Sony RX100 VI vs Sony W560: Compact Cameras Through the Lens of Experience

When it comes to compact cameras, the spectrum is vast - ranging from wallet-friendly, pocketable shooters to tech-heavy, premium compacts that nearly rival interchangeable lens cameras in performance. Today, I’m digging deep into a fascinating comparison between two very different Sony Cyber-shot models: the RX100 VI, a high-end large sensor compact announced in 2018, versus the much earlier, much humbler W560 ultracompact from 2011.

This is a classic “evolution of portable photography” story, but seen through my seasoned testing prism - not just specs on paper, but what actually matters for everyday photography, whether you’re an enthusiast craving top image quality or a casual snapper wanting something effortless and small.

Let’s start by sizing these two contenders up - quite literally.

How Big a Difference Can Size Make?

Sony’s RX100 VI is a seriously grown-up pocket powerhouse, featuring a robust magnesium alloy body measuring 102 x 58 x 43 mm and weighing 301 grams. That’s notably larger and heavier than the W560’s slight 94 x 56 x 19 mm frame and featherlight 110 grams. To put it simply: the RX100 VI feels like a tool designed for committed photography, while the W560 is the ultimate grab-and-go button camera.

Ergonomics? The RX100 VI’s heft translates into a more secure grip and physical controls that truly matter when you want precise manual adjustments. The W560, by contrast, is minimalist, with a fixed lens and a clamshell-like design aimed at just letting you point and shoot.

If you’re someone who’s hand-fatigue-averse but needs portability on every outing, the W560’s tiny footprint is impressive. But for any user who values control and handling comfort in longer sessions, the RX100 VI wins hands down.

First Impressions From Up Top: Control and Usability

Looking at the top view, the RX100 VI flaunts a sophisticated array of dials and buttons: a dedicated mode dial, shutter release with power ring, exposure compensation dial, and a pop-up flash. This layout screams “professional compact” and enables quick access to manual shooting modes like aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure - all vital when you want creative control.

On the other hand, the W560’s top deck is delightfully sparse. No mode dial, limited physical buttons, and a small built-in flash don't inspire ambitions beyond casual shooting. The lack of manual exposure modes means beginners or those who want one-button simplicity will find it easier, but advanced users could quickly grow frustrated.

In practical terms, if you enjoy fiddling with aperture, shutter speeds, and ISO on the fly (and I do), the RX100 VI's tactile controls make for smoother shooting in diverse settings.

Peering Inside: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Here lies the heart of the matter - sensor technology and potential image quality. The RX100 VI boasts a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with 20 megapixels. By contrast, the W560 utilizes a much smaller, older 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14 megapixels.

In my years of testing, sensor size has been the single most impactful factor for image quality, especially in low light and dynamic range. The RX100 VI’s larger, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor allows for richer colors, impressive detail retention, and notably cleaner high-ISO performance up to ISO 12800 (boostable to 25600). The CCD sensor of the W560 is less efficient and practically maxes out at ISO 3200, where noise becomes quite apparent.

The larger sensor combined with Sony’s BIONZ X processor means images from the RX100 VI are crisp, detailed, and carry a depth and tonal nuance that’s very pleasing - ideal for serious landscape shots or portraits with beautiful skin tones. The W560’s output is more suitable for daylight snapshots or casual use.

If you demand professional-grade image quality in a pocketable camera, there’s no contest here.

LCD and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot With Confidence

Both cameras feature 3-inch rear screens, but their capabilities diverge sharply. The RX100 VI’s tilting, high-resolution 1229k-dot LCD is touch-enabled, making menu navigation and focusing intuitive. This flexibility aids everything from low-angle macros to high-horizon landscapes.

The W560 sports a fixed 230k-dot Clear Photo LCD without touch functionality. It’s serviceable in bright daylight but far less versatile and crisply detailed - don’t expect precision framing or menu control wonders here.

Additionally, the RX100 VI packs a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 2.3-million-dot resolution and approximately 100% coverage, useful in bright sun or when you want steady, shake-free composition. The W560 doesn’t have a viewfinder, relying solely on the LCD, which may be limiting outdoors.

Ergonomically and functionally, the RX100 VI’s screen and EVF combo give it an edge for serious photographers who want confidence when composing shots in any light.

Autofocus and Shooting Mechanics: Catching The Moment

Between these two, focus speed and accuracy show a clear generational leap.

The RX100 VI integrates a hybrid AF system featuring 315 phase-detection points and contrast-detection, delivering fast, reliable autofocus - ideal for wildlife, sports, or kids on the run. Its continuous shooting rate of up to 24 fps with autofocus tracking is remarkable for a compact camera, rivaling some entry-level DSLRs. Eye detection AF further enhances portraits by locking focus on a subject’s eye, creating images with sharpness exactly where you want it.

Conversely, the W560 relies on 9 focus points, all contrast-detection, and a rather sluggish single fps continuous shooting mode. Face detection is absent - a major limitation when photographing moving subjects such as pets or athletes. The slower shutter speed cap of 1/1600s limit capture of fast action.

In daily use, the RX100 VI’s autofocus inspires confidence and can handle a wide range of challenging scenarios. The W560 is best suited for static, leisurely subjects.

Performance Under Various Photography Styles

Let’s dive into how each of these cameras handles common photography genres that matter to enthusiasts and pros alike.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The RX100 VI’s fast zoom lens ranges from f/2.8 to f/4.5, producing nice background separation at telephoto focal lengths. Coupled with excellent eye-detection AF, portraits exhibit pleasing skin tones and crisp focus - qualities I tested firsthand at a local outdoor portrait session. The shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh render isolated subjects beautifully.

The W560’s lens is slower (f/2.7-5.7) and shorter zoom (26-104mm), with less control over depth of field. Portraits are serviceable but flatter-looking, with less subject-background separation. The camera’s lack of eye detection AF requires deliberate aiming and steady subjects.

For people and portrait photographers wanting intimate, flattering results, the RX100 VI is the clear winner.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The RX100 VI’s 20MP sensor and higher dynamic range provide more latitude to recover detail in shadows and highlights - a boon at sunrise or sunset. Manual exposure modes let you bracket exposures for HDR composites, too. Its weather resistance is limited, so cautious use outdoors is advised despite some dust resistance.

The W560’s smaller sensor yields lower resolution images prone to noise in shadows, and limited ISO flexibility narrows shooting windows. Its compactness and simplicity make it nice for casual sightseeing.

If landscape quality is a priority, the RX100 VI’s sensor performance and manual controls deliver superior results.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Here’s another area where the RX100 VI brings serious firepower. Its 24-fps burst with continuous AF keeps up with fast-moving subjects, and its extensive AF points track wildlife or athletes smoothly.

Plus, the versatile 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) lens offers ample telephoto reach for moderately distant subjects - ideal for backyard birders or sports fans.

In contrast, the W560’s 4x zoom (26-104mm equivalent) limits tight framing on distant animals or athletes. Its slow autofocus and single fps shooting mode make it difficult to capture crisp, dynamic moments.

For action photographers needing compact hardware, the RX100 VI is a practical choice; the W560 is better suited for snapshots.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Though the RX100 VI is compact for what it is, it’s heavier and chunkier than the W560. However, the RX100 VI’s silent electronic shutter and rapid AF speed allow for more candid shots, ideal in urban environments where subtlety matters.

The W560’s ultracompact, low-profile form makes it extremely discreet and quick to deploy - but its slower focus and limited manual control can hinder creativity.

If ultimate portability beats feature-richness, the W560 excels. But for more serious street photographers craving fast responsiveness, RX100 VI pulls ahead.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Stabilization

The RX100 VI can focus as close as 8cm with its optical image stabilization (OIS), and its tilting LCD aids low-angle compositions - superb for flower or insect photos.

W560 has a slightly shorter macro range at 5cm but lacks effective stabilization and manual focus control, limiting sharp close-ups in low light.

My own macro tests found the RX100 VI’s combination of stabilization, close focusing, and manual exposure modes vastly superior for detail and control.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Flexibility

Thanks to its BSI-CMOS sensor and ISO up to 12800, the RX100 VI handles low light and night scenes with manageable noise levels - way better than the W560.

Manual exposure modes allow long exposure settings, essential for star trails or night cityscapes. Plus, its electronic shutter reaches speeds as fast as 1/32000s for creative control.

The W560 maxes out at ISO 3200 and shutter speeds only to 1/1600s, with no manual exposure - challenging for night scenes.

If you enjoy astrophotography or nighttime imagery, the RX100 VI is the trustworthy option.

Voices From the Video World

If you intend to shoot video, the RX100 VI supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30p, encoded in high-quality XAVC S or MP4 formats with H.264 compression and linear PCM audio - ideal for serious video work or content creation.

The W560’s max video resolution is capped at 1280x720p at 30 fps, suitable for casual clips only. No mic or headphone ports means limited audio control.

Sony’s RX100 VI also boasts optical image stabilization during video, reducing shake for smoother footage - something the W560 cannot match.

For hybrid shooters valuing video quality and features, RX100 VI doubles as a credible, versatile camcorder.

Travel and Everyday Use: Battery Life and Connectivity

The RX100 VI offers around 240 shots per charge using its NP-BX1 battery. That’s adequate for a day of enthusiastic shooting, especially aided by USB charging on the go.

Meanwhile, the W560’s battery life statistics are vague, but its NP-BN1 battery is known for modest endurance, better suited for casual use.

Connectivity-wise, the RX100 VI integrates Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi for instant image sharing and remote control. The W560 does have “Eye-Fi” card compatibility but lacks built-in wireless features.

If effortless photo transfer and remote operation matter, RX100 VI is the more future-proof solution.

Professional Considerations: Workflow and Compatibility

The RX100 VI supports raw capture, allowing post-processing flexibility coveted by pros. Its higher bit depth camera files deliver superior color accuracy and tonal gradations.

The W560 records only JPEGs - fine for casual sharing but limiting if you want complete control over image editing.

Moreover, the RX100 VI’s stable build and responsive controls stand up better to frequent demanding shooting sessions, although it lacks weather sealing - a small caveat for professional outdoor photographers.

Both cameras support SD and Memory Stick cards, but the RX100 VI’s faster storage handling better suits burst shooting and video.

Putting It All Together: Overall Scores

While neither camera has been tested by DxO Mark, my comprehensive hands-on assessment aligns with Sony's reputation: the RX100 VI delivers near-mirrorless level performance in a compact body, while the W560 is a basic snapshot shooter with limited creative capabilities.

For prospective buyers, it boils down to purpose and budget: the RX100 VI aspires to be an all-around pocket powerhouse; the W560 parks firmly in the entry-level casual zone.

Dissecting Strengths by Photography Genres

• Portraits: RX100 VI excels with eye AF and bokeh; W560 is basic.
• Landscape: RX100 VI dominates with sensor and dynamic range.
• Wildlife: RX100 VI’s burst speed and telephoto reach shine.
• Sports: RX100 VI’s AF tracking and fps superiority decisive.
• Street: W560 wins for size; RX100 VI for responsiveness.
• Macro: RX100 VI’s stabilization and manual control win.
• Night/Astro: RX100 VI’s sensor and manual modes superior.
• Video: RX100 VI offers 4K and stabilization vs. W560’s 720p.
• Travel: W560’s size wins for casual trips; RX100 VI for quality.
• Professional: RX100 VI fits pro needs; W560 does not.

Sample Images Tell the Tale

Sony RX100 VI front Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Looking at side-by-side sample images from both cameras - portraits, landscapes, and telephoto shots - speaks volumes. The RX100 VI delivers crisp details, vibrant colors, and clean gradations. The W560’s images, while pleasing under good light, show softness, noise, and limited dynamic range.

Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Sony RX100 VI - a compact marvel pushing large sensor capabilities to impress intermediate and professional photographers requiring image-quality, speed, versatility, and video. It’s ideal for travel enthusiasts, street photographers who want a fast camera, macro aficionados, and even wildlife/semi-sports shooters who prize portability without massive bulk. The price ($1198) reflects its ambitions but offers solid bang for your buck compared to entry-level mirrorless or DSLR.

Sony W560 - a fill-in-the-gap camera for consumers prioritizing lightweight simplicity and affordability ($139). Great as a secondary backup, gift, or for those disinterested in manual controls and advanced features. It’s fine for family snapshots, daylight street photography, or basic travel memories but quickly shows limits if you want more creative latitude or better low light shots.

Final Thoughts

Throughout my extensive hands-on testing, the Sony RX100 VI reveals itself as a true step-change in compact camera design - melding remarkable sensor tech, autofocus prowess, and versatile video into a neat, albeit somewhat pricey, package. The W560, while a testament to Sony’s reliable ultracompacts of its time, is now best seen as a nostalgic reminder of early 2010s casual photography more than a current contender.

So, if photography is a serious hobby or profession for you, I wholeheartedly recommend the RX100 VI for everything from sharp portraits to crisp action shots and versatile travel photography. But if you just want quick, casual, pocket-ready pictures with minimal fuss and expense, the W560 still ticks the box.

Whichever camera you choose, remember - the best camera is the one you carry and enjoy using. Happy shooting!