• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 890g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Sony RX100

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 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
    ~ 5.36 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,995 vs 390 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 330 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
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    19 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony RX100
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony RX100 II
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon D810

Sony RX100
Nikon D810
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100
Canon G7X
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon G7X
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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