Sony today introduced a new addition to its popular compact camera line-up with the launch of the RX0 II (model DSC-RX0M2).

Building upon the waterproof/dustproof, shockproof, crushproof and ultra-compact qualities of the original RX0, the new model now offers internal 4K recording, an up to 180-degree and down to 90-degree tiltable LCD screen that even works underwater, and 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 a BIONZ X image processing engine that offer enhanced colour reproduction including beautiful skin tones. This combination have been optimised to deliver fast performance and high image quality for both stills and movie shooting across a wide sensitivity range of ISO 80-12800. The ZEISS Tessar T* 24mm F4.0 fixed wide-angle lens has a shortened minimum focussing distance of 20cm.

Measuring just 59mm x 40.5mm x 35mm and weighing 132g, the RX0 II fits easily into a pocket. It is waterproof up to 10 metres deep, dustproof, shockproof up to 2 metres and crushproof up to 200KG force.

The RX0 II offers 4K 30p internal movie recording 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 high quality 4K footage with detail and depth. Using the recently introduced Sony “Imaging Edge™”mobile applications, this footage can be transferred to a smartphone, edited and shared across social networks.

The RX0 II introduces in-body electronic stabilisation 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' application where the additional information captured during filming can be processed to produce a video with gimbal-like smoothness. 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, 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.

It boasts an Anti-distortion Shutter of up to 1/32000 sec. and can shoot at up to 16 fps. 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 has been upgraded on the RX0 II. 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.

Up to 5 RX0 II cameras can be controlled wirelessly using Sony ‘Imaging Edge Mobile’ 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 also compatible with the Camera Control Box CCB-WD1 which enables up to 100 cameras to be connected and controlled in a wired multi-camera setup.

The RX0 II kit with the VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip and bracket will ship in Europe in May 2019, priced at approximately €800. It will also start shipping in April 2019 in North America for US$700.