Sony RX100 II has a
20.0MP 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon 1 J2 has a
10.0MP 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor.
Sony RX100 II's sensor provides 10MP more than Nikon 1 J2's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the RX100 II and 1 J2 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony RX100 II and Nikon 1 J2 Cameras
Sony RX100 II and Nikon 1 J2 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Nikon 1 J2 has 98% larger pixel area (11.57µm 2 vs 5.82µm 2 ) compared to Sony RX100 II, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony RX100 II and Nikon 1 J2 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, RX100 II has scored 67, 13 points higher than 1 J2.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony RX100 II
67
22.5 bits
12.4 Evs
483 ISO
Nikon 1 J2
54
21.3 bits
10.8 Evs
363 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Sony RX100 II
or the
Nikon 1 J2 ,
including hyperfocal distance.