• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 5DS advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.14 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,381 vs 562 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    295g vs 946g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon 5DS
Sony RX100 III
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5DS
Nikon D810
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony RX100 IV
Nikon D810
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Sony RX100 IV
Canon 5DS R
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 IV
Pentax K-1
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon 5DS
Sony RX100 V
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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