Sony broke away from the conventional 1/2.3" sensors to make way for a 1" sensor with its RX100 and earned rave reviews for its high-end point and shoot camera. That snapper came in packed with goodies to the brim, along with DSLR-like image quality, but in a compact form factor.

Handles low light shots well; 1" sensor gives low-noise shots at ISO 3200; Pocketable; Incredible amount of DoF at f1/1.8; Wi-Fi/NFC compliant

Optical zoom limited to 3.6x; Heavy; Steep learning curve; Expensive

This camera is amazing! Great picture quality. The fact that I could have a dslr quality camera and not have gigantic body is what sold me on this camera.

picture quality

Don't let its small size fool you. The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II is capable of capturing beautiful photos and movies. It's not cheap, but it's the best compact camera you can buy if image quality is your main concern.

Beautiful photos and movies; f/1.8 3.6x zoom; Tilting 3-inch LCD screen; Wi-Fi with NFC

100mm on tele-end a bit limited; Full aperture range only at wide-angle; Slow shutter speed; Poorly placed red-dot video button

The Sony DSC-RX100 II is an updated version of the RX100, which in our opinion brings mostly surface level upgrades to the camera. The sensor and the lens remain the same as the predecessor, which is bound to generate mixed feelings, however, all is not lost.

Large 1-inch sensor allows high ISO shooting without much noise; Fast f/1.8 aperture at 28mm end; Extremely fast AF; Incredibly sturdy and compact

No quick access to all settings; Telephoto aperture of f/4.9 is slow

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II is a premium compact camera aimed at the keen enthusiast photographer. The RX100 II offers an integrated 3.6x, 28-100mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens with a fast aperture of f/1.8 at the wide-angle setting, a new 20.2 megapixel 1.0-type Exmor back-illuminated...

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.

It's worth re-stating that this is the best

In the year since its release, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 has stood alone in the compact market as the only model with a 1-inch image sensor. The RX100 II ($749.99 direct) joins it; it's priced $100 higher, but offers some upgrades.

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

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. (4.5 out of 5) Editor's Choice Pros Excellent high ISO performance 1-inch image sensor Wide aperture lens Customizable controls Large,...

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

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