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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Launched June 2015
  • Old Model is Sony RX100 III
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 V
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony WX350
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Sony RX100 IV and Sony WX500, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the RX100 IV (20MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is pretty comparable but the RX100 IV (1") and WX500 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The RX100 IV was brought out 2 months later than the WX500 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the RX100 IV scores against the WX500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony WX500

 RX100 IV WX500 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Sony RX100 IV

 WX500 RX100 IV 

Common features in the Sony RX100 IV and Sony WX500

 RX100 IV WX500 
IntroducedJune 2015April 2015Same generation
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony RX100 IV enjoys external dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Sony RX100 IV and Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the RX100 IV versus the WX500.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RX100 IV and WX500 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the RX100 IV and WX500.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The RX100 IV due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony RX100 IV will provide more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography details
Sony WX500 Portrait photography details
65
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
39
megapixel count good (18MP)
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 IV as a Street photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Street photography camera
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (298g)
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236g)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony RX100 IV
Sports photography with Sony WX500
68
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (16.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
has no phase detect auto focus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery (360 CIPA)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Travel photography details
Sony WX500 Travel photography details
86
lighter than others in class (298g)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
71
good battery (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (236g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography factors
Sony WX500 Landscape photography factors
74
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
49
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
good battery (360 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 IV Vlogging info
Sony WX500 Vlogging info
81
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (298g)
does not have mic support
35
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 IV and Sony WX500
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IVSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-06-10 2015-04-14
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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 24-70mm (2.9x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,229k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 16.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298 grams (0.66 pounds) 236 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 360 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $898 $348