Sony H300 vs Sony RX100 VI: A Deep Dive into Two Iconic Cyber-shot Cameras

When it comes to Sony’s Cyber-shot lineup, the spectrum of cameras covers everything from compact travel-friendly shooters to bridge cameras with colossal zooms. Today, I have the pleasure of putting two distinctly different Sony fixed-lens cameras head-to-head: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300, a 2014 bridge superzoom, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI, a 2018 advanced large-sensor compact. These cameras cater to different user bases, but a detailed comparison can help clarify which model makes sense depending on your photography interests, budget, and performance priorities.

Both cameras have their unique strengths and compromises, and after weeks of testing in studio, outdoor, and real-world scenarios, I’m eager to unpack how they stack up against each other across key technical and practical facets - from sensor capabilities to ergonomics, autofocus, image quality, and video prowess.

Let’s start by laying out their physical and ergonomic differences.

Size and Handling: Bulk vs. Pocketability

At first glance, the H300 sports a classic SLR-like bridge camera shape, with a comfortable grip, an enormous built-in zoom, and straightforward controls, while the RX100 VI embraces the compact ethos with a pocketable, refined chassis.

The H300 tips the scales at around 590 grams and measures a chunky 130 x 95 x 122 mm. It feels substantial and well-balanced despite its modest build quality, offering a grip that accommodates longer shooting sessions even for larger hands. The fixed lens adds weight but remains manageable - ideal for users prioritizing zoom range over portability.

On the flip side, the RX100 VI is a marvel of miniaturization at 301 grams and 102 x 58 x 43 mm. This size advantage cannot be overstated for street or travel photographers who want a discreet, easy-to-carry camera that demands barely any space in a jacket pocket or small bag. It’s incredibly well-built, sporting a solid magnesium alloy body that feels more refined and durable than the plastic-heavy H300.

In practical terms, the H300 caters to those who don’t mind a bulkier camera for extended zoom reach, while the RX100 VI suits photographers who prize compactness and build quality without sacrificing advanced features.

Control & Interface: Hands-On Usability

Beyond size, how a camera feels to operate directly influences the shooting experience. Let’s peek at their control layouts.

The Sony H300 maintains a simple approach: it has limited manual controls, mainly a mode dial with basic scene selections and a few buttons. Manual exposure is possible but rudimentary, lacking advanced prioritization modes like shutter or aperture priority. The absence of touchscreen or articulated displays also takes a toll on ease of use.

Meanwhile, the RX100 VI shines in this department with extensive direct control options - aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual mode, and a highly responsive touchscreen interface that enables quick AF point selection and intuitive operation. Its tilting screen and electronic viewfinder (EVF) with high resolution elevate usability substantially. This camera is designed for photographers who appreciate fine-tuned settings and rapid adjustments without fumbling through menus.

The RX100 VI’s control philosophy adheres to the ‘compact pro’ standard, delivering a fully tactile, modern interface, whereas the H300 focuses on simplicity and accessibility for casual shooters.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the stories of these cameras begin to diverge dramatically.

The Sony H300 uses a small 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with 20 megapixels. CCDs were once favored for their color rendition but have since fallen behind CMOS technology in noise handling and dynamic range. Coupled with the small sensor size, noise performance and low-light capability are limited, capping usable ISO at 3200 max (native).

The RX100 VI operates on a 1-inch stacked BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with 20 megapixels as well. The larger sensor means bigger photodiodes, less noise, and better light gathering. Backside illumination (BSI) further boosts sensitivity and dynamic range, allowing native ISO up to 12,800, expandable to 25,600 in boosted mode - a significant advantage in low-light or night photography.

When tested, the RX100 VI delivers crisp details, rich tonality, and notably better high ISO performance across all genres. The H300 is more suited for well-lit conditions due to its sensor constraints, showing more pronounced noise as ISO rises past 400.

Both cameras incorporate an anti-aliasing filter, which softens images marginally but helps prevent moiré - a sensible tradeoff.

In sum, the RX100 VI produces class-leading image quality for a compact, while the H300 trades off image fidelity for a dramatic zoom reach and low price.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy at Work

AF technology has evolved tremendously in the last decade, and here the distinction is especially clear.

The Sony H300 has a very basic autofocus system relying on contrast detection, with unknown focus points and minimal tracking efficacy. Moreover, it lacks face/eye detection and continuous AF tracking modes - leading to frequent hunting, slower focus lock, and missed shots, especially in dynamic scenarios.

In contrast, the RX100 VI boasts a sophisticated hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast detection with an impressive 315 focus points covering most of the frame. Eye-detection autofocus, touch-to-focus via the screen, and real-time tracking work at high speeds, even on moving subjects. Its high burst rate of 24 fps with continuous autofocus further underlines that this camera can hang with fast-action shooting demands.

While the H300 can be serviceable for static subjects like landscapes or portraits done in controlled lighting, the RX100 VI handles challenging autofocus situations far better, from wildlife to sports to street photography.

Exploring Photography Genres: How Do They Perform?

The real test of any camera happens in the field. Let’s break down their suitability for various popular photography disciplines.

Portraits: Bokeh, Skin Tones and Eye Autofocus

The H300’s lens max aperture of f/3 to f/5.9 and small sensor mean limited background blur capabilities (bokeh). Skin tones reproduce reasonably but tend to lack the fine detail and softness professional portraits demand, owing partly to the limited dynamic range and noise-streaking in shadows.

The RX100 VI offers a faster lens (f/2.8-4.5) and larger sensor, which translates to more pleasing subject isolation and nuanced tonal gradations. Its powerful eye autofocus locks on subjects accurately, a boon for candid, event, and environmental portraits.

Landscapes: Resolution, Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

The H300, despite its 20MP sensor, is hamstrung by CCD dynamic constraints and noise at higher ISO, which can challenge landscape shooters keen on shadow details and highlight recovery.

The RX100 VI’s larger sensor and better noise handling deliver more latitude for processing RAW files - earning more subtle rendition of clouds, foliage, and intricate textures.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so cautious protection in dusty or damp environments is necessary.

Wildlife: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst Rate

Wildlife often demands extended telephoto reach and rapid, accurate autofocus.

The H300 boasts an impressive 35x optical zoom covering 25-875 mm equivalent - simulate extreme telephoto range. However, autofocus sluggishness and a mere 1 fps burst rate severely restrict action capture. Missed focus and shutter lag are common when tracking erratic subjects.

The RX100 VI can’t match the extreme zoom but sports an 8.3x zoom up to 200 mm equivalent coupled with a blazing fast and accurate AF and 24 fps burst. Its optical stabilization mitigates handshake when using longer lenses.

For wildlife photographers targeting distant, fast-moving fauna, the RX100 VI offers a higher chance of sharp captures, while the H300’s zoom may entice casual shooters valuing range above speed.

Sports: Tracking, Low Light and Frame Rates

Sports photography demands excellent autofocus tracking, high frame rates, and good low-light capability.

The H300, with its slow AF and low continuous shooting speed, is decidedly outmatched here.

The RX100 VI combines fast hybrid AF, eye and subject tracking with 24 fps burst - as much as some entry-level DSLRs. Its superior sensor helps retain noise-free images under complex stadium lighting.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low Light, and Portability

For candid street photography, the RX100 VI is nearly ideal - compact, light; it slips unobtrusively into a coat pocket, offers silent electronic shutter modes, and handles low light well with excellent focus on faces and eyes. Its tilting screen facilitates shooting from hip or high angles.

The H300 is bulkier, slower to focus, and its loud shutter motor draws more notice. Not a natural choice for discreet street shooting.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

Neither camera is optimized for macro, but:

• The RX100 VI can focus as close as 8cm, which suffices for casual flower or insect shots with good detail and pleasing bokeh.
• The H300 has no dedicated macro mode and its minimum focus distance remains unspecified, typically longer than RX100 VI.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Options

Here the RX100 VI shines due to large sensor and ISO flexibility, enabling cleaner night sky captures and longer exposures with lower noise.

The H300 struggles with noise beyond ISO 400, and limited exposure modes constrain astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization and Usability

Video on the H300 caps at 720p at 30 fps, with basic MPEG-4/H.264 compression, no external microphone input, and no 4K options. It’s suitable for casual clips but lacks video-centric features.

The RX100 VI records UHD 4K video at 30 fps with 100 Mbps bitrates, also offering Full HD at higher frame rates. Internal optical stabilization smooths handheld footage, and it supports clean HDMI output. While it lacks microphone ports, its video quality and color science support serious vloggers and enthusiasts.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life and Weight

The H300’s long zoom is a traveler's friend for versatile framing, but weight and bulkiness detract from mobility.

The RX100 VI compacts pro features into a tiny footprint with excellent sensor and AF, though battery life is shorter (~240 shots vs. 350 for H300). USB charging helps on the go.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers genuine environmental sealing. The H300 relies on plastic construction that feels less durable, whereas the RX100 VI boasts a solid magnesium alloy body more suited to rugged travel use - but caution is still advised in adverse conditions.

Storage, Battery and Connectivity

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick media types with single slots.

• The H300 uses a generic battery pack delivering ~350 shots.
• The RX100 VI uses a proprietary NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery good for ~240 shots. Despite shorter endurance, faster charging and USB power compensate.

Connectivity-wise, H300 lacks wireless or Bluetooth, while the RX100 VI includes Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth for seamless image transfer, remote control, and firmware updates.

Image and User Interface: Screen and Viewfinder Comparison

The H300 has a basic fixed 3-inch 460k-dot LCD screen, no touchscreen capabilities, and a low-resolution electronic viewfinder with limited coverage.

Conversely, the RX100 VI sports a bright, 3-inch tilting LCD with 1.2 million dots, responsive touchscreen control, and a sharp EVF at 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage - a clear winner in composing and reviewing shots comfortably.

Sample Images: Side-by-Side Comparison

Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back Sony RX100 VI front

In controlled test scenes:

• The RX100 VI reveals fine textures, vibrant colors, and excellent shadow recovery, even in low light.
• The H300 produces decent daytime images but exhibits softness on fine details, muted colors, and visible noise after ISO 400.

Overall Performance Scores

Quantitatively, the RX100 VI outperforms the H300 across autofocus, image quality, features, and video, reflecting its premium price tag.

Genre-Specific Ratings: Where Each Camera Excels

• Portraits: RX100 VI leads effortlessly
• Landscape: RX100 VI, but H300 passable in bright daylight
• Wildlife: Mixed - H300 for zoom, RX100 VI for tracking
• Sports: Clear RX100 VI winner
• Street: RX100 VI favored for discreetness
• Macro: RX100 VI mild advantage
• Astro/Night: RX100 VI dominant
• Video: RX100 VI vastly superior
• Travel: RX100 VI better for compact travel, H300 if zoom is indispensable
• Professional Use: RX100 VI more adaptable

Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

• If budget is tight and you want a monstrous zoom at an affordable price - ideal for casual family, wildlife observation from afar, or vacation snapshots - the Sony H300 is a compelling, entry-level pick. Its limitations in image quality, autofocus, and video are tradeoffs for cost and zoom reach.

• For enthusiasts or professionals seeking a compact camera with superior image quality, fast AF, 4K video, and feature-rich controls, the Sony RX100 VI is an impressive package. Despite its higher price, it rewards with flexibility across multiple genres - street, portraits, landscapes, sports, and video - making it an excellent “one-camera” solution for advanced users.

• The RX100 VI is particularly suited to travel and street photographers who want excellent quality in a tiny camera, while the H300 appeals to those who prioritize zoom range for static subjects and don’t mind basic handling or lower image fidelity.

Final Thoughts

The Sony H300 and RX100 VI highlight the evolving priorities in camera design across the 2010s: the H300 targets casual zoom power on a budget, whereas the RX100 VI embodies the pinnacle of compact camera performance achievable using newer sensor and AF technologies.

As someone who has handled literally thousands of cameras, I find the RX100 VI’s balance of image quality, autofocus robustness, video sophistication, and pocketable design compelling for serious photographic pursuits. The H300, though far from perfect, retains value as a superzoom bridge camera for select scenarios.

Your choice should hinge on how you shoot, what you value (zoom reach vs. compact speed and quality), and budget constraints. Hopefully, this detailed comparison arms you with the clarity needed to pick the camera best aligned to your creative ambitions.

Happy shooting!

If you want to explore further, feel free to reach out with your specific photography interests, and I can help tailor suggestions.