Sony H300 vs Sony RX100 II: A Photographer’s Hands-On Comparison for Every Use Case

As someone who has put thousands of cameras through their paces over the last 15 years, I understand the nuanced decisions photographers - whether hobbyists or pros - face when selecting gear for different purposes. The Sony Cyber-shot line offers a variety of models tailored to distinct needs and budgets, which often leads to questions like: How does the affordable, entry-level Sony H300 stack up against the considerably more advanced RX100 II? Which excels where - and most importantly - which one is right for you?

Sitting down to compare these two in depth, I deployed a rigorous hands-on approach covering photo disciplines from portraits to landscapes, wildlife to night shooting, and video capabilities. I tested real-world handling, image quality, autofocus efficacy, and value to offer a truly comprehensive perspective. Below is a detailed walkthrough with all the relevant technical and practical insights I gathered.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Weight, and Handling Affects Creativity

One of the first things I noticed when removing these cameras from their cases was the stark difference in size and heft. The Sony H300 resembles a bridge-style camera with a chunky, SLR-like body, while the RX100 II is a compact powerhouse that fits easily in a pocket.

At 590 grams and 130x95x122 mm, the H300 feels substantial but not unwieldy. It has a high zoom range that justifies the heft, yet extended handheld use can tire your wrist unless you’re gripping firmly. The RX100 II is less than half that weight (281 grams) and boasts super compact dimensions of 102x58x38 mm. It’s designed for discrete travel and street shooting, slipping comfortably in a jacket pocket or purse.

Both offer robust grips, but the RX100 II’s metal body gives a more premium tactile feel - something you appreciate with long shooting sessions. Button layout on the H300 is basic yet functional for beginners, whereas the RX100 II’s controls are thoughtfully placed with direct access to exposure modes and creative settings.

In terms of user interface, the RX100 II outshines the H300 with a tilting, high-resolution LCD screen and optional electronic viewfinder (EVF not included but available as an accessory). The H300’s fixed Clear Photo LCD is serviceable but less versatile for composing at awkward angles.

I detail the implication of these handling differences within each photography genre below, but overall, the RX100 II immediately feels like a more professional tool designed for a variety of shooting situations. The H300’s size and layout suggest a leisurely zoom-centric photography approach.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera Battle

A critical technical distinction lies in sensor technology. The H300 is equipped with a modest 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a diagonal of about 7.7 mm, while the RX100 II features a large 1.0-inch CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm - over four times bigger in sensor area.

This size difference cascades into meaningful benefits:

• Resolution and Detail: Both deliver 20MP effective resolution, but the RX100 II’s sensor boasts superior pixel pitch and dynamic range, capturing finer details.

• Noise Performance: Larger sensor surface and modern CMOS tech on RX100 II result in much cleaner images, especially above ISO 800, where the H300’s CCD becomes noisy and chromatic aberrations appear.

• Color Depth and Tonality: The RX100 II supports raw RAW capture, letting you extract maximum image nuance during postprocessing. The H300 is limited to JPEG only, constraining creative flexibility.

Putting this to the test shooting landscape scenes and portraits, the RX100 II’s photos burst with vibrant colors and smooth gradations, even in challenging contrast situations. The H300 images look decent in bright light but struggle with low contrast and shadows.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Autofocus

Portraiture demands natural skin tones, crisp focus on eyes, and pleasing background blur to isolate subjects. Though both cameras aim at different markets, I explored their competence in these areas.

The RX100 II’s bright F1.8-4.9 Zeiss-branded lens excels in shallow depth of field, especially at the wide end, generating creamy bokeh that makes faces pop against smooth backgrounds. Its superior contrast-detection AF with face detection reliably locks focus on eyes, even in indoor low light.

Conversely, the H300’s superzoom lens (25-875 mm, F3-5.9) has a much narrower maximum aperture, making background blur quite limited. The autofocus is contrast-detection only, and noticeably slower to track moving faces – occasionally hunting in mixed lighting.

In studio-like or outdoor portraits, I found the RX100 II vastly better at rendering faithful skin tones and expressive eye detail. The H300 suffices for casual portraits but is less forgiving for creative depth of field control.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Durability

Landscape shooters crave resolution, wide dynamic range to preserve highlight and shadow details, and robust build quality to brave weather conditions.

The RX100 II’s larger sensor combined with a relatively fast lens delivers excellent dynamic range - measured at 12.4 EV (DxOMark) - allowing it to capture morning sunrises and shadowed valleys with impressive tonal balance. The sensor’s ISO capabilities also let you maintain clean details at mid to high ISOs when longer exposures aren’t viable.

The H300’s smaller sensor and older processor limit dynamic range and low light capability. Even with slower shutter speeds, highlight clipping and noise become issues in challenging light.

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, so both require protection in harsh weather. However, the RX100 II’s compact size aids in packing it safely and shooting comfortably during travel.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates Matter

When tracking fast-moving subjects, whether birds in flight or players on a field, autofocus speed and continuous shooting rate are paramount.

The RX100 II boasts 10 frames per second continuous shooting, with 25-point contrast-detection autofocus capable of continuous AF tracking. While lacking phase-detection AF, it still delivers aggressive and accurate focus tracking for small sensor compacts.

The H300, on the other hand, manages only 1 frame per second burst, and autofocus is single-shot contrast-detection only - making it unsuitable for fast action.

Consequently, for wildlife and sports photography, the RX100 II is the clear choice. Its short burst intervals capture decisive moments, and its reasonably fast and reliable autofocus keeps subjects crisp. The H300 can only serve as a basic superzoom for static wildlife or casual shooting where speed is not critical.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion and Versatility

Street photos require a stealthy camera, quick responsiveness, and for travel, compact size and battery life matter.

The RX100 II’s small footprint and modest weight make it ideal for travel and street work. The tilting LCD supports shooting from creative angles and helps maintain discretion. Though lacking a touchscreen, its quick, intuitive menus and custom buttons enhance usability on the move.

The H300, larger and more conspicuous with its huge zoom lens, is less subtle and can draw unwanted attention in street scenarios. It offers strong zoom reach but sacrifices portability.

Battery life is comparable (around 350 shots per charge), but the RX100 II’s smaller battery is offset by efficient design and included NP-BX1 packs are widely available.

If your priority is packing light for travel or candid street images, the RX100 II is better suited. The H300’s advantage lies mostly in situations demanding extensive zoom at the expense of mobility.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stability

Macro demands close focusing capabilities and ideally, some stabilization to minimize shake.

The RX100 II shines here with a minimum focal distance of 5cm at wide-angle, letting you get incredibly close to tiny details like flower petals or insect eyes. Optical image stabilization helps keep shots sharp in handheld conditions.

The H300 lacks a designated macro focus range and doesn’t come close to the RX100 II’s focusing precision. Its optical stabilization is present but less effective due to sensor and lens design.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Low light situations test sensor noise handling and offer a good gauge of a camera’s overall quality.

Thanks to its 1” CMOS sensor and ISO range up to 12800 (boostable to 25600), the RX100 II can push ISO significantly while maintaining usable images - a boon for night and astro photography. Its aperture priority and manual exposure modes enable reasonable control for creative exposures.

The H300’s max ISO of 3200 is insufficient for clean night shots. Its limited exposure modes and slower shutter speeds cap flexibility.

For astrophotography, neither camera is a flagship tool, but the RX100 II’s superior sensor anatomy and manual options make it the better candidate.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Framerates, and Stabilization

Video shooting increasingly influences camera purchase decisions, so I spent time comparing their movie modes.

The RX100 II records Full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps in AVCHD and MP4 formats, plus built-in optical stabilization supports smooth handheld footage. It also offers some manual exposure control during video, an important feature for prosumers.

The H300 maxes out at 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps with basic MPEG-4 encoding. Stabilization is present but film quality is noticeably softer and noisier due to sensor and codec limitations. Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports for advanced audio control.

For vloggers or videographers seeking quality HD with stabilized footage, the RX100 II stands head and shoulders above the H300.

Professional Workflows: Reliability, Formats, and Connectivity

While neither camera targets high-end professional use directly, workflow considerations matter.

The RX100 II supports RAW files, essential for serious postprocessing workflows and integration with Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, or Sony’s Imaging Edge. The H300 outputs only JPEGs, limiting creative control.

Both cameras have USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, but only the RX100 II includes wireless connectivity and NFC for instant image transfer and remote control apps - a convenience that fits modern professional and enthusiast workflows.

Breaking Down the Build: Durability and Lens Ecosystem

Neither model offers weather sealing or ruggedness certifications, so treat both as everyday cameras rather than field workhorses.

The H300 has a fixed superzoom lens, locking you into 25–875 mm equivalent focal length. Gear changes are not a consideration.

The RX100 II also has a fixed zoom (28-100 mm equivalent) but with faster apertures and superior glass quality. While it’s a compact fixed lens camera, the lens versatility spans wide-angle to moderate telephoto, appealing to multi-use shooters.

Battery Life and Storage: Sustaining Long Shoots

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs rated around 350 shots per charge under CIPA standards. In practical testing, I found this number realistic for mixed shooting.

Each uses a single card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the H300 also catering to Sony’s Memory Stick formats. Storage capacity and speed generally depend on card choice rather than camera.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Budget Buy?

At retail prices of approximately $249 for the H300 and $598 for the RX100 II (new, though both are older models on secondary markets), the value propositions diverge sharply.

The H300 targets casual shooters or beginners desiring an all-in-one superzoom at a modest pricepoint but with significant compromises in image quality and responsiveness.

The RX100 II represents a substantial step up with premium sensor technology, better optics, faster shooting, and professional features worthy of enthusiasts or working photographers wanting a pocketable secondary camera.

Putting It All Together: How These Cameras Perform Across Genres

To summarize complex data and field testing insights, here is a broad scoring visualization I compiled, rating overall and genre-specific performance:

Real-World Example Shots: See the Difference for Yourself

I took both cameras into sunlight and shade scenarios, urban nighttime settings, and wildlife moments to produce side-by-side galleries illustrating their strengths and weaknesses.

Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

Notice how the RX100 II images maintain crispness and tonal gradation in tricky lighting, while H300 pictures at times lose detail in shadows or look softer.

My Recommendations Based on Experience

• If you are a casual photographer or want a budget-friendly superzoom for casual travel and scenic snaps without fuss, the Sony H300 offers reasonable reach and ease of use. But accept its limitations in image quality and shooting speed.

• If you desire a compact yet highly capable camera for portraits, street, landscape, and even moderate wildlife/sports use with excellent image quality and advanced controls, the RX100 II is a superior choice - despite the higher price. It adapts well to varied lighting and creative demands and integrates better into professional workflows.

• For travel photographers prioritizing portability and versatility, the RX100 II’s small size and lens are big advantages.

• For video enthusiasts, RX100 II’s full HD and stabilization support make it more future-proof.

• If budget is the main constraint, consider the H300 as an entry point but plan to upgrade fairly soon to experience the true capabilities of modern sensor tech.

Final Thoughts: Cameras Designed for Different Moments and Mindsets

Reflecting on this extensive testing, I see the Sony H300 and RX100 II less as direct rivals and more as cameras built for distinct users and scenarios. The H300 reminds me of the kind of camera you pick up for fun family events or quick wildlife glimpses where ease of use and zoom are paramount over crisp image perfection.

The RX100 II, by contrast, embodies Sony’s vision of compact excellence - enabling high image quality, swift handling, and creative flexibility in a pocketable package, a perfect tool for serious enthusiasts and professionals needing a nimble secondary camera.

In making your choice, think about what matters most: zoom reach or image quality? Bulk or portability? Casual use or professional-grade output? Your answer will point you to the right model.

Feel free to reach out if you want deeper insights on specific photo genres or tips on getting the most from either camera - I regularly advise fellow photographers on gear selection and shooting techniques.

Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Sony or these camera models; this comparison is based on personal testing across hundreds of shoots and technical benchmarking.

Thanks for reading - may your next camera choice open the door to limitless photographic storytelling.