markwilliam1

Can you tell much of a difference between these two sensors? I don’t plan on printing images larger than 11X16.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Printing aside, "much of a difference" will get you a lot of opinions without much specific information. I suggest for a purely data driven answer you try this site:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=panasonic_dmczs60&attr13_1=sony_a6500&attr13_2=sony_dscrx10iv&attr13_3=nikon_cpp900&attr15_0=raw&attr15_1=raw&attr15_2=raw&attr15_3=jpeg&attr16_0=100&attr16_1=100&attr16_2=100&attr16_3=100&normalization=full&widget=1&x=0.8343007915567283&y=0.6980553477935677

You may have to copy & paste the link because it is multi-line. You will see a studio shot comparison of four cameras I chose. You can also chose other cameras, other ISO's and other parts of the target image. If you increase the ISO settings you can see where the real differences will start to be noticeable.

I think the camera that you asked about is comparable to the a6xxx series with respect to the sensor. But the a77 series loses 1/3 stop for the translucent mirror.

Another way to compare them would be Photons to Photos. That will show you the difference in dynamic range.
http://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm

There is a difference, though not huge, between the pixel dimensions of an image from the RX10 and one from the a6xxx series. 5472 by 3648 versus 6000 by 4000. But at 300 dpi for example, the RX10 can give you up to 18" wide print with no cropping vs. 20" for the APS-C sensor. That's not huge but it's a quantitative answer to "how much". Obviously, if you crop, the larger sensor is at least somewhat better.

I would rate the lens question a wash. The RX10 lens is so good that I think it's better than the sensor but I can't offer proof. The quality of the lens on an APS-C camera is, of course, highly variable. I would rate my FE 70-200 F4 as extremely good and the GM series lenses are as good or better. But if you go with a lesser quality lens on the APS-C you could easily make the IQ comparison moot.

(Download)

markwilliam1

Very informative Thanks!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

For some reason, the chart and link above compare different cameras than the original poster asked about.... RX10M4 instead of RX10M2... versus a6500 instead of a77ii.

There's noticeably more difference in image quality between the a77ii and the RX10m2, than the m4:

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=sony_dscrx10ii&attr13_1=sony_a7ii&attr13_2=sony_dscrx10iv&attr13_3=sony_a6500&attr15_0=raw&attr15_1=raw&attr15_2=raw&attr15_3=jpeg&attr16_0=100&attr16_1=100&attr16_2=100&attr16_3=100&attr171_1=1&normalization=full&widget=1&x=0.8266650052956203&y=-0.8848401696803508

A 1" (or "CX") sensor measures 13.2mm wide by 8.8mm high, for a total area of 116mm square. The RX10M2 packs 20 million pixels into that area, or about 172,000 individual pixels per square mm.

In comparison, an APS-C sensor measures 23.6mm wide by 15.6mm high, for a total area of 368mm square.... triple the size of the 1" sensor. The a77ii is 24MP, so it has about 65,000 pixel sites per sq. mm.

Further, to make an uncropped 11x16" print from the CX sensor is almost 31X magnification of the original image capture. In comparison, making the same size uncropped print from the APS-C sensor means slightly over 17X magnification.

gwilliams6

Good post. As a Sony user I was going to post an answer here, but A6k and Amfoto your answers are super. I would just agree the image quality for larger prints and any cropping will be better with the APS-C sensor. Cheers

markwilliam1

Thanks! Since I don’t have the RX10m4 yet I’m assuming I won’t be cropping as much due to the long reach of the lens. I do crop occasionally with the a77ii to magnify the image.

markwilliam1

Hey amfoto1 Thanks for the link to image comparison! Exactly what I needed. It appears the a77ii has a little bit more resolution than the m4 but the image is extremely magnified. My thoughts are without extreme cropping it seems the image quality of the m4 is on par with the a77?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

And while you’re at it, scroll down below the DR chart to the low light high ISO specs in the table below it. In addition to the relatively large difference in DR, there’s more than a full stop difference in the low light high ISO performance - one of the biggest advantages of a larger sensor. You can trade that stop for lower noise, more DOF or higher shutter speed.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Not to mention quite a difference in DOF between the two, if you like to isolate your subject from the background.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I apologize for getting the wrong RX10. However the sensor is the same as far as I know. This site to which I linked is able to compare a very large number of cameras. It is up to the user or viewer. Some of the test shots sometimes seem wrong but the site is usually very useful.

markwilliam1

The sensor in the RX10m4 is completely new! The 24-600mm lens is the same as m3 I believe.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

The new part is the phase detect AF. However the resolution is the same. I had a m3 and have an m4. No IQ difference. The reviews and published test shots agree with me on this. I upgraded for the PDAF. Worth it.

markwilliam1

Yep the same phase detection AF on the new M4 sensor that’s used in the Flagship Sony a9! Impressive!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, no significant difference for 11X16 - in good light. In poor light, the APS-C will be better - assuming a very good lens !

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markwilliam1

My lens for comparison is the Sony 70-400 G SSM and the fixed lens on the M4.