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Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65
Sony Alpha A7S front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Updated by Sony A7S II
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony RX100 III
  • New Model is Sony RX100 V
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Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Sony A7S versus Sony RX100 IV, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the A7S (12MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the A7S (Full frame) and RX100 IV (1") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The A7S was brought out 14 months before the RX100 IV which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the A7S grades against the RX100 IV for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sony RX100 IV

 A7S RX100 IV 
Screen resolution1230k1229kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony A7S

 RX100 IV A7S 
IntroducedJune 2015April 2014Newer by 14 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A7S and Sony RX100 IV

 A7S RX100 IV 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A7S has outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Sony A7S versus Sony RX100 IV in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the A7S compared to the RX100 IV.

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7S and RX100 IV is 77 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specifications. The picture here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7S and RX100 IV.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A7S featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 IV will produce more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A7S will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography highlights
68
has manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
65
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S Street photography details
Sony RX100 IV Street photography details
76
tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (489g)
above average high ISO (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7S Sports photography details
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography details
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery (360 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (16.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S Travel photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography highlights
58
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
environment proof
bad battery (360 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
86
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7S Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography highlights
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (409,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery (360 shots)
74
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S Vlogging details
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging details
34
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
81
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
lack of mic socket
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Sony A7S vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Alpha A7SSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7S Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-04-06 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4240 x 2832 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 409600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash options no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps) 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 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 489g (1.08 lb) 298g (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 87 70
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 12.6
DXO Low light score 3702 562
Other
Battery life 360 images 280 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,998 $898