Sony RX0 II not better than GoPro Hero7 Black?

Why is everyone comparing the Sony RX0 II with the GoPro Hero7 Black?

The Sony RX0 II is not an action camera! IS it?

It may look like the GoPro, but it may not be an Action Camera.

If you look at Sony’s website, you can’t find the RX0 listed under “Action Camera”.

It is simply a “Compact Camera”, a special one.

The end. 🙂

Anyway, let’s explore the Sony RX0 II released in March 2019.

Get Sony RX0 II → ORDER YOURS TODAY!

An action camera with a flip out screen?

The flip out screen. That’s what attracted me.

I love my GoPro Hero7 Black in every way except it has no flip out screen for proper vlogging… and that’s annoying.

I use my GoPro for travel vlogging because it is rugged, tiny, waterproof, wide-angle, and stabilized.

If the the RX0 II have all that, then it is an action camera… at least for me.

Another 2 annoying things about the GoPro Hero7 Black are… I cannot zoom in on distant objects… and I cannot focus on close-up objects.

If the Sony RXO II can solve these issues, then it is the camera for my next travel vlog.

Sony RX0 II the Premium Tiny Tough Camera

“Premium Tiny Tough Camera”. That’s the official title of the camera.

Tiny and Tough. Sounds like my GoPro.

Premium. That sounds scary.

Price: $699.99

As at March 2019, the price is US$699.99.

That’s US$300 more than the GoPro Hero7 Black.

Premium indeed.

1 inch Sensor Size

1 inch is huge for a tiny camera. The GoPro is only 1/2.3 inch.

Bigger sensor usually means better low light performance.

Waterproof up to 10m/33ft

Rain or shine or underwater. I didn’t have to worry about my GoPro like I do for my mirrorless camera.

So the RX0 II has exactly the same waterproof specs. Great!

Clear Image 2x Zoom

WIN! RXO II has got a Clear Image Zoom feature up to 2x zoom with minimal loss of quality.

GoPro can’t event zoom. Though 2x times isn’t that much either.

20cm minimum close-up focus distance

Not impressive. That’s just as annoying as the GoPro. I can’t shoot a clear close-up of something like a coin.

24mm Wide Angle Lens

LOSE! I have that on my mirrorless and even my smartphone.

The GoPro can go wider at about 16mm and that makes a lot of difference capturing landscapes and architecture.

Eye Autofocus

Just like it’s mirrorless brother, the Sony a7iii, it has Eye Auto Focus. Great when shooting people.

For the GoPro, everything is focussed. It’s either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the scene. For my travels and events, it’s a good thing for me.

Tiltable LCD Monitor aka Flip Out Screen

WIN WIN WIN! I can’t frame the scene properly whenever I selfie vlog with my GoPro. It’s like shooting blind. I have to repeat whenever it’s not shot right. Very frustrating.

So, the RX0 II shines with this feature.

I have a feeling that GoPro Hero8 Black is going to have this feature too. Tough competition.

Microphone Jack

WIN WIN! I am getting close to convincing myself this is an action camera and more.

Without an external microphone, the GoPro Hero7 Black could capture my voice really well up to a meter.

With a microphone jack on the RX0 II, it’s a step up to professional audio recording quality.

Shoots max 4K 30p

GoPro wins here at 4K 60p. I think Sony is just holding back for the sake of its other cameras.

Gimbal-like Stabilization

I am a Sony camera user for many years, and I know their stabilization is as smooth like a gimbal… and so can the GoPro Hero7 Black.

Must-have Accessories

With the VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip, you can control the record button and the zoom. It acts as a tabletop tripod too.

Sony RX0 II vs GoPro Hero7 Black

Sony RX0 II	GoPro Hero7 Black
Price: US$699.99	Price: US$399.99 💪
Released Date: Mar 2019	Released Date: Sep 2018
1 inch Sensor 💪	1/2.3 inch Sensor
Clear Image 2x Zoom 💪	No Zoom
24mm Wide Angle	Equivalent Focal Length by Field of View – Standard Linear FOV: 24.4mm – Standard Wide FOV: 16.5mm – Standard SuperView FOV: 15.1mm 💪
Eye Autofocus	Everything is focussed
Microphone Jack 💪	No Microphone Jack
Shoots max 4K 30p	Shoots max 4K 60p 💪
— same —
Share with Smartphone	Share with Smartphone
Rugged	Rugged
Waterproof Up to 10m/33ft	Waterproof Up to 10m/33ft (swim without housing)
Shockproof	Shockproof (I dropped mine several times and not a scratch)
Gimbal-like Stabilization	Gimbal-like Stabilization

Verdict

I like my GoPro Hero7 Black because it is rugged, tiny, waterproof, wide-angle, and stabilized.

The Sony RX0 II LOST in the wide angle arena.

I hate my GoPro Hero7 Black because… I cannot zoom in on distant objects… and I cannot focus on close-up objects.

The Sony RX0 II can zoom in 2x and close-up is just as bad.

The number ONE reason I hate my GoPro… no flip-out screen.

The flip-out screen is the main selling feature of the Sony RX0 II.

At the price of US$300 more, I might hold back a little bit and see if the GoPro Hero8 Black can do better.

What do you think of the Sony RX0 II?

Feel free to reply with a comment or question.

Get Sony RX0 II → ORDER YOURS TODAY!

Adrian Lee
VIDEOLANE.COM

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