Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II was introduced in June 2013 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV was introduced in June 2015. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV have 3.0" Tilting screens with 1,229k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes cameras very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage.Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II features a 20.2 megapixel 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 116.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 160 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV features a 20.1 megapixel 1-inch Stacked CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 77.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 12,800 and expands to 80 - 25,600 in boosted mode.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV has Stacked CMOS sensor. The key feature of such sensor is its three-dimensional structure, which consists of multiple layers of semiconductor material and circuitry stacked on top of each other. This allows the sensor to have dedicated layers for image capture and signal processing. This separation allows for faster data readout, reducing rolling shutter effects and enabling high-speed shooting and video recording. It is also more power-efficient.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5472 x 3080, 4864 x 3648, 3888 x 2592, 3648 X 3648, 3648 x 2736, 2736 x 1824, 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1944 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is equipped with Bionz X processor and can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (3888 x 2592, 2736 x 1824), 4:3 (4864 x 3648, 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944), 16:9 (5472 x 3080, 3648 x 2056, 2720 x 1528), 1:1 (3648 x 3648, 2544 x 2544, 1920 x 1920) with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC

Cameras have Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II has a Type D Micro HDMI and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV come with NP-BX1 battery pack with battery life of 350 shots on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and with battery life of 280 shots on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV.

External Storage Slots

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II, and up to 1/32000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/2000 sec with mechanical shutter on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV can shoot continuously up to 16.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and ±3 range on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 15.00 m ISO Auto W on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and 10.20 m at Auto ISO on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on both cameras.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II body has dimensions of 102 x 58 x 38 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.5") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV body has dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.61"). Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II weighs 281 g (0.62 lb / 9.91 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV weighs 298 g (0.66 lb / 10.51 oz).

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV

102 mm

58 mm

102 mm

58 mm

58 mm

58 mm