Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 vs Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100
58
SCORE
|
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV
64
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 and the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV are compact cameras released a year apart, the Sony in 2015 and the Panasonic in 2016. The Sony is the smaller and lighter body at 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 298 g. The Panasonic measures 111 x 65 x 44 mm and weighs 312 g, which is 14 g more. Those measurements matter when the camera must share a tight pocket. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 5, 2016 | June 10, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 111 x 65 x 44 mm | 102 x 58 x 41 mm |
| Camera weight | 312 g | 298 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX100 IV is the better pick for fast action, with a 16 fps maximum burst against 10 fps on the ZS100. Its electronic viewfinder also delivers a much finer framing view, showing 2,359,296 dots against the Panasonic's 1,166,000, so subjects and detail are easier to judge at eye level. The ZS100 answers with 49 autofocus points against 25, giving more positions to hold focus on off-centre subjects. Its expanded ISO setting reaches 25600 against the Sony's 12800, an extra option in dim rooms. Both offer 20 megapixel resolution and a 1-inch sensor format, so cropping room is equal, and both have in-body stabilisation for handheld shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 16 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 116600009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFile handling favours the RX100 IV for editors who prefer MOV, since it records MPEG-4 and MOV while the ZS100 records MPEG-4 and AVCHD. The top-end limits are shared: both reach 4K resolution, and both support frame rates up to 60 fps. Neither includes a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX100 IV is the more flexible camera for awkward angles, because its screen flips out for waist-level shots and selfies while the ZS100's screen is fixed. Its display also shows more detail, with 1,228,800 dots against 1,040,000, and it supports Bluetooth for pairing with a phone. The ZS100 supports an external flash, which the Sony omits, so portrait and party photographers can add stronger lighting beyond the built-in unit. Both share a 3-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi transfer and a built-in flash. Neither has GPS or weather sealing, so neither geotags images on its own. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe ZS100 has the more travel-friendly power setup, with a 300-shot battery rating against 280 on the RX100 IV and USB charging for topping up from a laptop between locations. The Sony uses an NP-BX1 battery and does not support USB charging. For storage, the Sony accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC, while the Panasonic takes SD-family cards only. Both have a single card slot, so anyone who wants to swap media on the go needs spare cards in the camera's own format. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 280 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV if you photograph movement, such as pets, children's sports or street scenes. It combines a 16 fps burst, a finer electronic viewfinder, a flip-out screen and the smaller body.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 for its 49 autofocus points, its higher expanded ISO ceiling for dim interiors, external flash support for portraits, and USB charging on the road. Both offer 20 megapixel stills and 4K video, so the choice rests on speed, framing and handling rather than image size.