 80[xi]-12800. The ZEISS^® Tessar T* 24mmⁱⁱⁱ F4.0 fixed wide-angle lens has a shortened minimum focussing distance of 20cm, making it perfect for selfies or table-top photos.

A camera for all conditions

The RX0 II is truly a ‘worry-free’ camera that can be taken into places that no other camera can go. Measuring just 59mm x 40.5mm x 35mm[xii] and weighing just 132g,[xiii] the RX0 II fitseasily into a pocket and is ready for whatever the elements can throw at it. It is waterproofⁱⁱ up to 10 metres deep, dustproofⁱⁱ, shockproof^vii up to 2 metres and crushproof^viii up to 200KG force.

“The development goal of the original RX0 was to build a camera that enabled new forms of creative expression through its form factor and technical capabilities,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging at Sony Europe. “We have built upon this with the new RX0 II and added features and functionality that we believe make this an ideal camera for any type of travel and will perform equally well as a stills or video camera across a huge range of shooting and vlogging scenarios.”

Movies and More

The RX0 II offers 4K 30p internal movie recording^iv with full pixel readout and no pixel binning to collect approximately 1.7 times the amount of data required for 4K video. This oversampling reduces the appearance of moiré and jaggies and delivers smooth, high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth. Using the recently introduced Sony “Imaging Edge™”mobile applications, this footage can be transferred to a smartphone[xiv], edited and shared easily across social networks.

The RX0 II introduces in-body electronic stabilisation[xv] for steady footage, even when shot handheld. This can be enhanced even further when footage is exported to a smartphone or tablet running the ‘Movie Edit add-on’[xvi] application where the additional information captured during filming can be processed to produce a video with gimbal-like smoothness.[xvii] An additional new feature that can be accessed via Sony ‘Movie Edit add-on’ is ‘Intelligent Framing’ where the selected subject is kept in the centre of the frame and image distortion is corrected in a final edit. Depending on where the video will be shared, the required aspect ratio can then be selected.

Additional movie features of the RX0 II include Super Slow Motion recording at up to 1000 fps[xviii], uncompressed 4K HDMI output and simultaneous proxy movie recording. Users can utilise Picture Profile, S-Log2 and Time Code / User Bit functions to ensure a final result that exactly matches their creative vision.

Precision Photography

The versatility of the RX0 II means thatit offers a host of stills photography features in addition to its video capabilities. It boasts an Anti-distortion Shutter of up to 1/32000 sec. and can shoot at up to 16 fps^v to capture any fleeting moment of emotion that passes across the subject’s face. In an upgrade from the original RX0, colour reproduction has been enhanced to reproduce natural and vivid colours of human skin, and the optional ‘Soft Skin Effect’ can be applied to cover minor blemishes and wrinkles.Rating and Protect functions can be applied in camera and a grouped display of continuously shot images can be viewed on the camera.

Sony’s EyeAF, that is proving hugely popular with portrait photographers across the world, has been upgraded on the RX0 II. Thespeed, accuracy and operation of the EyeAF has been improved to make it even easier to capture a stunning portrait; a simple half press of the shutter button will lock-on to the eye of the subject. The focussed eye can be selected (left / right / auto) in the menu or assigned to a custom button, allowing the user to concentrate on composition.

The camera can be set for interval shooting, the results of which can be edited with Sony’s “Imaging Edge”desktop application ‘viewer’ into stunning time-lapse videos[xix].

Multi-camera options

Upto 5 RX0 II camerascan be controlled wirelessly[xx] using Sony ‘Imaging Edge Mobile’[xxi] application and between 6 to 50 cameras will be able to be controlled via an access point (scheduled for Summer 2019.) The RX0 II is alsocompatible with the Camera Control Box CCB-WD1[xxii] which enables up to 100 cameras to be connected and controlled in a wired multi-camera setup. These multi-camera solutions unlock a whole new world of shooting opportunities and free video expression from any viewpoint that the user wishes to pursue.

Pricing and Availability

The RX0 II kit with the VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip and bracket will ship in Europe in May 2019, priced at approximately €800.

For more information on the new RX0 II camera, please visit its product page.

A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony’sAlpha products can be found at https://www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.

[i] Approximate effective megapixels

[ii] Depending on usage conditions and circumstances, no guarantee is made regarding damage to, malfunction of, or waterproof/dustproof performance of this camera. Water and dust resistance equivalent to JIS protection level IP68. Under water, the minimum focusing distance is increased, and angle of field is narrower. This camera sinks in water --- please use a strap to prevent loss

[iii] Converted from angle of view (35mm equivalent)

[iv] Wi-Fi does not operate. QFHD:3840×2160. A Class 10 or higher micro SDHC/SDXC memory card is required to record movies in the XAVC S format. UHS-I (U3) micro SDHC/SDXC card is required for 100Mbps recording

[v] In Speed Priority Continuous mode. Focus and exposure settings are fixed at first frame

[vi] Among fixed lens digital camera with 1.0-type sensor and tiltable monitor. As of March 2019, based on Sony research

[vii] MIL-STD810G C1 Method 516.7 shock test onto 5cm plywood cleared. Applies when LCD monitor is retracted

[viii] Sony test condition. Applies when LCD monitor is retracted

[ix] Wireless functions cannot be used underwater

[x] When compared with DSC-RX0

[xi] ISO 80, 100: when expanded. For still shooting only

[xii] width x height x depth

[xiii] Approximate weight with battery and media included

[xiv]Availability of video transfer and playback varies depending on smartphone in use

[xv] For video shooting only

[xvi] Add-on mobile application for ‘Imaging Edge Mobile’

[xvii] Angle becomes narrower than actual shot. The frame area of the picture becomes narrower than the original image. The movie footage can be rendered to up to Full HD quality

[xviii] Sound cannot be recorded. A Class 10 or higher micro SDXC or SDHC memory card is required

[xix] Wi-Fi does not operate during interval shooting. The latest version of Imaging Edge ‘Viewer’ and PlayMemories Home desktop applications is required

[xx] Not available during 4K video, FHD 120p (NTSC)/100p (PAL) video or interval recording. DSC-RX0 and DSC-RX0M2 models cannot be used with radio control at the same time. Depending on the specifications of the access point, smartphone, and tablet to be used, and the radio wave environment of the installation location, the number of devices that can be connected may change.

[xxi] Refer to the following page for details of compatible Imaging Edge Mobile

https://www.sony.net/iem/

[xxii] When using the CCB-WD1, please update your software to the latest version (Supported with ver. 2.00 or later.) Up to 100 pairs of DSC-RX0M2 and Camera Control Box can be connected, according to Sony’s internal testing