Sony Launches 3 New 4K Flagship Cameras

2015.06.10

Today, Sony took the wraps of flagship cameras for 3 of their lines, all with new sensor designs allowing them to record 4K Ultra-HD video at up to 30 FPS.

The new top-of-the-line mirrorless is the Sony Alpha A7R II. It is built around a 42 megapixels full-frame CMOS sensor with 399 built-in Phase-Detect AF points and mounted on an improved 5-axis image-stabilization system. It adds 4K video to the already capable feature set of its predecessor, the A7R. The new sensor has a native ISO 100 to 25600 sensitivity range and is expandable to 50-102400 thanks to the world''s first full-frame backside illuminated (BSI) sensor.

The A7R II uses a mechanical shutter that reaches 1/8000s maximum and can sustain 5 FPS for 23 RAW files or 24 JPEG images. Bracketing has been extended to 9 frames and WB fine-tuning can be controlled in 29 steps along the B-Y axis or 57 along G-M. This mirrorless is compatible with full-frame E-mount lenses and also full-frame Alpha-mount lenses via an adapter while preserving AF.

The new Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10 II is their second-generation large-sensor bridge camera and it upgrades the built-in EVF to 2.4 megapixels, while keeping the same constant-aperture 24-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens. It introduces an all-new 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor which is stacked with memory for never-seen-before read-out speeds. Not only can it capture 4K video at 30 FPS, it can also record 1080p HD at 24 to 1000 FPS! Its hybrid shutter can reach speeds of 1/32000s and shoot continuously at 14 FPS.

The implementation on the RX100 II allows for an ISO 100-12800 sensitivity range, expandable to ISO 64. This camera uses Contrast-Detect AF at 25 areas. Its new 0.39" built-in EVF has 2.4 megapixels and an Eye-Start sensor.

A fourth RX100 makes its debut with the same 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor as the RX10 II which gives it the same 4K and ultra-high-speed video capabilities but starts at ISO 100, expandable to ISO 80 instead. It can also capture images at 1/32000s and even manages to reach 16 FPS at full-resolution. The new Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 IV offers the same ultra-bright and ultra-wide 24-70mm F/1.8-2.8 lens as its predecessor and a higher-resolution 2.4 MP popup EVF.

All three of these cameras are expected to ship next month. Follow the above links or click on the camera images to see pre-ordering options for each model. The A7R II is expected for $3200 USD, the RX10 II for $1300 USD and the RX100 IV for $950 USD.

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