Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GX850

Cameras
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Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GX850

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Panasonic GX850

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

280 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
16.0 fps vs 9.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Less expensive
$550 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
114 vs 40 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 IV

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Buy the Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

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

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Sony RX100 III

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GM5

$898
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GF7

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

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

Panasonic GX850

Sony RX100 V

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Sony RX100 VA

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Sony RX100 VA

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