• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Olympus TG-870

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-870 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    221g vs 295g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-870

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 Olympus TG-850

Sony RX100 IV
Olympus TG-850
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-870
Olympus TG-850
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch
Olympus TG-870
Sony RX100 III
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Sony RX100 IV
Olympus TG-860
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-870
Olympus TG-860
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch

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
Olympus TG-870
Sony RX100 V
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 VA
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1048
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Newer
Olympus TG-870
Sony RX100 VA
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1048
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?