Panasonic
HC-X2100
Compact 4K60p/10-bit HEVC camcorder with 1/2.5-inch MOS sensor, 24x 25–600mm zoom, face-detection AF, USB-PD, and live streaming.
$3,699
Launch priceReleased Nov 2020
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 1 year newer.
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Wins
HC-X2100
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 8.29 MP)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 225)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareHC-X2100
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
HC-X2100 is 5mm shorter and 8mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 3mm wider.
HC-X2100 is 78 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm HC-X2100 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
HC-X2100
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
HC-X2100
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
HC-X2100
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
HC-X2100: mount data unavailable
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
HC-X2100
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only HC-X2100 supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Weight
580 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Resolution
33 MP vs 8.29 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 225 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HC-X2100
Pros
- ✓4K 60p 10-bit HEVC internal
- ✓24x 25–600mm f/1.8–4.0 zoom
- ✓Face Detection AF/AE
- ✓USB-PD power + long battery life
- ✓Detachable XLR handle unit
Cons
- –1/2.5-inch sensor
- –No SDI output
- –Smaller sensor than AG-CX350
- –Pro features need handle unit
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic HC-X2100
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, HC-X2100 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for HC-X2100 — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV?
HC-X2100 is 8.29 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
HC-X2100 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the HC-X2100 or the Alpha 7 IV?
HC-X2100 reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV?
HC-X2100 weighs 580 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the HC-X2100 is 78 g lighter.
Do the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
HC-X2100: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the HC-X2100 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
HC-X2100: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HC-X2100 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the HC-X2100 the edge.
How much does each cost?
HC-X2100 launched at $3,699 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $1,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HC-X2100 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.