Sony Cybershot Camera RX100 II Review with Test Photos & Video

This is a real world review based on how most people will use this camera. I used this camera in Manual Mode, Scene Mode, Full Auto, Program Mode. I didn't have the manual I just started shooting. The menu system is outrageous. It's basically got photoshop built in. 

A friend at work just bought the Sony RX100 II and was nice enough to let me borrow it for a few days. I will say right off the bat, this is the best point & shoot camera I have ever used. If I put up shots from the Sony RX100 II and a Nikon D700 most people wouldn't be able to tell what camera took which picture, and the prints are amazing as well. 

* On a side note, I was surprised at how long the battery lasted on this camera using the flash all the time. Usually, you take one shot with the flash and your battery indicator reduces by one bar. I think I took 20 something photos with the flash before the battery started going down.

I am going to put the original photo next to a photo edited in photoshop using Nik Photo Plugins to see how well the image holds up to editing. I will put a link to the original file so you can download, edit, and see for yourself.

Let's look at some sample images. All shot JPEG Finest quality. All shot hand held.

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How this photo was shot: I was standing about 3 feet away give or take. no zoom

Manual Mode
ISO 100
1/50 sec
f 1.8
Flash Used
WB auto

willy.zip
File Size:	6351 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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How this photo was shot: I was sitting about 1 foot away give or take. Window behind me No editing B&W Feature in camera. no zoom

Program Mode
ISO 500
1/100 sec
f 1.8
No Flash
WB auto

kbandw.zip
File Size:	8809 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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How this photo was shot:  No editing Illustration mode in camera, avail. light from TV

Program Mode
ISO 1600
1/25 sec
f 1.8
No Flash
WB auto

illustration.zip
File Size:	4360 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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How this photo was shot:  Edit in photoshop using Nik

Program Mode
ISO 1600
No Flash
WB auto

1600_iso_1.zip
File Size:	4111 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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1600_iso_2.zip
File Size:	4172 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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Here is a point and shoot comparison: (left) Shot with Sony 1600 ISO (right) Shot with Canon SX230 HS 1600 ISO

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How this photo was shot: Shot around 1:30pm direct sunlight Edit in photoshop using Nik

Scene Mode - Macro
ISO 160
1/800 sec
f 6.3
No Flash
WB auto

flower.zip
File Size:	4942 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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Below were all shot outside in mid day sun. 

bee.zip
File Size:	5199 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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rail.zip
File Size:	3410 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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crack.zip
File Size:	6284 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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trees.zip
File Size:	5639 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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I took these photos of prints 8.5x11 with my crappy cell phone camera. The prints look amazing. The photo of the kids is printed from the 1600 ISO file. I wanted to see how bad the noise was. It looks pretty nice. The flower look amazing. You could sell it as a fine art print.

Some 24p footage. I don't think you can manually control the video while shooting or before shooting. I don't have the manual but I'm pretty sure its 100% auto.

Hope this post helps in your decision on buying this camera. 

Brett