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Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Launched September 2014
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 III
  • Newer Model is Sony RX100 V
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Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Sony QX30 and Sony RX100 IV, former is a Lens-style while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. The image resolution of the QX30 (20MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is relatively close but the QX30 (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The QX30 was revealed 9 months earlier than the RX100 IV which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the QX30 grades versus the RX100 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony RX100 IV

 QX30 RX100 IV 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony QX30

 RX100 IV QX30 
AnnouncedJune 2015September 2014More modern by 9 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution1229k0kClearer screen (+1229k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony QX30 and Sony RX100 IV

 QX30 RX100 IV 

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony QX30 comes with exterior measurements of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Sony QX30 and Sony RX100 IV in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the QX30 versus the RX100 IV.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the QX30 and RX100 IV is 91 and 89 respectively.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The image here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the QX30 and RX100 IV.

As you can see, both of these cameras have the same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The QX30 includes the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow DOF more difficult. The more aged QX30 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony QX30 Portrait photography features
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography features
38
resolution is good (20MP)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony QX30 Street photography factors
Sony RX100 IV Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony QX30 Sports photography factors
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography factors
47
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
68
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
max fps high (16.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony QX30 Travel photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography highlights
65
has focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
86
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony QX30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Landscape photography camera
39
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (")
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
74
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony QX30 Vlogging details
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging details
35
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
81
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
lack of microphone support
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Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony QX30 and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Class Lens-style Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-09-03 2015-06-10
Physical type Lens-style Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.3 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing - 3 inch
Resolution of display 0k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings None -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p) 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 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193g (0.43 lb) 298g (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 562
Other
Battery life 200 shots 280 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BN, NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $348 $898