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Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Comparison

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Sony RX100 III

20 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony RX100 III
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Sony RX100 IV

20 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) Stacked BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony RX100 IV
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Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the RX100 III and the RX100 IV, two Large Sensor Compact cameras by Sony. Sony RX100 III was introduced to the market in May 2014 and Sony RX100 IV was launched in June 2015. There is 13 months difference between RX100 III and RX100 IV so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger RX100 IV, especially in sensor tech.

RX100 III and RX100 IV are members of Sony's RX100 series of cameras. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Sony RX100 Series History
Model Release Date Sensor Dimensions Weight
Sony RX100 VII
  
2019 20.0MP - 1″ 102 x 58 x 43mm 302g
Sony RX100 VA
  
2018 20.0MP - 1″ 102 x 58 x 41mm 299g
Sony RX100 VI
  
2018 20.0MP - 1″ 102 x 58 x 43mm 301g
Sony RX100 V
  
2016 20.0MP - 1″ 102 x 58 x 41mm 299g
Sony RX100 IV
2015 20.0MP - 1″ 102 x 58 x 41mm 298g

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony RX100 III Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2014-05-15
  • 20MP - 1″ BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • 24-70 mm F1.8-2.8 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 1440k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 120fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 290g. 102 x 58 x 41 mm
  • Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Compare

Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-06-10
  • 20MP - 1″ Stacked BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 12800 ( expands to 80 - 25600)
  • 24-70 mm F1.8-2.8 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 16.0fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution
  • 960fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 298g. 102 x 58 x 41 mm
  • Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Compare

Sony RX100 IV was replaced by Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Battery Life
320 shots vs 280 shots 40 more frames with a single charge
Weight
290 g vs 298 g 8 g lighter
CHECK RX100 III PRICE


Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Stacked Sensor
Yes vs No High sensor read out speed and less rolling shutter
Continuous Shooting
16.0fps vs 10.0fps 6 fps faster
Viewfinder Resolution
2359.296k dot vs 1440k dot 63% higher resolution
Color Depth
22.9 vs 22.4 higher color depth
Dynamic Range
12.6 vs 12.3 higher dynamic range
Low Light ISO
562 vs 495 better High ISO performance
Max Video Resolution
3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080 Higher Resolution Video
Webcam Function
Yes vs No Use your camera as a Webcam
CHECK RX100 IV PRICE

Common Strengths of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Image Stabilization
Optical vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Adjustable LCD Screen
Tilting vs Tilting Flexible shooting positions
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Viewfinder
Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Max Resolution
20 MP vs 20 MP Bigger prints and more details
LCD Screen Resolution
1.229k dots vs 1.229k dots High resolution screens
Manual Focusing
Yes vs Yes both have manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
Yes vs Yes better exposure control
Timelapse Recording
With Optional App vs With Optional App creative shooting
Focal Length - Wide
24mm vs 24mm Very good wide angle coverage
Max Aperture - Wide
1.80 vs 1.80 Fast lenses at wide
Max Aperture - Tele
2.80 vs 2.80 Fast lenses at tele
AE Bracketing
Yes vs Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Built-in ND Filter
3.0-stops vs 3.0-stops Use larger aperture under strong light
Selfie/Vlogger Friendly LCD
Yes vs Yes Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
NFC Connection
Yes vs Yes Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Dual-axis Electronic Level
Yes vs Yes Level the camera easily in two axis
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Common Weaknesses of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony RX100 III has external dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.61″) and weighs 290 g (0.64 lb / 10.23 oz) (including batteries). Sony RX100 IV has external dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.61″) and weighs 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Sony RX100 III and the Sony RX100 IV. In this case, we can see that Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV have the exact same height, width and thickness.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Sony RX100 III and the Sony RX100 IV Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Sony RX100 III and the Sony RX100 IV Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV.
Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Sony RX100 III and the the Sony RX100 IV Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony RX100 III is 8g lighter than the Sony RX100 IV but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.00 inches.

Both cameras feature Tilting screens where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels.


Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV: Sensor Comparison

Both Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV have 1″ sized 20.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the RX100 III and RX100 IV sensor size comparison.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV Cameras


Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

DxOMark Sensor Scores

DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that RX100 IV has a better overall score of 70, 3 points higher compared to RX100 III's score of 67.

Model Overall Color Depth Dynamic Range Low-light ISO
Sony RX100 III 67 22.4 bits 12.3 Evs 495 ISO
Sony RX100 IV 70 22.9 bits 12.6 Evs 562 ISO
Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV Lens Specs Comparison

Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV features 24-70 mm F1.8-2.8 2.9x zoom lenses so they have the same focal range and light collecting ability.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 24mm and have the same max aperture of f1.80 at this focal length. Both cameras have a tele angle reach of 70mm and have the same max aperture of f2.80 at this focal length.

Wide Coverage

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Widest - Sony ZV-1 II
Average
Telezoom

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Longest - Panasonic ZS200
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Fastest - Leica X (Typ 113)
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

RX100 III
RX100 IV
Fastest - Panasonic LX10
Average
What types of Photography are Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony RX100 III for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 IV for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Sony RX100 III for Street Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony RX100 IV for Street Photography

EXCELLENT
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f1.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Read the details
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f1.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Read the details

Sony RX100 III for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 IV for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
25 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
70 mm Tele Lens
Read the details
Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 16.0fps
25 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No External Flash Shoe
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 280 shots
70 mm Tele Lens
Read the details

Sony RX100 III for Daily Photography

GOOD

Sony RX100 IV for Daily Photography

GOOD
RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
290g
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Body Thickness 41mm
2.9X Optical Zoom
Read the details
RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
298g
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Body Thickness 41mm
2.9X Optical Zoom
Read the details

Sony RX100 III for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE

Sony RX100 IV for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
RAW shooting capability
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
RAW shooting capability
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 IV: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far, but in case you wonder how we rated Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 IV scores compare:

Sony RX100 III
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #36 out of 64 in Large sensor compact cameras
Ranked #345 out of 1268 in all Cameras
Sony RX100 IV
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #33 out of 64 in Large sensor compact cameras
Ranked #293 out of 1268 in all Cameras

Sony RX100 IV has a higher Overall Score than the Sony RX100 III and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100 III
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Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 IV
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Brand Sony Sony
Announced 2014-05-15 2015-06-10
Body Type Large sensor compact Large sensor compact
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS Stacked BSI-CMOS
Size 1″ 1″
Dimensions 13.2 x 8.8 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
Area 116.16mm2 116.16mm2
Megapixels 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Max Resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Max Native Light sensitivity 12,800 ISO 12,800 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity - 25600 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 125 ISO 125 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity - 80 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 25 25
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 24-70 mm (2.9x) 24-70 mm (2.9x)
Max Aperture F1.8-2.8 F1.8-2.8
Macro Focus Range 5cm 5cm
Screen
Type Tilting Tilting
Size 3.00" 3.00"
Resolution 1,229k dots 1,229k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution 1,440k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.59x 0.59x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/2000s
Max Electronic Shutter n/a 1/32000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Optical Optical
Built-in Flash
Max Flash Sync 1/2000s 1/2000s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps 16.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 290g 298g
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm 102 x 58 x 41mm
Battery Life 320 shots 280 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording With Downloadable App With Downloadable App
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 67 70
DxO Color Depth 22.4 22.9
DxO Dynamic Range 12.3 12.6
DxO Low Light ISO 495 562
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