Sony RX10 II vs Sony W220: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When stepping into the world of digital cameras, the choice can be bewildering. Even within a single brand like Sony, the lineup ranges from compact point-and-shoots to bridge-style large-sensor superzooms. Today, I’m delving deeply into two such cameras that sit at quite opposite ends of the spectrum: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II (hereafter RX10 II) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 (W220). Both carry the Cyber-shot badge but could not be more different in intent, capability, and performance.

Having personally tested over a thousand cameras, I’ll break down what you need to know from sensor technology to handling, autofocus, and shooting versatility, topped off with practical advice about which camera excels for specific styles and shooting scenarios. No fluff, just experience-backed insights. Let’s dive in.

Setting the Stage: Physicality and Design First Impressions

Before firing off specs, feeling a camera’s ergonomics and size often provides immediate insight into its usage scenario.

The RX10 II embodies a classic SLR-like bridge camera form: a relatively large, robust body weighing 813 grams, with dimensions of approximately 129x88x102 mm. The grip is substantial and molded for comfort during extended handheld shooting sessions. This makes sense given it packs a larger 1-inch sensor and an F2.8 constant aperture zoom lens.

Conversely, the W220 is a tiny, pocketable compact weighing just 147 grams and measuring 95x57x22 mm. Its slim silhouette and light weight practically beg to be slipped into a jacket pocket or handbag. There’s no pronounced grip, reflecting its user base: casual shooters or those prioritizing portability over manual controls.

While the RX10 II feels serious and ready for enthusiast use, the W220 is more of a grab-and-go simple snapshot machine.

Top Controls and Interface: Ergonomics that Support Your Creativity

The face and top panel of a camera reflect usability and shooting speed. In field tests, especially for action or street photography, access to controls must be intuitive.

The RX10 II features a comprehensive control layout. Dedicated dials for exposure compensation, mode selection, and aperture/shutter priority handling make manual exposure workflows smooth and efficient. The top plate even includes a small status screen to relay key settings at a glance - great when you don’t want to pull down the rear menu.

In contrast, the W220 strips down controls significantly. It lacks dedicated exposure dials or buttons for rapid setup changes, and its simpler menus reflect that. There is no electronic viewfinder; you rely completely on the rear screen for composing images. The action buttons on the W220 cater more to basic adjustments, ideal for beginners.

This control disparity dovetails with the cameras’ positioning: the RX10 II is designed for active, hands-on photographers who want tactile precision; the W220 favors simplicity and straightforward snapshots.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of photographic image quality lies the sensor. The RX10 II boasts a 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels and an anti-aliasing filter, while the W220 carries a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of 12 megapixels.

The difference in sensor area is profound: the RX10 II’s sensor area is roughly 116 mm² - over four times larger than that of the W220’s 28 mm² sensor. This gap translates into far superior light gathering capabilities, better high ISO performance, and more flexibility in depth of field control.

In real-world shooting, I found the RX10 II produces crisp, richly detailed images even in dim environments, maintaining color fidelity and low noise up to ISO 3200 comfortably - ISO 12800 and boost modes exist, but image quality degrades noticeably beyond ISO 3200, consistent with 1-inch sensor characteristics. The lens’s sharpness across its zoom range is excellent; the constant F2.8 aperture is an asset in low light and for background blur.

The W220’s sensor, a dated CCD type, struggles with noise above ISO 400 and delivers softer detail. Its resolution suffices for casual prints or social media, but it lacks the dynamic range and tonality prized by advanced shooters. The lens, variable aperture F2.8-7.1, performs acceptably at the wide end but noticeably softer and slower when zoomed. The small sensor also limits background separation capabilities.

So, if image quality and tonal nuance are priorities - especially for enlargements or cropping - the RX10 II stands head and shoulders above the W220.

Articulated Screens and Viewfinders: Framing Your Shots

The RX10 II’s 3-inch tilting LCD screen with 1229k-dot resolution gives bright, accurate liveview - important for waist-level or overhead framing. It also sports a high-res OLED electronic viewfinder with 2359k-dot resolution, covering 100% of the frame with a 0.7x magnification. Using the viewfinder locks out the rear screen to minimize distractions.

The W220 relies on its fixed 2.7-inch LCD screen with only 230k-dot resolution and no EVF. Under bright sunlight, this screen can become tricky to see, making composition less precise. No touch functionality is present on either camera, but that’s expected given their release years.

Overall, the RX10 II’s flexible screen and high-quality EVF significantly enhance compositional options and usability in varied shooting conditions.

Autofocus Systems in Action: Speed and Accuracy in the Real World

Autofocus can make or break moments, particularly in wildlife, sports, or street photography. The RX10 II introduces a hybrid AF system utilizing contrast detection with 25 focus points and face detection capabilities. While it lacks phase detection AF, the AF speed is quite impressive for its class, focusing swiftly and tracking moderately fast-moving subjects reliably.

Face detection helps with portraits and street shooting when subjects move unpredictably, though it doesn’t offer eye-detection autofocus by modern standards.

The W220 uses simple contrast detection with 9 focus points and no face detection. Autofocus is noticeably slower and can hunt in low contrast environments. No continuous or tracking AF is available; single AF is the only option. For static subjects in good light, it works just fine.

Practically, the RX10 II will be your go-to for action photography and unpredictable subjects. The W220 suits still life and casual snapshots where focus speed is less critical.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Capacity: Catching the Decisive Moment

The RX10 II impresses here with a continuous shooting speed up to 14 frames per second, backed by a reasonably sized buffer, allowing bursts without immediate throttling when shooting in JPEG or compressed RAW formats. This makes it capable of chasing wildlife or fast-moving sports action within a bridge camera category.

The W220’s burst mode is very limited at 2 frames per second and without any continuous AF. This restricts its use in dynamic shooting scenarios.

For photographers who value timing and need a responsive buffer, the RX10 II remains competitive despite the arrival of newer mirrorless systems.

Lens Performance and Zoom Versatility: From Wide to Telephoto

The RX10 II’s built-in 24-200mm equivalent zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture is remarkable, combining speed, sharpness, and range in one package that many interchangeable lens cameras struggle to match. This makes it a compelling tool for heralded versatility, spanning wide landscapes, close portraits, and medium telephoto.

The W220 offers a more pedestrian 30-120mm equivalent f/2.8-7.1 zoom. It lacks the brightness and sharpness of the RX10 II’s lens and cannot match its low-light aptitude or depth of field control.

One caveat is the RX10 II’s 1-inch sensor necessitates a crop factor of 2.7x, so its 24mm wide end is less ultra-wide than full-frame equivalents but still suitable for landscapes and architecture.

Image Stabilization and Handling in the Field

Both cameras offer optical image stabilization to counteract camera shake but the RX10 II’s system is more advanced and thorough, complementing the longer focal reach and slower shutter speeds.

Combined with the RX10 II’s better grip and weight distribution, it yields steadier handheld shots especially at the telephoto end and in low light.

The W220’s simpler stabilization is sufficient for casual use but can’t perform miracles under challenging conditions.

Video Capabilities for the Hybrid Shooter

The RX10 II supports 4K UHD recording at 30/25/24 fps along with Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps using the XAVC S codec for better compression and quality - quite advanced for its release time (2015). It also includes microphone and headphone jacks for external audio devices, appealing to video-oriented photographers.

The W220 is limited to low-res 640x480 VGA video at 30 fps with Motion JPEG format, effectively an afterthought for casual clips.

Videographers or hybrid shooters will find the RX10 II meets many semi-professional shooting needs, while the W220 cannot meaningfully compete here.

Battery Performance and Storage Convenience

Notably, the RX10 II uses the NP-FW50 battery - a common Sony mirrorless battery with about 400 shots per charge rating, which I found realistic under mixed use. It stores images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards as well as Sony's proprietary Memory Stick formats, housed in a single slot.

The W220’s battery system details are vague, but typical for small compacts with modest endurance. Storage is limited to Memory Stick Duo and internal memory, with a single card slot.

For extended trips, the RX10 II’s better power longevity and use of modern SD cards is advantageous.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability

The RX10 II is weather-sealed, a significant premium feature for outdoor photography in challenging conditions. While not fully waterproof, it protects against light rain and dust ingress - critical for landscape, wildlife, or travel photographers working on location.

The W220 offers no sealing; moisture or dust exposure would risk damage. It’s better suited for indoor or fair weather use.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras have fixed lenses with no interchangeable lens systems. The RX10 II’s lens quality and versatility partially substitute for the lack of interchangeable lenses. Some users may lament this, but the combination of large sensor and sharp zoom makes the tradeoff acceptable for many.

The W220 is strictly a beginner compact; its fixed zoom is basic but embedded in an inexpensive, simple body.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The RX10 II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support, enabling easy image transfer and remote camera control via smartphone apps - a big plus for the connected photographer.

The W220 has no wireless connectivity.

Putting It All Together: Practical Photography Uses and How These Cameras Stack Up

Sony RX10 II front Sony RX10 II screen back Sony W220 front Sony W220 screen back

The aforementioned image samples show stark differences in sharpness, noise control, and color depth. Highlights and shadows on the RX10 II photos retain detail and subtlety, while W220 images appear flatter and noisier.

Portrait Photography

• RX10 II: Big sensor and bright lens yield pleasing skin tones, natural bokeh, and effective face detection AF, delivering flattering portraits with background separation.
• W220: Small sensor limits tonal gradation and subject isolation. Macro close-ups possible but with limited sharpness.

Landscape Photography

• RX10 II: Wide zoom, weather sealing, and high dynamic range capabilities make it comfortable for serious landscape work.
• W220: Smaller sensor and limited focal reach restrict creative options; struggles with dynamic range.

Wildlife and Sports

• RX10 II: Fast autofocus, high burst rate, telephoto reach, and good stabilization support wildlife or sports aficionados on a budget.
• W220: Too slow and limited to capture action.

Street Photography

• RX10 II: Bulkier form factor but intuitive controls and EVF aid candid shooting.
• W220: Super discreet and portable but no manual control or fast AF.

Macro Photography

• RX10 II: Close focusing to 3 cm combined with large sensor and sharp optics make it a solid macro tool.
• W220: Also capable of close focusing (~5 cm), but less detail and clarity.

Night and Astro Photography

• RX10 II: High ISO performance and long exposure capabilities open doors to astro and night scenes.
• W220: Limited high ISO, making night shooting a challenge.

Video

• RX10 II: Full 4K with external audio control - great for video hybrids.
• W220: Basic VGA clips only.

Travel Photography

• RX10 II: Versatile but heavier package. Battery life and weather sealing are travel-friendly.
• W220: Ultralight and pocketable but limited image quality and features.

Professional Use

• RX10 II: Reliable, high-quality JPEG and RAW output, solid build, and good workflow integration.
• W220: Entry-level camera, not professional grade.

The Final Scorecard: How Each Camera Performs Across Key Photography Genres

Above you see a visual breakdown - no surprises here: RX10 II scores top marks across the board, particularly in image quality, speed, and feature depth. The W220’s strong suits are portability and simplicity, scoring best in casual snapshot scenarios.

Verdict and Recommendations for Buyers

The RX10 II is an all-rounder superzoom designed to satisfy enthusiast photographers who want large sensor quality and lens versatility in one sturdy, weather-sealed body. It’s well suited for serious landscape, portrait, wildlife, and hybrid photo/video use. Its price point (~$1000) reflects capabilities respected by amateurs and semi-pros alike.

The W220 sits firmly in the very entry-level compact class at a budget price (~$160). It is a point-and-shoot aimed at casual photographers who want simple operation and portability, without artistic ambition.

Choose the RX10 II if:

• You prioritize image quality, manual controls, and versatility.
• You shoot in varied lighting or weather conditions.
• You want dependable autofocus for action or wildlife.
• You value quality video and connectivity options.
• You are willing to carry a heavier, larger camera.

Choose the W220 if:

• You want a tiny camera that’s easy to carry daily.
• You shoot mainly outdoors on sunny days.
• You need simplicity, ease of use, and low cost.
• You do not plan to crop heavily or enlarge prints.
• You don’t require video beyond casual clips.

Closing Thoughts: Experience Matters

In the course of decades testing cameras, the divide between models like the Nikon Coolpix or Canon Powershot point-and-shoots versus mirrorless or bridge cameras like the RX10 II has never been clearer. Sensor size, controls, and lens capabilities remain fundamental to creative potential.

My testing of the RX10 II revealed a robust tool that holds its own even years after release, a testament to Sony’s engineering. The W220, although a long-ago compact camera, reminds us that not every shooter needs advanced features - sometimes the best camera is the one you carry.

I hope this comparison serves you well in selecting the camera that matches your vision, shooting style, and budget.

Happy shooting!