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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Newer Model is Sony RX100 V
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced July 2018
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony RX100 IV and Sony RX100 VA, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the RX100 IV (20MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1").

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The RX100 IV was brought out 4 years prior to the RX100 VA and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the RX100 IV matches up vs the RX100 VA with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony RX100 VA

 RX100 IV RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony RX100 IV

 RX100 VA RX100 IV 
AnnouncedJuly 2018June 2015More recent by 37 months

Common features in the Sony RX100 IV and Sony RX100 VA

 RX100 IV RX100 VA 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution1229k1229kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony RX100 IV has got exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 VA has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Sony RX100 IV and Sony RX100 VA in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the RX100 IV against the RX100 VA.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the RX100 IV and RX100 VA is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the RX100 IV and RX100 VA.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of pictures however you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The older RX100 IV is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography advice
65
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
66
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Street photography highlights
Sony RX100 VA Street photography highlights
85
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (298g)
86
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Sports photography info
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography info
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (16.0 fps)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
70
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Travel photography details
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography details
86
lighter than others in class (298g)
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
76
lighter than others in class (299g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony RX100 IV
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 VA
74
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
66
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Vlogging details
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging details
81
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
does not have external mic socket
81
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 IV and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IVSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-06-10 2018-07-13
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 315
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-70mm (2.9x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 16.0 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S 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) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298 grams (0.66 lb) 299 grams (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 562 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 images 220 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $898 $998