Sony Unveils the RX100 II: Better Sensor, Wi-Fi, Hotshoe, and a Tilting Screen

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The “best pocket camera of all time” now has a successor. Sony today announced the RX100 Mark II, the followup to its highly-acclaimed RX100 premium compact camera.

The RX100 II features a new 1-inch 20.2-megapixel Exmor R backside-illuminated CMOS sensor that the company claims is 40% more sensitive in low-light situations than the RX100’s sensor. The ISO range is 160 to 12800 (expandable up to 25600).

On the front of the camera is the same Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/1.8 lens that has an equivalent focal length of 28-100mm—an optical zoom of 3.6x.

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Another new feature inside the camera is Wi-Fi wireless connectivity and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows for easy and instant wireless data transferring between the RX100 II and other wirelessly connected devices. Paired with a phone or tablet, a feature called Smart Remote Control allows photographers to preview photographs and control the shutter.

On top of the camera is a new Multi Interface Shoe, which can be used to mount a number of optional accessories (e.g. viewfinder, flash, external LCD monitor).

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Turn the camera around and you’ll see a sharp 3-inch LCD screen that now has the ability to tilt. It can tilt upwards at an angle of 84 degrees and downwards at an angle of 45 degrees.

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People who enjoy shooting video will be glad to know that the RX100 II has the ability to shoot 24p footage for “cinematically styled movies.” This is in addition to the 1080p/60fps footage that the RX100 can shoot.

Other features include 10fps continuous shooting, a built-in pop-up flash, and a battery life of 350 shots.

The Sony RX100 II will hit store shelves in July 2013 with a price tag of $750, or $100 more than the RX100 was when it hit the market.

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