Sony launches new high-end compact cameras
Models promote Sony’s new RX100 IV and RX10 II high-end cameras during a press conference at the Millennium Seoul Hilton hotel in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Wednesday. The Japanese electronics maker said the new cameras have faster image processing sensors, supporting 1/32,000 shutter speed and 16 burst shots per second. / Courtesy of Sony Korea
By Yoon Sung-won
Sony rolled out two new RX series high-end compact cameras with improved image processing and burst-shot functions in Seoul, Wednesday.
With the RX100 IV and RX10 II, the Japanese electronics maker wants to attract customers who take pictures with smartphones or heavier cameras with interchangeable lens.
“The sales of our RX series high-end compact cameras have expanded despite the market for compact cameras continuing to shrink,” Sony Korea’s digital imaging marketing team leader, Hong Su-jin, said during a press conference on Wednesday. “We believe the high-end compact camera segment still has potential.
“We are aiming at expanding our high-end camera market share to 65 percent in Korea this year. In addition, we will expand the market for high-end compact cameras by attracting more customers who used to use smartphones or lens-interchangeable cameras.”
Hong said the domestic market for compact cameras with non-interchangeable lens had fallen more than 20 percent in the past year, hit by decreased demand from customers who had turned to smartphone cameras. But Sony’s compact camera business had recorded 12 percent growth in the same period.
The company said the new high-end compact cameras had an improved “Exmor RS” image processing sensor. Unlike its predecessors, the new sensor has a DRAM chip and is capable of processing image data five times faster.
This allows the RX100 VI and RX10 II to support shutter speeds up to 1/32,000th of a second. In particular, the RX100 VI can take 16 pictures a second with its burst-shot mode. The auto-focusing functions of both models also have been enhanced to work within 0.09 seconds.
“The 1/32,000 shutter speed can seize moments that are so fast that even human eyes cannot see them,” a Sony official said. “The faster shutter speed will also enable users to tap into the F/1.8 aperture capacity to control focus depth more freely, even in very bright environments.”
Their video-recording functions are also improved to support expert-class 4K resolution as well as the ultra-high-speed cinematography technology that can produce 40 times slower videos.
RX100 IV has a 236-megapixel digital view finder, a 122-megapixel display and a German Carl Zeiss 24-70 mm zoom lens like its predecessor. The RX10 II has a Carl Zeiss 24-200 mm lens that supports an F/2.8 aperture in all focus ranges, the company said.
The company has started accepting orders for the RX100 IV, which will be available from next week. The RX10 II will be available in mid-July.
The RX100 IV and RX10 II are priced at 1.09 million won ($991.52) and 1.49 million won, respectively, in Korea.
“With the cutting-edge 4K video recording and improved image processing sensor technologies, the new RX series cameras will set a new standard for all high-end compact cameras to follow,” Sony Korea consumer product division President Lee In-shik said.