Sony RX10 II review

Sony's high-end bridge camera gets a refresh

Sony RX10 II

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We've carried out our full range of lab tests on the Sony RX10 II, but we've also pitted it against three key rivals so that you can see how it compares. We've included the Canon G3 X, which also has a 1-inch sensor but a longer zoom range, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 – another bridge camera with a 1-inch sensor. For comparison, our third rival is the Nikon P900, which is a more typical bridge camera, featuring a huge zoom range but a small sensor.

We've carried out lab tests on the Sony RX10 II across its full ISO range for resolution, noise (including signal to noise ratio) and dynamic range. We test the JPEGs shot by the camera, but we also check the performance with raw files. Most enthusiasts and pros prefer to shoot raw, and the results can often be quite different.

Sony RX10 II resolution charts

We test camera resolution using an industry-standard ISO test chart that allows precise visual comparisons. This gives us numerical values for resolution in line widths/picture height, and you can see how the Sony RX10 II compares with its rivals in the charts below.

Sony RX10 II review

JPEG resolution analysis: The RX10 II comes out at the top of the group for resolution, closely matched by the camera most would consider its main rival, the Panasonic FZ1000. The Canon G3 X lags slightly behind, particularly at higher ISO settings, while the Nikon P900 has the lowest resolution figures of all – exactly what we would expect from a small-sensor bridge camera.

Sony RX10 II review

Raw (converted to TIFF) resolution analysis: Again, the RX10 II delivers the sharpest results, though the Panasonic and Canon match it pretty closely at low-to-medium ISO settings. The Nikon P900 doesn't figure in our raw test charts, as it doesn't offer raw format shooting.

Sample resolution charts

This is the chart we use for testing camera resolution. The key area is just to the right of centre, where a series of converging lines indicates the point at which the camera can no longer resolve them individually. We shoot this chart at all of the camera's ISO settings, and here are two samples at ISO 200 and ISO 6400.

Sony RX10 II review

ISO 200: Click here for a full-size version.

Sony RX10 II review

ISO 6400: Click here for a full-size version.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.