In today’s review, we will be comparing two Sony cameras: Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100. The a6000 is a semi-pro mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX100 is a large sensor compact fixed lens camera.
Our comparison of the Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100 is rather lengthy, so, if you need the information to make a really quick decision, the next three sections are for you.
However, we encourage you to read on to the very end. The last two sections contain the thoughts of customers who have used the two cameras, as well as our take on them.
Comparison Overview – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
This section is divided into four major subsectors to help you better understand this summary. Let’s dive right in.
Where Do They Both Get It Right – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
First off, both the Sony a6000 and the Sony RX100 come with pretty impressive sensor resolutions of 24 megapixels and 20 megapixels respectively.
Another similarity they share is RAW support. With either camera, your images will be stored in the most uncompressed form possible.
The Sony a6000 and the RX100 have LCD screens with high resolutions of 922k dots and 1,229k dots respectively.
The continuous shooting speeds of these cameras will be of interest to you if you are interested in action photography. They each have fast shooting speeds.
Also, both cameras provide auto exposure bracketing. This is sure to help a great deal when shooting in tricky lighting conditions.
Still on lighting, both cameras come with a built-in flash that helps in low-light conditions.
Shooting portraits or group pictures is a lot easier when using a camera with these cameras – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100 – because they each have the face detection feature.
A Sony a6000 Demonstration Video – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
Where Do They Both Get It Wrong – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
Battery performance is one factor that cannot be overlooked. Unfortunately, neither of the two cameras under review has a very impressive battery life.
Since the average battery life of a mirrorless camera is 359 shots, it can be said that these cameras do not perform well in this regard.
While the Sony a6000 barely scales through with 360 shots per full charge, the Sony RX100 falls even shorter with just 330 shots per full charge.
One other major flaw of the Sony a6000 and the RX100 is the absence of environmental sealing on their bodies.
A great deal of caution will be required when shooting in tough weather conditions to prevent moisture and dust particles from creeping into the camera bodies.
Another common flaw is the absence of an external microphone jack. Since these cameras will also be used to shoot videos, audio quality is important.
Having an external microphone offers the videographer high audio quality options.
Furthermore, neither of these cameras has a built-in GPS, and so, location tracking will be really difficult when shooting with either of them.
How Do They Differ From Each Other – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
A rather important difference between the two cameras is the presence of a built-in image stabilization feature in only the RX100 which will be giving sharper images at longer focal lengths.
Furthermore, on one hand, the Sony a6000 offers you an electronic viewfinder, which allows you to see the image as the sensor sees it. On the other hand, the Sony RX100 does not have a viewfinder and comes with no option for an external one.
More so, file transfer from camera to other devices using a wireless connection can be possible only with the Sony a6000. This is because the Sony RX100 does not come with built-in wireless connectivity.
Another major difference between these cameras lies in their screen types. While Sony a6000 has a 3-inch articulating screen, the Sony RX100’s 3-inch screen is fixed. This means that only the Sony a6000 will afford you flexible shooting positions.
A Sony RX100 Demonstration Video – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
Which Has The Price/Value Ratio – Sony a6000 or Sony RX100?
You will be getting a better price/value ratio with the Sony a6000. Both the Sony a6000 and RX100 are affordable, but the RX100, even more so.
Brand Strength – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
Sony is a brand you can trust for high-quality cameras for everyone, whether they are beginners, enthusiasts, or pros.
So, whether you choose the a6000 or the RX100, you can rest assured that your camera is coming from a brand you can count on.
Comparison Table – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 | |
| Announcement date | 23 April 2014 | 28 August 2012 |
| Weight | 344 grams | 240 grams |
| Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Built-in stabilization | No | Optical |
| Built-in viewfinder | Electronic | No |
| Articulating screen | Yes | No |
| Built-in wireless connection | Yes | No |
| DxOMark Overall Score | 82 | 66 |
| External flash shoe | Yes | No |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Video formats | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| LCD screen resolution | 922k dots | 1,229k dots |
| Continuous shooting | 11.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
| Color depth | 24.1 | 22.6 |
| Dynamic range | 13.1 | 12.4 |
| Number of focus points | 179 points | 25 points |
| Battery life | 360 shots per full charge | 330 shots per full charge |
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Sony RX100 20.2 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch sensor, 28-100mm ZEISS zoom lens, 3” LCD | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Which Situation Is Each Best Suited For – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 |
| The Sony a6000 is very suitable for sports photography. Its electronic viewfinder, autofocusing, 11 frames per second continuous shooting speed, maximum shutter speed, and good low light ISO, all make it really fit for that purpose. You will not be weighed down moving around with this camera because of its medium body size, thickness, and sensor size. | The Sony RX100 is a great camera for street photography. This is due to its built-in image stabilization, fast shutter speed, 10 frames per second burst mode speed, and good wide-angle coverage. This camera’s face detection focusing and live view make it effective as a street photography camera. And its pocket size makes it a rather convenient choice. |
What Do They Have In Common – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
Similarities between the Sony a6000 and RX100:
i. Sensor resolution
ii. Body weight
iii. RAW support
iv. Fast continuous shooting
v. Built-in flash
vi. Face detection focus
vii. Auto exposure bracketing
viii. Near field communication
ix. Smartphone remote control
We will now look at each of them in detail…
Sensor Resolution
We’ll start with the sensor resolutions of these cameras. This is because it is one of the most popularized determining factors of a camera’s worth.
On one hand, Sony a6000 has a 24 megapixels APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 millimeters) sized CMOS sensor. On the other hand, Sony RX100 has a 20 megapixels 1 inch (13.2 x 8.8 millimeters) sized CMOS sensor. Both cameras feature the BIONZ X image processor, which guarantees images with real-life color.
Of course, the higher the resolution of the camera used to shoot an image, the more details and sharpness you are likely to capture in it, even when the photos are printed.
Bodyweight
The average body weight of mirrorless type cameras is 422 grams, and the cameras under review each weigh less than that.
When determining camera portability, the thickness is also considered in addition to the weight. Sony a6000 and RX100 have a thickness of 45 millimeters and 36 millimeters respectively. This makes it easy for you to carry these cameras around all day without feeling weighed down.
RAW Support
Both cameras under review come with RAW support.
Shooting in RAW ensures that your images are stored as uncompressed files that contain nominally processed image data from the camera’s image sensor. This means that the images are stored in such a way that no data will be lost for post-processing.
However, when you shoot in JPEG, the images are stored as compressed files, and so, they lose a lot of image data.
JPEG images are smaller in size than RAW images. Plus, to print the images or share them online, you will have to process the RAW files and convert them to suitable formats.
Fast Continuous Shooting
Continuous shooting is the feature that allows multiple pictures to be taken in rapid succession. So, if you want to capture an athlete throwing a javelin or a clown juggle balls at the local park, this feature is what will be helping you get the best shots.
Fast continuous shooting is great for capturing the best possible picture of a moment. The Sony a6000 provides 11 frames per second of continuous shooting, while the Sony RX100 has a 10 frames per second speed.
Built-In Flash
The built-in flash of these cameras come in handy when it is necessary to shoot in low-lighting conditions, especially when you would rather not carry an external flash.
This is in no way suggesting that the built-in flash is the almighty solution for low-lighting issues. In all honesty, it won’t always give the best results in low light.
Face Detection Focus
A camera with the face detection autofocusing system automatically sets its focus and exposure for a shot once it detects human faces.
This feature present in both the Sony a6000 and the Sony RX100 makes them great choices for shooting portraits and for filming people.
Auto Exposure Bracketing
It is confusing to know what exposure is best for your image when shooting in tricky lighting conditions. This is why it is necessary to use exposure bracketing.
Exposure bracketing entails you shooting one image at a particular exposure, and then a couple others at adjusted exposures.
From the images shot, it is easier to determine the best shot and then choose what you want to do with the others.
Cameras that come with the automatic exposure bracketing (AEB) feature – like the Sony a6000 and RX100 – allow you to automatically set this up.
With this feature, you can set the width of the shots to be taken (usually 3). The first shot taken will be in the set exposure. The second will be underexposed by the number of stops set. And the third shot will be overexposed also by the number of stops set.
Auto exposure bracketing also makes it super easy for you to get beautiful HDR photos.
Near Field Communication
The near field communication (NFC) feature on a camera allows wireless connectivity with compatible devices simply by touching them together.
Smartphone Remote Control
These cameras – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100 – are fitted with the remote control feature which allows you to conduct a shoot using your smartphone.
How Different Are They From Each Other – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
Which has image stabilization: a6000 or RX100?
The Sony RX100 comes with image stabilization. This camera has an optical built-in image stabilizer which guarantees sharper images at long exposures. A camera with built-in image stabilization will reduce the likelihood of shooting blurry images caused by movements or vibrations in camera position. And how it does that is by automatically stabilizing the camera’s lens.
Which has an external flash shoe: a6000 or RX100?
The Sony a6000 is fitted with an external flash shoe. This makes it a more appropriate work tool for flash photography than the Sony RX100. The built-in flash is not the perfect solution for shooting in low lighting conditions. Hence, an external flash will sometimes be needed.
Which has a faster shutter: a6000 or RX100?
With a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds, the Sony a6000 is guaranteed to be an impressive tool for your motion pictures, 50 percent faster than that of the RX100. You need a camera with a fast shutter speed to help do away with unintended blurs when capturing an object in motion. This helps you to keep the moving object in focus by freezing the motion.
Another benefit of having a camera with great shutter speed is that it helps in correcting exposure issues and producing beautiful effects.
Which has the more flexible LCD screen: a6000 or RX100?
The Sony a6000 has an articulating screen, which can be moved in several directions independent of the camera body. Whereas, the Sony RX100 has a fixed screen, which limits your shooting positions.
Which has the better screen resolution: a6000 or RX100?
While the resolution of the LCD screen on the a6000 is 922k dots, that of the screen on the RX100 is 1,229k dots.
Which has better focusing: a6000 or RX100?
While the Sony a6000 has 179 focus points, the RX100 offers only 25. This is rather a large gap, that will greatly affect the quality of pictures from either camera.
Which has a wireless connectivity: a6000 or RX100?
The Sony a6000 has built-in Wi-Fi, but the RX100 does not. Having a camera with built-in Wi-Fi affords you the option of sharing your camera images with a compatible device without needing any hardware.
What Are The Unique Pros Of Each Product – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
What Are The Unique Pros Of The Sony a6000?
- Only the a6000 comes with an electronic viewfinder, which makes picture composition effective even under intense sunlight.
- As the only one with an articulating screen, the a6000 is better suited for those creative shots of yours.
- This camera provides you with 19 percent more pixels than the RX100.
- With 154 more focus points, this camera guarantees better focusing than its counterpart.
- Of the two cameras, only this has support for Ultra High Speed (UHS) memory cards.
- At 24.1, this camera has a higher color depth than the 22.6 that the RX100 provides.
A Sony a6000 Demonstration Video – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
What Are The Unique Pros Of The Sony RX100?
- Being the only one with a built-in image stabilizer, you will be getting sharper images even at longer focal lengths.
- At 1,299k dots, this camera’s screen resolution is 33 percent higher than that of the a6000.
- With a weight that is 104 grams lighter, this camera fits in a pocket.
- This camera comes ready to shoot with its integrated lens.
A Sony RX100 Demonstration Video – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100
What Are The Unique Cons Of Each Product – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
What Are The Unique Cons Of The Sony a6000?
- Without built-in image stabilization, movements in this camera’s position are likely to have more blurry effects on images.
- This camera’s LCD screen is not as detailed as that of the RX100.
- Unlike the RX100’s integrated lens, it is necessary to use an extra lens on this camera.
- This camera cannot fit in a pocket, unlike the RX100 which can.
What Are The Unique Cons Of The Sony RX100?
- With the RX100, you will need to rely on the LCD screen to focus and compose your images. This is due to the absence of an electronic viewfinder on this camera.
- Your shooting positions will be quite rigid, and with no room for flexibility, as this camera has a fixed screen.
- The Sony NX100 comes with few focus points – 25.
- This camera does not support the use of Ultra High Speed (UHS) memory cards.
- With this camera, you will be getting 19 percent fewer pixels in photos compared with those taken with the a6000.
- his camera does not come with built-in wireless connectivity.
Check out these other articles:
- Sony a9 vs a7RIII – Detailed Comparison
- Sony a7II Vs a7RII – Which Should You Go For And Why?
- Sony a6500 vs a7R II – Which Is The Better Option?
- Sony a6000 Vs Nex 6 – Detailed Comparison
- Sony a9 vs a7RII – Detailed Comparison
- Sony a6000 Vs Canon T6i – Detailed Comparison
What Pros Are Common To Both Products – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 | |
| Portability | This camera is a small-sized wonder. All the cool features fitted into it makes it a worthy choice. | This camera is even more portable than the a6000. This Cyber-shot is a real pocket-size gem. |
| Built-in flash | The Sony a6000 has a built-in flash whose head can be tilted upwards manually to bounce the flash’s light. And it has a good flash coverage of 6.0 meters. | Similar to the a6000, the RX100’s built-in flash can be manually directed to create more impressive lighting on your subject. |
| Automatic exposure bracketing | You will find the automatic exposure bracketing feature of the Sony a6000 beneficial for shooting in tough lighting conditions. | You will find that this feature on the RX100 comes handy when shooting high dynamic range (HDR) images. |
| RAW support | This camera’s support for RAW gives you the freedom to efficiently edit images as it makes the image data needed available. | Shooting in RAW with the RX100 will guarantee you better image quality. Your post-processing is covered as you will not lose much image data. |
| Face detection focusing |
This
camera’s face detection autofocusing feature enables it to intelligently
detect human faces in the frame. After this, it then proceeds to automatically set its focus and exposure to take a shot. | The face detection autofocusing of the RX100 makes it a wonderful choice for shooting portraits and filming people. |
| Time-lapse recording | With an optional app, you can record time-lapse videos using the Sony a6000. | Just like the a6000, it also supports time-lapse recording with the use of an optional app. |
| Extend display | With this camera, the display can be extended by connecting it to compatible devices using the HDMI or USB 2.0 ports. | HDMI and USB cables can also be used with this camera. |
What Cons Are Common To Both Products – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 | |
| No Environmental sealing | This camera comes without environmental sealing on its body. A camera without environmental sealing is exposed to moisture and dust particles. This can result in a shortened camera lifespan. | There is no environmental sealing on the Sony NX100 either. If this camera is to be used in tough weather conditions, extreme care will be needed. |
| Low battery performance | For a camera of its class, the Sony a6000 has unimpressive battery life. As it provides only 360 shots per full charge, it will be wise to invest in spares. | A backup plan is needed all the more with the RX100. With 330 shots per full charge., the RX100 has a lower battery performance than the a6000. |
| No Touch screen | The Sony a6000 does not come with a touch-sensitive screen. A camera with a touch screen is not just cool but easier to navigate. | Just as the screen on the a6000, this camera’s screen is not touch-sensitive. This might not be considered a big deal if you know your way around a camera. |
| No external microphone jack | The Sony a6000 does not come with an external microphone jack. This means that external microphones cannot be attached to it. And so, you will not be able to improve the audio quality of recordings beyond what the built-in stereo microphone provides. | You will have to make do with this camera’s built-in microphone. This is because just like the a6000, it does not support the attachment of external microphones. |
| No built-in GPS | The Sony a6000 is void of a built-in global positioning system (GPS). | With the RX100, there is no way to automatically geotag your images. |
What Do People Think About Both Products – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 |
| Users were impressed with this camera’s lightweight. The amazing high-quality pictures produced with it made the tag ‘the little-sized wonder’ stick. Users unanimously agreed that the Sony Alpha a6000 was an excellent travel companion due to its size and production. A good number of users were oblivious to the fact that they were getting a camera with a pop-up flash. So, they were pretty delighted when they made the discovery. | The users of the enthusiast pocket-sized camera, RX100, agreed that Sony delivered on the great image quality promised. They pointed out that the camera came with the features of a DSLR while maintaining an awesome size and easy use. The camera was commended for shooting excellent HD videos. Its zoom feature was also mentioned as helping a great deal to achieve impressive videos. The vast majority of Sony RX100 users appreciated the feel of the camera in their hands. They pointed out that it did not only look great but also performed optimally. |
| People’s excitement with this camera was quelled a bit by its absence of environmental sealing on the body. Users were not pleased that they could not use the a6000 to capture picturesque moments in tough weather conditions. This is because they felt the best measure of caution for them was not to use the camera at all in such conditions. A lot of users complained about the battery life of the camera. They felt 360 shots per full charge was quite poor, which was quite understandable. However, because they derived immense satisfaction from the camera’s results, they did not mind purchasing extra batteries. Some users even suggested that the camera be put on “airplane mode” when not in use to prevent further draining of the battery. The menu arrangement raised mixed feelings among the users. While some users found the a6000’s gigantic menu to be a huge put-off, others found it pretty intuitive. And some others were willing to keep practicing till they became perfect at navigating the camera’s menu. | One thing in particular stood out for some users, and this was the camera’s autofocus. They complained that the camera seemed to focus on the wrong thing some of the time. And this messed up their shoots. Users of the Sony RX100 were not pleased with the absence of environmental sealing on the camera. They considered that this should have been a given seeing as modern cameras come with the feature. A few users hinted that the RX100 was not a durable camera. Their main reason was that it started developing faults when it was nearing the 2-year mark. |
What’s Our Take On Them – Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100?
| Sony a6000 | Sony RX100 |
| Looking at the feature set of the cameras under review, we can comfortably declare the Sony a6000 the winner. Still, as we always emphasize, your choice should depend on the photography needs you want to meet. Needs defer from photographer to photographer, so get a camera that works for you. If what you need a camera for is daily photography, sports photography, flash photography, and tours, then the a6000 will work for you. | The Sony RX100 is a worthy choice for some reasons, including portability and affordability. And as always, it still depends on what you want in a camera. We recommend this camera for street photography, daily photography, vacations, and those beautiful HD videos you love to shoot. |
Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100 — FAQs
Is the Sony RX100 still a good camera?
The Sony RX100 is still a good camera. Despite being released in 2012, this camera can still compete with some of the newer entry-level/semi-pro cameras. The RX100 has an impressive screen resolution, a fast burst mode, and it even lets you get a little creative with the time-lapse feature.
The Sony RX100 takes great photos with its 20 mega pixel 1 inch CMOS sensor. Good news is that you won’t need to worry about blur as it comes with image stabilization. Also, is very compact, so, it is one people enjoy taking with them everywhere.
Is the Sony a6000 good for photography?
The Sony a6000 is a good camera for many different types of photography. It has a good sensor (24 mega pixel APS-C), fast continuous shooting, a hot shoe where you can mount an external flash, and an LCD screen you can tilt to shoot from more convenient angles. So, of course, the a6000 will do a good job for different photographers.
If you want to get a little creative, the Sony a6000 has still got you. It comes with a time-lapse feature which helps you play around with time a little in your video recordings.
Can Sony a6000 shoot 4k?
The Sony a6000 cannot shoot 4k. Considering this camera wasn’t exactly designed strictly for professionals and was also released in 2014, perhaps that is pardonable. However, the a6000 shoots full HD and that is actually not bad video quality at all. If you are not a professional camera, you most likely will be very satisfied with the video quality you will be getting from the Sony a6000.
Is the Sony a6000 good in low light?
The Sony a6000 is known for its great performance in low light. This camera has an ISO range of 100 – 25600, and that maximum is further expandable to 51200. And in case you didn’t already know, the higher the ISO maximum, the better that camera’s low light performance.
The a6000 also comes with a built-in flash and is further compatible with external flashes, meaning that you can easily illuminate those low light locations you are about to shoot in without much stress and equipment.
Which Sony camera is best?
i. Sony a7III
ii. Sony a7
iii. Sony a68
iv. Sony a7R Mark IV
v. Sony a7SII
vi. Sony a6000
vii. Sony RX100 Mark V
viii. Sony a9
ix. Sony a7R III
x. Sony a6300
What is the difference between the Sony RX100 III and IV?
| Sony RX100 III | Sony RX100 IV | |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1440k dots | 2359k dots |
| Battery capacity | 320 shots per full charge | 280 shots per full charge |
| Burst mode speed | 10 frames per second | 16 frames per second |
| Video mode | Full HD | 4k |
| Weight | 290 grams | 298 grams |
| Dynamic range | 12.3 | 12.6 |
