24 hours with the Sony RX10 II, a 4K-ready superzoom camera
The market for superzoom cameras is a niche one. But manufacturers continue to churn them out for people who want them, as small a group as this may be. And while Canon is designing models that can fit in your pocket, Sony’s latest high-end superzoom is a very different kind of device. The RX10 II has a big, DSLR-like body (similar to its predecessor), which it needs to accommodate that Zeiss 24-200mm (35mm equivalent, constant f/2.8) zoom lens. Coupled with this fixed glass is a 1-inch, 20.2-megapixel Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X image processor for fast and sharp shooting. Aside from being just a superzoom, though, the RX10 II is also being marketed as a premium video camera: It records 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at up to 30 fps and offers an insane slow-motion setting at 960 fps. After shooting with it for a day, I can say that everything comes together nicely — and you’d hope as much considering its $1,300 asking price.Slideshow-309970
The RX10 II has performed well so far, producing great photos and videos all around, although they’re not as impressive as those from the A7R II — which isn’t surprising given the different types of sensors used. Obviously, where this camera shines is when you’re trying to capture things from afar, and the built-in Zeiss 24-200mm lens doesn’t disappoint. A lot of that is thanks to the constant f/2.8, of course, giving you one less thing to worry about when zooming in and out of distant subjects. There’s also a manual aperture ring that gives the camera a more “pro” feel, if you’re into that sort of thing. Since I’ve only had the RX10 II for about 24 hours, I’m going to hold back on a final verdict until later. For now, check out this album of sample images taken with Sony’s new superzoom shooter.
To view full-resolution sample images shot with the Sony RX10 II, click here.
Filed under:
Cameras, Misc, Sony
Tags: 4K, hands-on, RX10 II, RX10II, Sony, Sony RX10 II, SonyRX10II, superzoom
Ultra HD Blu-ray will have 4K discs here in time for the holidays
After locking down a name, logo and spec, the Blu-ray Disc Association has announced it’s just about ready to start licensing the Ultra HD Blu-ray technology. The group anticipates we’ll hear about products for the 2015 holiday season (and naturally is revealing this right after Western Digital’s 4K movie ready hard drive appeared). Coming around just about nine years after the first Blu-ray players arrived, this upgrade is about more than just high-res 4K (3,840 x 2,160) video — it also includes support for high dynamic range (HDR), high framerate (HFR) and a “digital bridge” feature that should give viewers more ways to store and play their movies, even while keeping the disc on the shelf.
In a talk recently posted on The Digital Bits, BDA exec Victor Matsuda talked a bit about the digital bridge, explaining that it allows for two features on movies: copy or export. With copy, an exact replica of the movie from the disc can be stored on an “authorized” media drive, while export pushes over a lower quality version, intended for mobile devices. The exact implementation of these features will be up to device makers, so we’ll have to wait and see how they work out in practice, but hopefully they’ll be simpler than the redemption code/account creation slog that we’ve experienced with digital copies through iTunes, Ultraviolet and Disney Movies Anywhere.
As far as HDR and HFR, there are a few answers there also. According to Matsuda, every Ultra HD Blu-ray disc will support a standard form of HDR (SMPTE ST2084), which should allow for better colors, more contrast, etc. They can also support two proprietary standards pushed by Dolby and Philips, so it will be interesting to see how well each works with UHD TVs from manufacturers that have chosen to implement various forms of the tech. As far as high frame rate, Ultra HD Blu-ray can do up to 60fps, which should make things interesting, but as Bill Hunt learned in the interview, it does not have a standard for using HFR, HDR, 3D and 4K all at once. While that could end up disappointing James Cameron — depending on what he has planned for the Avatar sequels — we hope there’s enough room for the next gen of Blu-ray to be a worthy follow-up.
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung, Sony
Tags: 4K, Blu-ray, DigitalBridge, hdpostcross, HDR, HFR, samsung, sony, UltraHD, UltraHDBlu-ray
The Sony Xperia C5 Ultra will launch in Hong Kong on August 14 for HK$3,298
Earlier today, Sony’s latest smartphone, the Xperia C5 Ultra, popped up in a leaked listing on a Hong Kong-based retailer’s website imparting at last the cost of the handset.
The dual-SIM variant is set to launch in the region on Friday, August 14, with a HK$3,298 ($425) price tag. It will be available in a selection of colors, including black, white, blue and red.
The full spec list of the Xperia C5 Ultra can be seen below:
- 6-inch Full HD display
- 1.7GHZ MediaTek MT6752 octa-core processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB of expandable flash memory
- 13-megapixel front- and rear-facing camera
- 2,930mAh non-removable battery
So now we have some solid information with regards to pricing of the C5 Ultra, will you be picking one up when it launches in your country? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Come comment on this article: The Sony Xperia C5 Ultra will launch in Hong Kong on August 14 for HK$3,298
A new photo emerges of the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact getting cosy
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The other day, we allegedly got our first look at the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact in the flesh – notably, they were supposedly showing off fingerprint scanning functionality. It seems the floodgates have started to open as another photo of the unannounced pair from Sony has emerged, showing the two devices stacked on top of each other. You’ll immediately notice that the Z5 Compact, the device on the top, is quite a lot thicker than the Xperia Z5, bottom – as many of you will know, the Compact range is well known to not compromise on flagship level hardware specifications despite its size, so it’s no surprise that it is a little thicker to house the same hardare.
Sony Z(TBC) and Compact #Z5 pic.twitter.com/j04UcGQNmk
— ViziLeaks (@vizileaks) August 5, 2015
What is also noticeable is the new power button on the side of the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact – unlike previous Xperias, it looks like Sony have ditched the traditionally circular power button in favour of an elongated one. Both devices are rumoured to have a Snapdragon 810 processor inside, and the Xperia Z5 in particular is expected to grow to 5.5-inches, as opposed to the normal 5.2-inches. Sony should be announcing these two devices at IFA 2015 early next month, but we’ll probably be seeing more of the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact before then anyway.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter via Phone Arena
The post A new photo emerges of the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact getting cosy appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
New images leak of the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact
We’ve known for a while now that Sony is gearing up to refresh its Xperia Z lineup later this year and today brings the second batch of credible images with what the Chinese company may have in store for us.
Using the same strategy as last year, the manufacturer is believed to be launching a couple of devices — one flagship and one ‘Compact’ version. This time we’re looking at the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact.
As can be seen in the image below, both devices appear to feature an identical design; the only difference being that the latter is slightly smaller than the former, and its internals are expected to be significantly less powerful, too.
One thing that’s attracting a lot of attention on both these devices are their power buttons. They don’t follow the same spherical design Sony went with in earlier iterations of the Xperia Z series, which leads many to believe that they actually double as a fingerprint sensor, although there’s no way of knowing if that’s actually the case.
Unfortunately, as with all leaks and rumors, we have to take these images with a pinch of salt until Sony provides us with some evidence with regards to what it has up its sleeve for its next flagship smartphone, but thankfully we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out as IFA is just around the corner.
Source: ViziLeaks (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: New images leak of the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact
Sony starts pushing out update for the Xperia M4 Aqua in Asia and Europe to fix overheating issues
Sony is currently rolling out an update for the dual-SIM variant of the Xperia M4 Aqua in Asia and Europe to fix the heating issues that some users have been experiencing. This bumps the build number up to 26.1.B.2.102 and comes a couple of weeks after the company acknowledged that the integrated Snapdragon 615 chipset was the reason for the devices overheating problem.
As is the norm, this upgrade is being distributed in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually. To do so simply open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Once done, the upgrade will start downloading from Sony’s servers.
Come comment on this article: Sony starts pushing out update for the Xperia M4 Aqua in Asia and Europe to fix overheating issues
Sony’s RX100 IV is still the point-and-shoot to beat
Does the world need another point-and-shoot camera? Sony seems to think so. Despite an influx of smartphones that have put sophisticated imaging features in people’s pockets, the company is still keen on improving its flagship compact shooter, the RX100. The latest model, introduced last month, looks to match the accomplishments of those that came before it: being the best point-and-shoot on the market. This time around, though, Sony’s RX100 IV comes with a higher price tag: It’s now $950, up from $800 on the last-gen model. But you get what you pay for, meaning a mix of top-of-the-line specs with a slim body that can fit in even the skinniest of jeans.Slideshow-308840
The RX100 IV packs a 20.1-megapixel, 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor alongside a BIONZ X image processor and Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm (f/1.8-2.8) wide-angle lens. You’ll also find a 3-inch, high-resolution tilting LCD and an itty-bitty OLED electronic viewfinder that pops up and slides out whenever you need it. Keep in mind that’s all wrapped in a package weighing a mere 10.5 ounces, or roughly 300 grams. That said, the most notable highlights are these: Sony’s new camera now shoots 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at 30, 25 and 24 fps (albeit with a five-minute limit), while frames-per-second rates of up to 1,000 will let you record super-slow-motion videos. Rounding things up are a max ISO range of 25,600, shutter speeds as quick as 1/32,000th of a second and a 16 fps continuous shooting mode.
Yes, the specs look fantastic, but how does this fare in everyday use? As you would expect, the RX100 IV performs like a champ. The pictures and videos it captures are sharp and vivid, without ever seeming over-processed or compressed. Naturally, the best things about the device are its small form factor and ergonomics; there’s not another similar-sized camera that can match the RX100 IV’s image quality or that includes features like a tiny EVF. For a point-and-shoot, it handles low-light situations well too, though that’s not to say it doesn’t struggle now and then. If you push it to its limits during night shoots, you’ll start noticing some of the usual grain, pixelation and blurriness, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, I was impressed with how the RX100 IV was able to match cameras with bigger sensors — even Micro Four Thirds models from Panasonic and Olympus.
Since it is a point-and-shoot after all, I also wanted to test the RX100 IV in full-auto mode, and I can’t complain about the results. I wanted to take it out of my back pocket and, with one hand, turn it on, aim at the subject, focus and then hit the shutter. It’s not the most scientific of tests, but nine out of 10 shots came out looking good enough that I would feel comfortable sharing them and, you know, not deleting them instantly. The same goes for videos, which is one of the reasons this camera’s become so popular among YouTubers. It’s the perfect capture device for “vlogging” (ugh), especially now that it does both 4K and slow-motion videos. And that right there is who this pocket-sized shooter is geared toward: people who need something portable that’s still capable of producing high-quality content.
Sony’s RX100 has been the point-and-shoot to beat since it was first introduced in 2012. The fourth-generation model builds upon that success and tops everything its predecessors have offered. Sure, it’s more expensive than ever, but $950 is a fair price to pay to feel safe leaving your heavy full-frame camera behind on a trip or two.Slideshow-308841
To view full-resolution sample images shot with the Sony RX100 IV, click here.
Filed under:
Cameras, Misc, Sony
Tags: engadgetirl, hands-on, irl, RX100, RX100 IV, RX100IV, Sony, Sony RX100, Sony RX100 IV, SonyRX100, SonyRX100IV
Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact spotted in leaked image
Whilst the Sony Xperia Z4 wasn’t the upgrade many wanted from the Xperia Z3, the Z5 may be a different story all together. Perhaps Sony knew the Z4 was’t the upgrade everyone wanted since it never made it out of their home country, but new leaks could show what the Xperia Z5 has in store.
Coming courtesy of @vizileaks, the leaks show three devices – an iPhone 5S wedged between what are referred to as the “Sony Xperia Z(TBC) and Compact” to give an indication of the size. Sure, the number preceding the ‘Z’ isn’t guaranteed, but it’s more than likely going to be 5.
Other than the picture, the leak didn’t reveal too much else in the way of specifications but as far as exterior design goes, the Xperia Z5 seems to follow the same design that we’ve become accustom to with the Xperia range. The power button does appear to have been elongated and this could be to facilitate the fingerprint reader the graphic on the display clearly suggests the device is capable of.
Sony’s IFA press conference is scheduled to take place on September 2, 2015, so it could be a perfect opportunity for the devices to launch.
The post Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact spotted in leaked image appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Video: Xperia Z4 Tablet sports Qualcomm tech for a more responsive wet display
Water resistant smartphones are pretty neat, especially if you are a little accident prone like myself. However, it is still rather frustrating when a little splash brings your phone’s touchscreen to its knees. Sony is pretty keen on waterproofing its devices and its latest Xperia Z4 Tablet makes use of Qualcomm’s improveTouch technology for a more responsive screen when wet.
Qualcomm is a little shy about telling us exactly how it works, but improveTouch is apparently an algorithm based solution that uses the tablet’s processor to establish a difference between actual finger touches and traces of water on the display.
Qualcomm calls this “advanced water rejection”, which aims to eliminate false touches from water, thereby improving the accuracy of your actual gestures on a wet display. It works with multi-touch too, so pinch and swipe gestures continue to register pretty well. The video below shows us the tech in action.
In typical Qualcomm fashion, the company has integrated this technology into its Snapdragon line-up of processors, meaning that a smartphone or tablet manufacturer doesn’t have to purchase and implement an additional microcontroller to oversee this type of touch control.
The Xperia Z4 Tablet makes use of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 SoC, which suggests that other devices could also implement this improveTouch technology, presumably providing that the display hardware is also compatible.
Pretty cool right? Is water resistance still high on your list of priority smartphone features?
Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact show up in leaked image, fingerprint reader on board
The Sony Xperia Z4 proved to be nothing more than a minimal upgrade over the Z3, which is something that caused an uproar among fans. The Japanese manufacturer sure had its reasons for doing this, though, and that is why the phone was never released outside the company’s home country. Now it’s time for the rest of us to see a new Xperia phone hit the market – what will it be like? Today we may be getting our first glance at the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact.
The image below comes from @vizileaks and displays a trio of devices. The middle one is only included for size reference; as you can assume, it’s the iPhone 6. Now, the other two are said to be the next-generation Sony Xperia Z series handsets. The leakster labels them as the “Sony Xperia Z(TBC) and Compact”. The number is “to be confirmed”, but we have seen advertising show the number “5” recently. Regardless of the moniker, these should be the phones we see next, and that is the big deal here.
Sadly, this leak didn’t reveal too much about the new smartphones, other than some obvious design elements. It seems the power button has been elongated (we have seen this in previous rumors), as opposed to keeping that round shape we have become so used to. The right side also houses the volume rocker and dedicated camera button, which is the same layout we have seen in previous iterations.
The only main improvement we can get from this photo is the addition of a fingerprint reader. We can’t exactly see where the reader is located, but the image shown in the Compact seems to indicate it’s in the power button. Regardless, the functionality is there.
This leak comes in only about a month before Sony’s IFA press conference, which is scheduled to take place on September 2nd. We can’t really say the phones will be launched then, but it would be a great time for Sony to introduce its new flagship smartphones (this time for real). Sony is forecasting a 7.1% drop in mobile sales this year, compared to 2014. Something’s gotta give, and now that most 2015 flagships are out, Sony has an idea of how the market is going and could leverage from that knowledge.
Let’s keep it tuned to more rumor and leaks to come, guys. We are sure these will be showing up. In the meantime, hit the comments and let us know what you would like to see in the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact (or whatever they may be called).
Hot Sony videos!
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AIVAnet 