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Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V

Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Revealed July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A7R III
  • Renewed by Sony A7R V
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the A7R IV (61MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the A7R IV (Full frame) and HX20V (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The A7R IV was launched 7 years after the HX20V which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the A7R IV grades versus the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony HX20V

 A7R IV HX20V 
AnnouncedJuly 2019July 2012Newer by 86 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k922kClearer screen (+518k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony A7R IV

 HX20V A7R IV 

Common features in the Sony A7R IV and Sony HX20V

 A7R IV HX20V 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A7R IV comes with exterior dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the A7R IV versus the HX20V.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A7R IV and HX20V is 62 and 90 respectively.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R IV and HX20V.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A7R IV because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A7R IV will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 43 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern A7R IV should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
88
has manual focus
MP count high (61MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
45
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has face detect focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R IV Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather proof
above average ISO range (32,000)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R IV Sports photography details
Sony HX20V Sports photography details
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (670 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7R IV
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
74
good battery life (670 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count high (61MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
69
lighter than others (254 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R IV Landscape photography features
Sony HX20V Landscape photography features
88
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (61MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good battery life (670 shots)
two card slots
50
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R IV Vlogging advice
Sony HX20V Vlogging advice
37
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R IV and Sony HX20V
 Sony Alpha A7R IVSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R IV Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2019-07-16 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 61 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 9504 x 6336 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 32000 12800
Max boosted ISO 102800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 567 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.10 m
Flash settings Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync. Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 665g (1.47 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 99 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3344 not tested
Other
Battery life 670 photographs 320 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 1
Price at launch $3,498 $397