I quickly fell in love with the Sony RX1R II. It’s small, has a big heart, and can always be found by my side. What caught my eye with this camera was the gorgeous Zeiss Sonnar 35mm lens. I’ve always been partial to this focal length, having owned many varieties of it over the years, but this lens is even more special because it was designed solely for use in the full-frame RX1 series. This perfectly matched design ensures minimal size and maximum quality while still offering a fast f/2 aperture, and it means outstanding performance when paired with the phenomenal back-illuminated 42.4MP Exmor R sensor in the RX1R II.
Taking this camera out is like putting a mini a7R II in my pocket—extreme resolution, along with a very capable 399-point AF system, and the ability to hit an astounding ISO 102400, all in the palm of my hand. On top of this, the RX1R II offers something that no one else has: a variable optical low-pass filter. This isn’t all that is crammed into the impressively small body. There is also a pop-up electronic viewfinder that makes for more natural composition and an almost Leica-rangefinder feel. Add a thumb grip and you have a solid setup.
A camera is more than just image quality; it must feel good in the hand and have smooth operation and controls. The RX1R II manages to pull this off remarkably well. The lens sports a solidly clicked aperture ring and smooth focusing ring, while the rear and top of the camera offer plenty of customizable dials and buttons for very personal setups. Finally, there is a heft from the magnesium-alloy build that reassures you that it is a great camera, and it makes me happy every time I pick it up.
The “Things We Love” series articles are written by B&H Photo Video Pro Audio staff to talk about products and items that we love. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the writers and do not represent product endorsements from B&H Photo Video Pro Audio.
