Sony HX350 vs. Sony RX1R II: Bridging the Gap Between Superzoom and Large-Sensor Compact Excellence

Choosing your next camera is always a mix of excitement and head-scratching indecision - especially when you’re staring down two very different Sony Cyber-shot models like the HX350 and the RX1R II. On one hand, we have the HX350, a superzoom bridge camera that promises versatile reach and ease of use. On the other, the RX1R II, a trailblazing large-sensor compact with a fixed 35mm prime lens that’s often hailed as a pocket-sized powerhouse for image quality.

I’ve spent well over a month putting both cameras through their paces across a range of photographic disciplines, and in this article, I’m sharing every juicy detail and personal insight that went into evaluating these two very distinct cameras. From sensor tech to ergonomics to real-world results, this is your no-nonsense guide to determining which Sony suits your creative needs, whether you shoot portraits, wildlife, or stargaze after dark.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Design - The Feel Factor

Before diving into pixels and processing, it’s worth appreciating the physical presence and handling quirks, which heavily influence day-to-day usability.

Here’s the nutshell: The HX350 feels like a chunky bridge camera - with dimensions roughly 130x93x103mm and weighing 652 grams, it’s designed to mimic an SLR in ergonomics, with a pronounced grip and a solid plastic body. The RX1R II is far more compact (113x65x72mm, 507 grams), reflecting its "large-sensor compact" ethos. It finds a middle ground between portability and solid heft, quite literally carrying a full-frame sensor in a pocketable shell.

In my hands, the HX350’s size made it comfortable for extended handheld shots, especially with its pronounced thumb rest and steady grip. Flip side: it’s more noticeable when traveling light or shooting candid street photos where subtlety is key.

The RX1R II, meanwhile, feels like a high-grade precision instrument - solid, dense, but invitingly compact. It rewards those who prioritize pocketability without sacrificing pro-level image quality. Its minimalist design lacks the exaggerated grip but balances on weight and feel so well that you’d likely forget you’re carrying a full-frame marvel.

Another ergonomic note: Neither features touchscreen interaction which, admittedly, feels archaic in a 2024 context. Both use physical buttons and dials, but the HX350’s is more basic, whereas the RX1R II relies on a cleaner, more refined layout.

Speaking of controls…

The HX350 gives you what you expect in a superzoom - a mode dial, dedicated zoom rocker, and a handful of programmable buttons. It favors accessibility over customizability.

The RX1R II is quieter in controls, geared toward experienced shooters accustomed to manual adjustments. The external flash shoe - absent on HX350 - offers more lighting control options.

Overall, if handling experience is high on your priority list, the RX1R II’s design charms the enthusiast, but the HX350 scores points for user-friendliness and comfort during longer sessions.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology & Image Quality Showdown

Nobody buys a camera without peeking at the sensor specs, so let’s start with the heart of the machines.

The HX350 features a 1/2.3" 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor - about 6.17 x 4.55mm in size, equaling around 28 sq mm sensor area. It’s typical for superzoom bridge cameras, enabling huge zoom ranges but limiting ultimate image quality potential.

The RX1R II, by contrast, sports a full-frame 42MP BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 35.9 x 24mm, a massive 861 sq mm area. The difference is astronomical in sensor physics terms - bigger sensors collect more light, offer superior dynamic range, lower noise, and better control over depth of field.

In practical terms, the RX1R II’s sensor delivers striking resolution (up to 7952 x 5304 pixels) and superb detail rendering, with almost no AA filter to keep images razor sharp. In testing, its color depth and dynamic range far outclass the HX350, which is the expected result given its sensor limitations.

I ran both cameras through my standardized sensor tests: color fidelity, noise at ISO increments, and dynamic range in high-contrast scenes. The RX1R II consistently showed higher color accuracy - its DxOMark color depth of 25.8 bits beats most cameras outside flagship DSLRs. Meanwhile, the HX350, with a more modest sensor and AA filter, displays visible noise at ISO 800 and beyond, and its dynamic range can clip highlights and lose shadow detail more readily.

All that said, the HX350’s processor (BIONZ X) does a commendable job optimizing JPEG output with in-camera noise reduction. It's a reliable point-and-shoot experience but lacks the latitude and raw capabilities that professionals expect.

Viewing and Composing Images: Screen and Viewfinder Comparison

How you frame shots often determines your enjoyment and control, so let's see how these cameras stack up visually.

Both cameras utilize a 3-inch tilting LCD, but the RX1R II’s screen boasts a higher 1,229k dot resolution compared to the HX350’s 922k dots. In practice, the RX1R II’s sharper screen better facilitates manual focusing and detail inspection on set.

The HX350 screen tilts upwards but lacks touchscreen capabilities. The same goes for RX1R II; its tilting screen is essential for shooting at awkward angles but requires buttons for navigation, which can feel slower but is more reliable in bright light.

Moving to EVFs, the RX1R II impresses with a high-resolution OLED EVF at 2,359k dot, 100% frame coverage, and 0.74x magnification - offering a crystal-clear and immersive view. The HX350’s smaller OLED EVF with 202k dot resolution and 100% coverage seems puny by comparison, suitable mostly for basic framing.

In bright conditions, the RX1R II's EVF is noticeably superior, aiding manual focus precision - something important given its fixed 35mm prime lens and its appeal to discerning users.

Lenses and Zoom: Flexibility vs. Optical Purity

Here lies the core philosophical divide - versatility with a superzoom or optical excellence with a prime.

The HX350 wields a fixed 24-1200mm (50x zoom) F2.8-6.3 lens, empowering it to cover wide landscapes to distant wildlife in a pinch. This flexibility is stunning - forget swapping lenses or carrying heavy telephoto glass; just twist the zoom ring and you’re hunting birds or cityscapes.

Conversely, the RX1R II sports a fixed 35mm F2.0 lens, a classic focal length praised for its natural perspective in everything from street to environmental portraits. This optics combo is renowned for sharpness, creamy bokeh and low distortion. The absence of zoom demands moving your feet and getting creative, but the quality payoff is undeniable.

I took both cameras into the wild - literally. The HX350’s long zoom dramatically extended my reach to distant subjects like birds and action sports from the sidelines. Its optical image stabilization kept shots steady at telephoto extremes, which is truly impressive for a bridge camera.

The RX1R II urges you to embrace composition over convenience, but the fast F2 aperture rewards you with stunning subject isolation and creamy backgrounds that the HX350’s lens simply cannot rival.

Macro lovers - a quick note: the HX350 boasts a close focus distance of 1cm, excellent for tight close-ups. The RX1R II focuses no closer than 14cm, limiting its macro prowess.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Precision

Autofocus is often the unheralded hero, especially in wildlife and sports photography. It can make or break a shot.

The HX350 relies on contrast-detection autofocus, which works well for static subjects and casual shooting. However, its relatively slow AF speed and lack of phase detection make it struggle with fast-moving subjects or in low contrast.

The RX1R II, in contrast, deploys an advanced hybrid AF system incorporating both phase detection and contrast detection, scattered across 25 focal points. This translates to snappier, more reliable focus locking, even under challenging lighting.

However, the RX1R II sacrifices continuous AF - it offers AF-S (single shot) but no AF-C (continuous) tracking. This is a bit of a drawback for action shooters, meaning it’s better for deliberate portraits, landscapes, and street shooting than dynamic sports or wildlife where tracking matters.

In practice, I found the HX350’s AF sluggish beyond mid-range zoom and often hunting in dim conditions. The RX1R II locked focus swiftly on still subjects but requires manual finesse for moving objects.

Burst Shooting and Shutter

The HX350 boasts a 10 fps burst in JPEG with decent buffer depth, tempting for sports and wildlife shooters aiming to catch the perfect moment.

The RX1R II offers a more modest 5 fps but with raw capture capability - meaning quality over speed for most. Its shutter sound is quieter and less intrusive, an advantage for discreet shooting.

Neither offers electronic shutters or silent modes, which might disappoint video shooters or quiet-event photographers.

Video Capabilities: Not a Primary Focus, but Worth Mentioning

Neither camera is a video workhorse, but they cover basics.

The HX350 shoots 1080p Full HD in MPEG-4 or AVCHD, limited to 30 fps. It has optical stabilization which helps handheld footage but lacks advanced video codecs or 4K.

The RX1R II offers 1080p up to 60 fps, and supports XAVC S, a high-quality codec better suited for post-processing. Its built-in microphone input is a useful feature for videographers aiming for external audio.

Neither camera includes 4K recording, touch-driven video controls, or in-body image stabilization (the RX1R II notably lacks stabilization altogether), which is unusual for modern cameras around or after their release dates.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting More, Worry Less

Battery life can be make or break, especially for travel and wildlife photographers.

The HX350 returns around 300 shots per charge, decent for its class, and uses Sony “Battery Pack” format (model unspecified in specs), with a single SD slot supporting SDXC cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo.

The RX1R II is rated at 220 shots per charge using the smaller NP-BX1 battery - typical for a large-sensor compact but less workhorse-like. It also supports SDXC/SDHC and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

In practice, I found both cameras required carrying spares for extended shooting days. Neither supports dual card slots or USB charging, a bit limiting when on the go.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

From a modern workflow perspective, connectivity matters.

The HX350 features no built-in wireless options - no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth. This limits how quickly you can transfer images to a phone or laptop, and is a handicap for social shooters or rapid sharing enthusiasts.

The RX1R II enjoys built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling easy pairing to smartphones and remote camera control via Sony apps. This proves handy in the field for quick edits or sharing.

Both provide standard USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, but no GPS or headphone ports.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera is weather-sealed, waterproof, or shockproof - something to keep in mind if you expect rougher treatment.

The RX1R II’s metal chassis offers a more durable feel, while the HX350’s plastic body is respectable but less premium.

Neither is freeze or crush-proof.

Image Samples and Real-world Shooting Results

Enough with tech talk - how do these cameras perform where it counts: in the field?

Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back

Here, the RX1R II shows its full-frame prowess - images are crisp, with beautiful skin tones, smooth bokeh in portraits, and vibrant, nuanced color. Fine details in landscape shots pop, and shadows hold impressive information without excessive noise even at ISO 1600.

The HX350 delivers solid JPEGs given its sensor, especially for casual sharing and travel snapshots. Its zoom capability shines for distant subjects, but bokeh is often harsh and backgrounds can turn a bit muddy wide open.

In street photography, the RX1R II’s compactness and image quality make it an outstanding choice for capturing moments discreetly, while the HX350’s bulk and slower AF can sometimes be a hinderance.

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

Let’s zoom out to consider the overall and genre-specific scores to aid decision-making.

The RX1R II ranks highly in image quality and handling - scoring strongly across competitions focused on portraits and landscapes. It ranks lower where flexibility, zoom, and speed are critical.

The HX350's strengths lie in versatility, zoom range, and battery life, but it lags behind in image quality and advanced AF.

Breaking down by photography types:

• Portraits: RX1R II wins handily with superior bokeh and color rendering.
• Landscape: RX1R II again excels with dynamic range and resolution.
• Wildlife: HX350’s 50x zoom and high burst rate make it more practical despite image quality compromises.
• Sports: HX350’s autofocus and 10 fps burst hold an edge.
• Street: RX1R II’s compact size and image quality are a better match.
• Macro: HX350 offers closer focusing.
• Night/Astro: RX1R II outperforms in low-light noise and exposure control.
• Video: RX1R II offers better codec and mic input, but neither is a standout.
• Travel: HX350’s zoom and battery life benefit versatility, RX1R II offers superior image quality.
• Professional Work: RX1R II supports RAW, higher bit depths and better color spaces, making it more suited for demanding workflows.

Who Should Buy Which? Clear Recommendations

If you’ve hung with me so far, here are my distilled takeaways:

Choose the Sony HX350 if...

• You prioritize versatility over image quality - especially if you want an all-in-one zoom solution from wide angle to extreme telephoto.
• You shoot wildlife, travel, or sports on a budget.
• You want longer battery life and straightforward handling.
• You’re fine with JPEG-only shooting and limited raw workflow.
• Portability is less important than flexibility.

Choose the Sony RX1R II if...

• You demand top-notch image quality packed into a compact form factor.
• You’re a portrait, landscape, or street photographer who values sharpness, color fidelity, and control over depth of field.
• You shoot RAW and need pro-level workflows.
• Video is a secondary priority but enhanced codec/audio options are welcome.
• You prefer a premium lens with classic 35mm focal length and f/2 aperture.
• You want built-in wireless connectivity and a superior EVF for manual focus precision.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Philosophies

In the end, comparing the HX350 and RX1R II is like comparing a Swiss Army knife to a scalpel - both useful, but designed for different tasks. The HX350 brings a world of reach in a single package, perfect for those who want convenience and range without fuss. The RX1R II champions uncompromising image quality in a deceptively compact frame - a tool for connoisseurs who prioritize the craft over features.

While Sony hasn’t updated the HX line in recent years, the RX1R II remains a standout in large-sensor compacts, with a legacy that still influences many mirrorless cameras today.

Whether versatility or quality is your guiding star, choosing between these two means understanding your photographic priorities first. I hope this deep dive illuminates those choices with clarity and expertise - and remember, every camera is ultimately a stepping stone toward your unique creative vision.

Happy shooting!

Note: For further hands-on tests and sample galleries with RAW files for both cameras, feel free to reach out or visit [my website] for comprehensive downloads and print-quality samples.