Upgrade Guide

Sony RX100 IV→Sony A6500

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

RX100 IV

£300 used

2015

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A6500

£345 used (+£44)

2016

✅

Strong upgrade

The A6500 improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most RX100 IV owners will notice the difference.

What's new in the A6500

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	RX100 IV	A6500
Price	£300 used	£345 used
Released	2015	2016	↑
Sensor	20.1MP 1-inch CMOS	24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
Resolution	20MP	24MP	↑
Video	4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2	4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p
Autofocus	25-point contrast-detect AF, Eye AF, Lock-on AF	425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection
Stabilisation	Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS)
Burst Rate	16fps (5.5fps with AF)	11fps	↓
Battery Life	~280 shots (CIPA)	~310 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	298g (with battery and card)	453g (with battery and card)	↓
Weather Sealed	Not weather sealed	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots	EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification
Screen	3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up	3.0" tilting touchscreen
Mount	Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8	Sony E-mount
Memory Cards	Single SD / Memory Stick slot	Single SD UHS-I slot

Compare side-by-side

See RX100 IV and A6500 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A6500 against your specific genres — not just specs.

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