Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV Sony - Review 🏆

The Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV is a premium bridge camera that combines a large 1-inch image sensor and long zoom lens in a compact body. Released in late 2017, the RX10 IV builds upon its predecessor, the RX10 III, with improved autofocus performance and speed.

Key features of the RX10 IV include its 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, which enable fast continuous shooting up to 24 fps with AF/AE tracking, as well as UHD 4K video recording. The camera's impressive 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 zoom lens provides a versatile 25x optical zoom range from wide-angle to super telephoto perspectives. For improved AF operation, the RX10 IV utilizes a hybrid autofocus system with 315 phase-detection points that cover 65% of the frame.

Overall, the Cyber-Shot RX10 IV is designed for enthusiasts seeking an all-in-one bridge camera with excellent image quality, fast performance, and a far-reaching zoom lens. As a premium 1-inch sensor camera with extensive video capabilities and a versatile lens, the RX10 IV delivers significant flexibility and imaging power in a compact form factor.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV has a robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body that feels solid and durable in the hand. The camera measures approximately 133 x 94 x 145 mm and weighs around 1095g including battery and memory card. While not pocketable, the RX10 IV's dimensions are quite compact for a camera with such a long zoom range. The deeply contoured front grip provides ample space to hold the camera securely, even when using the zoom lens with one hand. The physical controls are well-placed and have a high-quality feel. The RX10 IV exudes an overall sense of premium quality in its design and construction. With its moisture and dust sealing, the camera body should withstand light splashing and outdoor shooting in inclement weather. However, it is not fully waterproof and care should still be taken to prevent excessive exposure to the elements. In terms of build quality, the RX10 IV delivers the robustness expected of a high-end Sony Cyber-shot camera.

Image Sensor and Processor

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV features a 1-inch type stacked CMOS sensor with 20.1 effective megapixels. This is a relatively large sensor size for a compact camera, providing improved image quality compared to smaller sensor sizes. The increased sensor size allows for larger pixels, which capture more light and provide better low-light performance.

The camera utilizes Sony's latest BIONZ X image processor, providing high-speed processing for fast continuous shooting speeds and 4K video recording. The BIONZ X processor enables impressive capabilities like ultra-fast auto-focusing speeds of just 0.03 seconds, up to 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking, and an ISO range of 64-12800 that is expandable to 64-25600. The combination of the 1-inch sensor and BIONZ X processor enables the RX10 IV to deliver excellent image quality and top-tier performance for both photos and videos.

Lens

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is equipped with a versatile 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-4 zoom lens. This provides an extremely broad 25x optical zoom range, allowing you to capture everything from wide landscapes to distant subjects.

The lens has a fast constant maximum aperture of f/2.4 at the wide 24mm end. This enables good low light performance and allows for shallow depth of field effects. As you zoom in, the aperture becomes slower, reaching f/4 at the telephoto 600mm end. However, f/4 is still reasonably bright for a superzoom lens.

For excellent optical quality across the zoom range, Sony has included extra-low dispersion and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic and spherical aberrations. The 9-bladed aperture diaphragm also helps render smooth bokeh for portraits and macro shots.

Overall, the lens provides great versatility for travel, sports, wildlife, and general photography needs. The far-reaching 25x optical zoom combined with the bright f/2.4-4 aperture gives you tremendous compositional freedom.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

The Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV features an impressive autofocus system with 315 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 65% of the sensor area. This allows for incredibly fast and precise autofocus acquisition even on moving subjects.

The RX10 IV can lock focus in as little as 0.03 seconds, which is up to twice as fast as previous RX10 models. This rapid autofocus allows you to reliably capture split-second moments.

The camera can shoot continuously at up to 24 fps with AF/AE tracking for up to 249 JPEG images or 112 raw images. This blistering fast continuous shooting rate ensures you won't miss critical moments when shooting fast action like sports or wildlife. Even at the maximum frame rate, the RX10 IV maintains focus on moving subjects shot after shot.

The powerful BIONZ X image processor plays a key role enabling the RX10 IV's lightning quick autofocus and continuous shooting capabilities. It provides the speed and processing power to lock focus instantly and track subjects even during high-speed burst shooting.

Video Recording

The Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV is an excellent choice for video recording. It can shoot video at up to 4K resolution at 30 fps, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. This results in very detailed, sharp 4K footage.

For high frame rate video, the RX10 IV can shoot HD video at up to 960 fps. This allows you to create incredible slow motion effects in your videos. Slow motion video can be recorded at up to 1000 fps at reduced resolution.

The camera utilizes the advanced XAVC S codec for high bitrates up to 100 Mbps. This enables greater color depth and detail in your videos. Popular MP4 and AVCHD codecs are also supported.

You have full manual control over exposure settings like shutter speed, ISO, and aperture when shooting video. This allows you to adjust settings to fit different conditions and lighting scenarios. Overall, the video capabilities make the RX10 IV a versatile bridge camera for both photography and videography needs.

Display

The Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV features a large 3-inch tilting LCD display with 1.44 million dots of resolution. This allows for sharp, detailed viewing of images and menus.

The screen can tilt up to 109 degrees up and 41 degrees down, providing flexible viewing angles whether you're shooting above a crowd or low to the ground. This is useful for composing shots from creative angles.

The LCD is also a touchscreen, allowing intuitive control over focus area selection, scrolling through images in playback, and navigating menus. The touch functionality makes operation quick and seamless.

Overall, the high resolution LCD with tilting and touchscreen capabilities provides an excellent viewing and operation experience on the RX10 IV. Photographers and videographers will appreciate the ability to use creative angles when composing shots.

Connectivity

The Sony RX10 IV comes with plenty of connectivity options for transferring photos and videos or controlling the camera remotely.

In terms of physical ports, the RX10 IV has a micro USB 2.0 port that can be used for charging and connecting to a computer. It also has a micro HDMI port for connecting to HD TVs and a 3.5mm microphone jack for attaching an external mic.

For wireless connectivity, the camera has both WiFi and Bluetooth built-in. The WiFi allows you to transfer images to a smartphone or tablet using the free Sony PlayMemories app. It also enables remote camera control from your mobile device. The Bluetooth connectivity provides a constant connection between the camera and your phone for quick image transfers.

The RX10 IV is also compatible with Sony's Multiterminal interface, allowing supported accessories like remotes, microphones or flashes to be connected. The camera is not NFC-enabled however.

Overall, the Sony RX10 IV is very well equipped when it comes to connectivity. The WiFi, Bluetooth and variety of ports allow for flexible transferring, remote control and accessory use.

Battery Life

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is powered by an NP-FW50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. This battery is rated for up to 400 shots per charge when using the rear LCD, or 370 shots per charge when using the electronic viewfinder.

Real-world battery performance is quite good for its class. During testing, the camera delivered over 300 shots per charge with a mix of still photos and 4K video recording. This should get most photographers through a full day of casual shooting before needing to recharge.

The battery pack can be charged in-camera via USB or with an optional AC charger. Sony also sells spare NP-FW50 batteries for around €50 each, so picking up a backup battery is easy for photographers who need extended shooting. Overall the RX10 IV offers solid battery life for an advanced long-zoom camera.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fast autofocus and shooting speed - The RX10 IV has blazingly fast autofocus that can lock onto a subject in just 0.03 seconds. This makes it great for capturing fast action. The continuous shooting speed is also very fast at up to 24fps.

• Versatile 25x zoom lens - The built-in lens covers an impressive 24-600mm equivalent focal length range. This allows you to shoot wide landscapes and zoom in for detailed closeups without needing to change lenses.

• Excellent image quality - Thanks to the 20MP 1-inch sensor and BIONZ X processor, the RX10 IV delivers outstanding image quality with crisp detail and vivid colors. Low light performance is also very good.

• 4K video and slow motion modes - You can shoot 4K video up to 30fps and high frame rate 1080p video up to 960fps for incredible slow motion effects.

• Tilting LCD touchscreen - The rear LCD tilts for easier viewing from high and low angles. It's also a touchscreen for intuitive control and focusing.

• Extensive manual controls - There are plenty of manual controls and customization options to suit more advanced photographers.

Cons

• Fixed lens may be limiting for some - The integrated 25x zoom lens means you can't swap lenses. This may be limiting for those who need wider or more telephoto options.

• High price - This is one of the more expensive fixed-lens cameras, exceeding the prices of some interchangeable lens models.

• No built-in ND filter - There is no built-in neutral density filter to help control exposure in bright light when shooting video. An external filter is required.

• No headphone jack - There is no headphone jack for audio monitoring while recording video.

• Mediocre battery life - Battery life is relatively short at around 400 shots per charge. You'll need spare batteries for all-day shooting.