Sony RX10 IV Sony - Review 🏆

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Sony RX10 IV Sony - Review 🏆

Sony RX10 IV Sony - Review 🏆

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Brand: ‎Sony
Model Number: DSCRX10M4.CEH
Camera Lens: ‎600 mm
Colour: ‎Black
Continuous Shooting Speed: ‎24 fps
Effective Still Resolution: ‎20.1 MP
Focus Type: ‎Auto Focus
Item Weight: ‎0.7 Kilograms
Max Focal Length: ‎220
Memory Slots Available: ‎1
Min Focal Length: ‎8.8
Model Year: ‎2017
Style: ‎RX10M4
Brand: Sony
Effective Still Resolution: 20.1 MP
Photo Sensor Size: 1-inch
Model Name: RX10
Included Components: ‎1 x Camera, Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FW50, AC Adaptor, Micro USB cable, Shoulder strap, Lens cap, Shoe cap, Lens hood, Eyepiece Cup, Instruction Manual
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Review and analysis

The Sony RX10 IV is one of the company's flagship bridge cameras, combining a large 1" sensor and high-quality lens in a compact body. Released in 2017, it builds on the success of previous RX10 models with improvements to auto-focus, continuous shooting, and video capabilities.

Some of the key features of the RX10 IV include:

  • 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor
  • BIONZ X image processor
  • ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-600mm f/2.4-4 lens
  • Fast hybrid AF with 315 focal-plane phase-detection points
  • 24 fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
  • 4K video recording and super slow motion up to 960 fps
  • 0.03 sec AF lock speed and up to 24 fps burst shooting with AF/AE tracking
  • Built-in electronic viewfinder
  • Tiltable LCD screen
  • WiFi/NFC connectivity and Bluetooth

This combination of portability, image quality and performance make the RX10 IV a versatile choice for travel, wildlife and sports photography.

Build Quality

The Sony RX10 IV features a robust magnesium alloy body that is dust and moisture resistant. The camera has an extensive weather-sealing system to protect it from rain, dust and splashes. The body feels very sturdy and durable in-hand, giving you confidence to use the RX10 IV in tough conditions.

The buttons, dials and rings are all made of high-quality materials and have a reassuring tactile feedback when used. The aperture ring on the lens barrel has a pleasing resistance that allows for precise adjustments. The focus and zoom rings are rubberized which makes them comfortable to operate.

Overall, the build quality of the RX10 IV is excellent. It feels like a premium product that is made to withstand frequent outdoor use. The weather-sealing provides peace of mind when shooting in inclement weather. While not indestructible, the RX10 IV's robust construction inspires confidence in its reliability.

Image Quality

The Sony RX10 IV features a 1-inch 20.1MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, which combine to deliver excellent image quality with impressive resolution and dynamic range.

The large 1-inch sensor provides greater light gathering ability compared to smaller sensors, resulting in reduced noise, increased dynamic range, and improved low light performance. Photos are captured with excellent detail and clarity.

The 20.1 megapixel resolution provides plenty of resolution for large prints or heavy cropping. Fine details are rendered with precision and textures are crisp.

Dynamic range is also very good for a compact camera. The RX10 IV captures up to 14 stops of dynamic range according to Sony, allowing for strong highlight and shadow recovery in high contrast scenes. Users can pull back clipped highlights and lift deep shadows to reveal details that would otherwise be lost.

Overall, the image sensor and processor inside the RX10 IV allow it to deliver outstanding image quality for its class, with great resolution, low noise, and wide dynamic range. This gives photographers a lot of flexibility when editing and processing RAW images.

Zoom Lens

The Sony RX10 IV features an impressive 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens with a fast variable maximum aperture of f/2.8-4. This provides an extremely versatile focal range from wide angle to super telephoto, making it ideal for everything from landscapes to wildlife photography.

The lens has a physical zoom ring for precise control over composition. The long zoom range gives you tremendous flexibility - at 24mm you can capture sweeping vistas, and at 600mm you can get up close to distant subjects. This eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses.

Despite its long reach, image quality remains excellent throughout the zoom range thanks to Sony's advanced optics and stabilization. The wide f/2.8 maximum aperture at the 24mm setting enables shallow depth of field effects and low light shooting. As you zoom in, the aperture becomes slower at f/4, but remains bright enough for most situations.

With such a broad 24-600mm focal length, this integrated lens replaces the need for interchangeable lenses. You can capture wide scenes, portraits, sports, wildlife and more without needing to swap optics. It's an excellent all-in-one solution.

Autofocus

The Sony RX10 IV features a cutting-edge autofocus system that delivers incredibly fast and accurate performance. It utilizes 315 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 65% of the image area, along with 25 contrast-detection AF points to achieve precise focus.

The highlight is the blazing-fast 0.03 second autofocus acquisition time, which allows you to capture split-second moments with ease. The autofocus can continuously track subjects at up to 24 fps, ensuring sharp focus even on fast-moving subjects.

The autofocus system intelligently detects and tracks subjects, including humans and animals. It can precisely track a subject's eye for portraits shots. The AF is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust tracking sensitivity and switch between different focus area modes.

Overall, the RX10 IV sets a new bar for autofocus speed and accuracy among compact cameras. The intelligent subject tracking and customizability allow you to capture incredibly sharp, in-focus images of subjects in motion. It's a huge advantage for sports, wildlife, and action photography.

Video Recording

The Sony RX10 IV can capture stunning 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, making it ideal for shooting high-quality videos and movies. The camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect around 1.7x the information required for 4K video. This oversampling results in stunning footage with exceptional detail and reduced moire.

In addition to 4K video, the RX10 IV can record super slow motion videos at up to 960 frames per second in 1080p resolution. This allows you to capture incredible slow motion effects to emphasize action or dramatic moments in your videos. High frame rate recording can be set between 1 fps and 960 fps to achieve the desired effect.

For creative flexibility, the RX10 IV provides both NTSC and PAL recording formats. It can output uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit video via its HDMI port so you can record to an external device. The camera also supports advanced movie features like S-Log2/S-Gamut, Gamma Display Assist, Proxy recording, Time Code, and Picture Profiles to give you more control over your videos.

Overall, with its ability to shoot high-quality 4K footage and super slow motion in 1080p, the RX10 IV provides impressive video capabilities in a compact camera body ideal for travel and everyday shooting. Its range of advanced video features and settings grant the flexibility needed for creative videography.

Connectivity

The Sony RX10 IV has excellent connectivity options for transferring photos and videos as well as remote control capabilities.

Ports: The camera has micro HDMI, micro USB, and 3.5mm microphone ports. The micro HDMI allows you to output video and images to an external monitor or recorder. The micro USB port can be used for charging and data transfer. The 3.5mm mic port allows you to connect an external microphone.

WiFi and Bluetooth: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth allow you to wirelessly transfer photos to your smartphone or tablet using the Sony PlayMemories app. You can also use your mobile device as a remote control for the camera.

NFC: Near Field Communication (NFC) is also built-in, allowing you to easily pair your camera with an NFC-enabled mobile device by simply tapping the two together.

GPS: The RX10 IV has built-in GPS for geotagging images. This allows you to record the location where photos and videos were taken and view it later on a map.

Overall, the abundance of wireless connectivity options makes it very convenient to share, edit, and backup photos without ever needing any cables. The remote control and geotagging capabilities expand the camera's versatility even further.

Battery Life

The Sony RX10 IV comes with a rechargeable NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery that provides around 400 shots per charge based on Sony's CIPA ratings. This is a decent battery life for a camera of this type.

The NP-FW50 battery is the same type used across many of Sony's cameras, so you may already have spares if you own other Sony models. It's charged via the included AC adapter or can be charged in-camera via USB.

Overall, the battery life is good but not exceptional. You'll likely want to bring a spare battery for all-day shooting or recording long 4K video clips which drain the battery faster. The battery can be charged via USB power banks too if away from AC power for extended periods.

For most casual users, the 400 shots per charge will be sufficient and on par with other cameras in this class. Only professional photographers or videographers shooting hundreds of photos per day will require carrying multiple batteries. But the ability to use widely available NP-FW50 batteries makes it easy to pick up spares as needed.

Pros

The Sony RX10 IV has many standout features that make it a great choice for enthusiasts and professionals looking for an advanced compact camera.

  • The 24-600mm equivalent F2.8-4 zoom lens provides an extremely versatile zoom range in a high-quality package. The long zoom range allows you to capture wide landscapes and distant subjects, while still being able to zoom in for detailed closeups.

  • The image quality benefits from a 20MP 1-inch sensor and Sony's advanced image processing. Photos and 4K video look sharp, with accurate colors and good high ISO performance up to ISO 12800.

  • The autofocus system is extremely fast at just 0.03 seconds, with 315 phase-detection AF points covering 65% of the image area. This allows you to capture fast action shots with ease.

  • High-speed continuous shooting up to 24 fps with AF/AE tracking ensures you can reliably capture the moments you want.

  • The 5-axis in-body image stabilization provides up to 4.5 stops of compensation for sharp images when hand-holding the camera.

  • The OLED electronic viewfinder provides a clear, high resolution view when composing images.

  • Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth allow for wireless image transfer and remote camera control.

  • The weather-sealed magnesium alloy body provides durability and protection when shooting in tough conditions.

  • Dual SD card slots allow for flexible storage options, including simultaneous or relay recording.

Cons

The Sony RX10 IV has a few drawbacks to consider before purchasing:

  • The camera body and lens combination is large and heavy compared to other compact cameras. This makes it less convenient for traveling light.

  • The zoom range, while impressive, comes at the cost of a slower variable aperture range. The f/2.8 at 24mm drops to f/4 at 600mm. This can limit low-light shooting capabilities at longer focal lengths.

  • The price is very high, around €1,700 at time of writing. There are cheaper superzoom alternatives, albeit with smaller sensors.

  • Battery life could be better, at around 400 shots per charge. Carrying spare batteries is recommended for all-day shoots.

  • The touchscreen lacks intuitive controls and menus compared to some mirrorless competitors. It can be fiddly to change some settings.

  • No built-in neutral density filter on the lens. An optional filter is needed to allow shooting at wide apertures in bright light.

  • Autofocus tracking performance lags behind some mirrorless cameras when shooting fast action. It's not ideal for sports or wildlife photography.

  • No headphone jack for audio monitoring when recording video.

Overall the RX10 IV is an extremely versatile camera with excellent image quality, but it carries a high price tag and has a few ergonomic quirks to be aware of. For many shooters, the pros will outweigh the cons.

More Information

Features of Sony RX10 IV | Advanced Premium Compact Camera (1.0-Type Sensor, 24-600 mm F2.8-4.0 Zeiss Lens, Fast 0.03s Autofocus, 4K Movie Recording)
Brand‎Sony
Model NumberDSCRX10M4.CEH
Camera Lens‎600 mm
Colour‎Black
Continuous Shooting Speed‎24 fps
Effective Still Resolution‎20.1 MP
Focus Type‎Auto Focus
Included Components‎1 x Camera, Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FW50, AC Adaptor, Micro USB cable, Shoulder strap, Lens cap, Shoe cap, Lens hood, Eyepiece Cup, Instruction Manual
Item Weight‎0.7 Kilograms
Max Focal Length‎220
Memory Slots Available‎1
Min Focal Length‎8.8
Model Year‎2017
Style‎RX10M4
BrandSony
Effective Still Resolution20.1 MP
Photo Sensor Size1-inch
Model NameRX10

Сomparison table

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ModelSony RX10 IVCanon PowerShot G7 X Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DC-GX880KEGSRicoh WG-80 OrangeFujifilm X100V
BrandSonyCanonPanasonicRicohFujifilm
Model NumberDSCRX10M4.CEH-123312616643000
Camera Lens‎600 mm-‎32 mm‎28 mm-
Colour‎Black‎Black‎Silver‎WG-80 Orange‎Black
Continuous Shooting Speed‎24 fps-‎30 fps‎30 fps‎11
Effective Still Resolution20.1 MP-16-26.1 MP
Focus Type‎Auto Focus---‎Auto Focus
Has Image Stabilisation---‎No‎No
Included Components‎1 x Camera, Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FW50, AC Adaptor, Micro USB cable, Shoulder strap, Lens cap, Shoe cap, Lens hood, Eyepiece Cup, Instruction Manual-‎Camera housing, zoom lens 12-32 mm, USB charging cable with mains plug, battery, shoulder strap, lens cap-‎Li-ion battery NP-W126S, USB cable (type A to C), Lens cap, Hot shoe cover, Metal strap clip, Clip attaching tool, Protective cover, Shoulder strap, Owner's manual
Item Weight‎0.7 Kilograms-‎337 Grams‎472 g‎478 Grams
Max Focal Length‎220--‎28 Millimetres‎23 Millimetres
Memory Slots Available‎1-‎1-‎1
Min Focal Length‎8.8---‎23 Millimetres
Minimum Shutter Speed----‎1/32000 seconds
Model Year‎2017-‎2019‎2022‎2019
Style‎RX10M4-‎Single--
Zoom Type--‎Digital Zoom-‎Digital Zoom
Photo Sensor Size1-inch---APS-C
Model NameRX10PowerShot G7Lumix DC-GX880KEGS-X100V - Black

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