Sony RX100 IV vs Sony A9

Cameras
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Sony RX100 IV vs Sony A9

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 IV.
Compare Sony RX100 IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 IV conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 V
Compare RX100 IV vs RX100 V

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II

Compare SONY RX100 V vs SONY A9 II

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Differences

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Sony A9

Slower slow-motion
1000 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
41 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
295g vs 673g
Lighter weight

Sony A9 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A9 test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

3,517 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

650 vs 280 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 16.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 40 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

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Body Only

Review Excerpt

Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.
Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.
Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$748
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Sony A9

Sony RX100 III

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony RX100 IV

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$3147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Sony A9

Sony RX100 V

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 VA

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Newer

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 VA

Sony A9

Sony RX100 VA

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 VA

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony RX100 IV

Sony A9 II

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$3147
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

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