A while ago, Sony RXO II was launched, an ultra-compact camera that crams many specifications into a gadget around the size of a GoPro. It is a refreshing addition to the Sony camera family with some nifty features.
This second-generation gadget is powered by Sony’s BIONZ X image processing engine, which boasts a 1″-type Exmor RS CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 80-12800. In addition, a 20-megapixel sensor is downsized to a 15.3-megapixel crop for the camera.
An F4.0 fixed wide-angle lens from ZEISS Tessar T* 24mm equivalent has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm in front of the sensor. The gadget is small and light, measuring only 59mm by 40.5mm by 35mm.
Moreover, it has a ruggedized frame that protects the internals against crushing, corrosion, and, most importantly, from the water to a depth of 10 meters (32.7 feet).
Another intriguing new feature is an LCD screen that can swivel up to 180 degrees and down to 90 degrees and is tilt-able even underwater. Vloggers and selfie-obsessed people will love this new feature, but it will also benefit difficult-to-reach locations.
Besides all these highlights, there are many other things to discuss in Sony RX0 II. So let’s begin with our review.
Table of Contents
Sony’s RXO II – Best for Pro Videographers
RX0 II has an inbuilt 4K/30p recording with complete pixel readout and no pixel binning. The camera can shoot at a frame rate of up to 1,000 frames per second, broadcast 4K video in uncompressed format via HDMI, and simultaneously record proxy movies.
The On-off and record button comes very handy.
In addition, this gadget offers a wide range of post-production options, including Picture Profile, S-Log2, and Time Code / User Bit.
The RX0 II’s anti-distortion shutter has a maximum speed of 1/32,000th of a second and a top burst speed of 16 frames per second. In addition, when shooting pictures, Sony has included an optional Soft Skin Effect that helps to reduce the appearance of imperfections by softening the skin.
Sony RXO II Review
Here are details of all the salient features:
Design
When comparing the Sony RX0 II to other action cameras, you’ll first notice that its build quality is unmatched. The Sony RX0 IIs has a metal casing, unlike the GoPro, Yi, SJCam, and even the new DJI Osmo Action camera.
In addition, Sony states that the camera is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters (33 feet), shockproof to a depth of 6.5 feet, and, unlike the previous cameras, crushproof to a force of 440 pounds per square foot.
Compared to the GoPro Hero 7, the RX0 II’s dimensions are comparable (2.45 by 1.83 by 1.3 inches). However, unlike that camera, its Zeiss lens is concealed under an entirely flush plastic housing. As a result, the Sony camera seems to be more blocky than the GoPro camera is.
Power and shutter buttons are on top of the camera, which may take still and video images.
The camera’s back has a smaller 1.5-inch non-touch LCD screen with six tiny buttons spaced along the bottom and right sides to handle various features and settings, contrasting GoPro’s streamlined 2-inch touch-screen design.
If you’re attempting to catch a concert from above or at a low angle, the screen of the RX0 can be tilted to let you view it as you hold the camera. This is particularly useful for taking selfies and vlogging.
Removable weather-sealed doors conceal the microSD card slot, HDMI, USB connections for connecting to a television or charging the camera, and an external microphone socket.
Interface
Action cameras are designed to be simple to use. The RX10 II from Sony is everything from the average. In total, there are 29 pages of menu options, making it comparable to a CSC or advanced compact.
It makes a GoPro appear simple and makes using one a joy. This menu design works well in a camera with a larger screen, more controls, and larger buttons. For example, pressing the right arrow button brings up a one-screen summary, but navigating is challenging.
However, the level of control this device offers is unmatched by any other action camera-shaped gizmo. For instance, you may activate focus peaking, manually focus, and select the color scheme (sRGB/Adobe RGB).
Video
The sensor of the Sony RX0 II sets it apart. One-inch sensor with 15.3-megapixel resolution. Just over a fifth of the light-gathering area of the GoPro Hero7 Black.
Improved low-light performance and a more comprehensive dynamic range are the main advantages. Unlike its predecessor, the Sony RX0 II can record 4K video without needing an HDMI connection.
The capture quality may be fine-tuned. For example, the maximum data rate for a 4K video is 100Mbps. However, the frame rate is limited to 25 fps.
With video-editing software, you can apply some stabilization, but it will cut into the field of vision. This is true of all software stabilization methods.
Frame-by-frame analysis of the recorded video shows that the Sony RX0 II produces many motion-blurred frames when shooting in Auto mode. Accordingly, it employs longer exposures than the usual action cam slightly to enhance image quality.
However, unlike other action cameras, you can modify the settings of your shots to prevent this.
Furthermore, there isn’t much area in the final image for post-processed stabilization by cropping. The GoPro Hero7 Black has a 17mm focal length, typical in action cameras (35mm standard equivalent).
24mm is the focal length of the Sony RX0 II. A wide-angle view, although not an ultra-wide one, is presented here.
The RX0 II is designed for persons with a basic understanding of video creation rather than publishing their movies on YouTube.
The battery life is just enough to do the job.
Photos:
Having a compact body and a huge sensor is a terrific combination. A 1-inch sensor like those compacts is found in the RX0 II, and it’s pretty tiny.
Stills are excellent in the daytime. When compared to the processing power of a high-end phone, you’ll notice a significant difference. Pushing the shutter button doesn’t combine a tiny shopping cart’s worth of shots to compensate for a sensor with a restricted dynamic range.
Even a simple JPEG image’s details in the shadows may be brought to light with a 10-second Photoshop adjustment.
There are limits to what it can do at night. Despite its big sensor, the Sony RX0 II lacks optical image stabilization. As a result, handheld photography has a finite range of exposure lengths that may be relied upon.
The RX0 II’s maximum ISO is 12800, allowing it to capture photographs in meager light and produce something usable. However, the RX0 II photographs exhibit a lot of color noise and are mushy when shot in Auto mode while holding the camera in your hand.
In addition, very low-light photos don’t come out well. This compact camera uses a one-inch sensor, which is substantial but not enormous.
Besides the sensor, lack of OIS, and the conventional approach to processing, the f/4 lens aperture is also a factor in this issue.
Exceptional Picture and Sound Quality
A video or photograph taken in a still position has a lot of colors. Photos of the water and sky at the beach were stunning. The sea was a deep blue at sunset, and the beach had a warm, golden glow since the sun was dipping below the horizon.
Even if the camera was stationary while strolling down the pier, it still struggled to produce smooth footage.
Although the Sony RX0 II’s wind noise reduction option helped, it was still prone to some turbulence. Even without an optional external microphone, the audio quality is pretty good at a distance of about 25 feet.
Sony RX0 II Specifications:
- Body type: Ultracompact
- Max resolution: 4800 x 3200
- Effective pixels: 15 megapixels
- Sensor size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
- Sensor type: BSI-CMOS
- ISO: Auto, 200-25600
- Focal length (Equiv.): 24 mm
- Max aperture: F4
- Articulated LCD: Tilting
- Screen size: 1.5″
- Screen dots: 230,400
- Max shutter speed: 1/32000 sec
- Format: MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
- Storage types: microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC + Memory Stick Micro
- USB: USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
- Weight: 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
- Dimensions: 59 x 41 x 35 mm (2.32 x 1.61 x 1.38″)
- GPS: None
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Pros:
- 4K/30 fps, 1080p/120 fps, and slow-motion at 1000 fps
- Waterproof, crushproof
- Tiltable Flip screen for selfie mode
Cons:
- Expensive
- Small, Low Resolution, Non-Touch Screen
Conclusion
The Sony RX0 II is priced more than every other action camera. This ultra-compact premium camera has a 1-inch sensor, a high-quality lens, and a 4K video recording.
While the camera can produce some stunning images for still photography, it can also be hard to operate. While its tiny size, microphone socket, and innovative tilting selfie screen may be excellent for video use.
Still, there are a few drawbacks. Most notably, the camera’s limited battery life and high price compared to other action cameras.
