The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II is a pocket-sized camera with a large 20 Megapixel sensor and a 3.6x Carl Zeiss zoom with a bright focal ratio. Announced in June 2013, it's an upgraded version of the original RX100 launched one year previously.

Big sensor; pocketable compact form; Articulated LCD screen; Built in Wifi with NFC; Excellent low light & high ISO performance; Focus peaking; Hotshoe supports external flash; EVF and mic; Optional remote cable

Weak stabilisation; Slow f4.9 maximum aperture at 100mm; Digital zoom can't be disabled for movies; Screen isn't touch-sensitive; No miniature effect mode for movies

Sony announced its Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II alongside the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R on 27 June this year. As the name makes clear, the RX100 II is an upgraded version of the original Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 that impressed us greatly when we tested it in AP 14 July 2012.

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

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

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.

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...

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