Sony RX100 IV vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Sony RX100 IV vs Olympus E-M1 II

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 IV.
Compare Sony RX100 IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 IV conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 V
Compare RX100 IV vs RX100 V

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III

Compare SONY RX100 V vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

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Differences

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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 68 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
295g vs 574g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 3.36 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 280 shots
Capture more photos
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
0.74x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 16.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Sony RX100 IV

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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.
Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony RX100 IV

Fujifilm X-T2

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$748
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony RX100 III

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic G7

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic G7

$898
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GX8

$898
1 inch

Internal flash
Integrated ND filter

$998
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony RX100 V

$899
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$998
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX100 V

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