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Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Sony A9
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Newer Model is Sony RX100 V
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Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony A9 II and Sony RX100 IV, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. The resolution of the A9 II (24MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is very close but the A9 II (Full frame) and RX100 IV (1") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The A9 II was launched 4 years after the RX100 IV which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the A9 II scores vs the RX100 IV for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Sony RX100 IV

 A9 II RX100 IV 
IntroducedOctober 2019June 2015Newer by 53 months
Display resolution1440k1229kClearer display (+211k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony A9 II

 RX100 IV A9 II 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A9 II and Sony RX100 IV

 A9 II RX100 IV 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A9 II provides physical measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony RX100 IV has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A9 II and Sony RX100 IV in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the A9 II versus the RX100 IV.

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A9 II and RX100 IV is 62 and 89 respectively.

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The picture here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A9 II and RX100 IV.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A9 II due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony A9 II will render extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher A9 II will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A9 II
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 IV
85
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 II Street photography features
Sony RX100 IV Street photography features
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
85
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 II Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography highlights
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery power (690 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
68
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (16.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 II Travel photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography advice
73
good battery power (690 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
86
lighter than competition in class (298g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 II Landscape photography factors
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography factors
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery power (690 shots)
two card slots
74
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 II Vlogging details
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging details
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
81
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
doesn't have external mic support
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Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 II and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Alpha A9 Mark IISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Mark II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2019-10-03 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 693 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,440 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 16.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
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 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, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 gr (1.49 lb) 298 gr (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 690 photographs 280 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual One
Launch price $4,498 $898