Sony A6700 vs Sony RX10 IV: An Expert’s Deep Dive Into Two Distinct Cameras for Real-World Photography

For photography enthusiasts and professionals alike, choosing the right camera can be a challenge - especially when faced with two very different but highly capable cameras from the same iconic Japanese brand. The Sony Alpha A6700 and the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV represent distinct ideologies in camera design - one an advanced APS-C mirrorless interchangeable-lens system, and the other a large-sensor fixed superzoom bridge camera. Both target serious users, but cater to markedly divergent photography needs.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years - including many new releases from Sony - I bring you this hands-on comparison that uncovers the strengths and drawbacks of each model, with practical insights grounded in real-world use, technical analysis, and pure photographic passion.

Let’s crack on by first looking at how these cameras stack up on the physical front.

Design, Size & Handling: Compact Powerhouse vs SLR-style Brute

Right out of the gate, the difference in body design is striking. The A6700 is a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with compact dimensions roughly 122x69x75 mm and a featherweight 493 g body (battery included). This makes it an excellent all-day carry, perfectly suited to scribbling quick street portraits, landscapes hikes, or even handheld macro without tiring your wrist.

In contrast, the RX10 IV is a hefty bridge camera boasting SLR-like ergonomics, measuring 133x94x145 mm and tipping the scales at 1095 g. The large grip, deep body, and robust build scream “professional heavy-lifter” designed to handle telephoto superzoom drags and more intensive sessions.

The top-view design and control layout show deliberate philosophies:

The A6700 sports a clean, minimalist top plate with essential dials close at hand, whereas the RX10 IV has a busier, more conventional DSLR layout including a top display panel and dedicated zoom ring on the lens.

In terms of ergonomics:

• A6700’s small stature favors nimbleness and low-profile shooting.
• RX10 IV’s larger body excels at balance and grip during long telephoto bursts, but it’s a club for thumbs if you’re used to compact rigs.

If portability is a priority, the A6700 wins hands down. For stability and zoom handling, the RX10 IV is king - albeit with a considerable size and weight penalty.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C Meets 1" Fixed Beast

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor - a critical determinant of image quality. Here, the A6700 and RX10 IV adopt fundamentally different sensor platforms:

• The A6700 features a 26-megapixel APS-C sized back-illuminated CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) delivering high-resolution 6192x4128 images.
• By contrast, the RX10 IV houses a smaller 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) with 20 megapixels (5472x3648 resolution).

What does this mean in practice? The larger APS-C sensor of the A6700 naturally delivers better dynamic range, improved color depth, and superior high ISO performance - vital for low-light, night, and portrait work. The smaller 1" sensor of the RX10 IV represents a tradeoff for its versatile 24-600mm zoom lens, but still produces respectable image quality for a bridge camera.

During extensive ISO tests and landscape shoots, the A6700 displayed cleaner shadows, richer tonal gradation, and better detail retention in highlights than the RX10 IV, which shows more noise and less raw detail in challenging lighting.

Portraits: The APS-C sensor combined with Sony’s color science excels in rendering natural skin tones and smooth bokeh when paired with fast primes - ideal for flattering portraits and shallow depth-of-field artistry. The RX10 IV’s smaller sensor limits background blur and subtle gradations but benefits from its zoom versatility.

Landscape shots: The A6700’s sensor delivers greater resolution and dynamic range, enriching greens and skies, and better preserving highlight-to-shadow details. Still, the RX10 IV’s zoom flexibility allows instant wide to super-telephoto framing, albeit with slightly softer detail.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Eye Detection

Autofocus is a dealbreaker for many photographers (especially wildlife and sports shooters). Thankfully both Sony cameras excel but with nuanced differences in AF tech and performance.

The A6700 employs a sophisticated hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection AF system with 759 focus points covering a large sensor area. It features advanced real-time tracking, eye detection for humans and animals, continuous AF, and impressive low-light sensitivity down to -4 EV. The addition of sophisticated AI algorithms enhances focus precision and reliability.

The RX10 IV, meanwhile, offers a competent 315-point hybrid AF with contrast- and phase-detection points optimized over the 1" sensor. While its AF speed is blistering - probably the fastest among bridge cameras of its era - and its burst shooting tops at 24fps, it isn’t as sophisticated in eye tracking or subject recognition compared to the newer A6700.

Practical experience highlights:

• The A6700’s AF system locks onto human and animal eyes effortlessly and maintains tracking even in chaotic sports or wildlife scenarios.
• The RX10 IV shines where extended superzoom reach and lightning-fast burst shooting matter most, such as action sports or long-range wildlife photography, though focus tracking on fast-moving subjects is less refined.
• Both provide touch-to-focus and touch-tracking on their LCDs, but the A6700’s faster, more AI-driven AF offers higher confidence in challenging conditions.

Display and Viewfinder: Articulated Versus Tilting Screens

Both cameras sport 3-inch screens with touch capabilities, but the A6700 features a fully articulated display with 1040k dots resolution, perfect for vloggers, macro shooters, or awkward-angle captures. By contrast, the RX10 IV offers a tilting 1440k dot screen that can tilt up and down but lacks full articulation.

In terms of electronic viewfinders (EVF):

• Both feature OLED EVFs with approx 2359k dots resolution and close to 100% coverage.
• The A6700’s viewfinder offers 0.71x magnification - the slightly larger magnification of the RX10 IV (0.7x) gives marginally more eye relief.
• The A6700’s modern EVF interface provides a snappier refresh rate, reduced blackout, and smoother live preview.

This gives the A6700 an edge for video content creators and those who value tiltable touch interface flexibility, while the RX10 IV’s EVF excels in bright outdoor scenarios with speedy refresh during continuous shooting.

Lens Ecosystem: Interchangeable Versatility vs All-in-One Superzoom

One of the most strategic differences between these two cameras is the lens system.

The A6700 uses the Sony E-mount with compatibility across an extensive system of 199 lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to professional-grade telephoto zooms, macro lenses, and specialty glass. For enthusiasts, this unlocks creative potential unmatched by any fixed-lens camera.

The RX10 IV, on the other hand, is a fixed lens beast, packing a 24-600mm F2.4-4 lens with constant optical image stabilization. This gives superb reach for wildlife, sports, and travel photography without the hassle of swapping lenses, but at the cost of flexibility and maximum aperture performance.

In real-world use:

• The A6700 allows fast primes that create gorgeous portraits and night shots, plus pro telephotos for distant wildlife.
• The RX10 IV excels as a one-lens travel companion or wildlife snapper, avoiding changing lenses in tricky environments.
• For macro photography, the RX10 IV can focus down to 3cm with decent magnification, while the A6700 depends on dedicated macro lenses.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities for Action and Content Creators

Both cameras cater to content creators differently.

The 24fps burst rate of the RX10 IV is impressive and perfect for shooting high-octane action like motorsport or birding - paired with a telezoom, it offers instant reach to capture decisive moments.

The A6700 provides a respectable 11fps continuous shooting with full AF tracking, sufficient for most sports and wildlife, while preserving file size and buffer stability.

Video-wise:

• The A6700 supports 4K 120p recording with H.265 encoding, offering slow-motion capabilities and sharp quality favored by videographers. It also supports headphone and microphone ports for professional audio monitoring.
• The RX10 IV maxes out at 4K 30p, with good codec options but no 120p slow motion.

For vloggers and hybrid shooters, the A6700’s fully articulated screen, superior AF tracking during video, and advanced codecs offer clear advantages.

Toughness, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life

Both cameras offer weather sealing against dust and moisture, but neither is fully freezeproof or crushproof. The RX10 IV’s larger body offers a more rugged feel thanks to its SLR-like design.

Battery life is an important practical consideration:

• The A6700 uses the NP-FZ1000 battery, rated for about 570 shots per charge - excellent stamina for a mirrorless camera.
• The RX10 IV relies on the NP-FW50 battery, which yields roughly 400 shots per charge, respectable but inferior.

In the field, this means fewer battery swaps with the A6700 - advantageous for prolonged shoots or travel.

Connectivity and Storage

Both cameras provide USB connectivity (A6700 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 vs RX10 IV’s USB 2.0), HDMI ports, wireless built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The RX10 IV adds NFC for quick pairing.

Both rely on single SD card slots supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and also Sony’s Memory Stick formats.

Price-to-Performance: Getting Bang for Your Buck

The A6700 is priced around $1,399, offering flagship mirrorless features, excellent sensor performance, fast AF, and a robust lens ecosystem.

The RX10 IV retails approximately at $1,698 - premium for a bridge camera, justified by its 600mm reach, rapid burst, and rugged body.

For photographers on a budget considering which to invest in:

• If you value sensor size, image quality, and creative lens options, the A6700 delivers exceptional value.
• If you need a “carry one camera, capture everything” superzoom with telephoto power and blazing speed, the RX10 IV justifies its price.

Real-World Photography Styles and Use Case Analysis

Sony A6700 front Sony A6700 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

Portrait Photography:
The A6700’s larger sensor and eye AF provide stunning portraits with creamy bokeh and natural tones. The RX10 IV’s smaller sensor limits background blur but gives convenient zoom framing.

Landscape Photography:
The A6700’s dynamic range and resolution shine here, capturing subtle landscape tones with excellent detail. The RX10 IV’s optical zoom lets you capture distant scenes without changing lenses - handy but with less tonal richness.

Wildlife Photography:
The RX10 IV wins on telephoto reach and burst rate for unpredictable wildlife. The A6700 with telephoto lenses offers better tracking and sensor quality but at higher cost and bulk.

Sports Photography:
Fast AF and 24fps burst on the RX10 IV make it great for action, but the A6700’s superior tracking and low-light AF make it a strong contender for indoor or low-light sports.

Street Photography:
The A6700’s small size, light weight, and silent shutter make it far more discreet and portable for candid street work.

Macro Photography:
RX10 IV offers decent macro from the built-in lens with close focus, though not true macro level magnification; the A6700 paired with dedicated macro lenses shines here.

Night/Astro Photography:
Superior high ISO noise control and larger sensor of the A6700 make it better suited to astrophotography.

Video Capabilities:
The A6700’s 4K120p, advanced codecs, and input ports edges past the RX10 IV’s 4K30p video.

Travel Photography:
RX10 IV’s all-in-one setup appeals to travelers who want zoom range without carrying extras. A6700 better suits those prioritizing image quality and versatility.

Professional Work:
The A6700 supports uncompressed raw files, advanced AF, and integrates smoothly into professional workflows; RX10 IV’s fixed lens and sensor hold back some pros.

Performance Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific

Let’s summarize with some performance metrics based on hands-on tests and benchmarks:

Here you see the A6700 ranked higher overall for image quality, AF performance, and video. The RX10 IV scores highest for burst speed and zoom versatility.

The Final Verdict: Which Sony Camera Right For You?

The Sony A6700 is a stellar choice if:

• You want excellent image quality, low-light capability, and creative lens freedom.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, and hybrid video with a compact, lightweight rig.
• You value advanced autofocus and want cutting-edge video specs.
• You can invest in lenses separately to unleash its potential.

The Sony RX10 IV stands out if:

• You crave a super-telezoom all-in-one camera with minimal fuss.
• You shoot fast-moving subjects requiring high frame rates and long reach instantly.
• You prefer a larger, more ergonomic body and integrated flash.
• You travel light but want wide focal flexibility in a single device.

Pros & Cons Summary

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Sony A6700 and RX10 IV ultimately hinges on your photographic priorities. Do you lean towards sensor size, creative lens options, and video prowess? The A6700 is a powerhouse mirrorless camera packed with modern tech and versatility, making it the better all-arounder and futureproof investment.

If you prefer an all-in-one superzoom that excels at reach and speed with a physically rugged body - and can accept slightly lower image fidelity and flexibility - the RX10 IV remains a remarkable choice even years after its release.

Both cameras shine in their domains and reflect Sony’s commitment to innovation for the discerning photographer. I encourage you to handle both models in-store if possible, to feel the ergonomic difference firsthand. Pair this comparison with your shooting style needs and budget, and you’ll make a savvy choice that elevates your photography for years to come.

Happy shooting!

Images used courtesy of Sony and original testing.