Sony RX0

Manufacturer: Sony
Type: camera (ultra-compact / action cam)
Sensor: 1-inch stacked 15.3MP Exmor RS CMOS
Processor: BIONZ X
Lens: ZEISS Tessar T* 24mm f/4 fixed wide-angle
Resolution: 15.3MP (effective)
ISO range: 80—12800
Shutter speed: 1/4 — 1/32,000 second (Anti-Distortion Shutter)
Burst rate: Up to 16 fps (Speed Priority Continuous, focus/exposure fixed at first frame)
Still formats: RAW + JPEG
Video (internal): XAVC S or AVCHD, HD resolution; super slow motion up to 960 fps (1000 fps PAL)
Video (external): Clean 4K output via HDMI to external recorder
Waterproof: 10m (33 ft) without housing
Shockproof: 2m (6.5 ft) drop
Crushproof: 200 kg (440 lb / 2000N)
Year introduced: 2017
Price at launch: $700 USD / $900 CAD
Dimensions: 59mm x 40.5mm x 29.8mm (W x D x H)
Weight: 110g (3.9 oz)

Overview

The Sony RX0 (model DSC-RX0) was announced at IFA Berlin on August 31, 2017, representing a new category of camera that combined the image quality of Sony’s RX compact line with an ultra-compact, ruggedized body. Sony described it as designed “to facilitate creative expression beyond current limitations,” equally adept at still photography and video, whether used standalone or as part of a multi-camera setup (^[1]).

At its core was a 1.0-type stacked 15.3-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS image sensor paired with a BIONZ X processor and a fixed ZEISS Tessar T* 24mm f/4 wide-angle lens. Despite measuring just 59mm x 40.5mm x 29.8mm and weighing only 110g, the camera was waterproof to 10m (33 ft), shockproof from drops of up to 2m (6.5 ft), and crushproof to 200kg (440 lb / 2000N). The camera shipped from October 2017 at approximately $700 in the USA (^[2]).

Photography Capabilities

The RX0 featured an Anti-Distortion Shutter capable of speeds up to 1/32,000 second, with burst shooting at up to 16 fps in Speed Priority Continuous mode (focus and exposure fixed at the first frame). It supported both RAW and JPEG still formats, and the wide-angle ZEISS lens delivered less distortion than typical action cameras. The ISO range was selectable from 80 to 12800 (^[3]).

Video Capabilities

On the video front, the RX0 offered internal recording in XAVC S or AVCHD format at HD resolution, super slow motion capture at up to 960 fps (1000 fps in PAL regions), and clean 4K output via HDMI to an external recorder. Professional features included Picture Profile support with S-Log2 gamma, Time Code / User Bit functions for multi-camera shoots, MF assist and Peaking for critical focus adjustment, and Preset Focus options (^[4]). The lack of internal 4K recording was noted as a significant limitation by the underwater video community — forum user thani commented “It appears that it only records FHD internally. I will pass this one. May be next version or another cam that does good quality 4k internally” (^[5]).

Multi-Camera System

A defining feature of the RX0 was its multi-camera linking capability, designed for bullet-time, time-slice, and other multi-angle productions. Sony’s wireless radio commander (FA-WRC1M) could trigger up to 15 RX0 units simultaneously, the PlayMemories Mobile app allowed wireless connection of up to 5 units, and the Camera Control Box (CCB-WD1) enabled wired linking of up to 100 cameras. Sony planned additional wireless multi-camera firmware for January 2018. Forum member evilotter observed that this clearly targeted “the action sports market to showcase rad moves in excruciating detail with super slomo, bullet-time and time-slice effects,” while noting that “the cost will be prohibitive for enthusiasts” since multi-camera setups would require many $700 units (^[6]; ^[7]).

Accessories

Sony offered a range of accessories at launch: the VCT-CGR1 Cage for increased system flexibility, the CPT-R1 Cable Protector, the VF-SPR1 Spare Lens Protector, the VFA-305R1 Filter Adaptor Kit (including filter adaptor, lens hood, and MC protector), the NP-BJ1 Rechargeable Battery Pack, and the ACC-TRDCJ Accessory Kit (^[8]).

Underwater Use and Community Reception

Underwater Potential

For underwater use, Sony offered the MPK-HSR1 housing extending the depth rating to 100m (330 ft), with a 55mm filter thread for accessory lenses. The camera’s 1-inch sensor delivered significantly better image quality than GoPro-class action cameras, while its fixed 24mm wide-angle lens and compact form factor made it suitable for mounting in tight spaces or as part of multi-camera arrays (^[9]).

Sony commissioned filmmaker Jeff Berlin, a Sony Artisan, to shoot “ETHER,” an underwater short film in Hawaii shot entirely on the RX0, demonstrating the camera’s underwater capabilities. The film was published on Sony’s Alpha Universe platform in February 2018, accompanied by a behind-the-scenes look at the production (^[10]).

Community Discussion

The Wetpixel community discussed the RX0 extensively in the forums. Forum member gobiodon (Marcell) initiated discussion immediately after the announcement, arguing “it shouldn’t be treated as an action cam” because “due to the large sensor size and a non-fisheye lens it might be a great alternative small camera with a professional output.” He highlighted potential uses as a pole cam and for multi-camera 3D systems, and noted that macro filters could be added to the 24mm lens (^[11]).

Community member kc_moses saw it as “a good B-Cam camera that one can just mount on housing cold shoe and shoot away,” expecting it to infinity-focus for opportunistic recording. However, he questioned whether the $700 price included the deep housing. Forum member thani agreed the 24mm focal length could add value as a B-cam angle between macro and ultra-wide setups, but emphasized that matching color to the A-cam would be critical (^[12]).

Skeptics noted that the 24mm field of view was “really too narrow” compared to action cams, and that the camera was a “very specific tool.” The $700 price point was repeatedly cited as steep, with gobiodon noting that “for an amateur, like me, the Sealife DC2000 would be a better option.” Other community members discussed the lack of custom white balance, which could be problematic for underwater color correction (^[13]).

Evilotter provided a nuanced analysis, noting that the RX0’s primary features — high-quality FHD at up to 960 fps with multi-camera control — targeted action sports. He argued there was no “good value proposition for a single RX0 unit versus a GoPro or compact,” calling it a “pro level action camera” where the real value was in multi-unit setups. On the 4K debate, he predicted “widespread adoption” was imminent and noted the FHD-only internal recording was likely to limit file size in super slow motion modes (^[14]).

The discussion also referenced Laurent Ballesta’s Gombessa expedition, which had used multiple GoPro cameras on a DIY semicircular pod to create bullet-time effects underwater — exactly the type of application the RX0’s multi-camera system was designed for. Forum members noted that the RX0’s wireless connectivity would not work underwater, limiting multi-camera setups to wired configurations for diving (^[15]).

VR/360 Applications

At ADEX 2018, Wetpixel member David Cheung of Scubacam demonstrated a homemade VR360 housing made for GoPros, with plans to adapt it for the Sony RX0. Drew Wong reported that the rendering time for stitching 6 camera feeds together was “dauntingly long,” and noted that Eric Cheng had blogged about the computing power needed for VR360 work (^[16]).

Field Use by Inon

Adam Hanlon used the RX0 during a January 2019 diving trip with Inon’s Takuya Torii at Capernwray Diving in northern England. They used the RX0 with Inon lights as part of a test setup alongside the Panasonic GX9 in an Inon housing, diving in 5 degrees C (41 degrees F) water with drysuits (^[17]).

Housing & Accessory Ecosystem

Sony MPK-HSR1

Sony’s own underwater housing for the original RX0 extended the depth rating to 100m (330 ft). It featured a 55mm (M55) filter thread for attaching accessory lenses directly. The housing was shown at ADEX 2018 by Inon, who displayed it wearing the UWL-100 28M55 wide conversion lens atop a prototype underwater tripod (^[18]; ^[19]).

Inon Conversion Lenses

Inon shipped two conversion lenses for the RX0 in the MPK-HSR1 housing on February 3, 2018 (first announced at DEMA 2017):

• UWL-100 28M55 Wide Conversion Lens: Expanded the field of view to 100 degrees underwater. Dramatically shortened the minimum focusing distance to 118mm (4.6 in), enabling close-focus wide-angle (CFWA) photography — a significant capability given the RX0’s relatively long 50cm minimum focus distance on land (extended to approximately 65cm underwater due to refraction). The lens was 4 groups / 4 elements, made of optical glass with anti-reflection coating, depth rated to 60m, and weighed 386g in air / 222g underwater. It attached directly via the housing’s M55 thread with no adapter needed. The compatible Lens Hood II for UWL-100 28AD could block flare and ghost from light outside the coverage area (^[20]).

• UCL-G165 M55 Underwater Wide Close-up Lens: A “wide close-up lens” designed specifically to address the pincushion distortion (concave center) that the RX0’s 24mm fixed lens produced underwater with standard close-up lenses. The UCL-G165 suppressed this aberration while achieving a minimum focusing distance of 96mm (3.8 in). It was 2 groups / 2 elements construction, depth rated to 60m, and weighed 217g in air / 135g underwater. Designed for underwater use only (vignetting visible on land) (^[21]).

Both lenses were M55 screw mount versions of Inon’s existing bayonet-mount lenses (UWL-100 28AD and UCL-G165 SD). Sample underwater images were shot by T. Aihara of HAMAYUU Marine Service at Osezaki, Shizuoka, Japan, showing yellow goosefish and longnose hawkfish (^[22]).

Inon also offered system accessories for the RX0 setup including LED focus lights (LF3100-EW), grip bases, single light holders, direct arm sets, clamps, and Z adapters, allowing fully rigged underwater configurations (^[23]).

Recsea WHS-RX0II (for RX0 II)

Recsea announced their aluminum housing for the RX0 II in June 2019. The WHS-RX0II was CNC precision-machined from corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy with anodized finish. The depth rating was listed as 150m (492 ft) in the article description, though the specifications section listed a MOD of 300m (984 ft). It used Recsea’s original Secure-Latch locking system for easy opening and closing. Dimensions were 90.6mm x 62mm x 61.15mm, weighing approximately 282g on land or 163g in freshwater with camera. Lens and LCD windows were hard coat acrylic; buttons were POM/PC; screws, springs, and shafts were stainless steel. The housing included a wrist strap, reserve O-ring, O-ring removal pick, and grease. Recsea offered a two-year warranty for general users (six months for commercial/industrial). A range of Recsea accessories was available including M52 port rings, close-up lenses, macro flip diopter sets, M67 mount adapters, ball joint bases, grip and tray assemblies (^[24]).

Sony RX0 II (DSC-RX0M2)

Sony announced the RX0 II on March 25, 2019. Billed as the “world’s smallest and lightest premium compact camera” with a 1.0-type sensor and tiltable monitor, the RX0 II addressed the most significant criticisms of the original with several key upgrades (^[25]):

Internal 4K Recording

The headline upgrade was internal 4K 30p movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, collecting approximately 1.7x the data required for 4K video. By oversampling, moire and jaggies were reduced for smooth, high-quality footage. This directly addressed the community’s most-cited limitation of the original RX0 (^[26]).

Tiltable LCD Screen

A 180-degree tiltable LCD panel (up 180 degrees, down 90 degrees) that worked underwater, making the camera suitable for vlogging and selfie shooting. The waterproof, shockproof, and crushproof ratings applied when the LCD was retracted (^[27]).

Image Stabilization

In-body electronic image stabilization for video (not available on the original), which could be further enhanced via Sony’s “Movie Edit add-on” mobile app for gimbal-like smoothness in post. A new Intelligent Framing feature kept the selected subject centered with distortion correction (^[28]).

Other Upgrades

• Enhanced color reproduction with improved skin tones and optional Soft Skin Effect
• Upgraded Eye AF with improved speed, accuracy, and operation (activated by half-press of shutter)
• Shortened minimum focusing distance of 20cm (from 50cm on the original)
• Microphone jack for audio input
• Interval shooting for time-lapse creation
• Simultaneous proxy movie recording
• Maintained same ruggedness: waterproof to 10m, shockproof from 2m, crushproof to 200kg
• Slightly larger body: 59mm x 40.5mm x 35mm, 132g
• Same $700 USD / $900 CAD price point
• Shipped April 2019

Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Services Americas at Sony Electronics, stated: “By adding a 4K internal recording, 180 degree LCD and upgrading many of the still image capabilities on the new RX0 II, we have further built upon this concept, allowing many new and different types of creators — ranging from travel photographers to vloggers — to realize the benefits of such a unique, versatile form factor” (^[29]).

Multi-Camera System (RX0 II)

The RX0 II maintained multi-camera capability: up to 5 units wirelessly via Imaging Edge Mobile, 5-50 via access point (scheduled Summer 2019), and up to 100 wired via the CCB-WD1 Camera Control Box. Note that original RX0 and RX0 II models could not be mixed in radio-controlled setups (^[30]).

Sony RX0 Video Contest

In February 2018, Sony Europe announced a video competition for aspiring or established filmmakers. Successful applicants would be loaned RX0 cameras to create video entries. Pitches had to be submitted by April 30, 2018, with final video entries due by May 31, 2018 (^[31]).

Market Position

The RX0 occupied a unique niche in the underwater camera market. Its 1-inch sensor was dramatically larger than the small sensors in GoPro and similar action cameras, delivering superior image quality, while its non-fisheye 24mm lens produced less distortion. However, at $700 it was significantly more expensive than consumer action cameras, and its narrower field of view and lack of internal 4K (in the original model) limited its appeal as a primary underwater camera.

The community generally positioned it as a professional B-camera or specialty tool rather than a GoPro competitor. Forum member barmaglot categorized it alongside Sony’s other 1-inch sensor cameras (RX10, RX100 series) in terms of sensor class, distinguishing it from GoPro-type devices (^[32]; ^[33]).

Timeline

• 2017-08-31: Sony unveils the RX0 at IFA Berlin, priced at $700 USD (^[34])
• 2017-09-01: Forum discussion begins on Wetpixel; community debates the RX0’s potential as an underwater B-camera vs. action cam (^[35])
• 2017-10: RX0 begins shipping
• 2018-02-01: Sony Europe announces RX0 video contest for filmmakers (^[36])
• 2018-02-03: Inon ships UWL-100 28M55 wide conversion lens and UCL-G165 M55 wide close-up lens for RX0 in MPK-HSR1 housing (^[37])
• 2018-02-27: Sony publishes “ETHER,” an underwater short film by Jeff Berlin shot entirely on RX0 (^[38])
• 2018-04: At ADEX 2018, Drew Wong reports Inon showing the MPK-HSR1 with UWL-100 28M55 lens on prototype tripod; Scubacam demonstrates VR360 housing plans for RX0 (^[39])
• 2019-01: Adam Hanlon and Inon’s Takuya Torii dive with RX0 and Inon lights at Capernwray, UK (^[40])
• 2019-03-25: Sony announces RX0 II with internal 4K, tiltable screen, and electronic image stabilization, priced at $700 (^[41])
• 2019-04: RX0 II begins shipping
• 2019-06-30: Recsea announces WHS-RX0II aluminum housing, depth rated to 150m/300m (^[42])