New RX100MKII and RX1R

[thierrylegros396]

New RX100MKII and RX1R.

OK the new RX100MKII seems to be better in low light (faster focus), has a tilting screen and a hotshoe for flash.

But sadly, the announced increase in sensitivity is not real, now it start @ISO160, ISO80 not more available, and ISO100, 125 are expanded modes !
Combined that with the fact that max. speed is only 1/2000S and no ND filter, I'm very deceived !!

And the official price is even higher than the RX100.


The RX1R seems to be a RX1 without antialiasing filter, so we have to wait for a good comparative test.


Have a Nice Day.

Thierry

[BernardLanguillier]

Thierry,

I somehow feel that your judgement is a bit biased by your previous history with the RX100. 

Cheers,
Bernard

[michael]

My Rx1R report is now online. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_rx1r.shtml

[BJL]

OK the new RX100MKII seems to be better in low light (faster focus), has a tilting screen and a hotshoe for flash.

But sadly, the announced increase in sensitivity is not real, now it start @ISO160, ISO80 not more available, and ISO100, 125 are expanded modes !

The sensitivity increase is real, but it is through an improvement in the fraction of light detected (sensitivity to light), not a reduction in read noise. So an increase in the base ISO sensitivity is exactly what one would expect --- and one can also expect an increase in any noise-based measure of maximum usable ISO sensitivity setting, and improved signal-to-noise at any given exposure level (ISO setting).

What it does not give is an increase in _dynamic range_, which seems to be what you are hoping for. That would instead require reduced read noise (or increased well capacity).


One milestone for this camera is using back-side illumination (BSI) on a larger sensor than ever before: 13.2x8.8mm (so-called 1"). For a moment I wondered if this is a sign that BSI will soon move to the sensors of some system cameras. But with 20MP, this sensor still has quite small photo-sites, with a spacing of 2.4 microns, so maybe BSI will only make sense for system camera sensors if and when their photo-sites get that small, which would be 38MP for Four Thirds, 63MP for Sony's version of APS-C size, and so on.

[thierrylegros396]

Thierry,

I somehow feel that your judgement is a bit biased by your previous history with the RX100. 

Cheers,
Bernard

Not really, because I compare the MKII characteristics with the G15 ones 

RX100MKII Base ISO160 + 1/2000th sec + no ND filter.
G15          Base ISO80 + 1/4000th sec. + ND3 filter.

I don't say it's a bad camera, but it doesn't fit my needs.

Have a Nice Day.

Thierry

[BJL]

Not really, because I compare the MKII characteristics with the G15 ones 

RX100MKII Base ISO160 + 1/2000th sec + no ND filter.
G15          Base ISO80 + 1/4000th sec. + ND3 filter.

I don't say it's a bad camera, but it doesn't fit my needs.

I understand now: sometimes you want _less_ sensitivity (or a higher maximum shutter speed or a built-in ND filter), to use large apertures in bright light without the need for attaching an ND filter, and instead this new sensor gives more sensitivity.

[thierrylegros396]

I understand now: sometimes you want _less_ sensitivity (or a higher maximum shutter speed or a built-in ND filter), to use large apertures in bright light without the need for attaching an ND filter, and instead this new sensor gives more sensitivity.

Exactly !!

And the G15 if really fine.
It has only 2 big drawbacks, too much screen contrast and JPG settings not possible in RAW+JPG recording mode.

RX100 is far better (screen and possible settings).

Canon could easily remedy to theses problems with a new firmware, but they will not do !

So I have to live with that, and it' s possible

Thierry

[Paulo Bizarro]

The RX100 is a fine camera, and I am sure the new version will be a nice camera too. However, like the OP, I also find the 1/2000 sec minimum shutter speed limiting at times. Somehow my son uses the camera now more than I do... also, I think there are better lenses than the one on the RX100 in other fixed zoom compacts, namely the lens on the G15 and the lens on the G1X. Canon really did a great job on the lenses of those two cameras.

[knweiss]

My Rx1R report is now online. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_rx1r.shtml

FWIW there are still at least five wrong "N"s in this article and its image captions. Also, one occurence of "R1x" instead of "RX1". Shouldn't the camera name be spelled with a capital "X"?

[kers]

My Rx1R report is now online. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_rx1r.shtml

How about calling the photo 'men's basic'