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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Newer Model is Olympus SH-2
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony RX100 III
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 V
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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is relatively close but the SH-1 (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") have totally different sensor size.

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The SH-1 was unveiled 14 months prior to the RX100 IV which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SH-1 scores versus the RX100 IV in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Sony RX100 IV

 SH-1 RX100 IV 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Olympus SH-1

 RX100 IV SH-1 
AnnouncedJune 2015March 2014Newer by 14 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kClearer screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Sony RX100 IV

 SH-1 RX100 IV 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-1 has got physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SH-1 against the RX100 IV.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-1 and RX100 IV is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-1 and RX100 IV.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SH-1 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony RX100 IV will render more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged SH-1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography highlights
37
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-1
Street photography with Sony RX100 IV
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (271g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography highlights
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (380 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (16.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography features
74
great battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
features focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
86
lighter than competition (298 grams)
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-1
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 IV
49
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (380 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging info
37
rather wide (25mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (271g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
81
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (298g)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Sony RX100 IV
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-03-31 2015-06-10
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per sec 16.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 298g (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 562
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 280 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $349 $898