Upgrade Guide
Sony RX100→Sony RX100 IV
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the RX100. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the RX100 IV
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Burst rate16fps (5.5fps with AF) vs 10fps (focus fixed at the first frame)
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Generation3 years newer (2015 vs 2012)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
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.
| Genre | RX100 | RX100 IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.7 | ||
| Street | +0.8 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.4 | ||
| Documentary | +0.6 | ||
| Landscape | +0.3 | ||
| Casual | +0.2 | ||
| Food | +0.8 | ||
| Macro | +0.5 | ||
| Architecture | +0.7 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | RX100 | RX100 IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £74 used | £300 used | |
| Released | 2012 | 2015 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.2MP 1-inch CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | |
| Autofocus | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | 25-point contrast-detect AF, Eye AF, Lock-on AF | |
| Stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) | 16fps (5.5fps with AF) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~280 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 240g (with battery and card) | 298g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | |
| Mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / Memory Stick slot | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 IV against your specific genres — not just specs.
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