Three years are a long time for any camera model to be refreshed but Sony believes the Mark 2 version of its RX1R compact is well worth the wait as it turns up this year. Is it?

Sony likes to prove a point with its cameras; namely that Sony can do things that other manufacturers can't. Although this may not necessarily translate into extraordinary sales figures, it paints the picture that Sony is at the forefront of technological innovation.

Sony's original RX1 was a groundbreaking camera when it was announced in late 2012. We'd seen fixed-lens digital cameras with large APS-C image sensors before, but none with a full-frame sensor.

Compact design; Full-frame 42-megapixel image sensor; Sharp 35mm f/2 lens; Excellent picture quality; Variable OLPF filter; Integrated pop-up EVF; Tilting rear display; 1080p120 video; Wi-Fi

Lens shows some barrel distortion; Limited battery life; Doesn't include external battery charger; Uncomfortable focus select switch; Omits flash

Sony's original RX1 ( at Amazon) was a groundbreaking camera when it was announced in late 2012. We'd seen fixed-lens digital cameras with large APS-C image sensors before, but none with a full-frame sensor. That's still rare—the new RX1R II ($3,299.99) is only the fourth model to sport one, if you count the RX1 and RX1R ($2,799.99) as different models. The RX1R II offers some compelling reasons to upgrade—the same high-resolution image sensor found in the Alpha 7R II ($1,298.00 at Amazon) and an integrated electronic viewfinder chief among them. But it's not a camera that stands alone in the market; our Editor's Choice award stays with the larger, more expensive Leica Q (Typ 116) ($8,988.00 at Amazon) and its wider, faster lens. DesignThe RX1R II's ($3,298.00 at Amazon)  fixed lens design puts it into the compact camera class, but at 2.6 by 4.5 by 2.8 inches and 1.1 pounds it's not a pocket-friendly option like the svelte Ricoh GR II ($904.95 at Amazon) (2.5 by 4.6 by 1.4 inc...

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II puts an incredible high-resolution full-frame image sensor and fixed lens into a form factor that's almost pocket friendly.

Compact design; Full-frame 42-megapixel image sensor; Sharp 35mm f/2 lens; Excellent picture quality; Variable OLPF filter; Integrated pop-up EVF; Tilting rear display; 1080p120 video; Wi-Fi

Lens shows some barrel distortion; Limited battery life; Doesn't include external battery charger; Uncomfortable focus select switch; Omits flash

Sony's latest fixed lens full-frame compact camera, the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II, was announced towards the end of 2015. It features a 42.4 million pixel sensor - the same as the one in the Sony A7R II compact system camera.

Fantastic camera. It's the "One you take to the desert island" one. It's a great street shooter camera as it is a family portrait camera. I am fortunate to own and enjoy this piece of equipment.

Good in Low Light; Great Resolution; Small / Compact

Short Battery Life

The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II is the latest in the company's line of compact, fixed-lens full-frame digital cameras. It inherits the same basic body shape and ZEISS 35mm F2 lens as its predecessors, the RX1 and RX1R, but almost everything beneath the surface has been changed or revamped.

The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II is the world's smallest full-frame camera, featuring a 42MP sensor, fixed ZEISS 35mm F2 lens, pop-up electronic viewfinder and excellent autofocus system. It promises absolutely excellent image quality in a package that fits into your coat pocket, but so-so handling, large file sizes, a clunky user interface and short battery life will turn off some users.

Those who demand ultimate image quality wherever they go, and appreciate a solid camera with lots of external controls.;

Cold weather photography (bring a spare battery), action or video shooting;

On Wednesday, at a small press gathering in New York City, Sony unveiled the impressive new RX1R II, the much-anticipated followup to the compact, full-frame RX1R released in 2013.

Sony's RX1R II is one of the best compact cameras money can buy

Superb 42-megapixel full-frame photos; First-ever variable optical low-pass filter; Outstanding built-in viewfinder; Fast prime lens; Compact size

No built-in image stabilization; Lacks 4K video support; Expensive