Olympus VG-110 vs Sony RX10 IV: Ultimate Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera can be overwhelming, especially with vast differences in price, design, and feature sets like those between the ultracompact Olympus VG-110 and the large-sensor superzoom Sony RX10 IV. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m here to break down what these two models offer across all photography genres, technical specs, and real-world use cases. Whether you’re a casual shooter or a seasoned pro, this comparison will help you understand which camera aligns best with your creative vision and budget.

Size and ergonomics comparison clearly show the VG-110’s pocketable profile versus the substantial RX10 IV bridge body.

First Impressions: Design, Handling, and Build Quality

Olympus VG-110: Pocketable Simplicity

The Olympus VG-110 is a classic ultracompact camera designed for casual use and convenience. With a tiny footprint measuring just 92x54x20 mm and weighing only 105 grams, it fits effortlessly into a pocket or small bag. Its lightweight, plastic chassis limits ruggedness but suits photographers prioritizing sheer portability.

The 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution provides a basic live view experience, though outdoor visibility suffers in bright light. Controls are minimalistic, lacking manual exposure modes or even aperture priority.

Sony RX10 IV: Robust Superzoom Powerhouse

At 133x94x145 mm and 1095 grams, the RX10 IV is a hefty, DSLR-style bridge camera built to endure intense shooting demands. Constructed with environmental sealing (dust and splash resistance), its magnesium alloy frame offers professional-grade reliability for fieldwork.

Ergonomically, the large grip, dedicated exposure dials, and rich button layout (including a tilting 3-inch 1.44 million-dot touchscreen) afford comprehensive manual control and comfortable operation - even when shooting for hours.

Top view reveals the RX10 IV’s extensive control dials and dedicated buttons versus the minimalist layout of the VG-110.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs Large BSI-CMOS

The sensor is the heart of any camera, and here the gap is enormous.

The Olympus VG-110 relies on an old-school CCD sensor with modest resolution and limited high-ISO capacity. This translates to images that perform adequately in bright conditions but suffer noticeable noise and detail loss once the ISO climbs above 400.

The Sony RX10 IV, by contrast, features a much larger 1" BSI CMOS sensor. In my testing, this sensor delivers vastly superior detail, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities - crucial for professional-quality landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and sports.

Comparing sensor sizes illuminates why the RX10 IV outperforms the VG-110 in image quality.

Lenses and Zoom Capability: Versatility vs Portability

The optical systems define much of the camera's use potential.

• Olympus VG-110: Features a fixed 27-108 mm (equivalent) zoom with F2.9-6.5 aperture. Its 4x zoom range is modest, suitable for general snapshots and close-up macro (down to 1 cm). However, the relatively narrow aperture at telephoto limits performance in low light or for shallow depth of field.

• Sony RX10 IV: Boasts a groundbreaking 24-600 mm (25x zoom) lens with bright F2.4-4.0 aperture across the range. This lens covers extreme wide-angle to super-telephoto distances, rare in a bridge camera. The fast aperture enables beautiful background separation and better low-light capture.

In real shoots, the RX10 IV’s lens allows seamless transition from expansive landscapes to distant wildlife without swapping gear. The VG-110’s lens feels quite constrained in both focal length and light gathering.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

AF technology dramatically shapes the ease of capturing sharp images, especially in dynamic scenarios.

• Olympus VG-110: Uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and multiple AF areas. However, it offers no continuous AF or manual focus control, making tracking moving subjects difficult. In my trials, it often hunts frustratingly in lower light or fast action.

• Sony RX10 IV: Equipped with an advanced hybrid autofocus combining 315 phase-detection points with contrast detection. This system supports eye and animal eye AF, continuous AF, and selective AF. I tested reliable and snappy focus lock even on erratic wildlife and fast athletes.

This autofocus prowess significantly influences genres like sports and wildlife photography, where the RX10 IV excels but the VG-110 struggles.

Shooting Speeds and Buffering: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Burst shooting and shutter speeds relate directly to action photography.

The VG-110’s slow shutter and lack of burst seriously limit capturing fast-moving subjects. Meanwhile, the RX10 IV’s ultra-fast shutter and blazing 24 fps burst allow professionals to freeze moments in sports and wildlife with ease.

Viewfinder and Screen Experience

The lack of any viewfinder on the VG-110 severely restricts usability in bright outdoor conditions or precise framing. The Sony RX10 IV's high-res EVF with 100% coverage and tilting touchscreen allows versatile composition options that professionals demand.

Back-screen comparison highlights the RX10 IV's hi-res tilting touchscreen versus VG-110's basic fixed LCD.

Video Capabilities: Just Snapshots or Professional Content Creation?

• Olympus VG-110: Limited to a maximum of 640x480 pixels at 30fps with MPEG-4 format, no microphone input, or stabilization. This is mostly for simple home movies or documentation.

• Sony RX10 IV: Offers 4K UHD (3840x2160) recording at 30p with advanced XAVC S codec, along with full HD at up to 60fps. Features include optical stabilization, microphone and headphone jacks for monitoring and recording audio, and extensive manual control.

Video enthusiasts or hybrid shooters will find the RX10 IV far more capable of delivering broadcast-quality footage.

Battery Life and Storage

• Olympus VG-110: Battery life rated approximately 170 shots per charge using the proprietary LI-70B battery. Supports SD/SDHC cards and has one card slot.

• Sony RX10 IV: About 400 shots per charge with NP-FW50 battery, supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC plus Memory Stick formats. Single card slot.

If you shoot heavily, be sure to carry spares with the VG-110 due to its limited endurance.

Connectivity and Extras

The VG-110 offers no wireless connectivity, HDMI, or USB beyond basic USB 2.0 data transfer.

In contrast, the RX10 IV integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for remote control and instant sharing, full HDMI output, and USB 2.0 for tethering and fast transfer. No GPS in either, though.

Genre-by-Genre Performance Summary

Portrait Photography

• VG-110: Limited control over depth of field and lack of RAW output hinder creative skin tone rendering and bokeh separation. Face detection helps, but image quality is basic.
• RX10 IV: Large sensor and fast lens deliver creamy bokeh and accurate skin tones. Eye and animal eye AF ensure tack-sharp focus, ideal for portraits.

Landscape Photography

• VG-110: Modest dynamic range and resolution constrain image quality, but compact size is a plus for travel light.
• RX10 IV: Robust landscape tool with excellent resolution and dynamic range, plus weather sealing for rugged conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• VG-110: Autofocus speed and zoom range are insufficient for serious wildlife; suitable only for very casual shots.
• RX10 IV: Excellent AF tracking and 600 mm reach deliver sharp images of distant animals. Fast burst rates handle action well.

Sports Photography

• VG-110: Does not support continuous AF or fast burst, making it impractical for fast sports.
• RX10 IV: Professional-grade continuous AF and up to 24 fps burst are perfect for dynamic sports shooting.

Street Photography

• VG-110: Lightweight and discreet, but fixed LCD and slow AF reduce spontaneity.
• RX10 IV: Bulkier and more conspicuous, but superior image quality and low-light ISO make it great for street shooters who prioritize results.

Macro Photography

• VG-110: Can focus as close as 1 cm, excellent for casual macro snaps.
• RX10 IV: 3 cm macro minimum with stabilization aids sharper close-ups, better for detailed macro work.

Night/Astro Photography

• VG-110: Limited ISO and no manual modes reduce performance in starry conditions.
• RX10 IV: Large sensor, high ISO, and manual exposure modes enable astrophotography and nightscapes.

Video Recording

• VG-110: Basic quality, suitable only for casual video.
• RX10 IV: Professional 4K video with advanced audio and stabilization sets it apart.

Travel Photography

• VG-110: Ultra compact, ideal for travelers valuing pocketability and simplicity.
• RX10 IV: Versatile and rugged, though heavier - ideal for enthusiasts planning a one-camera trip.

Professional Work

• VG-110: More of a point-and-shoot, rarely suitable for professional demands.
• RX10 IV: High resolution, ruggedness, and comprehensive controls make it a legitimate tool for some professional applications.

Practical Insights: What I Found in Real-World Testing

Shooting side by side, the Olympus VG-110 feels charmingly simple yet dated. It’s best seen as a step-up from smartphone photography for those who want a pocket camera with some zoom and manual control is not a priority. Its images can look decent under good lighting but lack sharpness and depth under challenging conditions.

The Sony RX10 IV, on the other hand, is a workhorse. In my tests for sports and wildlife, the autofocus rarely missed a beat, and the 600 mm reach was a game changer. Portraits showed beautiful bokeh transitions, and landscapes captured wide tonal ranges with impressive clarity. Video performance exceeded expectations - smooth stabilization and great audio inputs make it a hybrid’s dream.

Battery life was also more than double with the RX10 IV, and built-in Wi-Fi made sharing images effortless during shoots.

Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Budget vs Investment

Priced around $150, the Olympus VG-110 is an ultra-budget camera offering basic imaging for casual users. Its low cost is attractive, but it comes with significant compromises in image quality, speed, and versatility.

The Sony RX10 IV carries a premium $1700+ price tag, reflecting its professional-grade sensor, lens, autofocus, and build quality. This investment is justified if you need a versatile, all-in-one camera capable of excelling across disciplines.

Our Recommendations: Which Camera Is Right for You?

• Choose the Olympus VG-110 if:

  • You want a truly pocketable camera for casual snapshots and travel.
  • Your budget is tight and you do not require advanced controls or RAW output.
  • You primarily shoot outdoors in bright conditions and simple macros.

• Choose the Sony RX10 IV if:

  • You need one camera that can handle portrait, wildlife, sports, landscape, and professional video.
  • You want advanced autofocus, large sensor image quality, and a massive zoom range.
  • You’re willing to pay for ruggedness, controls, and connectivity for serious photography.

Final Thoughts: One Compact Champion and One Bridge Beast

Though these cameras share some namesake “compactness,” their design philosophies occupy opposite ends of the camera spectrum. The Olympus VG-110 is a pocket-friendly point-and-shoot with enough basics to please casual users and novices who want an upgrade from phone photography. The Sony RX10 IV targets enthusiasts and professionals demanding a single versatile tool capable of tackling demanding scenarios without a lens change.

My hands-on comparison reaffirms something I’ve known from years of testing: sensor size, lens quality, and autofocus sophistication make the biggest real-world difference. Save up if you can to step into the RX10 IV’s class, but if your shooting needs are simple and budget limited, the VG-110 remains a straightforward, no-fuss pick.

Whichever you choose, be sure you’re buying a camera matched to your photographic goals - because the best camera is always the one that inspires you to create your best work.

Why you can trust this review: My assessments come from extensive side-by-side testing under diverse lighting and shooting conditions, ensuring insights that reflect real usage rather than spec sheets alone. I emphasize practical benefits and honest compromises, so you can confidently select the camera that truly suits your photography style.

If you found this comparison helpful, happy shooting - and may your next camera open new creative doors!