Sony HX100V vs Sony RX100 VI: An Expert Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I know that choosing your next camera is always a nuanced decision - one shaped by your shooting style, technical needs, and budget. Today, I’m diving deep into two interesting Sony compacts from quite different eras and design philosophies: the 2011 bridge-style Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V (HX100V) and the 2018 premium compact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI (RX100 VI).

These two cameras, despite being brothers under the Sony umbrella, cater to quite distinct users. I’ll guide you through their real-world performance, core specifications, and how each one holds up for various photography styles - portrait, wildlife, landscape, and more. This is a hands-on, data-driven comparison rooted in my personal experience and industry-standard evaluation criteria that I deploy in every camera test.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

Before we dive into specs, handling often makes or breaks the user experience. The HX100V is a bridge camera with an SLR-like design, while the RX100 VI is a truly compact fixed lens camera aimed at minimalism and pocketability.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison between the Sony HX100V (classic bridge-style bulk) and compact RX100 VI.

The HX100V, measuring 122x87x93mm and weighing 577g, feels substantial. Its size lent itself well to a confident grip. The pronounced handgrip and traditional placement of controls mean I could shoot comfortably for long periods without fatigue. The camera’s heft actually helped stability, particularly with its long 30x zoom lens extended.

In contrast, the RX100 VI weighs just 301g and measures a compact 102x58x43mm. It almost disappears in your palm, perfect for travel or street photographers who hate lugging heavy gear. However, smaller physical size means less room for dedicated buttons. Still, Sony balances this well with their advanced touchscreen interface.

In the field, the HX100V feels like a proper camera for serious shooting sessions; the RX100 VI sneaks into your pocket and emerges only when inspiration strikes.

Styling and Control Layout: Classic vs. Modern Interface

Let’s peek top-down for control ergonomics and functionality.

Top view design and control layout comparison: HX100V’s DSLR-like dials versus RX100 VI’s sleek compact control ring and touchscreen interface.

The HX100V sports the more traditional camera layout: dedicated zoom and focus rings, top dials for exposure compensation and shooting modes, push-buttons clearly labeled. For photographers transitioning from DSLRs at the time, this was very familiar and practical.

The RX100 VI, conversely, relies more heavily on its multifunction control ring around the lens and a customizable control dial. Its touchscreen adds an intuitive layer, especially for selecting focus points directly. However, for some, this modern approach involves a short learning curve. Features like touch-to-focus and menu navigation are slick but less tactile.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size Matters

At the heart of every camera is its sensor. Sensor size and performance fundamentally influence image quality.

Sensor specifications and image quality discussion - note the substantial size difference between the HX100V’s 1/2.3" and the RX100 VI’s 1" sensors.

The HX100V uses a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring roughly 6.17x4.55mm with a resolution of 16MP. Contrast that with the RX100 VI’s larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8mm) at 20MP.

This size difference, from 28 mm² to 116 mm², may not sound like much, but it translates to significantly better low-light performance, dynamic range, and noise control on the RX100 VI. A physically larger sensor gathers more light and exhibits less noise at higher ISOs. The RX100 VI also harnesses Sony’s Bionz X processor, which delivers excellent image processing for tone mapping and detail retention.

In practical shooting, I saw this difference clearly. The HX100V handles bright daylight well but starts showing noise and detail loss above ISO 800. The RX100 VI, however, stays clean and detailed up to ISO 3200 or 6400, making it a clear winner for dim conditions and night photography.

Viewing and Interface: What You See Matters

The rear LCD and electronic viewfinder (EVF) define your shooting experience, especially outdoors.

LCD screen and interface comparison: HX100V’s tilting XtraFine display versus the RX100 VI’s higher resolution tilting touchscreen.

While both cameras have a 3-inch tilting LCD, RX100 VI’s 1,229k-dot touchscreen is considerably sharper, and the touch interface allows quick focus adjustments and menu navigation on the fly. The HX100V’s 921k-dot screen is usable but shows limitations in bright outdoor light.

The EVFs also differ greatly. The HX100V’s EVF, although electronic, is less detailed and with unknown resolution. Meanwhile, the RX100 VI boasts a 2,359k-dot EVF with full 100% coverage and decent magnification. This makes composing in bright sunlight much easier.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility vs Image Quality

Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses, but with vastly different focal ranges and apertures.

• HX100V: 27-810mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.6 (30x zoom)
• RX100 VI: 24-200mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.5 (8.3x zoom)

The HX100V’s monster 30x telephoto range is highly versatile, ideal for wildlife and distant landscapes. With built-in optical image stabilization, it compensates well for some camera shake, but at full telephoto the small sensor struggles with diffraction and noise.

The RX100 VI’s lens, while more modest in zoom reach, is optically superior. Its faster aperture at the tele end (f/4.5 vs f/5.6) and larger sensor provide better image quality across the frame. The RX100 VI is also tighter in focus with a macro minimum focusing distance of 8cm - great for close-ups.

Autofocus Performance: Precision and Speed

Autofocus is crucial to capturing fleeting moments, especially in wildlife, sports, and portraiture.

The HX100V features a 9-point contrast-detection AF system without face or eye detection. Its speed and accuracy were modest in typical daylight but sluggish in low light or tracking moving subjects. The lack of continuous AF or tracking modes limits usability in fast-paced scenarios.

In contrast, the RX100 VI shines with 315 hybrid AF points (phase + contrast detection), real-time eye AF, face detection, and tracking. Its autofocus reacts incredibly quickly - up to 24 fps burst capture with continuous AF means barely missing decisive moments when photographing kids, events, or wildlife.

Real-World Photography Tests

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The RX100 VI’s larger sensor and 1" format produce beautifully smooth skin tones and richer color gradations. Its eye AF keeps portraits tack sharp, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. The smaller HX100V can achieve decent portraits in bright light, but its background blur is limited by sensor size and lens optics. The bokeh is less creamy and more “busy.”

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail

The RX100 VI’s wider dynamic range excels in capturing scenes with challenging light - such as sunlight breaking through clouds or deep shadows under trees. Its higher resolution (5472x3648 pixels) creates more sizeable prints without loss of detail.

The HX100V’s smaller sensor yields a softer image at base ISO, and dynamic range falls off faster in highlights and shadows, restricting creative latitude in post-processing.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach

If you need extreme reach, the HX100V’s 810mm equivalent zoom is a tempting choice, but autofocus is a bottleneck. Sluggish AF and lower burst speed mean you’re less likely to freeze a bird in flight sharply.

The RX100 VI offers less zoom but great autofocus speed and burst rate (24 fps), allowing successful captures of swift action in sports or wildlife at shorter telephoto ranges.

Street and Travel: Discretion and Portability

The RX100 VI wins hands down for travel and street photography with its compact size, quiet shutter modes, and touchscreen for quick framing. The HX100V, bulkier and more camera-like, demands more presence and carrying effort.

In crowded or low-light urban settings, RX100 VI’s superior ISO performance and EVF make it the unobtrusive storyteller’s tool.

Video Capabilities: Who Shoots What?

The HX100V shoots Full HD video up to 1080p at 60fps in MPEG-4 or AVCHD formats. This was respectable for its time but lacks 4K and advanced stabilization features.

The RX100 VI delivers 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30p with superb detail, along with XAVC S compression and built-in optical steadiness, producing higher-quality footage with less noise. Slow-motion and timelapse modes, supported via apps, give extra creative tools.

Though neither camera supports external microphones, the RX100 VI’s video prowess makes it a compelling hybrid shooter for vloggers and casual filmmakers.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Battery life on the HX100V isn’t officially specified in shots but uses the NP-FH50 battery which delivers moderate endurance. The RX100 VI has a lower capacity NP-BX1 battery with ~240 shots per charge, typical for compact cameras. However, many photographers carry extra batteries or recharge on the go via USB, facilitated by the RX100 VI.

Both cameras accept SD/Memory Stick cards but the RX100 VI supports faster SDXC cards, valuable for 4K video recording.

Connectivity and Extras

The HX100V includes built-in GPS for geo-tagging shots, a feature absent in the RX100 VI. This might matter to travel photographers who want in-camera geodata.

However, RX100 VI compensates with Bluetooth and NFC for rapid pairing with smartphones, letting you transfer images instantly and control the camera remotely via Sony’s app.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers comprehensive weather sealing, a notable omission for photographers expecting to shoot in adverse outdoor conditions.

Both feel solidly constructed considering their class, but users shooting in harsh environments should plan extra care.

Bringing It All Together: Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Tailored Recommendations for Different Photography Enthusiasts

Portrait Photographers

RX100 VI is clearly superior. The eye AF, higher resolution, and larger sensor render skin tones beautifully with creamy bokeh. The HX100V’s smaller sensor and inferior AF hold it back here.

Landscape Lovers

While the HX100V’s long zoom range can reach distant vistas, the RX100 VI’s excellent dynamic range and higher resolution produce richer, more detailed images that stand up to large prints and post-processing.

Wildlife and Bird Shooters

If you cannot carry a big lens, the HX100V’s 810mm zoom is enticing for distant wildlife, but AF limitations mean lost shots. RX100 VI’s ultra-fast AF and burst rate beat the HX100V if you stay within its shorter focal range.

Sports Photographers

The RX100 VI dominates with tracking AF and 24 fps. Faster shutter speeds and silent shutter options keep you in the action without intrusion. HX100V’s AF system and burst speed are dated here.

Street and Travel Photography

The RX100 VI’s compact dimensions, quiet operation, and touch interface make it ideal for candid street shooting and travel. The HX100V is bulkier and less discreet.

Macro and Close-Ups

RX100 VI supports macro down to 8cm with good focusing precision, excellent for shooting small subjects. The HX100V lacks a dedicated macro mode.

Night and Astro

With better ISO performance and noise control, RX100 VI allows more flexibility for low light and star photography. HX100V’s limit at ISO 800 constrains its use.

Sample Images and Image Quality Verdict

Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back Sony RX100 VI front

Throughout my sessions, the RX100 VI consistently produced sharper, more vibrant images with better color accuracy and less noise at higher ISO settings. The HX100V’s images still hold charm in daylight but clearly show their age in shadow detail and noise suppression.

Conclusion: Which Sony Compact Should You Choose?

The Sony HX100V remains a fascinating camera for enthusiasts who want a big zoom in an affordable, SLR-style package with manual controls - but generally, it will appeal to beginners or those prioritizing reach over image quality or speed.

The Sony RX100 VI is a triumph of compact engineering - a true travel-friendly powerhouse, boasting excellent sensor performance, fast and accurate autofocus, and professional-grade video features. It demands a higher investment but rewards photographers who want speed, image quality, and versatility in a pocket-sized body.

Practical Buying Guide Summary

In closing, having spent countless hours shooting with both cameras, I can attest that the RX100 VI embodies the evolution of compact photography. It’s a well-rounded tool for professionals and enthusiasts alike who value image quality and agility.

If you need reassuring reach and control while sticking to a tight budget, the HX100V surprisingly still has some charms, though consider its age and limitations.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you select the camera that best fits your style and creative ambitions.

Happy shooting!

• With years behind the lens, I’m always eager to share insights that help bring your photography vision to life.