Sony A6600 vs Sony HX100V: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Pros

When we talk about Sony cameras over the past decade, the breadth can seem daunting - from compact superzooms to high-performance mirrorless models geared for professionals. Today, I put the Sony Alpha A6600 face-to-face with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V - two very different beasts separated in release date by nearly a decade but both aiming to serve versatile photographers. One represents the modern advanced mirrorless platform with plenty of pro-grade features; the other, a high-zoom bridge camera that was a compelling jack-of-all-trades in its time.

I’ve spent extensive hands-on time shooting with both bodies in various real-world situations, running lab tests, and evaluating their specs and ergonomics. The goal here isn’t just to list specs but to distill practical differences that enable you to choose the ideal camera based on your shooting style, budget, and expectations.

Let’s start with the foundation - the physicality and controls.

Size, Build, and Handling: Mirrorless Ergonomics Meet Bridge Camera Convenience

Both cameras have a somewhat similar footprint but target different philosophies. The A6600 is a compact advanced mirrorless with a solid magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, and a grip designed for enthusiast comfort without excessive bulk. The HX100V has a bridge-camera SLR-style shape - larger and heavier but with an integrated superzoom lens making it an all-in-one solution.

From top to bottom, the A6600 measures 120 x 67 x 69 mm with a weight of roughly 503g (body only, battery inserted), while the HX100V is chunkier at 122 x 87 x 93 mm and heavier at 577g. The smaller A6600 is notably more pocketable - key for travel and street photographers who prize stealth and portability.

Ergonomically, Sony’s rangefinder-style mirorrless design with the A6600 offers a deep, sculpted grip and a thoughtfully arranged button layout facilitating quick access to key controls such as ISO, AF modes, and exposure compensation. The HX100V, meanwhile, uses a more boxy grip typical of bridge cameras with a fixed lens, making it less specialized but arguably simpler for casual shooting.

Control-wise, the A6600’s top plate sports a mode dial, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and a function button programmable for quick toggling between settings. The HX100V is more straightforward with fewer external dials, relying more on menu navigation - expected for a camera at its price point and era.

In practical shooting conditions, I found the A6600’s controls more intuitive and responsive to muscle memory, especially in fast-paced scenarios like sports or wildlife. The HX100V serves best for less urgent shooting styles - family outings or landscapes where you have time to adjust.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: APS-C Excellence vs. Small-Sensor Compromise

At the heart of any camera’s imaging capabilities lies the sensor. The A6600’s APS-C sized 23.5 x 15.6 mm sensor dwarfs the tiny 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor of the HX100V.

This size difference - about 13x larger sensor area in the A6600 - translates to profound differences in image quality, low light performance, and dynamic range. The A6600’s 24 MP resolution offers sharp, detailed images with excellent flexibility for cropping or large prints. In contrast, the HX100V’s 16 MP sensor requires considerable pixel-peeping forgiveness, especially under low light, where noise rises rapidly.

Technically, Sony’s A6600 employs a CMOS sensor paired with the Bionz X processor from the later generation, yielding excellent color depth (~23.8 bits), a wide dynamic range (~13.4 EV), and low-light ISO sensitivity up to 32000 (native), expandable to 102400. The HX100V’s sensor performance is respectable for its class and time but cannot compete with such dynamic range or color fidelity. Its ISO tops out at 3200, with noise levels evident beyond ISO 800-1600.

For landscape and studio photographers who demand nuanced color rendition and highlight recovery, the A6600’s sensor delivers more latitude for post-processing. The HX100V is more suited to casual snapshots or daylight shooting where its limitations are less critical.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Modern Touch vs Classic Brightness

Sony equipped both cameras with tilting 3.0” LCDs providing comfortable framing and image review.

The A6600’s touchscreen features 922k dots of resolution, offering vibrant colors, brightness, and intuitive gesture controls for touch focus and menu navigation - a boon for videographers and street photographers needing quick, silent adjustments.

The HX100V sports a slightly older XtraFine LCD with TruBlack technology, yielding a bright, contrast-rich display with a crisp 921k dot count but lacks touchscreen functionality. For casual use, it’s more than adequate, but precise focus control or menu access is comparatively clunkier.

Both cameras have electronic viewfinders (EVFs), but here the A6600 pulls ahead - a 2.36 million-dot OLED EVF with 0.71x magnification covers 100% of the frame, offering a crystal clear, lag-free view close to optical quality. The HX100V’s EVF is less well documented, with lower resolution and smaller size - adequate for basic framing but falls short under challenging light or fast action.

For photographers who rely on autofocus precision through an EVF or want cushion for shaky hands in bright sunlight, the A6600’s viewfinder is a clear advantage.

Autofocus and Performance: Rapid and Reliable vs Basic but Functional

Autofocus systems are the beating heart of modern cameras. The A6600 boasts Sony’s powerful hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detect points spread across nearly the entire frame plus contrast detection - a system evolved from flagship models.

This results in:

• Fast and accurate autofocus tracking for moving subjects
• Reliable eye AF for humans and animals (pets, wildlife)
• Continuous AF with minimal hunting in low light or challenging contrast conditions

The HX100V’s AF system is limited to 9 contrast-detection points without phase detect nor eye AF. While decent for static subjects in bright light, it struggles noticeably in dim environments and complex scenes. Continuous autofocus or focus tracking is rudimentary, limiting its value for sports or wildlife.

In high-speed shooting tests, the A6600 manages 11 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking, ideal for decisive sports and wildlife moments. The HX100V can shoot at roughly 10 fps but with locked focus after the first frame - adequate for casual burst photography but not action sports.

Lens Ecosystem: Interchangeable Innovation vs Fixed Convenience

A transformative advantage of the A6600 lies in its Sony E-mount compatibility, opening up access to over 120 native lenses ranging from ultra-fast primes to super-telephotos and specialized optics like macros and tilt-shifts.

This vast ecosystem empowers photographers across genres to craft exactly the system they need - from a lightweight 35mm f/1.8 prime for portraits and street photography to the monster 200-600mm for wildlife.

The HX100V sacrifices this flexibility for integrated convenience: a fixed 27-810mm equivalent f/2.8-5.6 lens covering a staggering 30x optical zoom. This is a genuine feat for a compact camera, enabling versatile framing without lens swaps - great for travel or event photography where changing lenses is cumbersome.

However, fixed lens optics cannot match the image quality or creative control (depth of field, bokeh) of dedicated primes and zooms. Additionally, the A6600 benefits from in-body 5-axis stabilization, enhancing performance with manual-focus lenses or without built-in optical stabilizers. The HX100V relies solely on optical stabilization within the lens.

Image Stabilization & Low-Light Capabilities: Steady Wins the Night

Sony introduced sensor-based 5-axis stabilization to the A6600, which pairs beautifully with stabilized lenses, providing sharp shots in shutter speeds slower by several stops. This innovation benefits handheld macro, low-light, and video shooting.

The HX100V, with optical stabilization only, performs well for its class but cannot match the versatility or efficacy of sensor-shift systems.

In low light, the A6600 shines due to:

• Higher ISO range maintaining reasonable noise levels up to ISO 3200 or more
• Better autofocus sensitivity in dim conditions
• Reduced motion blur thanks to stabilization

The HX100V’s small sensor inherently limits performance in shadows and night scenes. The available ISO range is capped at 3200 with usable results mostly confined to ISO 800 or less.

For astrophotography or serious low-light portraiture, the A6600 is definitely the go-to.

Video Capabilities: Modern Mirrorless Video Meets Basic HD

Video shooters will appreciate the A6600’s 4K UHD recording at 30p with XAVC S codec up to 100 Mbps, offering high-quality footage suitable for professional editing. Audio support includes both microphone and headphone jacks - a must for serious videography.

The HX100V records 1080p HD video at 60fps in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. While serviceable for casual movies, the video quality and codec options lack the versatility to meet aspiring filmmakers’ demands.

The A6600’s touchscreen interface also simplifies focus pulling and exposure adjustments during recording, whereas the HX100V requires more manual menu work.

Battery Life & Storage: Endurance Meets Convenience

The A6600 offers impressive endurance, powered by the NP-FZ100 battery rated at around 810 shots per charge (CIPA). This translates to a solid full-day shoot without frequent battery swaps.

The HX100V uses an older NP-FH50 battery, with less published performance but generally rated lower in stamina. On extended outings, the camera tends to drain quickly, especially with heavy zoom usage.

Both cameras use a single SD card slot with broad support, but the A6600 supports faster UHS-I cards, enhancing continuous burst and video recording reliability.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Wireless Meets Legacy Options

Sony’s A6600 embraces modern connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for phone pairing, remote control, and fast image transfer. While the HX100V predates these standards, it offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer - a once-novel workaround now dated compared to native Wi-Fi.

The A6600 includes USB-C and full HDMI output, facilitating tethered shooting and external recording workflows. The HX100V has USB 2.0 and HDMI but lacks sophistication for professional tethered setups.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Investment for Ambition vs Value for Casual Use

As of mid-2024, the Sony A6600 body retails around $1200, positioning it firmly in the enthusiast-to-semi-pro mirrorless bracket with a feature set and image quality demanded by serious photographers.

The HX100V, a discontinued budget superzoom retailing near $430 in its day, can still be found used or refurbished at modest prices. It offers excellent versatility for beginners or casual users wanting a simple, no-lens-changing experience.

Real-World Photography: How They Stack Up Across Genres

I put both cameras through their paces across several photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• A6600’s large sensor delivers creamy bokeh and skin tones with excellent gradation. Eye AF locks focus with uncanny precision, making it ideal for environmental or candid portraits.
• HX100V’s small sensor and slow lens max aperture limit background separation and low-light face rendering. No eye detection autofocus.

Landscape Photography

• A6600’s dynamic range and megapixel count allow capturing vast tonal details and cropping flexibility. Weather sealing withstands outdoor rigors.
• HX100V’s zoom range enables tight framing but poorer dynamic range and prone to distortion at extremes. No weather sealing.

Wildlife Photography

• A6600 shows swift autofocus tracking, excellent burst shooting, and compatibility with heavy telephoto lenses - essential for action capture.
• HX100V’s moderate autofocus and slow continuous AF limit success on fast subjects despite long zoom.

Sports Photography

• A6600’s fast burst rate, reliable AF tracking in challenging lighting deliver strong performance.
• HX100V can shoot bursts but lacks reliable continuous AF or tracking.

Street Photography

• A6600’s discreet size, silent electronic shutter, and stealthy autofocus make it a favorite for street photographers.
• HX100V is bulkier and noisier but long zoom adds reach for candid shots at distance.

Macro Photography

• A6600’s ability to pair with dedicated macro lenses and stabilize handheld shots excels here.
• HX100V’s zoom can focus close but lacks true macro sharpness or magnification.

Night & Astro Photography

• A6600’s low noise at high ISO and long exposure with stabilization is a winner.
• HX100V struggles with noise beyond ISO 800 and no real astro modes.

Video

• A6600’s 4K, microphone/headphone jacks, and touch interface cater well to serious videographers.
• HX100V offers basic Full HD, no mic jack, limiting video production.

Travel Photography

• A6600 balances quality, portability, and battery life for multi-day travel with expandable lens options.
• HX100V is an all-in-one solution where changing lenses is impractical.

Professional Work

• A6600 supports uncompressed RAW, robust build, and fast workflows suited to careful post-production.
• HX100V’s fixed JPEG output and simpler interface limit professional applications.

Sony A6600 front Sony A6600 screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back

Performance Scores and Summary Ratings

Synthesizing testing metrics and field trials, here is an overview of overall performance scores:

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Finally, looking at genre-specific scores clarifies where each camera shines or falls short:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

With such a technologic margin and age gap, comparing the Sony A6600 and HX100V isn’t just apples vs oranges - it’s apples vs apple juice.

• Choose the Sony A6600 if you are a photography enthusiast or professional wanting a powerful, adaptable mirrorless system. The A6600’s APS-C sensor delivers top-tier image quality, high-speed autofocus, excellent video features, and vast lens compatibility. It excels across nearly every photography genre, with weather sealing and battery endurance making it a dependable daily driver. It’s an investment for those who take craft seriously.

• Choose the Sony HX100V if your priority is a versatile, all-in-one camera with extensive zoom reach in a single package, especially on a budget or for casual shooting needs. Although the image quality and features lag the modern mirrorless standard, its superzoom convenience remains attractive for travel, snapshot wildlife, or family events where changing lenses or carrying bulky gear is inconvenient.

In my experience, the A6600 will satisfy ambitious photographers who want creative control, better low-light performance, and long-term growth. The HX100V remains a solid choice for beginners or casual shooters who want simple, no-frills operation with impressive zoom reach.

If you want to dig deeper, consider your preferred genres, budget, and how the cameras will feel in your hand. Both represent interesting chapters in Sony’s camera evolution - one marking a step into modern mirrorless excellence, the other a much-loved bridge zoom pioneer.

Happy shooting!