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Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS200
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 III
  • Successor is Sony RX100 V
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS100 (20MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1").

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The ZS100 was revealed 7 months later than the RX100 IV which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the ZS100 matches up against the RX100 IV in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Sony RX100 IV

 ZS100 RX100 IV 
RevealedJanuary 2016June 2015Fresher by 7 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Panasonic ZS100

 RX100 IV ZS100 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k1040kSharper screen (+189k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS100 and Sony RX100 IV

 ZS100 RX100 IV 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS100 comes with external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS100 and the RX100 IV.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS100 and RX100 IV is 87 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS100 and RX100 IV.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher ZS100 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Portrait photography camera
64
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
65
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Street photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Street photography advice
78
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (312g)
no articulating screen
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography advice
67
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
68
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (16.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS100
Travel photography with Sony RX100 IV
75
lighter than competition in class (312 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
86
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography highlights
68
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging highlights
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (312g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic socket
81
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (298g)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS100 and Sony RX100 IV
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ100 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2016-01-05 2015-06-10
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type MOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 80 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 9.9 frames per second 16.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p) 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)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 312 gr (0.69 lbs) 298 gr (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 70
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 12.6
DXO Low light score 559 562
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 280 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $700 $898