Product ReviewsSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II 20.2MP Digital Camera - Black (Kit w/ 28-100 mm Lens)

Great Travel Camera

I bought this for times when I don't want to lug my DSLR around. It's perfect for travel, hikes, concerts, etc. when you want better quality and more functionality than your mobile phone offers.
<br>There are many cameras in this segment, but as all the reviews on the interweb testify, the image quality on this camera is superb. I especially appreciate its performance in low light. The 24-100mm lens could use a bit more zoom, but this is a small concession. The camera shoots sharp enough that, if you need more zoom, the 20mp image allows you to crop in closer.

There are four version of this camera from which to choose. All take great photos, but they get progressively more expensive. I opted for the MK2 because it adds a flip screen, slightly better sensor, a hot shoe and, most importantly, WIFI connection for not much more than the cost of the MKI. The jump to the MK3 or MK4 becomes very expensive, but I'm not sure that the extra features on these cameras justify the additional cost. Plus, the MK4 has even less zoom, which I find limiting.

I'm used to shooting in full manual on my DSLR, but I've found with this camera I prefer to use one of the auto settings and let the camera do the work. It's a very smart device and usually can figure out the scene faster and more quickly than I can. Besides, the whole point of this is to have an easy-to-use travel camera, so I let the camera do its thing and it gets it right 99% of the time.

The camera is body feels solid and has a nice heft without being bulky. It could be better ergonomically, but I got a sweet case from megagear that gives it a vintage look and makes it easy to carry.

This camera is highly recommended.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: 1shopdirect305

Not as good as it could be for the money.

Great size, intuitive controls, but picture quality is ok, not great for the expense and the range is limited.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: 6ave

Excellent image quality, coupled with RAW capture, and huge dynamic range.

Excellent image quality, coupled with RAW capture, and huge dynamic range in a very compact package. The RX100 II is probably the best compact camera I've used to date. The image quality is excellent with great detail and excellent high ISO performance. It's packed with features and customizable in many many ways. I've been a Canon shooter for many years, I've never been a fan of Sony, but Sony has probably the best sensor technology and innovation in design at this time. After many incremental, uninspired releases from Canon, I've made the switch. I've purchased the RX100 II for my compact camera, and also an A7r for my full frame body. I'm still using my Canon lenses, which is also very easy on a Sony with the proper adapter, another coup for Sony. I digress... the RX100 II.

The RX100 II has a beautiful aluminum body with some heft to it, it feels like quality. It has a large 3" screen that is decently viewable in fairly bright light. The camera is compact, although maybe not quite pocketable in a pair of jeans.

*Highlights*
--Excellent image quality (incredible for a camera of this size).
--Bright screen.
--Great lens, Zeiss!
--Great sensor.
--WiFi sharing.
--Focuses decently for a compact camera.
--RAW capture!
--Great video.

*Low lights*
--Maybe too many auto mode choices (I prefer to do my own processing).
--No external charger included.

I chose the II over the III for price, and for the extra length it's lens offers. The III is a 24-70mm lens while the II has a little more length at 28-100mm. Although the III is also attractive with its much faster lens. I love having RAW which allows me the latitude to extract the most from a shot. If you are looking for an enthusiast compact camera with the ability to produce excellent images in jpeg/auto modes, and the ability to extract that something extra with RAW, the Sony RX series of cameras are just what the doctor ordered. I think any of the Sony compact choices with the 1" sensor (the RX series) are very attractive choices for a compact enthusiasts camera.Read full review...

Big performance in a small package.

This camera has some quirks and offers far more applications and program choices than anyone but a pro would want or need. However its lens is stellar and the "gold" idiot setting is a great addition to the usual "green" idiot setting. Personally, I love the aperture priority setting and the ability to use the lens ring to change f stops. Interestingly a good part of the user manual is devoted to all the computer-iphone connection data, making the camera ideal for tech nerds while still providing great photos in straight-forward use for those of us not infected with techitis. Very solidly built and well worth the time to get used to its functions. Pricey, yes. But if you want to do more than take snap shots and even take photos for very large reproductions, this camera will do it.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: redtagcamera

Great camera, mobile support is dated

So far the camera has been great! Lots of features for a compact, and feels very good quality. The only Con, is that the wifi support seems a little dated. It hasn't been that easy, fast, or handy at connecting to either my wife's IPAD, or her ASUS android tablet. It finally worked with the android tablet, but transfers were incredibly slow, and the UI was kind of clunky.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: refurbished | Sold by: buybestpayless

Great product, not perfect but damn close

I have this for about 1.5 months.
Bought this since I wanted a compact size camera that can give good pictures in low light conditions (as in live shows) and be portable and can fit to a jacket pocket.
The picture quality is great, it has the biggest sensor in this family of cameras, great features, can be used as point and shoot or fully manual. the perfect choice for those who want a SLR like camera but don't want to waste so much money and size concerns (of course SLRs are much better).
The camera is a bit heavier than I expected, but maybe that will make it more durable. viewing pictures and videos in the camera is cumbersome since you must change settings in order to select what you want to view, still pictures or videos, kinda sucks. the zoom is insufficient but it was a small sacrifice on my part to get an excellent picture quality.
all in all it is a great camera, much better than my previous Canon PowerShot SD450Read full review...

Great point and shoot but not really much better than the Canon S95

I am an amateur photographer

Pentax K1000/sold
Nikon FG/gone
Nikon 601/gone
Nikon D70 s/gone
Nikon D7100
Canon S95
Sony RX100 M2/sold

I bought this camera as an upgrade for my Canon S95 so this review will be somewhat of a comparison.
Picture quality
Close ups- excellent better than S95
Bokeh is very nice better than S95.
HDR is slightly better and more natural looking than S95
Landscapes-very good but very comparable to S95
Higher resolution but when cropping couldn't really see much of a difference for my applications compared to S95 (all digital, no prints)

Mechanics
Start up is slower than S95 and CPU failure much higher(restart needed)
LCD screen is of a much softer glass and is very prone to scratching by normal use (in and out of pocket) buy a screen protector.
Canon has Sony beat hands down in ease of manual adjustment while in shutter, aperture, or semi manual modes.(switching metering, ISO, exposure or WB)
The pop up flash allows the user to manually bounce the flash.
Wi-Fi was lots of fun for me on my iPhone 5s and the PlayMemories software available at the iTunes store worked very well once you figured your way around it.

Overall
The camera feels very nice and the size is perfect for use as a pocket camera providing you don't wear your jeans to tight. The picture quality is excellent but not considerably better than the S95, as say compared to my D7100.
Battery life is excellent much better than S95Read full review...

Recommended by pro shooters as their everyday pocket camera

I waited 2 years before I jumping on board the RX100ii bandwagon. 3 of my professional photographer friends recommended it independently as their everyday camera for life as it's happening. By that time all 3 models were out. I choose the ii for the tilt screen, hot shoe, longer zoom and lower price. The improved low light capability of the iii hasn't been a concern. Love the quality of the optics and 20.2 MP sensor.

I just got back from 3 weeks in Alaska where carrying a full DSLR outfit was out of the question... mostly river and ocean kayaking. Also used GoPros but they lack the optics or zoom. You can do SO MUCH MORE in this digital age with about 1/10th the weight. This camera is an amazing piece of engineering. I highly recommend it for high quality images of travel or everyday applications.Read full review...

Pro Quality in your pocket...BRILLIANT!!!

Back in 2012,I spent 5 months traveling around France & England
with a DSLR,3 lenses,speedlights and...about 9-10 lbs worth of gear.I loved my pictures but,I'd be lying if I said that that huge shoulder bag didn't become a bother...pretty regularly!!!
Buying a high quality "Pocket" camera became a priority for me.
The original RX100 had just come out when I was in England and I
had a chance to play with 1 at a store in Bath...I LOVED the vision that the Sony design team conjured up in that camera but
passed on actually making a purchase.
After returning to the States,I sold all my big,heavy DSLR kit
and bought a Sony NEX 5T w/a Zeiss 24mm 1.8 prime...WHOA!!!
The quality of the pics were top-notch,pro level and the size/weight of that camera/lens combo was a delight:^))
I was a Sony convert within a week!
It was still not what I would consider a pocket camera though and I did miss the versatility of a zoom lens...So,
when I stumbled across an RX 100 M2 on Ebay for well under $400,I jumped on it!
All the reviews on the RX's had been stellar and I liked that the M2 had a hot shoe,tilting screen and of course...Zeiss glass:^))
It's an exceptional little camera...VERY well built...fits in my jeans pocket and picture quality is superb...really!
Sony put tons of R&D into that 1" sensor and it really shines here...You pixel peepers will be surprised.
I'm even starting to use it for studio portraits with my
Genesis Mono-lights & Pocket-Wizards...
The real beauty of this design though,is the fact that you can
take it with you,shoot "Stock" quality jpegs without fuss or pretense and then just stick it in your pocket and carry on with your day!!!...BRILLIANT:^))
It's great for "Street" photography,candids,travel,small product,portraits and "found" shots...
It's NOT great for sports or wildlife though.
Overall...a beautiful piece of Engineering/Design by Sony.

PS:I added a screen protector,a finger grip and a Gariz
shutter button to mine...Your "Hot-Rodding may vary...ENJOY:))Read full review...

EXCELLENT POCKET CAMERA

Been putting the camera through its paces since it arrived; lots of MACRO, landscape, video and even captured some long distance bird pix with decent resolution. I could leave it on "Auto" but bought a USERS GUIDE by A. White to get more out of all the Modes and features offered. It doesn't do well (so far) with WHITE - taking macro shots of white flowers for example so I need to learn how to offset that. It's sometimes a little slow in response when adjusting settings but I don't have a problem with that - others might. I did not need all the up-to- date GPS/Wireless conveniences of later models so happy this was available. A stellar camera! Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: willoughbyscamera

Phenomenal

I've been taking a lot of photos of cats and starry nights with this camera, and the quality is fantastic. Crisp detailed images are produced with ease using this camera. I imagine with some more practice and better ideas, I'll get some killer images with this little thing. I've found very few weaknesses of the RX100 mark 2, and for the price I find it difficult to complain about anything really! Definite recommendation from me.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: 6ave