Clicky

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Old Model is Sony HX10V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX30V
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Older Model is Sony RX100
  • Updated by Sony RX100 III
Photography Glossary

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Sony HX20V versus Sony RX100 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the RX100 II (20MP) is relatively similar but the HX20V (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") feature different sensor measurements.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The HX20V was launched 11 months earlier than the RX100 II which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the HX20V scores vs the RX100 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony RX100 II

 HX20V RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Sony HX20V

 RX100 II HX20V 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2012Fresher by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k922kSharper screen (+307k dot)

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony RX100 II

 HX20V RX100 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX20V has got physical dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) and the Sony RX100 II has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Sony HX20V versus Sony RX100 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the HX20V versus the RX100 II.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the HX20V and RX100 II is 90 and 89 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX20V and RX100 II.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The HX20V featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony RX100 II will offer more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older HX20V is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V Portrait photography info
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography info
45
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
includes face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
70
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
85
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (281g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography info
Sony RX100 II Sports photography info
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
Sony RX100 II Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
80
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
MP count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 II Landscape photography highlights
50
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
74
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V Vlogging features
Sony RX100 II Vlogging features
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
37
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony RX100 II
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-20 2013-06-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 922k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 254 gr (0.56 lb) 281 gr (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 483
Other
Battery life 320 images 350 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $397 $598