Sony introduces its new ultra-compact 4K camera

Sony Electronics Inc. has just announced its new compact camera, the DSC-RX0M2 (RX0 II).

The RX0 II measures only 59mm x 40.5mm x 35mm and weighs 132g. It is waterproof up to 10 meters deep, dustproof, shockproof up to 2 meters and crushproof up to 200 KG. It has an adjustable LCD screen that tilts up 180 degrees and down 90 degrees. It also has electronic stabilization in the body that helps to capture stable images. You can still use the original VCT-SGR1 shooting grip that acts as a mini handgrip/tripod with dedicated record and shutter buttons, along with a zoom switch.

The camera offers internal movie recording in 4K 30p, with full pixel readout and no pixel gaps to collect approximately 1.7 times the amount of data needed for 4K video. This is great news as the original RX0 was only capable of recording 4K externally. It can still be used with an external recorder, offering uncompressed 4K HDMI output with simultaneous proxy movie recording.

Inside, the RX0 II contains a 15.3-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and an advanced image processing engine, Bionz X, which offers enhanced color reproduction. The fixed wide-angle lens, Zeiss Tessar T 24mmiii F4.0, has a reduced minimum focusing distance of 20cm, making it ideal for selfies.

As for codecs and bit rates, the RX0 II can record up to 4K in XAVC S at up to 100 mb/s. However, each NP-BJ1 battery only records approximately 35 minutes, so it is necessary to add an external power supply or carry some spare batteries.

At $698, the RX0 II maintains the starting price of the first version and is still above the GoPro HERO 7 Black at $399.

The RX0 II is now available for a “pre-order” and is expected to begin shipping in May 2019.