Sony RX0 II vs RX10 IV

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2019 and September 2017. Both the RX0 II and the RX10 IV are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with an one-inch sensor. The RX0 II has a resolution of 15.4 megapixels, whereas the RX10 IV provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Sony RX0 II		Sony RX10 IV
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24mm f/4.0		24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
15.4 MP – 1" sensor		20 MP – 1" sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 80-12,800		ISO 100-12,800 (64 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
1.5" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 1440k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Tilting touchscreen
5.5 shutter flaps per second		24 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (10m)		Weathersealed body
240 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
59 x 41 x 35 mm, 132 g		133 x 94 x 145 mm, 1095 g

Check RX0 II price at
amazon.com
Check RX10 IV price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Sony RX0 II and the Sony RX10 IV. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX10 IV is considerably larger (417 percent) than the Sony RX0 II. Moreover, the RX10 IV is substantially heavier (730 percent) than the RX0 II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments. More than that, the RX0 II is water-proof up to 10m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the RX0 II gets 240 shots out of its NP-BJ1 battery, while the RX10 IV can take 400 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Sony RX0 II	59 mm	41 mm	35 mm	132 g	240	Y	Mar 2019	699	amazon.com
2.		Sony RX10 IV	133 mm	94 mm	145 mm	1095 g	400	Y	Sep 2017	1,699	amazon.com
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Nikon P950	140 mm	110 mm	150 mm	1005 g	290	n	Jan 2020	799	amazon.com
6.		Nikon W150	110 mm	67 mm	38 mm	177 g	220	Y	Apr 2019	159	amazon.com
7.		Panasonic FT7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	449	ebay.com
8.		Ricoh WG-60	123 mm	62 mm	30 mm	193 g	300	Y	Oct 2018	279	ebay.com
9.		Sony ZV-1	105 mm	60 mm	44 mm	294 g	260	n	May 2020	799	amazon.com
10.		Sony RX100 VI	102 mm	58 mm	43 mm	301 g	240	n	Jun 2018	1,199	ebay.com
11.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	449	amazon.com
12.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	429	amazon.com
13.		Sony WX800	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	233 g	370	n	Oct 2018	399	ebay.com
14.		Sony RX0	59 mm	41 mm	30 mm	110 g	240	Y	Aug 2017	699	ebay.com
15.		Sony A6300	120 mm	67 mm	49 mm	404 g	400	Y	Feb 2016	999	ebay.com
16.		Sony A6500	120 mm	67 mm	53 mm	453 g	350	Y	Oct 2016	1,399	ebay.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The RX0 II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 59 percent) than the RX10 IV, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an one-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the RX10 IV offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 15.4 MP of the RX0 II. This megapixels advantage translates into a 14 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the RX10 IV has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 2.74μm for the RX0 II). Moreover, it should be noted, that the RX0 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 6 months) than the RX10 IV, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of individual pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX10 IV implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX10 IV for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony RX0 II are 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for good quality, 19.2 x 12.8 inches or 48.8 x 32.5 cm for very good quality, and 16 x 10.7 inches or 40.6 x 27.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The RX10 IV has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the RX0 II is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX10 IV uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Sony RX0 II	1-inch	15.4	4800	3200	4K/30p	22.1	12.4	555	65
2.		Sony RX10 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.0	12.2	408	63
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	13.2	1649	81
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.7	13.0	1608	80
5.		Nikon P950	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.7	12.3	1189	52
6.		Nikon W150	1/3.1	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	22.1	13.8	4058	65
7.		Panasonic FT7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1028	51
8.		Ricoh WG-60	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.6	12.2	1072	51
9.		Sony ZV-1	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.2	12.6	669	66
10.		Sony RX100 VI	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.1	12.3	478	64
11.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1058	51
12.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1057	51
13.		Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.2	1070	51
14.		Sony RX0	1-inch	15.4	4800	3200	1080/60p	22.4	12.4	548	68
15.		Sony A6300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.4	13.7	1437	85
16.		Sony A6500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.5	13.7	1405	85
17.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472	70
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX10 IV has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the RX0 II relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony RX0 II and Sony RX10 IV along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Sony RX0 II	none	n	1.5 / 230	tilting	n	..	5.5/s	n	n
2.		Sony RX10 IV	2359	Y	3.0 / 1440	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0 / 1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
5.		Nikon P950	2359	n	3.2 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
6.		Nikon W150	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	4.7/s	Y	n
7.		Panasonic FT7	1170	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0/s	Y	Y
8.		Ricoh WG-60	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
9.		Sony ZV-1	none	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	Y	1/2000s	24.0/s	n	Y
10.		Sony RX100 VI	2359	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Sony HX95	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Sony WX800	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Sony RX0	none	n	1.5 / 230	fixed	n	..	5.5/s	n	n
15.		Sony A6300	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	n
16.		Sony A6500	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0/s	Y	Y
Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The RX10 IV has a touchscreen, while the RX0 II has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The RX10 IV is equipped with a zoom lens, while the RX0 II comes with a built-in prime. The RX10 IV has a 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0 optic and the RX0 II offers a 24mm f/4.0 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the RX0 II and RX10 IV provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the RX10 IV has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The RX10 IV offers the faster maximum aperture.

The RX0 II writes its imaging data to micro SDXC or Memory Stick Micro cards, while the RX10 IV uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Sony RX0 II	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Sony RX10 IV	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Nikon P950	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Nikon W150	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Panasonic FT7	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Ricoh WG-60	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Sony ZV-1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Sony RX100 VI	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Sony HX99	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Sony HX95	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
13.		Sony WX800	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony RX0	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony A6300	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony A6500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the RX10 IV has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The RX0 II does not feature such an accessory-socket.

Both the RX0 II and the RX10 IV are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The RX10 IV replaced the earlier Sony RX10 III, while the RX0 II followed on from the Sony RX0. Further information on the features and operation of the RX0 II and RX10 IV can be found, respectively, in the Sony RX0 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony RX10 IV Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Sony RX0 II or the Sony RX10 IV – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0II:

• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• More compact: Is smaller (59x41mm vs 133x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 963g or 88 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 10m).
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (59 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 6 months after the RX10 IV).

Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 15.4MP), which boosts linear resolution by 14%.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 1.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1440k vs 230k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (24 vs 5.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.4 vs f/4.0).
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (400 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2017).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 IV is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony RX0 II and the Sony RX10 IV place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the RX0 II or the RX10 IV. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Sony RX0 II	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	699	amazon.com
2.		Sony RX10 IV	5/5	+	3.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2017	1,699	amazon.com
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Nikon P950	..	..	3/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2020	799	amazon.com
6.		Nikon W150	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3/5	Apr 2019	159	amazon.com
7.		Panasonic FT7	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	May 2018	449	ebay.com
8.		Ricoh WG-60	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	279	ebay.com
9.		Sony ZV-1	4/5	..	4.5/5	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	May 2020	799	amazon.com
10.		Sony RX100 VI	4.5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2018	1,199	ebay.com
11.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	449	amazon.com
12.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	429	amazon.com
13.		Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	399	ebay.com
14.		Sony RX0	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Aug 2017	699	ebay.com
15.		Sony A6300	4.5/5	+	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2016	999	ebay.com
16.		Sony A6500	5/5	+ +	3.5/5	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	1,399	ebay.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499	ebay.com
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check RX0 II price at
amazon.com
Check RX10 IV price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

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Check RX0 II price at
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