In the year since its release, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100($448.00 at Amazon) has stood alone in the compact market as the only model with a 1-inch image sensor. The RX100 II ($749.99 direct)( at Amazon) joins it; it's priced $100 higher, but offers some upgrades. The image sensor is now a backside-illuminated CMOS design, which gives it a one-stop advantage in noise control, and there's built-in Wi-Fi, a tilting rear screen, and support for Sony's add-on EVF($448.00 at Amazon). It's up to you to decide if the upgrades are worth the extra money. Both cameras are worth their price, and as the RX100 before it, the RX100 II receives our Editors' Choice award. If you're an RX100 owner that's happy with the camera's performance, there isn't enough here to justify an upgrade; but if you're in the market for a compact with best-in-class image quality, the premium that the RX100 II commands is worth it. If you're already considering the RX100, there's little reason not to take a close l...
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.
Excellent high ISO performance; 1-inch image sensor; Wide aperture lens; Customizable controls; Large, tilting LCD; Minimal shutter lag; Raw image capture; Wi-Fi; Hot shoe with EVF support
Very expensive; Limited zoom range; In-camera battery charging only; Could be sharper at the edges of the frame at 28mm