Sony A6000 vs Sony RX100 II: A Deep Dive into Two Classics for Enthusiasts and Pros

Sony has long been a titan in the mirrorless and compact camera arenas, crafting tools that range from entry-level to professional contenders. Today, we pit two beloved models against each other: the Sony Alpha A6000, an advanced mirrorless body, and the Sony RX100 II, a large-sensor compact designed for ultimate portability without wholly compromising image quality. Both cameras debuted in the mid-2010s but still enjoy plenty of love among enthusiasts.

After rigorously testing both models across countless scenarios and scrutinizing their tech specs, I’m ready to walk you through what makes each camera tick - and equally important, what might leave you wanting. Whether you prioritize image quality, autofocus prowess, portability, or versatility, this comparison will help clarify which of these time-tested cameras deserves a spot in your kit.

Size Matters, But How Much?

Anyone who has juggled a bulky DSLR and a pocketable compact knows that size and weight are far more than trivial specs. The Sony A6000 (120x67x45mm, 344g) is a mirrorless camera with a comfortable grip and a design that resembles a miniature DSLR - excellent for those who crave manual controls but don’t want to lug around giant rigs. Meanwhile, the RX100 II clocks in smaller (102x58x38mm, 281g), truly a powerhouse you can slip into a jacket pocket or purse.

From my hands-on time, the A6000 feels substantial and ergonomic, especially for folks who shoot with lenses attached. The button layout and grip support longer sessions without fatigue. The RX100 II, however, is all about portability, making it perfect if you want a capable camera that won’t weigh you down on travel or street photography outings.

Ergonomically, the A6000 has the clear edge, especially if you’re used to traditional cameras. But if ultimate stealth and convenience top your list, the RX100 II’s compactness is tough to beat.

Controls and User Interface: Balancing Speed with Simplicity

Moving beyond size, the user interface and control layout are crucial for seamless shooting. The A6000, being more “traditional,” boasts a well-thought-out arrangement of dials, buttons, and a hot shoe for external flashes. You get intuitive shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensations readily accessible - an asset when shooting dynamic scenes like sports or wildlife, where speed matters.

The RX100 II adopts a minimalist design prioritizing ease of use over control depth. It has fewer buttons, with the lens barrel doubling as a zoom ring - a sensible choice for casual shooting or when you’re doubling as a tourist with little time for fiddling. Sadly, there’s no built-in electronic viewfinder (though you can accessorize one), which is a significant consideration if you’re shooting in bright outdoors frequently.

Personally, I found the A6000’s dedicated controls a breath of fresh air during rapid-fire shooting sessions. The RX100 II’s elegance works well for street photographers and vloggers who care more about point-and-shoot convenience. So, your preference here boils down to workflow style - manual precision or pocketable practicality.

Sensor Shootout: APS-C vs 1" - What Does It Mean for Image Quality?

Let’s get technical, because sensor size remains the biggest single variable impacting image quality. The A6000 sports a 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm), packing 36.66mm² and an effective resolution of 6000 x 4000 pixels. The RX100 II settles for a 20 MP 1" sensor (13.2x8.8mm), with 11.6mm² sensor area and 5472 x 3648 pixels resolution.

In practical terms, the A6000's larger sensor allows for better low-light performance, higher dynamic range, and more control over depth of field - a boon for portraits and landscapes. Its maximum native ISO peaks at 25600, with good noise control up to ISO 3200–6400 in my experience. The RX100 II’s smaller sensor struggles more beyond ISO 800–1600, exhibiting more noise and detail loss.

Image sharpness heavily benefits from sensor size and lens quality. Although the RX100 II’s fixed Zeiss-branded 28–100mm f/1.8–4.9 lens is impressively sharp for a compact, it can’t entirely compensate for the physical limits of the sensor in challenging light.

I ran side-by-side tests under various lighting and was consistently impressed by the A6000's image quality edge. Skin tones looked more natural, fine texture was preserved, and overall color fidelity was superior - backed by a DxO Mark overall score of 82 versus the RX100 II’s 67.

If pixel-peeping or printing large is your thing, the A6000 reigns supreme here.

Viewing and Framing: Electronic Viewfinder vs. Screen

The A6000 offers a 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k-dot resolution and a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440k-dot resolution and 100% coverage. It's like having the best of both worlds: a bright, sharp EVF for composing in glaring sunlight, and a tilt screen handy for awkward angles.

The RX100 II also sports a 3-inch tilting LCD, this one with a higher resolution at 1229k dots and Sony's WhiteMagic tech that enhances brightness. However, it lacks a built-in EVF - the optional viewfinder is an add-on accessory. For me, this made shooting in harsh daylight while keeping a steady frame a bit more challenging on the RX100 II.

Both screens are non-touch, so menu navigation relies on buttons and dials, which is a minor annoyance by today's touchscreen standards but understandable given their era.

Between these two, I gravitated toward the A6000’s EVF for serious work and long sessions, while the RX100 II’s screen sufficed for casual, run-and-gun shoots.

Sony A6000 front Sony A6000 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

Real-World Image Quality Across Genres

Let’s talk about practical photography types and how each camera fares.

Portrait Photography

The A6000’s larger sensor and ability to pair with Sony’s extensive E-mount lenses (over 120 options ranging from prime portraits to zooms) make it a portrait powerhouse. The 179-point hybrid AF system, featuring phase and contrast detection, nails accurate eye detection and fast subject tracking. I shot multiple portrait sessions indoors and outdoors - faces rendered beautifully with smooth bokeh and precise focus.

The RX100 II, while sharp, has a smaller aperture range at the telephoto end and fewer manual lens options (fixed zoom only). Its 25 contrast-based AF points are reliable but slower to lock on moving subjects. Bokeh quality is more limited but respectable considering sensor size.

Verdict: A6000 for serious portrait photographers who want lens flexibility and Bokeh artistry; RX100 II for casual portraits and everyday snapshots.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters crave resolution, dynamic range, and ruggedness. The A6000’s 24 MP sensor delivers fine detail and wide dynamic range easily capturing bright skies and shadows simultaneously - a result of the Bionz X processor's strong noise reduction algorithms.

The RX100 II’s 1” sensor lags slightly in dynamic range, making recovery in post trickier, but again, respectable for a compact. Its zoom lens covers 28-100mm equivalent, helpful for diverse framing from sweeping vistas to detail shots.

Both cameras lack robust weather sealing, but the A6000’s more substantial grip and tripod-friendly body offer more stability for long-exposure handheld shots.

Wildlife Photography

This is where autofocus speed, burst shooting, and telephoto capability reign. The A6000’s 11fps continuous shooting and 179-point Hybrid AF with phase detection provide swift, reliable subject tracking. I tested it on fast-moving birds and it didn’t disappoint, delivering sharp images with precise focus even in dense foliage.

The RX100 II hits a respectable 10fps burst but its contrast-detection AF is slower and less confident on moving wildlife. Its fixed telephoto lens maxes out at 100mm, which is a bit short for serious wildlife work.

For passionate wildlife shooters on a budget, the A6000 paired with a good telephoto zoom lens is a winner.

Sports Photography

Sports demand rapid autofocus and effortless tracking at high frame rates. Again, the A6000 edges ahead with faster shutter speeds up to 1/4000s (vs RX100 II’s 1/2000s), superior AF tracking, and a dedicated physical grip for predictability during fast panning.

The RX100 II’s compactness means faster reaction time in tight spots but compromises in AF speed result in fewer keepers in action sports scenarios.

Street Photography

The RX100 II shines for street shooters: pocketable, unobtrusive, and ready to capture moments instantly. Its quieter lens operation and smaller form factor let you be a ghost among crowds. Image quality is excellent for social media and moderate prints.

A6000, while portable by traditional standards, is still a “camera” in people’s eyes and less ideal if stealth is paramount. However, the option to switch to pancake or prime lenses helps a bit.

Macro Photography

Close focusing on tiny subjects is a specialty. The RX100 II offers a close minimum focus distance of about 5cm, excellent for casual macro shooting.

The A6000’s effectiveness depends largely on the macro lens you attach - which is both a blessing and curse. It offers professional-grade macro performance with the right optics, but means added expense and heft.

Night and Astrophotography

Here, sensor size, ISO, and manual control blend for results. The A6000’s better high ISO performance and longer shutter times (up to 30 seconds) make it a solid albeit basic nightscape camera.

The RX100 II is hampered by smaller sensor noise at high ISOs but benefits from its compactness for quick sets of night scenes. Neither excels for astrophotography without additional support, but the A6000’s manual features give it the nod.

Video Capabilities

Both support Full HD 1080p at 60fps - respectable but today’s 4K standard is absent. The A6000 supports XAVC S codec, giving slightly better compression and quality over RX100 II’s AVCHD and MPEG-4 options.

Neither camera has headphone or microphone jacks, limiting audio options seriously. The RX100 II shines a bit with optical image stabilization in video, reducing handheld shake noticeably compared to the A6000's lack of sensor stabilization. For run-and-gun vlogging, RX100 II’s built-in stabilization makes it a better compact video tool.

Travel Photography

Here’s where the RX100 II’s compactness, decent image quality, and built-in lens make it a winning candidate. Toss it in a handbag or jacket pocket and shoot casually without changing lenses.

The A6000 demands more planning, carrying multiple lenses, but rewards you with superior image quality and versatility for destinations where you want every pixel to count.

Technical Deep Dive: Build, Battery, Connectivity, and More

• Build Quality & Weather Sealing: Both cameras offer plastic/magnesium alloy build but no environmental sealing. Neither is splash/dustproof or ruggedized.
• Processor: The A6000’s Bionz X chip offers good noise reduction and processing speed versus the RX100 II’s less specified engine.
• Battery Life: Comparable - A6000 delivers 360 shots per charge with NP-FW50 battery; RX100 II about 350 shots with NP-BX1. Neither is stellar but manageable.
• Storage: Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Sony’s memory sticks.
• Connectivity: NFC and built-in WiFi available on both for image transfer; no Bluetooth. USB 2.0 and HDMI out for tethering/viewing.

Which Camera Suits Your Shooting Style?

• Advanced Hobbyists on a Budget: A6000 offers classic mirrorless flexibility and superior image quality for portraits, sports, wildlife, landscapes, and macro. It’s a “proper camera” that’s survived the test of time.
• Travelers and Street Photographers: RX100 II is the ultimate pocket-sized convenience without utterly sacrificing quality.
• Casual Videographers: RX100 II’s optical image stabilization edges out the A6000’s rudimentary video setup.
• Portrait and Event Photographers: A6000’s lens options and autofocus system shine here.
• Low-light Shooters: A6000’s sensor size and processing contribute to cleaner high-ISO shots.

Verdict: Two Excellent Cameras for Different Missions

Despite originating from the same Sony family, the Sony A6000 and RX100 II serve fundamentally different purposes and users. If image quality, speed, and manual control are your obsession, the A6000 delivers with aplomb. Its APS-C sensor, fast continuous shooting, and expansive lens ecosystem mean legacy value and versatility unmatched by most in its price bracket, even years later.

If you crave absolute portability and convenience, coupled with commendable image quality for a fixed-lens compact, the RX100 II remains a compelling option. It’s especially tempting for travel, street photography, and casual shooters who want to keep things simple.

And there you have it - a friendly sparring match between two generations of iconic Sony cameras. Whichever side you choose, you’re getting a camera that’s proven its worth in the real world and stands ready to help you make images you’ll treasure. After all, gear is only part of the story: how you wield it is where the magic lives.

Happy shooting!