STG News
Sony, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today announced another exciting model for their popular Cyber-shot RX100 series of compact cameras, the RX100 VI.
The innovative new RX100 VI camera is the first of all the RX100 models to include high magnification zoom through an impressive ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm F2.8 – F4.5 lens, without sacrificing the pocket-size portability, fast responsiveness and high image quality that has become the hallmark of the Sony RX100 lineup. Its extensive zoom, impressive image quality and versatility for both still images and video make it an ideal choice for capturing daily life, cityscapes, portraiture, sports, wildlife and everything in between.
The new model is equipped with a 20.1 MP 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip and an upgraded BIONZ X image processing system with a front-end LSI that maximizes processing speed and optimises image quality in all shooting environments. Additionally, the RX100 VI features an incredibly efficient Fast Hybrid AF system with 315-point phase-detection AF points on the sensor that can acquire focus in as little as 0.03 seconds, the world’s fastest AF acquisition time for 1.0-type sensor cameras. It can also shoot at up to 24 fps at full resolution with continuous AF / AE tracking and produces beautiful 4K video with full pixel readout and no pixel binning.
“There is a misconception that you can only take brilliant photos and videos with an Interchangeable Lens Camera (ILC) and lens. The RX100 VI allows you to capture every moment through the extensive reach of the 24-200mm zoom lens with advanced auto-focus and high-speed shooting, without compromising image quality” said Jun Yoon, Head of Digital Imaging for Sony Australia and New Zealand.
“Whilst there are many advantages to ILC technology, the RX100 VI delivers a super convenient alternative to carrying an ILC kit complete with both a 24-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lens, all in one compact body. Don’t miss that perfect smile; capture your child’s first moments; chronicle your travel adventures; and relive your family milestone events in stunning clarity, by having the RX100 VI as your everyday imaging companion”.
A first for the Sony RX100 series of cameras, the new ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm F2.8 – F4.5 lens packs the power of both 24-70mm and 70-200mm focal lengths into a singular compact design. This is achieved thanks to its unique design featuring two ED (extra-low dispersion) aspherical glass elements and eight aspherical lens elements including four AA (advanced aspherical) lenses. All pieces work together seamlessly to deliver outstanding sharpness from corner-to-corner at all focal lengths, maintaining the acclaimed image quality of the RX100 series.
The impressive new lens on the RX100 VI maintains a large aperture throughout the entire zoom range, ensuring portraits can be created with beautiful background defocus, fast moving subjects can be captured with crisp focus and no blurring, and much more. Additionally, the lens has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation that is equivalent to a 4.0-stop faster shutter speed, helping to prevent camera shake or blurry images even in a low-light condition or at telephoto zoom range.
The new RX100 VI model features a Fast Hybrid AF system that ultimately allows the camera to lock focus in as little as 0.03 seconds. This innovative AF system combines the respective advantages of 315-point focal-plane phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 65% of the sensor and contrast-detection AF. This high speed focusing complements the versatile 24-200mm range of the lens, ensuring all subjects can be captured with precise detail and clarity.
Additionally, in another first for the RX100 series of cameras, the RX100 VI includes Sony’s advanced High-density Tracking AF technology, which concentrates AF points around a subject to improve tracking and focus accuracy. The popular Eye AF technology is also available with approximately two times the tracking performance of the current RX100 series model. Further, the camera has LCD touch focusing and touchpad focus point control for users that would like to drag their fingers to their ideal focus points.
Complementary to its AF system, the RX100 VI offers continuous high-speed shooting at up to 24 fps with full AF / AE tracking, with an impressive buffer limit of up to 233 images. The display lag of the EVF has been substantially reduced compared to prior models, allowing shooters to capture that decisive moment with ultimate confidence. Also, for convenience during image playback, continuously shot images can be displayed in groups instead of individual shots.
The RX100 VI also has a high speed Anti-Distortion Shutter (maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32000 second) that reduces the “rolling shutter” effect commonly experienced with fast moving subjects, and can shoot completely silently in all modes, including continuous high speed shooting, when the electronic shutter is engaged. A mechanical shutter mode is also available as well, if required by the user.
The pocket-friendly RX100 VI is packed with a variety of video capabilities that will satisfy even the most demanding video enthusiasts.
With Fast Hybrid AF, the focal-plane phase-detection AF points ensures accurate focusing and tracking performance, even for the severe focusing requirements of 4K movie shooting. AF drive speed and AF tracking sensitivity can also be adjusted via the menu system, giving shooters plenty of flexibility based on their focusing preferences.
In 4K mode, the new RX100 VI utilises full pixel readout without pixel binning to ensure that all the finer details of 4K video are captured with minimal moiré and ‘jaggies’.
For the first time in a Cyber-shot camera, the RX100 VI features 4K HDR compatibility thanks to its new HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile that offers an instant HDR workflow solution. Additional professional-calibre video features include S-Log3 / S-Gamut3, 120p Full HD mode, Picture Profile, proxy recording and more. The RX100 VI is able to record super slow motion video at either 240fps, 480 fps or 960 fps.
The new RX100 VI is equipped with a high-contrast 2.35 million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder with ZEISS T Coating, ensuring true-to-life image preview and playback functionality. The EVF itself retracts in and out of the camera body based on user preference, and can be activated instantly by a single one-push access button.
A further first for Sony’s RX series, RX100 VI has a touch shutter that can be activated by tapping the back LCD screen, a zoom lever with customisable zoom speeds and an LCD that can be rotated 180 degrees upward or 90 degrees downward for a variety of shooting angles for the creator. There is also a Monitor Auto OFF function that boosts max number of still images by up to 30%, and the camera is also Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth compatible.
The new Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI compact camera will be available from late June 2018. Pricing is still to be confirmed.
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