Sony RX100 VI vs Sony TX20: A Hands-On Comparison Across a Decade of Compact Cameras

In the ever-accelerating race of camera technology, comparing models separated by several years often feels like pitting a sports car against a bicycle. And yet, there’s a charm in tracing that technological evolution - especially when both contenders come from a shared lineage at Sony. Today, I’m diving deep into the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI (hereafter “RX100 VI”) and the rather humble but spirited Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 (“TX20”), two large sensor compact and ultracompact cameras from very different eras and market positions.

Think of the RX100 VI as a Swiss Army knife packed with the cutting-edge tech of 2018, while the TX20 plays the role of a nimble point-and-shoot time traveler from 2012. Both are designed to be pocketable, yet serve vastly different photographer needs and ambitions.

Having spent countless hours testing both cameras extensively - in studio, city streets, wildlife hides, and on travel trips - I’m ready to serve up a comprehensive comparison covering everything from technical specs to real-world usability across major photography disciplines. Along the way, you’ll find which might be your ideal companion based on style, budget, and photographic goals.

Size, Feel, and Handling: Pocket Rocket vs Ultra-Compact Compact

First off, let’s address the elephant in the pocket: size and ergonomics. The RX100 VI is built as a premium large sensor compact; it measures 102x58x43mm and weighs 301g. In contrast, the TX20 is a much smaller ultracompact, only 96x56x18mm and tipping the scales at a featherweight 133g.

Side by side, the RX100 VI feels substantial - but not bulky - offering a grip comfortable enough for steady handling even during intense shoots. Its chunky body is a deliberate choice, marrying advanced internal mechanics (zoom lens, stabilization) with muscle. The TX20, meanwhile, slips into any pocket without a hint of bulge, ideal for casual snapshots or quick hikes.

Both have 3-inch screens, but the RX100 VI’s tilting touchscreen (1229k resolution) outclasses the TX20’s fixed “XtraFine TruBlack” TFT display (922k) - more on screen real estate below. The presence of a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the RX100 VI adds a boost for bright outdoor situations where LCD glare can blind you, something the TX20 simply can’t summon.

If portability and stealth are paramount, the TX20 wins. But if tactile control and shooting confidence matter, the RX100 VI’s heft is a welcome ally.

Top Deck Controls and Interface: Old School Meets New School

Peering down at the top decks of these two cameras reveals their differing intent. The RX100 VI sports the classic enthusiast layout: dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a versatile mode dial paired with an ergonomic shutter button and zoom lever. It even holds custom function buttons, a welcome relief for rapid setting changes on the fly.

The TX20’s top is minimalist - just a shutter release and zoom rocker dominate, with no dedicated dials or customizable buttons. It’s stripped down to ease-of-use basics, perfect for users who want to point and shoot without fuss.

In practice, this means the RX100 VI invites you to take control and learn, rewarding users with precision and flexibility. The TX20 beckons with simplicity, which can frustrate advanced users craving manual exposure options or quick ISO toggling.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now, here’s where things get juicy. At the core, the RX100 VI boasts a much larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8mm (116.16 mm²) with 20 megapixels. The TX20 packs a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 6.17x4.55mm (28.07 mm²) resolving 16 megapixels.

This size difference isn’t just tech trivia; it’s the single most critical factor shaping image quality. The RX100 VI's bigger sensor can capture more light, deliver superior dynamic range, and reduce noise at high ISOs. I’ve tested this in low light and HDR scenes: the RX100 VI retains highlight details and recovers shadows far better than the TX20. This translates into richer, more nuanced images, ready for large prints or cropping without visible quality loss.

The TX20 performs well in good lighting, producing sharp, vibrant photos - remarkable given its tiny sensor. However, in dimmer conditions, images quickly degrade into soft, noisy affairs, and dynamic range is limited.

On-Screen Experience and User Interface

While sensor performance forms the image foundation, your interaction with the LCD makes or breaks the shooting experience. The RX100 VI’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen with over 1.2 million dots offers bright, vivid, and detailed previews with intuitive touch autofocus and quick menu navigation. Tilting versatility allows comfortable composing from tricky angles - street crouches, overhead shots, you name it.

The TX20’s 3-inch fixed screen with the XtraFine TruBlack panel was commendable for its time, boasting deep blacks and good color fidelity. But fixed means no angle adjustments, and 922k resolution feels coarse compared to modern standards. Touch sensitivity works for basic focus point selection, but UI navigation can be sluggish on this older interface.

Autofocus Systems: Speed vs Simplicity

Both cameras subscribe to autofocus via contrast detection, with the RX100 VI also incorporating phase detection sensors. The RX100 VI’s hybrid AF system uses 315 focus points spread across the frame, vastly improving subject acquisition speed and accuracy.

Thanks to this, the RX100 VI shines when tracking moving subjects - a boon for wildlife, sports, and street photography. Eye detection AF further enhances portrait work by locking precisely on your subject’s gaze. The AF tracking is seamless in real-world shooting, rarely losing lock unless overwhelmed.

The TX20’s AF is limited to contrast detection with fewer focus points. It’s reliable for stationary subjects and casual snapping but can struggle with fast or erratically moving targets. Face detection works well, but no eye detection or advanced tracking algorithms are present.

For photographers who value speed, reliability, and precision in focusing - especially in dynamic environments - the RX100 VI is leagues ahead.

Zoom Lenses and Aperture Range: Flexibility vs Compactness

The RX100 VI sports a bright and versatile 24-200mm (equivalent) 8.3x zoom lens with an aperture ranging F2.8-4.5. By contrast, the TX20 offers a smaller 25-100mm (equivalent) 4x zoom, with a maximum aperture of F3.5-4.6.

In practice, the RX100 VI’s zoom range is a genuine game changer - it covers wide angle to significant telephoto reach without sacrificing optical quality. The lens is well-corrected, and image stabilization works excellently to keep shots sharp during slower shutter speeds or handheld telephoto usage.

The TX20’s zoom range and aperture are modest, and while it suffices for casual snapshots and short zoom-forays, it lacks the reach and flexibility for wildlife or distant subjects. Its macro focus is notably impressive, down to 1cm, whereas the RX100 VI’s closest focus is 8cm. So for close-up snaps of flowers or insects, the TX20 can out-focus.

Burst Rates and Continuous Shooting: Don’t Blink

Burst shooting caters to photographers capturing decisive moments, whether freezing sports action or wildlife behavior. The RX100 VI boasts a blistering 24 fps burst rate, albeit with some electronic shutter limitations. The TX20 offers a modest 10 fps burst, good for quick sequences but not cutout for extended sports sessions.

During testing (capturing racing cyclists), the RX100 VI showed unwavering ability to track and capture sharp frames with continuous AF. The TX20, understandably, faltered with slower AF and smaller buffer capacity - limiting continuous high-speed shooting.

Video Features: 4K and Beyond

The RX100 VI is a strong contender in the video realm with 4K UHD recording at 30p, XAVC S codec, and internal stabilization, ensuring buttery smooth handheld footage. It supports up to 100 Mbps bitrate, resulting in crisp, professional-grade clips. However, it lacks mic and headphone jacks for sound monitoring, a minor but notable omission in professional workflows.

The TX20 offers Full HD (1920x1080) video at up to 60 fps, no 4K support, and limited codec variety. While the footage remains decent for social media or casual use, it can't compete with the RX100 VI’s richness or frame flexibility.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

Interestingly, despite its advanced features, the RX100 VI offers no formal weather sealing - a quirk given its professional aspirations. The TX20 includes a degree of environmental sealing, aiming to resist light splashes or dust. Neither camera is waterproof.

For outdoor photographers shooting in varied conditions, the lack of weather sealing on the RX100 VI surprises, meaning careful handling or protective housing is wise.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life on both cameras hovers around 240-250 shots per charge, which is modest for daily shooting. The RX100 VI’s powerful processor and screen brightness partly account for this, while the TX20’s simpler guts consume less power. Spare batteries are recommended for extended sessions.

Storage-wise, both accept SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and Sony proprietary Memory Stick formats - still available but fading as universal SD cards dominate market availability.

Connectivity and Wireless

The RX100 VI includes today’s expected wireless features: built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling remote control, instant image transfer, and smartphone connectivity - big pluses for on-the-go editing or sharing.

The TX20 predates such luxuries but offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transmission using special SD cards, a clever workaround but less seamless than native WiFi or Bluetooth.

Image Samples: Seeing Is Believing

Sony RX100 VI front Sony TX20 front Sony TX20 screen back

My test gallery vividly illustrates the image quality gap:

• The RX100 VI’s portraits render flesh tones with pleasing warmth, precise skin texture, and creamy bokeh thanks to a larger sensor and eye AF.
• Landscapes captured show excellent dynamic range and sharpness edge-to-edge.
• Street shots are crisp, with rapid AF capturing fleeting expressions.
• Wildlife snaps leverage the telephoto zoom and fast AF to catch birds in flight.
• The TX20 shows decent color and sharpness in bright scenes but struggles in low light with noise and mushy details.

Scores and Ratings: Objective Meets Subjective

Aggregating technical benchmarks and subjective impressions produces a clear hierarchy:

• RX100 VI scores highly on image quality, autofocus, lens versatility, and video capabilities.
• TX20 scores respectably for portability, ease of use, and macro close-focus but ranks lower on dynamic range, burst speed, and professional features.

Specialized Strengths Across Photography Types

Breaking down strengths per genre:

• Portrait: RX100 VI excels with eye AF, sensor size, and lens speed.
• Landscape: RX100 VI dominates with dynamic range and resolution.
• Wildlife: RX100 VI best with zoom and fast continuous AF.
• Sports: RX100 VI due to high frame rates and tracking.
• Street: TX20’s ultra-compact size aids discretion but RX100 VI’s AF wins hands down.
• Macro: TX20 surprisingly competitive thanks to 1cm focus.
• Night/Astro: RX100 VI thanks to ISO performance and manual controls.
• Video: RX100 VI clearly superior.
• Travel: Tradeoff between TX20’s size and RX100 VI’s versatility.
• Professional Work: RX100 VI preferred for reliable RAW support and workflow.

Who Should Buy Which? Recommendations

• Choose the Sony RX100 VI if:

  • You want the ultimate pocketable “take-anywhere” camera with professional image quality.
  • You shoot sports, wildlife, or fast-moving subjects requiring reliable AF and burst.
  • Video and creative manual control matter to you.
  • You’re willing to carry slightly more weight and invest around $1,200 for a camera that straddles enthusiast and professional needs.

• Choose the Sony TX20 if:

  • Budget is tight (~$330) but you want a solid compact camera for casual, everyday snaps.
  • Pocketability and ease-of-use outweigh chasing technical perfection.
  • Macro photography or quick handheld photos in well-lit settings is your main concern.
  • You want a camera that doesn’t intimidate with technical dials or menus.

Final Thoughts: Innovation Within Reach vs Simplicity That Surprises

The Sony RX100 VI embodies a remarkable step up from simpler compacts like the TX20. Over its six-year gap, Sony embedded serious advancements: a much larger sensor, extended zoom, advanced autofocus, 4K video, and wireless connectivity, all while keeping a truly pocketable form.

Yet, the TX20 holds its ground as a no-nonsense, ultra-portable capture tool with decent image quality for snapshots, particularly for photographers wary of complexity.

For photography enthusiasts and professionals, the RX100 VI feels like a reliable, all-around powerhouse - versatile enough to handle studio portraits, adventurous wildlife, and high-speed sports alike. For beginners or casual shooters, the TX20 remains a lightweight, simple-to-operate companion that just asks you to point and click.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how far you want to push your photography, your budget, and how much gear you can comfortably carry without sacrificing creative possibilities. Having tested thousands of cameras, I can say there’s no substitute for hands-on experimenting - but this in-depth comparison brings you close to an informed decision without those hours in a store.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera be your perfect partner in creativity.

Disclosure: Both cameras were tested with stock batteries and updated firmware; sample images were shot under consistent lighting conditions to ensure fair comparison.