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Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

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
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push 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
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 III
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 V
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Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sony HX20V versus Sony RX100 IV, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The sensor resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is pretty close but the HX20V (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The HX20V was announced 3 years prior to the RX100 IV which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the HX20V matches up vs the RX100 IV in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony RX100 IV

 HX20V RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony HX20V

 RX100 IV HX20V 
IntroducedJune 2015July 2012Newer by 35 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k922kClearer screen (+307k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony RX100 IV

 HX20V RX100 IV 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony HX20V features physical measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Sony HX20V versus Sony RX100 IV in the all 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 at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the HX20V compared to the RX100 IV.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the HX20V and RX100 IV is 90 and 89 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the HX20V and RX100 IV.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The HX20V with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony RX100 IV will provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged HX20V will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography information
45
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
has face detection focusing
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography features
Sony RX100 IV Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography features
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography features
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
68
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (16.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V Travel photography information
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography information
69
lighter than average in class (254g)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
86
lighter than competitors (298 grams)
MP count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography details
50
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
74
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V Vlogging advice
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
81
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors (298g)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Sony HX20V vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-20 2015-06-10
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 16.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.10 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254 gr (0.56 pounds) 298 gr (0.66 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 320 photos 280 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BG1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $397 $898