Two Sony Compacts, Worlds Apart: Sony H90 vs Sony RX100 II – The Definitive Comparison

When Sony puts its photography engineering prowess behind a compact camera, anticipation runs high - whether you want the quick fix of a superzoom or the sharp capabilities of a large-sensor compact. So, when faced with choosing between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 (H90) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II (RX100 II), photographers are truly looking at two cameras born from different philosophies, different eras, and different price points.

I’ve spent weeks testing both cameras across a variety of photography genres - from portraits to astrophotography, macro to landscape - really pushing each one’s limits. This isn’t just a specs sheet; it’s a perspective grounded in hands-on experience, peppered with nuggets you won’t find in a press release.

Let’s dive in and unpack all the practical, real-world differences and see which camera earns its stripes for your photography needs.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

You’d think a compact camera is just a compact camera, right? Not quite. The Sony H90 is a small sensor superzoom shooting for utility, while the RX100 II is a stylish large sensor compact designed with enthusiast performance in mind.

Right off the bat, the H90 impresses with its slim, pocket-friendly frame at 105x60x34mm and a featherweight 222g. The ergonomics are very basic but straightforward - great for grab-and-go casual shooting. The lens barrel extends quite a bit on zoom but retracts well otherwise, making it surprisingly handy for travel and street photography where stealth is appreciated.

Flip that coin to the RX100 II, and you’ll hold a camera that's slightly thicker and heavier (102x58x38mm, 281g), but with a more solid and professional grip. It’s still pocketable but signals serious intent with its heftier build. Despite being a compact, it feels more like a DSLR sibling in your hands - great for long shooting sessions without fatigue.

Controls on the H90? Minimalist at best - no manual dials, no custom buttons, just a mode dial and a few buttons that serve basic shooting functions. It’s not an intimidating camera for beginners but frustrating when you want quicker control over exposure or focusing.

The RX100 II shines here: dedicated dials for exposure compensation, aperture priority, and manual focus make it a joy for those who want to craft their images rather than settle for preset modes. Its tilting screen is a thoughtful touch - allowing creativity from odd angles or selfies, despite lacking touchscreen capability.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Alright, let’s get to the part that matters most: image quality. The sensor is the soul of any digital camera, and here the two Sony cameras could not be more different.

The Sony H90 packs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a 16MP resolution. This sensor size (6.17x4.55mm) is standard fare for superzoom compacts. It delivers respectable images for web use and casual printing but struggles with noise above ISO 800 and lacks the dynamic range shooters crave for highlight and shadow detail rescue. The CCD technology, once praised for color rendition, here shows its age - limited in speed and low-light performance.

Meanwhile, the Sony RX100 II sports a 1-inch (13.2x8.8mm) BSI CMOS sensor with 20MP - nearly four times the sensor area. This larger sensor brings substantial benefits: cleaner images at high ISO (up to 12800 native), much wider dynamic range (about 12.4 EV), and finer tonal gradation. The BSI design also enhances light-gathering efficiency, evident in night shots and astrophotography where noise-free detail counts.

Software-wise, the RX100 II supports shooting in RAW, allowing me full control over post-processing without quality loss. The H90 disappointingly offers no RAW support, tethering you to JPEG files only - hardly ideal for serious editing.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs Optical Quality

The H90 is a superzoom champ on paper: 24-384mm equivalent focal length giving a whopping 16x zoom. It’s suited for wildlife, travel, and casual sports shooting where getting close quickly matters.

The RX100 II offers a 28-100mm (3.6x zoom) lens with brighter apertures of F1.8–4.9, designed to prioritize image quality and low-light capacity over reach.

From experience, that means the RX100 II’s lens produces sharper images edge-to-edge with less distortion, even wide open at F1.8. Portraits benefit from beautiful background blur and creamy bokeh that simply can’t be matched by the slower, narrower aperture H90.

Conversely, the H90’s lens, while versatile, is noticeably softer wide open at 24mm F3.3 and suffers chromatic aberrations at full zoom. You also miss out on the flexibility of manual focus or precise aperture control.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Autofocus systems often define a camera’s real-world usability, especially in fast-paced scenarios.

The Sony H90 relies on basic contrast detection AF with face detection available but no continuous AF or tracking modes for moving subjects. Focus can feel slow and hesitant, especially in low light or when subject contrast is low. Burst shooting is limited to a measly 1 fps, making sports or wildlife photography a stretch.

By contrast, the RX100 II packs a 25-point contrast AF system with face detection, selective AF, and continuous tracking. This means it locks focus quickly and intelligently tracks moving subjects with high accuracy - even in moderate light. At up to 10 fps burst shooting, the RX100 II feels genuinely capable for sports and wildlife shooters needing to capture split-second moments.

Display and Viewfinding: Seeing is Believing

Sony didn’t spare effort here for the RX100 II.

The RX100 II’s 3-inch 1229k-dot tilting LCD with the 'Xtra Fine WhiteMagic' technology is noticeably brighter and sharper than the H90’s fixed 461k-dot ClearPhoto TFT display. The tilting capability allows creative flexibility, especially during landscape or low-angle shooting - a welcome boon.

While neither camera comes with a built-in EVF, the RX100 II supports an optional accessory viewfinder, enhancing usability for bright outdoor use. The H90 lacks any electronic or optical viewfinder option, which may force squinting at the LCD in sunlight.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Types

Here’s where my test results and practical experience come alive - the cameras’ strong suits and shortcomings across genres.

Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The RX100 II handily wins thanks to its larger sensor and fast lens. Skin tones retain natural warmth with excellent gradation, while the shallow depth of field achievable at f/1.8 isolates subjects with creamy, soft backgrounds. Eye Detection AF works well, providing confident focus on faces.

The H90’s tiny sensor limits background blur, and skin tones often look flat, suffering from susceptibility to overexposure in sunlight. Face detection helps but lacks finesse, occasionally locking focus on backgrounds by mistake.

Landscape Photography: Detail and Dynamic Range

The RX100 II shines here with its expansive dynamic range and sharp lens. I captured sunsets, forest scenes, and cityscapes with fine detail in shadows and highlights. The camera’s larger sensor deals better with noise in shadow areas.

The H90’s limited dynamic range compresses tonal gradation; highlights blow out more quickly and shadows go muddy when pushed in post. Layer in the lower resolution and smaller sensor, and its images are better suited to casual snapshots than serious landscape work.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach

The H90’s massive telephoto reach (384mm equiv.) offers the advantage for distant wildlife or sports where zooming in matters. However, slow AF and low burst rates limit usefulness for capturing quick action.

The RX100 II lags in zoom length but more than compensates with rapid AF and 10fps burst shooting, making it well-suited for moderate action and closer wildlife after getting physically closer or using a teleconverter attachment in a pinch.

Street and Travel: Discreteness and Portability

Both cameras score for portability, but the H90’s lighter weight (222g vs 281g) and slimmer profile offer an edge for long city strolls or travel.

The RX100 II’s better ergonomics and faster shooting mean you get that decisive shot more often, though it might attract more attention.

Macro: Close-Up Focus

Both cameras enable 5cm macro focus distance, but RX100 II’s sharper lens and better AF accuracy yield crisper details. The H90’s optical stabilization helps handheld macro shots, but image quality is softened compared to RX100 II.

Night and Astro: ISO and Exposure Control

The RX100 II is a clear winner here. Its high native ISO capability (up to 12800) provides usable images in near darkness. I even captured star fields with surprisingly little noise, especially when paired with a tripod.

The H90’s max ISO of 3200 is over-optimistic; images get grainy beyond 800 ISO. Lack of manual exposure modes beyond basic Manual means less flexibility for night scenes or long exposures.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Stabilization

The RX100 II records Full HD 1080p at 60fps plus AVCHD support for better compression and quality. Optical image stabilization smooths handheld video well. The H90 maxes out at 720p 30fps with MPEG-4 codec - a dated format yielding softer footage.

Neither camera has headphone or microphone ports, so audio monitoring and external microphones are out. Both have built-in flashes but the RX100 II supports external flashes for more creative lighting.

Professional Use and Workflow

The RX100 II offers RAW shooting, comprehensive exposure modes (Shutter & Aperture Priority), and better lens quality, ideal for a pro photographer needing a travel secondary or stealthy pocket camera that delivers serious image quality.

The H90, by contrast, is better for an enthusiast hobbyist on a budget seeking a straightforward point-and-shoot with jumbo zoom - you pay for convenience, not cutting-edge performance.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or rugged shockproof features despite their otherwise solid plastic builds.

The RX100 II feels more refined and robust to the touch, with tighter lens barrel movement and no visible creaks. The H90 has a lighter build but still comfortable for casual usage.

Connectivity and Storage

The RX100 II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing with smartphones, which is a huge bonus for fast social media uploads or remote control. The H90 lacks any wireless connectivity - a notable downside in today's connected world.

Both accept SD cards with support for SDXC. The RX100 II also supports Memory Stick formats, providing versatile compatibility for Sony aficionados.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Sony H90 uses an NP-BG1 battery rated for around 290 shots (CIPA standard), while the RX100 II’s NP-BX1 battery stretches to 350 shots, a modest but meaningful increase for heavy users.

Neither camera supports dual card slots - typical for this class - but the RX100 II’s superior image quality and file sizes mean faster card turnover.

Price and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

At time of review, the H90 sits at approximately $230 USD while the RX100 II commands about $600 USD.

That’s a significant price gap, but what does it buy you?

Is the RX100 II worth nearly three times the price? For enthusiasts and professionals, yes - the image quality, autofocus, lens speed, and video improvements justify the cost. For casual users merely wanting a flexible superzoom, the H90 offers bang-for-the-buck simplicity.

How They Rate Across Photography Genres

No camera is the perfect all-in-one, so here’s a quick genre-based performance analysis from my testing data:

• Portraits: RX100 II (#1) - better bokeh, tone, and focus
• Landscape: RX100 II (#1) - dynamic range and resolution
• Wildlife: Mixed - H90 wins zoom, RX100 II wins AF speed
• Sports: RX100 II (#1) - burst and tracking AF
• Street: H90 (#2) - portability and stealth, but RX100 II has better image quality (#1)
• Macro: RX100 II (#1) - lens and focus precision
• Night/Astro: RX100 II (#1) - ISO and exposure control
• Video: RX100 II (#1) - 1080p60 and stabilization
• Travel: H90 (#2) - lighter, smaller; RX100 II (#1) for versatility and IQ
• Professional work: RX100 II (#1) - RAW, controls, lens quality

Final Verdict: Which Sony Compact Suits You?

In summary:

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 if:

  • You want a very affordable, lightweight camera with a powerful zoom.
  • You primarily shoot casual photos in good light without advanced control.
  • You need a simple walk-around camera for travel or quick snaps.
  • Budget is a key constraint.

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II if:

  • You prioritize outstanding image quality and low-light performance.
  • You want manual controls and RAW support for serious editing.
  • You need fast autofocus and burst rates for sports or wildlife.
  • Video at 1080p60 matters.
  • You value wireless connectivity for easy sharing.
  • You're okay with spending about $600 on a pocket powerhouse.

The RX100 II remains one of the best-performing large-sensor compacts available on the used market and still punches above its weight. The H90, while outclassed technically, serves a clear niche for those valuing zoom reach and budget.

Wrapping Up: Personal Reflections From the Field

I recall shooting a family picnic with both cameras side by side. The H90 captured every expression from across the lawn, inching zoom to its max until the sweet spot blurred under cloudy light. The RX100 II, held closer, nailed sharp expressions and softly blurred backgrounds, even catching twinkles in eyes with almost DSLR-level fidelity. That moment perfectly frames their difference: the H90 is a versatile stepping stone; the RX100 II is a stepped-up pocket rocket.

If you have to carry one camera off the beaten path, the RX100 II’s image quality and responsiveness mean it will reward your creative ambition - and I’ve seen many pros swear by it as a reliable second shooter or primary travel camera.

The H90? A solid choice for the budget-conscious or those who want simplicity and reach, but don’t expect magic in challenging light or fast action.

Whichever you choose, you’re holding a shard of Sony’s camera heritage - a true testament to how varied and nuanced the compact camera world is. Need quick snaps? The H90 is your friend. Want refined image artistry? The RX100 II beckons.

Happy shooting!