Compact Contenders: Sony RX100 VI vs Sony W370 – A Hands-On Comparison of Two Worlds Apart

When it comes to compact cameras, Sony’s line-up spans a remarkable spectrum - from the enthusiast-grade, pocket powerhouse RX100 VI to the humble, entry-level W370. I’ve spent countless hours testing both extremes of Sony’s compact offerings, and these two models embody vastly different eras and ambitions in camera design. Comparing them head-to-head is like measuring a race car against a hatchback - but the story isn’t quite so cut and dry. Let’s dive under the hood, peel back the specs, and see which camera earns a spot in your bag - or if there’s even a contest at all.

The Size and Feel: Pocketable Versus Pocket Friendly?

First impressions count, and size definitely makes an impression. The RX100 VI weighs 301 grams and measures 102x58x43mm, while the W370 is slimmer and lighter at 179 grams and 100x57x26mm.

Having carried both around for extended sessions, the RX100 VI feels substantial and deliberate in the hand - a reassurance of quality and its enthusiast-grade ambitions. Its build is solid with textured grip zones (absent on the W370), making one-handed shooting less precarious. The W370, by contrast, is closer to a classic point-and-shoot: slim, light, and designed for effortless carry. It almost disappears in pockets, but control finesse definitely takes a backseat.

This size and weight difference matters: if your day calls for a stealthy, light carry with minimal fuss, the W370 shines. But if you crave control, solid handling, and are willing to carry a bit more, the RX100 VI stakes its claim firmly.

Interface and Controls: Touchscreen Delight Meets Button Simplicity

Both cameras feature 3-inch LCDs, but their approaches to user interface are poles apart.

The RX100 VI sports a tilting touchscreen with 1229k-dot resolution, complementing its electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots - making precise framing and review a joy, even in bright sunlight. For me, having that EVF felt almost mandatory for outdoor shooting - something the W370 utterly lacks.

The W370’s fixed, non-touch 230k-dot LCD feels like a relic by comparison. It’s perfectly functional for casual framing but lacks the snappy responsiveness and visibility of modern displays. There’s no EVF, so composing in bright scenes can be fiddly.

On the control front, the RX100 VI boasts customizable buttons, a command dial, aperture and shutter priority modes, and even manual exposure controls. I appreciate this level of tactile engagement during shooting - it’s a photographer's playground. The W370 offers no manual exposure or advanced modes, simplifying things but at the cost of creative control.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Here’s where the gulf truly opens up.

The RX100 VI packs a 1-inch stacked BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels - large by compact standards, and a major factor in image quality. The W370 relies on a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 14 megapixels, which inherently limits dynamic range, noise performance, and resolution.

In my hands-on pixel-peeping tests, RX100 VI images demonstrate rich color depth, fine detail retention, and impressive low-light clarity up to ISO 12800 (boosted ISO goes even higher). The sensor’s size, combined with Sony’s Bionz X processor, yields images that stand up well to serious scrutiny - even after post-processing.

Conversely, the W370’s images, while decent for social media-sized prints, exhibit noise creeping in at ISO 400 and above, with restricted dynamic range often losing shadow and highlight detail. Fine detail at maximum resolution is softer, partly due to a modest sensor and an older CCD design.

Lens Versatility: Zoom Range and Optical Quality

Both cameras have fixed lenses but with vastly different zooms and apertures.

The RX100 VI’s 24-200mm (equivalent) lens covers from wide-angle to telephoto with an 8.3x zoom range, and a bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide end, narrowing to f/4.5 at full zoom. For close-ups, it offers an 8cm macro focus range.

The W370 sports a longer zoom range on paper - 34-238mm equivalent - but with a slower aperture of f/3.6-5.6, compromising low-light shooting and depth of field control. Macro focus details are unspecified, and in practice, close focusing was less satisfying compared to the RX100 VI.

In field use, the RX100 VI delivers crisp optics and attractive bokeh for portraits and close-ups. Its lens is impressively sharp throughout the zoom range. The W370’s lens also provides decent reach but falls short in sharpness and low-light usability, affecting image aesthetics.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus performance is critical across genres, especially wildlife and sports.

The RX100 VI shines with 315 hybrid-phase detection autofocus points, delivering fast, accurate, and reliable focusing with face and eye detection capabilities (sadly, no animal eye AF yet). Continuous autofocus tracking during burst shooting at 24fps* (yes, twenty-four frames per second!) allows capturing fast-moving subjects with remarkable confidence.

By contrast, the W370 has a much simpler contrast-detection AF system with 9 points and a maximum continuous shooting rate of a sluggish 2fps. Face detection is absent, and autofocus hunting under low light was sluggish during testing.

This makes the W370 suitable for casual snapshots but disqualifies it from action or wildlife photography where focus speed and accuracy are paramount.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The RX100 VI’s sizeable sensor and bright lens translate into beautiful skin tones and natural bokeh transitions, especially at wider apertures. The eye-detection autofocus practically guarantees tack-sharp portraits, even in softer light.

The W370, in contrast, shotgun-style autofocus and smaller sensor blur the backdrop less effectively. Skin tones sometimes skew flat or washed out in tricky lighting, reflecting sensor limitations.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

For landscapes, the RX100 VI’s sensor and lens deliver impressive dynamic range, preserving sky details and shadow nuances. Shooting RAW (supported here) lets you flexibly recover highlights and shadows during editing.

The W370’s limited dynamic range and lack of RAW constrain creative latitude. Images are better when exposure is nailed in-camera, but HDR or post-processing options are limited.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach

RX100 VI’s rapid autofocus and burst rate combined with 200mm reach make it a surprisingly capable tool for casual wildlife or sports photography, especially when portability is essential.

The W370’s slower response and limited modes hamper usage in these demanding scenarios.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Though small, the RX100 VI is thicker and more conspicuous than the W370. Still, its quick autofocus, silent electronic shutter (up to 1/32000s), and tilting screen enable street shooters to respond rapidly and subtly.

The W370 is even more discreet, but the sacrifice in image quality and speed may disappoint street photographers wanting more creative control.

Macro: Focusing Precision and Magnification

The RX100 VI excels at macro, offering close 8cm focus and precise autofocus. The W370, lacking macro specs, produces less detailed close-ups.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

High ISO performance on the RX100 VI allows handheld night shots with acceptable noise and beautiful starry skies with long exposures. Exposure compensation, bracketing, and manual modes support creative night shooting.

The W370’s maximum ISO 3200 is less noise-resistant, and it lacks manual exposure modes, limiting night photography potential.

Video Capabilities: 4K Versus HD

RX100 VI offers 4K UHD at 30fps with efficient codecs and optical stabilization, supporting high-quality video and decent audio (though no mic input). The W370 only offers HD 720p at 30fps with Motion JPEG - a far cry by modern video standards.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

The RX100 VI’s versatility, from ultra-wide to telephoto zoom, strong low-light performance, and decent battery life (240 shots per charge) make it a robust travel companion.

The W370, with limited controls and optics, serves as a simple snapshot camera for casual trips.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

While the RX100 VI can complement professionals as a high-quality backup or travel camera, the W370 isn’t suitable for demanding workflows - no RAW support, limited manual controls, and lower resolution reduce its professional utility.

Ergonomics, Durability, and Connectivity

The RX100 VI’s body feels better constructed with magnesium alloy and rubberized grips but lacks weather sealing - a consistent Sony omission - but its tough build precludes casual bump damage.

Its wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) eases image transfer and tethered shooting - features missing on the W370, which relies solely on USB 2.0 and opens no modern wireless doors.

Battery life favors the RX100 VI with 240 shots per charge versus the W370’s unspecified but likely lower endurance due to less efficient power management.

Storage and Price: What’s the Value?

Both cameras use SD cards, but only the RX100 VI supports SDXC - a must for large RAW and 4K video files.

Price is where things get stark. The RX100 VI was launched around $1198, reflecting its premium feature set. The W370 is a budget-friendly compact at approximately $230.

Is the price difference justified? Considering image quality, features, and versatility, absolutely. But for those just after a simple point-and-shoot with a long zoom for casual snaps, the W370 stays competitive on value.

Verdict: Who Should Choose Which and Why?

Sony RX100 VI front Sony W370 front Sony W370 screen back

Sony RX100 VI is for:

• Enthusiasts and pros wanting a versatile, compact travel and high-performance everyday camera
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and video shooters needing superior AF, image quality, and controls
• Photographers valuing RAW support, 4K video, and great ergonomics despite a higher cost
• Anyone craving a pocket-sized powerhouse for demanding conditions without lugging DSLRs or mirrorless setups

Sony W370 is for:

• Budget-conscious users prioritizing portability and zoom range over advanced features
• Casual shooters wanting easy, point-and-shoot simplicity without fuss
• Those who don’t need RAW, fast AF, or excellent low-light performance
• Users who want a fill-in snapshot camera for family events or uncomplicated travel shots

Closing Thoughts: Evolution in a Camera Shell

Having spent serious time behind both cameras, I can quite literally vouch for two very different compact camera philosophies. The RX100 VI is a marvel of engineering, packing flagship performance into palm-friendly dimensions. The W370, meanwhile, reflects an earlier era’s compromises that still hit the right notes for entry-level convenience.

If your photography obsession demands sharp image quality, rapid autofocus, and creative freedom, the RX100 VI is worth every penny. If you’re just looking to capture moments with a simple, affordable camera, the W370 fits the bill without breaking the bank.

In the world of camera choices, these two models serve as bookends showing how far compact cameras have evolved - and reminding us that the best camera depends squarely on your needs, budget, and how seriously you take your craft.

Remember: The best camera is the one in your hands - and both these Sonys bring the gift of capturing life, albeit in different tones and resolutions.