The first thing Sony did was to give the DSC-RX1R II an ultra-high-res, 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor capable of capturing exquisitely detailed images. With this much resolution, you can use the camera's digital zoom to get closer to your subjects and still have plenty of detail. Or you can seriously crop your shots after the fact and retain smooth grain-free image quality.

Then, they added the world's first variable optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter. This unique filter system lets you choose from three settings to control the level of detail reaching the sensor. Select "Off" to capture unfiltered light directly from the lens, so that even the finest details are sharply defined. Choose "Hi" to eliminate moiré and color artifacts that can occur when shooting certain woven fabrics or geometric architectural patterns like brickwork. Or use the "Standard" mode to strike an even balance between the other two settings.

If that wasn't enough, Sony has introduced an entirely new autofoucus system. It's 30% faster than its predecessor, with wider area coverage and greater accuracy for capturing precisely focused photos without missing a single moment. A built-in, pop-up OLED electronic viewfinder makes it easier to frame shots outdoors when the sun's at your back. The new 3" LCD screen tilts up or down for extended shooting flexibility from high and low angles. Plus, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC (Near Field Communication) allows easy pairing with a smartphone or tablet for remote control and easy file transfer.

Brilliant low-light performance

The RX1R II's fixed f/2 lens is bright enough for shooting in almost any lighting. So even when the lights are dimmed or the sun is setting, rest assured you'll still capture vivid portraits and stunning landscapes. The full-frame Exmor R® CMOS sensor offers incredible sensitivity for stellar performance in poorly lit settings, with selectable ISO from 100 to 25,600. The camera's exposure controls also include a manual ring to adjust the aperture's nine-blade iris to create smooth background defocus for outstanding portraits and close-up shots.

Manual and auto focus options

If you're preparing to shoot your child's birthday party, you'll no doubt be prepared for the big shots before they happen. The RX1R II's manual focus ring lets you dial in your daughter when she's ready to blow out the candles, with customizable focus assist peaking to highlight focused edges as you frame the shot. But sometimes you don't have time for total artistic control. That's when the RX1R II's high-speed auto focus serves you best, so you'll be ready for quick shooting when your son suddenly takes those first steps. You can even combine auto and manual focus, using auto mode to focus in on the subject before switching to the manual control ring for creative fine-tuning. Continuous autofocus can track moving subjects, perfect for firing off a burst of five frames per second at this powerful camera's full resolution.