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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-RX100SonyCyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Overview
ReleasedJune 2012July 2015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1.0-type1.0-type
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor RS stacked CMOS with DRAM
Sensor dimensions13.2 × 8.8 mm13.2 × 8.8 mm
Effective resolution20.2 MP20.1 MP
Largest image5472 × 36485472 × 3648
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range125–6400125–12800
Sensor detail1.0-type is an optical-format designation; physical sensor dimensions are 13.2 × 8.8 mm, not a one-inch diagonal1.0-type optical format; physical dimensions 13.2 × 8.8 mm; stacked circuitry and attached DRAM memory
Image formatsJPEG and RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); movies use AVCHD 2.0 or MP4JPEG and RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 and MP4 movies
ISO detailStandard single-frame ISO 125–6400; extended ISO 80/100; higher multi-frame noise-reduction settings combine images and are not the standard sensitivity rangeStandard single-frame ISO 125–12800; extended ISO 80/100; multi-frame noise reduction reaches ISO 25600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens28–100 mm equivalent24–70 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/1.8–4.9f/1.8–2.8
Optical zoom3.6×2.9×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps16 fps
Lens detailZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*; actual focal length 10.4–37.1 mm; quoted equivalent range applies to 3:2 still photographsZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*; actual 8.8–25.7 mm; equivalent range applies to 3:2 stills; built-in three-stop ND filter
AutofocusAF-S, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; multi-point focus uses 25 pointsContrast-detection AF; single-shot AF, continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; Lock-on AF and Eye AF
ShutterManual exposure permits 30 seconds to 1/2000 second; other exposure modes have different minimum durationsMechanical shutter permits Bulb and 30 seconds to 1/2000 second in manual mode; electronic shutter reaches 1/32000 second
Burst detailUp to 10 fps at full resolution, the maker's maximum claimSpeed Priority Continuous reaches approximately 16 fps with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame. Normal continuous shooting reaches approximately 5.5 fps.
Stabilisation detail–Optical still-image stabilisation; movie Intelligent Active mode adds electronic correction
Flash–Manually raised built-in flash; no accessory shoe
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual controls; assignable lens control ring, seven-function Fn menu and three stored settings groups–
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 50 fps3840 × 2160 at 25 fps
Video detailUK support and the original Hong Kong launch table agree on AVCHD 1920 × 1080 at 50p and 28 Mbit/s. UK support lists 1440 × 1080 MP4 at 30 fps; the Hong Kong PAL table lists 25 fps instead. Active video stabilisation combines optical and electronic correction.PAL 4K up to 3840 × 2160 at 25p; NTSC up to 30p or 24p, at 60 or 100 Mbps; 4K clips limited to approximately five minutes. Full HD supports 100p PAL or 120p NTSC. Separate HFR captures at 250/500/1000 fps PAL or 240/480/960 fps NTSC for approximately two or four seconds, then encodes Full HD slow motion; these are lower-resolution sensor readouts, not native Full HD at 1000 fps.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphone; LPCM, Dolby Digital or AAC audio depending on movie format; HFR recording has no audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots1,228,8001,228,800
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detailWhiteMagic TFT LCD; the maker's 1,228,800 dots count colour subpixels, rather than that many image pixels. Fixed screen (01net).LCD tilts approximately 180° upwards and 45° downwards; no touchscreen (Photography Blog and Expert Reviews)
Viewfinder detail–Retractable 0.39-type OLED with approximately 2.35 million dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.59× equivalent magnification
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Battery life (maker's claim)330 photographs280 photographs
Body weight213 g271 g
Release detail–Sony specifies July 2015 US retail availability and 31 July 2015 in Japan. The month is retained because the US notice supplies no day. Sony's Japanese announcement expands the RX range rather than retiring earlier models.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick Duo variants; smaller Micro and microSD cards require an adaptorSD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick variants; 100 Mbps XAVC S requires UHS-I U3 SDXC
PortsMicro USB with USB 2.0 and Micro HDMIMulti/Micro USB with USB 2.0; Micro HDMI
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; NFC One-touch connection
Battery life detailNP-BX1 rechargeable battery; up to 330 photographs under CIPA conditions, not continuous video enduranceNP-BX1; CIPA maker claim approximately 280 photographs using LCD or 230 using viewfinder
Charging–USB charging; USB power supply during shooting and playback
DimensionsApproximately 101.6 × 58.1 × 35.9 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 101.6 × 58.1 × 41 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail213 g body only; 240 g with battery and recording media under CIPA conditionsApproximately 271 g body only; 298 g with battery and media
MaterialsAluminium body with metal controls–
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxNP-BX1 rechargeable battery, AC adaptor, Micro USB cable, wrist strap, shoulder strap adaptor and instructions–

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