Sony hopes to challenge the big boys with its little compact. WE have heard a lot of good things about Sony's latest compact camera, the DSC-RX100. The camera has powerful features and it'll be interesting to see how it fares in a world dominated by DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras...

Great photo quality; compact size; smartly designed controls for manual shooting

Pricey; HD video recording not great

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II compact camera offers a few worthwhile upgrades when compared with the original RX100, but comes in at a higher asking price.

I spent 2 hours in the SONY Store playing with this camera and took one hope right after. I am very happy with what this tiny package can provide. The construction is also very solid.

Compact; powerful; reasonable price

Short Battery Life; no optical view finder

Pros: When my Canon S100 camera screen broke, I needed a replacement. After researching the market for a point and shoot replacement, I decided on the Sony RX100 II Cyber-shot. The camera is only slightly larger than the Canon S100 and takes outstanding, sharp pictures with accurate color.

Every new camera needs a unique selling point and with Sony's pocket-sized RX100 that is the holy grail of ‘DSLR quality in compact form'. Though the solid feel, aluminium build model resembles your average high-end snapshot from the outside, inside is a 20.2 megapixel sensor that at one inch is...

One of the largest image sensors to be found in a compact camera; high 20MP resolution; Full HD video with stereo sound; full manual controls and intelligent auto settings; solid aluminium construction and understated design

Very expensive for a pocket camera; backplate buttons are small enough to warrant fingertip precision; image quality not exact match for DSLR or system cameras offering even larger sensor for a similar cost

The 20.2 effective megapixel 1in sensor incorporating Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II is the advanced compact we'd most like to own if budget wasn't a prime concern. Alternatively we'd go for the ￡350 Fuji XQ1 if it was, or seek out an older first-generation Sony Cyber-shot RX100 - currently ￡250 cheaper...

Rock solid construction; Tilting screen and hot shoe; Excellent Carl Zeiss lens

Tiny back plate buttons; EVF costs extra; No handgrip

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II has a new 20.2 megapixel backlit 1inch CMOS sensor for improved performance, but how does it perform? Find out in our full review.

Excellent image quality; Compact; pocketable camera; Large backlit CMOS sensor; Dual axis electronic level; Flash hot-shoe accessory port; Tilting high resolution 3inch screen; Impressive noise performance; Wi-Fi connectivity

High price; f/4.9 at telephoto end; Little grip at the front; Buttons may be small for some

It can be used with left hand only, as I only have limited use of my right,yet the quality of the photographs it takes is very satisfactory. Large sensor and fast lens with wide ISO range allow single handed operation in most situations.

Great Picture Quality; Lightweight

No External Flash Availab

Excellent compact digital camera; photographs are true to colour and sharp (providing they are taken properly of course). Easy to carry; a camera you can always have on you.

One of the largest image sensors to be found in a compact camera; high 20MP resolution; Full HD video with stereo sound; full manual controls and intelligent auto settings; solid aluminium construction and understated design

One of the largest image sensors to be found in a compact camera; high 20MP resolution; Full HD video with stereo sound; full manual controls and intelligent auto settings; solid aluminium construction and understated design

Very expensive for a pocket camera; backplate buttons are small enough to warrant fingertip precision; image quality not exact match for DSLR or system cameras offering even larger sensor for a similar cost