I owed one. It intermittently vibrates and makes a buzzing noise when turned on. When this happens, I immediately turn it off and on again, usually this stops the vibration/hum. A search on the internet suggests that this is a problem for many Sony cameras, not just the rx-100 II.

Got mine brand new for a really nice price as shops are getting rid of the 'old' stock. How many times did the review mention "shooting experience"-? It made me giggle. Personally, I get my kicks from the stuff I see uploaded on the screen.
Well, to each and every one of the reasons for choosing a camera are personal. I was looking for something pocketable to produce 'acceptable' picture quality. (5D III gives me all the "shooting experience" I want and a discal hernia on the deal).

On the negative side: The box had a very cheap feel to it and the manual is of no help at all. does But there are Kindle version guides for sale on Amazon at 10 dollars. Money well spent. An extra battery and an external charger are still on my shopping list and a protective case.

If this thing lasts in outdoors use is a question to be answered. Then again, I can buy a new one for the price of repairing a Canon L lens....

I am going to get the RX100 II simply because I can attach a viewfinder, when needed. And I have found that a viewfinder is sometimes sorely needed with the RX100, even in only modestly bright conditions. Even when setting the RX100's LCD to Sunny Day mode, a viewfinder is needed. I find the RX100 LCD is just barely bright enough in sunny conditions.

The Olympus XZ-1's high-quality VF-2 optional viewfinder is not all that large and it rides around in a case that attaches to the neck strap. It's a little inconvenient, but it is absolutely great to have, when the need arises. But of course the XZ-1's IQ just doesn't match the RX100. I suppose that goes without saying.

I would like to see a small viewfinder built in to a future design of the RX100, much like the one built into the tiny Panasonic LF-1. That would be ideal. Even if it was sub-par, since it would only be used occasionally, as needed.

In test scene we can see right down corner of the picture completely unsharp and on the left side is much better.
It means poor quality.
Right mounted lens on camera should give the same sharpness in all 4 corners.

I just noticed that the RX100 II overestimates ISO to the point where - being iso the same - it shoots at half speed as the Fuji X20. You can download the night shots at iso 3200 for both and check yourself: Sony is 1/8 sec f5, Fuji 1/15 f4.5. Sony shot at iso 6400 brings it at 1/15 sec (f5). Even considering the tighter aperture, sony overestimates iso more than Fuji does (2/3 stops?). In real world, this would translate as shooting at lower iso with Fuji, being the desired speed and aperture the same.
It would be nice if dpReview made people notice in an OBVIOUS way on their comparison pages, that there is some iso overestimation going on for all cameras, and varying from model to model.

Hi Frank. I can answer your question regarding price of the RX100 Mark II.
The price of cameras are based on what they think you are prepared to pay and not cost of production. That is why manufacturers price cameras at a high price when introduced (to tempt the early adopters) and then a Dutch auction takes place over months where prices are reduced to tempt others.

thom hogan

http://www.gearophile.com/cameras/camera-reviews/sony-rx100-and-rx100ii.html

Final Words

If you're looking for the best image quality you can produce from a shirt pocket camera that has a great deal of flexibility, then buy the RX-100. Or the RX-100II if you think the tilt LCD, WiFi, or EVF option will be useful. I've been carrying this camera around the world with me for over two years now. It's never disappointed me for compact-type camera usage. Never. That's saying a lot.

From the review: "Overall, the RX100 II is virtually untouchable in its compact camera class".

And they still found it appropriate to give it a Silver Award? Pretty incredible really. I thought for sure when the RX100 II was reviewed, DPR would correct its earlier "Silver Award" slip up for the original RX100 by giving the II a much deserved highest rating.

The only other camera that I can remember that so obviously led its class in pretty much every area and still received "only" a Silver Award was the D7000. Not really a complaint as I don't own either camera just an observation.

I really like the fact that the hotshoe allows me to attach the small Sony bounce flash to the camera when taking photographs of friends in unlighted spaces. I am pleased I traded up from the RX 100. Of all my cameras this is the one I use the most because I always have it with me.

has anyone tested it's "dust gathering" capabilities? My original RX100 had a dusty sensor within a few days, maybe not at Nikon D600 level, but it was still annoying to shoot a blue sky at higher aperture and see blue blobs.

I have this camera. It's pretty terrific. My favorite feature is the articulating screen. Coupling this with its small size and non-threatening appearance makes it the perfect street camera. I typically hold it at chest or waist level and shoot it looking down at the screen. This makes me essentially invisible and able to get great shots. It's easy to get shots 90 degrees left or right of me by turning the camera, and even behind me by holding it to my side and turning it to face back.

My other cam is a Nikon D7000 with a nice array of lenses. Great, but definitely not able to get the same level of candid street shots because it gets noticed. If I had to keep only one? Don't ask! It's like asking me to choose which of my kids is my favorite.

Now than Oly has released its Stylus1, it is high time for Sony to respond by equipping RX100 with a built-in EVF (and possibly a slightly wider and/or longer zoom, as far as camera size does not exceed 400-450 grs.) !!
A viewfinder is vital for ... 'grown-up' travellers, finding it highly un-practical having to wear glasses each time they need to see details on a darned small screen in a sunny day.
Of course, RX100's sensor is much larger than Stylus1's. Nonetheless, a long-sighted person will rather sacrifice some IQ (and some high-ISO performance) than the possibility to SEE all camera info when shooting. As to external (add-on) VFs, they are not a viable option for a traveller's camera !
You, camera-makers! Can't you see that MOST travellers are aged over 45 ??

For those who's been following, I've updated my test on this camera http://www.squidoo.com/sony-dsc-rx100-ii-review

Gotta say, honestly I'm impressed at the results (again). :)

I hope sony update the firmware ans solve some of the issue, and can get higher point.
some of them can be improved by firmware update.
But I don't know if sony willing to do it or not.

For next year, I suggest sony to start the lens from 24mm. and also trying to have fast lens (on tele)

"the flash offers a working distance of 0.30 to 15 meters."

are you serious? Not even canon's top of the line external flash will do much at 15 meters (~50 feet)

These may be the specs but you guys should list real world numbers. I really don't think this flash would do much past 10 feet.

Am I the only one who finds a rear screen almost useless in bright outdoor light? If this camera or the Pana GM1 had a good EVF (and either a smaller screen or a little larger size to accommodate it) would not everyone who walks and shoots outside want one? I know I would. Who will be the first manufacturer to sell to every hiker on the planet?

Given the price of this camera (and its optional electronic viewfinder) it is a crime that Sony doesn't provide a printed real (vs. Quick Start) manual for the camera. There is also no CD with the manual or other software disc included with the camera. And, the Web-based version of the manual is a pain to read - it's all topline topics only and requires clicking to expand any given topic. There is just no facility for the speed and ease of flipping back and forth b/wn manual pages that there would be with a printed, with decent sized font (geared to the eyesight of middle-aged people who can afford the blankety blank camera) manual. For such a complex camera that is so feature rich, a printed manual is a must!

So, no gold eh? Oh well, still an awesome camera - one would hope the price might come down with only silver (haha). Anyway - I am not a pro, but I love taking pics... so, since I ended up not even using the Canon DSLR package I've got... I bought the RX100II AND the RX1R from here - best prices are constantly updated here (and the writer is cute), so I finally got the other one as well: http://www.squidoo.com/sony-dsc-rx100-ii-review) and sold my DSLR. For a lot of photographers, I don't think these Sony compacts can replace their set-ups, but for me, they do. And they do it well too.

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But do take a look at the tests that I had done using the RX100 II against 3 other mid to high end cameras - http://www.squidoo.com/sony-dsc-rx100-ii-review

You will be surprised why this camera is call a breakthrough product. :)