Sony RX100 IV vs RX100 VII: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Sony’s Compact Powerhouses

When it comes to pocketable cameras with serious imaging chops, Sony’s RX100 line has been synonymous with innovation and incredible image quality for over a decade. Having personally tested and worked extensively with nearly every iteration in this family, I have a nuanced appreciation of how each model evolves in real-world usage and specific photographic contexts. Today, I’m going to take you on a detailed comparison journey between two distinctive models: the iconic Sony RX100 IV launched in 2015, and its more modern successor, the Sony RX100 VII announced in 2019.

Both are solid choices, and each packs features tailored for different types of shooters. My goal is to help you understand which one fits your photography style, budget, and workflow best by focusing not just on specs, but critical shooting scenarios and technical fundamentals that I confirm through hands-on testing and industry-standard evaluation methodologies.

Let’s get started.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

One of the first things I notice when comparing cameras is their physical ergonomics - this actually shapes your creative flow more than most technical specs.

At 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 298 grams, the RX100 IV is delightfully compact. The RX100 VII is just slightly thicker at 43 mm and weighs a few grams heavier (302g), which may not sound like much, but it’s noticeable over long shooting days or travel. Both feel robust for their size, lacking formal weather sealing but built with precision machined materials giving a reassuring heft without bulk.

What’s remarkable is Sony’s consistency across these models - grip contours, button placements, and thumb rests feel thoughtfully refined. The RX100 VII introduces a few added buttons, reflecting its enhanced functionality, but the learning curve remains gentle. In fact, the improved button layout on the RX100 VII contributes to more intuitive control during action sequences or when juggling video and photography modes.

Control and Interface: Keeping You in the Flow

I spent hours comparing the control layouts side-by-side, tapping dials and buttons under varied lighting conditions.

The RX100 IV comes with a solid, no-nonsense dial and a clicky control ring on the lens that’s perfect for aperture adjustments or manual focusing - a real delight for photographers who like hands-on exposure tweaks. Despite it lacking a touchscreen, the menu is structured logically, and single finger navigation feels tight.

Jump to RX100 VII and Sony adds touchscreen capabilities - a first for this line - allowing for quick AF point selection and intuitive swipes through menus. The touchscreen is a welcome upgrade that improves speed during street or wildlife shooting, especially when combined with an upgraded Product Interface, although some may prefer the tactile feedback of physical buttons during intense shoots.

The rear screen across both cameras tilts upward to about 180 degrees - great for selfies or low-angle shots, but the RX100 VII’s LCD resolution dips slightly from 1229K dots on the RX100 IV to 921K dots, an odd compromise that’s offset by the touchscreen practicality. The electronic viewfinders on both are essentially identical in specs (around 2.3 million dots, 100% coverage), clearing the image for precise composition.

This interface refinement is crucial - when I’m shooting outdoor events or wildlife, the ability to rapidly adjust settings without fumbling is invaluable. The RX100 VII’s touchscreen combined with eye autofocus (more on that soon) delivers noticeable workflow gains.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Behind the scenes, image quality hinges largely on sensor technology and processing.

Both cameras employ a 1-inch type backside illuminated CMOS sensor, measuring approximately 13.2 x 8.8mm - a design that balances large sensor advantages with pocket-sized portability.

The RX100 IV boasts a 20MP resolution, with a sensor equipped with an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré but sometimes at slight expense to ultimate acuity. This sensor is paired with Sony’s Bionz X processor - state-of-the-art in 2015 - pushing out clean images even at ISO 12800, which was impressive for such a small sensor.

The RX100 VII matches the 20MP resolution with a newer generation Bionz X processor and adds phase-detection pixels for hybrid autofocus but interestingly shows a slightly lower DxO Mark score (63 vs 70 overall). Its dynamic range and color depth are marginally less than RX100 IV’s (12.4 EV DR and 21.8 bits vs 12.6 EV and 22.9 bits). In practical terms, this means the RX100 IV may pull out shadow detail slightly better in RAW processing, with richer color gradations under controlled lighting.

Where the RX100 VII shines brighter is in autofocus performance (covered shortly) and telephoto versatility - it doubles the zoom range from 24-70mm (FX equivalent) on the RX100 IV to a whopping 24-200mm lens, sacrificing some aperture speed (F2.8-4.5 vs F1.8-2.8) but opening creative freedom vastly.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed for Every Scenario

From portraits to fast-action sports, autofocus capability can make or break your shooting experience.

The RX100 IV relies on a contrast-detection autofocus system with 25 focus points. It was effective in its time but can hunt or slow down in low light and fast tracking conditions. Face detection is thoughtfully implemented and smooth, but lacks modern AI assistance.

In contrast, the RX100 VII features a hybrid autofocus system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection points, significantly bumping up AF speed, tracking reliability, and accuracy. With real-time tracking and enhanced Real-time Eye AF including support for animal eye detection, the RX100 VII excels in portraiture and wildlife photography, keeping eyes tack sharp even with erratic movement.

This upgrade particularly impressed me during a recent street photography session with unpredictable passersby. The RX100 VII locked focus swiftly and tracked subjects with finesse, a noticeable advantage over the RX100 IV’s more deliberate AF system.

Portrait Photography: Effortless Skin Tones and Bokeh

If you’re passionate about shooting people - either candid street portraits or studio-style portraits - let’s talk about how these cameras deliver here.

The RX100 IV’s lens aperture of F1.8 (wide end) creates a pleasingly shallow depth of field at 24mm, rendering smooth bokeh and flattering skin tone transitions. The 20MP sensor and robust RAW support allow excellent post-processing latitude, and the camera’s face detection aligns exposure well to skin tones without clipping highlights.

The RX100 VII trades aperture for zoom reach, starting at F2.8 wide and narrowing to F4.5 tele, which means bokeh rendition is not as creamy at longer focal lengths. However, its improved autofocus and eye detection compensate by ensuring pin-sharp focus on eyes - a critical factor I always prioritize in portrait work.

In studio conditions using continuous lighting, I found both cameras yield similarly crisp and color-accurate portraits. The RX100 IV’s slight advantage in color depth may give it an edge in subtle tonal transitions, but the RX100 VII’s focus precision reduces user frustration and increases keeper rates in dynamic environments.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

Landscape photographers demand maximum dynamic range, resolution, and durability.

Both cameras share the 1" sensor, which, while excellent for compact cameras, cannot compete with larger APS-C or full-frame sensors typical in dedicated landscape gear. That said, the RX100 IV’s slightly better dynamic range and color depth translate into marginally richer shadow textures on RAW files, useful for morning fog or dusk scenes.

Neither camera has weather sealing or robust environmental protection, so serious outdoor shooters must consider extra care or protective casing in harsh conditions.

Lens-wise, the RX100 IV’s 24-70mm zoom is versatile for framing broad vistas to moderate telephoto compression. The RX100 VII extends the zoom to 200mm, letting you isolate distant mountain details or wildlife, but its aperture sacrifices light-gathering ability needed for sunrise or sunset images without a tripod.

Battery life remains similar: RX100 IV averages around 280 shots, while RX100 VII claims about 260, which is a practical consideration for multi-hour hikes out of power sources.

Wildlife and Sports: Action-Ready Performance

For photographers who chase moving subjects, autofocus responsiveness and continuous shooting speed are critical.

The RX100 IV delivers 16fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus, which was revolutionary in 2015. Its 25-point contrast AF makes wildlife and sports photography possible but sometimes struggles with erratic movement or low contrast subjects.

The RX100 VII pushes continuous shooting to 20fps with full AF/AE tracking - outstanding for a compact - and its phase-detection AF system combined with subject tracking algorithms makes it a more reliable companion for capturing fast-moving athletes or birds in flight.

Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back Sony RX100 VII front Sony RX100 VII screen back

In controlled tests, I found the RX100 VII’s AF consistently accurate on unpredictable subjects, dramatically reducing missed shots and increasing frame keepers, especially in low-light stadium or dawn forest conditions.

Street Photography: Discreetness, Speed, and Versatility

As a longtime street shooter, I value discretion, fast activation, and image quality in a compact.

The RX100 IV’s stealthy size, combined with a quiet mechanical shutter and effective tilting screen for candid angles, suits urban exploration well. Its wide 24-70mm lens covers versatile focal lengths for environmental portraits and architectural details.

The RX100 VII’s longer zoom (24-200mm), touchscreen focusing, and faster continuous shooting provide an extra edge when subjects are fleeting or distant. However, the lens’s relatively slower aperture makes low-light street scenarios more challenging unless ISO sacrifices are made.

Overall, I find both models excellent for street photography, with the VII slightly favored for more spontaneous or telephoto-reliant shooting, while the IV excels in quieter, more controlled environments.

Macro and Close-Up: Focus Precision and Magnification

Both models offer macro capabilities but differ in effective working distance and aperture.

The RX100 IV focuses as close as 5 cm, allowing detailed macro images with attractive background blur enabled by its wide aperture. The RX100 VII’s minimum focusing distance is 8 cm - a tad less accommodating - compounded by narrower apertures at longer focal lengths which limit bokeh smoothness in close-up work.

Acceleration of focus speed and precision on the VII helps in macro fieldwork, reducing missed focus on tiny subjects, which photographers appreciate for insects or flowers.

If macro is a priority, I lean toward the RX100 IV’s environment for ease of use and background control, although both will produce impressively detailed close-ups compared to standard compacts.

Night and Astro Photography: Handling Low Light

Shooting in low light or astrophotography tests sensor sensitivity and noise performance.

The RX100 IV’s DxO Low Light ISO rating of 562 suggests slightly better noise control at high ISO compared to the RX100 VII’s 418 rating, consistent with my testing where the IV yielded cleaner files at ISO 6400.

Neither camera features built-in star trackers or long-exposure astrophotography modes, but their electronic shutter capabilities reach 1/32000s allowing creative high-speed exposures under bright light.

The RX100 VII’s advanced autofocus struggles marginally in pitch black, while the IV’s slower but contrast-based AF can hunt more. For dedicated astrophotography shooters, either would serve as a capable backup but better results would come from larger sensor cameras.

Video Capabilities: 4K and Stabilization

I tested both cameras for video to verify specs against real-world results.

The RX100 IV introduced 4K video (3840x2160) at 30p with no recording time limits, impressive in its day. It records in both XAVC S and AVCHD formats and includes optical image stabilization.

The RX100 VII continues 4K video at 30p, upgrades bitrate to 100 Mbps, and importantly adds a microphone input port - a huge boon for vloggers and professional shooters needing clean audio.

Both cameras record at various slower frame rates for smooth slow-motion capture, with the RX100 IV supporting up to 120fps in HD mode and the VII offering similar capabilities.

Optical Image Stabilization remains effective on both, though the longer focal lengths of the RX100 VII demand more careful handling or tripod use to avoid camera shake.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life on the Go

I often rely on compact cameras during travel for their balance of quality and portability.

Both cameras are practically identical in dimensions and weight, easily slipping into jacket pockets or small bags. The RX100 VII’s extended zoom range covers almost every focal length need without lens changes - a massive advantage for explorers reluctant to carry multiple lenses.

Battery life is a bit shorter on the RX100 VII (260 shots vs 280), but both require spares for full-day shooting. Connectivity via built-in Wi-Fi and NFC exists on both, with the RX100 VII offering Bluetooth connectivity as well. This streamlines instant image transfers and remote control, particularly useful when traveling light.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Professionals often require reliability, precise controls, and high-quality RAW files seamlessly integrated into their editing pipelines.

Both cameras produce 14-bit compressed RAW files, allowing detailed post-processing. The RX100 VII’s autofocus and exposure consistency give it an edge for event or fast-paced professional assignments.

However, these are not replacement tools for full-frame interchangeable lens cameras in studio or high-end commercial scenarios where sensor size matters critically.

Price and Value: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Retail prices at launch: RX100 IV around $898, RX100 VII closer to $1298 - a significant jump.

The RX100 IV remains a strong value for photographers prioritizing image quality, dynamic range, and a fast lens, with excellent video features. The RX100 VII appeals to those seeking cutting-edge autofocus, extended zoom, video enhancements, and a modern touchscreen interface.

For budget-conscious buyers or those invested in portrait and landscape styles, the RX100 IV offers compelling quality at a reduced cost, often found on the used market.

Final Thoughts: Which RX100 Fits Your Creative Vision?

• Choose the Sony RX100 IV if you:

  • Prioritize superior image quality with slightly better dynamic range and low-light performance
  • Shoot primarily portraits, macro, or landscapes needing wider apertures
  • Prefer the tactile control experience over touchscreen interfaces
  • Want excellent all-around 4K video without audio inputs
  • Have a tighter budget but still want a top-tier large sensor compact

• Choose the Sony RX100 VII if you:

  • Need ultra-fast, reliable autofocus with real-time tracking and eye/animal AF
  • Desire a versatile zoom range (24-200mm) for wildlife, sports, and street shooting
  • Want professional video features including microphone input
  • Prefer touchscreen for rapid AF point selection and menu navigation
  • Value speed with 20fps continuous shooting for action photography

Both cameras are triumphs in engineering and immensely satisfying in field use. Your choice ultimately hinges on balancing optical speed and image depth (RX100 IV) against autofocusing sophistication and extended focal length versatility (RX100 VII).

In my ongoing testing, I continue to find the RX100 VII’s AF and zoom flexibility game-changing for dynamic shooting - but the RX100 IV’s image quality remains a gold standard in the large sensor compact world. Your photography style and priorities will guide you best here.

I hope this in-depth comparison helps clarify how these two Sony RX100 cameras perform in your specific real-life scenarios. Feel free to reach out with questions or requests for sample RAW files - I’m always eager to support fellow photography enthusiasts!

Happy shooting!