• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    70 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 pixels
    20.1 vs 14.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/6400 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 295g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S

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.

  • 360-degree spherical panoramas at the click of a button; Puts you back in the moment like no other camera; Good ergonomics and control layout; Great still image quality, and can shoot videos too; Upload panoramas to Google Street View

  • Very reliant on your smartphone or tablet; Battery and storage can't be replaced or upgraded; Handheld shots suffer from Gigantic Hand Syndrome; Hard to get yourself out of the shot; Video image quality is only modest; Interval timer has a long shot delay

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch
Ricoh Theta S
Sony RX100 III
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100 IV
Canon G7X
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Ricoh Theta S
Canon G7X
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Sony RX100 IV
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh Theta S
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

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
Ricoh Theta S
Sony RX100 V
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 VA
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Newer
Ricoh Theta S
Sony RX100 VA
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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