Sony RX100 II Review: A Better-Connected Premium Compact

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The Sony RX100 II took the successful formula of the original RX100 and made it more practical. It kept the same pocket-friendly idea, 20.2-megapixel resolution and useful 28–100mm-equivalent zoom, but added a backside-illuminated sensor, a tilting screen, Wi-Fi, NFC and a Multi Interface Shoe.

Those upgrades make it easier to use than the first model, but this is now an old premium compact. The important question is no longer whether it was impressive when released. It is whether a used RX100 II offers enough value compared with the cheaper original RX100, later generations and the phone already in your pocket.

What the Sony RX100 II is

The RX100 II, also called the DSC-RX100M2, is a compact camera built around a 13.2 × 8.8mm one-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor. That sensor is larger than those found in traditional pocket cameras and gives the camera a stronger base for detail, dynamic range and low-light image quality.

It records 20.2-megapixel JPEG and RAW files and uses a fixed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom covering the equivalent of 28–100mm. The lens opens to f/1.8 at its widest setting but falls to f/4.9 at the telephoto end.

If you are comparing the two generations, our original Sony RX100 review explains the simpler first model and its strengths as a used buy.

Image quality

The one-inch sensor is still the heart of the camera. In good light, the RX100 II can produce detailed photographs with natural colour and enough resolution for sizeable prints, crops and general editing. RAW capture gives more control over exposure and white balance than relying entirely on the finished JPEG.

The backside-illuminated sensor was designed to improve light gathering compared with the sensor in the original RX100. That does not turn it into a night-vision camera, but it helps when light levels fall. Results are strongest at lower sensitivities; fine detail and colour become less convincing as ISO rises.

The RX100 II includes exposure bracketing and Auto HDR. These can help with scenes containing bright skies and dark foregrounds, although careful exposure and RAW processing usually provide more control. Our guide to HDR photography explains when combining exposures is genuinely useful.

The 28–100mm-equivalent lens

The zoom range covers wide everyday scenes, travel, groups, environmental portraits and short-telephoto framing. It is a sensible all-purpose range rather than a specialist one. You cannot change the lens, so buyers should be certain that 28–100mm matches the subjects they actually photograph.

The f/1.8 aperture sounds excellent, but it applies at the wide end. As the lens zooms, the maximum aperture narrows until it reaches f/4.9. That means the camera has less light available at longer focal lengths, often forcing a slower shutter speed or higher ISO.

Optical SteadyShot helps reduce blur caused by camera movement when photographing a stationary subject. It does not freeze a moving person, pet or vehicle. Subject motion still requires an appropriate shutter speed.

Handling and the tilting screen

The RX100 II is small enough for a coat pocket, although it is slightly thicker and heavier than the original. The aluminium body feels solid, but the smooth front offers little grip. A wrist strap or small add-on grip is a sensible precaution.

The three-inch, 1.229-million-dot screen tilts upwards and downwards. This is one of the model’s most useful improvements because it makes low-angle, overhead and discreet waist-level composition much easier. It does not face forwards, and there is no built-in electronic viewfinder.

A control ring around the lens, a rear wheel and PASM exposure modes give the photographer meaningful control. The small buttons are a consequence of the compact body, and Sony’s menu system takes some learning. It is capable, but it is not as quick to operate by touch as a larger camera with dedicated controls.

Autofocus and shooting speed

The camera uses contrast-detection autofocus. It is suitable for travel, family photography, landscapes and general subjects, particularly in good light. It is less convincing for erratic movement and cannot match the subject recognition or tracking of a recent mirrorless camera.

Sony quoted shooting at up to 10 frames per second in the appropriate mode. That headline figure is useful for a short sequence, but buffer depth, focus behaviour and writing speed limit how the camera performs in practice. The RX100 II should not be mistaken for a pocket sports camera.

Wi-Fi, NFC and the Multi Interface Shoe

Wi-Fi and NFC were significant additions. They allow compatible mobile devices to receive images and provide a form of remote control. Compatibility with current phones and software should be checked rather than assumed, because both mobile operating systems and Sony applications have changed considerably since the camera was released.

The Multi Interface Shoe gives the RX100 II more room to expand than the original model. It can accept compatible accessories such as an external flash, microphone or optional electronic viewfinder. This is useful, but building a large accessory system around an ageing compact may not be economical. Check compatibility carefully before buying any accessory.

Video

The RX100 II records Full HD video in AVCHD or MP4 formats, but it does not record 4K. For ordinary family clips and casual travel footage, 1080 video can still be perfectly usable. The camera includes a stereo microphone, and compatible external audio accessories can use the Multi Interface Shoe.

It lacks the modern conveniences expected by serious video creators: no front-facing screen, no advanced subject tracking, no internal 4K and no contemporary high-bitrate workflow. Buyers primarily interested in video should look at newer alternatives.

What it does well

• Good still-image quality from a one-inch sensor
• RAW and JPEG capture
• Useful 28–100mm-equivalent zoom
• Bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end
• Tilting rear screen
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
• Multi Interface Shoe for compatible accessories
• Small, solid body with manual exposure controls

Where it falls behind

• No built-in viewfinder
• No 4K recording
• Contrast-detection autofocus is dated
• Lens becomes f/4.9 at the telephoto end
• Screen cannot face forwards
• Fixed lens prevents the system from expanding
• Old wireless features may be awkward with current phones
• Small controls and a smooth grip are not ideal for every hand

RX100 II or the original RX100?

Choose the RX100 II when the tilting screen matters, when you want wireless transfer, or when the accessory shoe has a clear purpose. Its BSI sensor is also a worthwhile refinement for low-light work.

Choose the original RX100 if it is substantially cheaper and you mainly need a compact stills camera. Both models share a similar core experience: a one-inch sensor, RAW files and a 28–100mm-equivalent lens. Paying much more for the second generation only makes sense if you will use its additions.

Buying a used Sony RX100 II

Start by testing the retracting lens. It should extend, zoom and close smoothly without grinding, hesitation or error messages. Photograph a plain bright surface at several focal lengths and apertures to reveal dust, marks or uneven softness.

Move the tilting screen through its full range and watch for flickering or intermittent display problems. Test the pop-up flash, Multi Interface Shoe, every button, both control wheels, USB charging and the HDMI port. Confirm that the Wi-Fi function starts, even if you do not plan to rely on it.

Examine the battery compartment and ports for corrosion. NP-BX1 batteries lose capacity with age, so budget for a reliable replacement. Check the screen coating for heavy wear and make sure the body has not been dropped around the lens barrel.

The official Sony RX100 II specifications identify the exact features of this model. Sony’s RX100 II support page provides manuals and available downloads.

What you need besides the camera

A suitable SD card, a spare NP-BX1 battery, a wrist strap, a protective pouch and a cleaning cloth are enough for most owners. For night scenes, group photographs or deliberate landscapes, a stable support is helpful. Our Benro Rhino tripod review covers a stronger travel option, although this compact camera can also work well with a much smaller support.

The 30-Second Decision

Buy it if you want a small RAW-capable camera, find a clean example at a modest price and will benefit from the tilting screen or accessory shoe.

Skip it if the price approaches that of a newer RX100, or if you need a viewfinder, 4K video, strong subject tracking, modern phone integration or interchangeable lenses.

Final verdict

The Sony RX100 II remains a capable compact for still photography. Its one-inch sensor, useful zoom and tilting screen make it more flexible than a basic point-and-shoot, while the shoe and wireless functions distinguish it from the original RX100.

Its age is equally clear. Autofocus, video and connectivity have moved on, and the fixed lens remains both its convenience and its boundary. At the right used price, it can be an enjoyable travel or everyday camera. At an inflated price, a newer model makes more sense.

Check Sony RX100 II availability on Amazon