Sony RX10 IV Review: High-end bridge camera

The new Sony RX10 IV gets the stacked CMOS sensor that is already known from the RX100 V and gives the RX10 a significant performance boost. It achieves 24 series images per second with permanent focus tracking, which is extremely fast thanks to 315 phase AF sensors. The F2.4-F4, known from the predecessor model, has a powerful 25x zoom and continues to cover a small image equivalent focal length range of 24-600 mm. The 4K video function is intended to achieve better quality thanks to 1.7x oversampling.

Short evaluation

Pros

• Handy housing with good ergonomics
• Fast autofocus (albeit slower than promised)
• High continuous shooting rate while maintaining live image and focus tracking
• Very good video function including high-speed functions
• Good to very good image quality even at higher ISO sensitivities

Cons

• Slow writing to the memory card
• Low-power integrated flash with only a few functions
• Tripod thread located far back makes the camera top-heavy

The new Sony RX10 IV features a 1″ CMOS sensor with integrated DRAM for faster readout and 315 phase AF points. For a compact camera, the Sony DSC-RX10 IV is extremely large. This is due to the combination of the large 1-inch sensor with the powerful light and zoom lens.[Photo: Sony]

The foldable screen of the Sony RX10 IV is now a touch screen, the OLED viewfinder is said to have become faster. On the back, the Sony DSC-RX10 IV is equipped with a very bright, foldable touch screen, but also offers a large, high-resolution electronic viewfinder. [Photo: Sony]

In the fourth generation of the RX10, Sony combines the proven technology of the RX10 III, such as the F2.4-4 powerful 25x zoom with a 35-frame equivalent focal length range of 24 to 600 millimetres, with the fast stacked CMOS sensor of the RX100 V. The RX10 III is the RX10 III’s first camera to feature a high speed, high resolution zoom. This not only gives the RX10 IV a razor-sharp continuous shooting function, it also gives it a high-speed hybrid autofocus that can still maintain sharpness even at 24 frames per second. The video function also benefits from this. In the detailed test we feel the changes exactly on the tooth and evaluate, what comes out thereby.

Since the RX10 IV is similar to the RX10 III in terms of body, lens, operation and most of the features, the following text is based on our test of the RX10 III, but has been reworked to the RX10 IV and supplemented by the new measurements of the serial image speed, image quality and much more, what makes the RX10 IV.

The 1″ CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 millimetres) has integrated DRAM, which ensures particularly fast reading of the image information. Between the image sensor and the image processor Bionz X there is also a front-end LSI, which not only supports image processing with its special circuits, but above all offers a large buffer memory. The RX10 IV can take 249 consecutive pictures at 24 frames per second in full resolution, including continuous focus and exposure tracking. The 315 phase AF points integrated on the sensor, which cover 65 percent of the sensor surface, should ensure focusing in just 0.03 seconds. High Density Tracking AF technology is used for series production pictures, which is intended to improve focus accuracy during fast movements and sudden changes in direction, for example of flying birds or athletes. This technology was previously reserved for some interchangeable lens cameras and is now being used for the first time in a compact camera of the Cyber-Shot series.

The 1/2,000 second mechanical shutter is complemented by a 1/32,000 second electronic shutter. The anti-distortion technology is intended to prevent the rolling shutter effect. The Zeiss lens known from the predecessor model optically zooms 25x from 24-600 millimeters, converted to 35mm, and with an aperture of F2.4-F4 offers a high luminous intensity. A Super-ED glass lens and aspherical ED lenses are used to ensure high image quality, while the Zeiss T* coating suppresses reflections. The optical image stabilizer allows up to 4.5 f-stops longer exposure times than without the stabilizer. Also noteworthy is the close-up limit of 72 centimeters in telescopic position, which allows macro photography at 0.49x magnification.

The lens of the Sony RX10 IV has three adjustment rings for aperture, zoom and focus. [Photo: Sony]

The Sony RX10 IV’s F2.4-F4 bright 25x zoom covers a 35x equivalent focal length range from 24 to 600 millimetres. A 4.5 f-stop effective image stabilizer is also built in. [Photo: Sony]

The electronic viewfinder offers a shortened reaction time, which also benefits continuous shooting. With 0.7x magnification in 35mm equivalent, it offers not only a large image, but with a resolution of 2.36 million pixels also a finely resolved one. The tiltable rear screen measures 7.5 centimeters diagonally and also has a high resolution of 1.44 million pixels. In addition, for the first time in the RX10 series it is a touch screen, which allows functions such as a touch autofocus. There is also a touch pad function on board that allows the focus point to be shifted by touching the screen while looking through the viewfinder.

The video function works with full pixel reading, resulting in 1.7x oversampling for 4K recordings, which improves image quality. 24 to 30 frames per second are possible in 4K resolution, stored at a data rate of 100 Mbit/s in XAVC-S format, or optionally as MP4. In Full HD resolution, up to 120 frames per second allow slow motion effects. Super slow motion shooting is possible for up to four seconds at up to 1,000 frames per second. During video recording, the new autofocus provides an average speed that is twice as fast. Video professionals can use functions such as Picture Profile, S-Gamut/S-Log2, Gamma Display Assist, Proxy Recording, Time Code and User Bit. In addition, there is not only a stereo microphone connection, but also a headphone output.

The Sony RX10 IV will be able to take 24 continuous shots per second in full resolution for 249 consecutive frames including AF and exposure tracking. [Photo: Sony]

The Sony RX10 IV’s 4K video function is designed to offer higher image quality thanks to 1.7x oversampling, and the autofocus works twice as fast. [Photo: Sony]

Not only a stereo microphone can be connected to the Sony RX10 IV, but also headphones. If desired, the aperture ring can be infinitely adjusted so that it cannot be heard during operation during video recording. [Photo: Sony]

Thanks to three lens rings, which can be used to adjust zoom, aperture and focus, operation should be particularly easy. If desired, the aperture ring can be infinitely adjusted, which benefits video recordings. New is a My Menu, which can hold up to 30 individual menu items. In addition, the housing should be dust- and moisture-resistant, but there is no talk of dust and splash water protection. The memory card slot still only supports SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I and MemorySticks. NFC, WLAN and Bluetooth are available for wireless communication, so that geocoordinates can be permanently transferred from the smartphone, while photos are transferred from the camera to the smartphone. In addition, a free app allows remote control of the camera including live image transmission.

Ergonomics and workmanship

The Sony RX10 IV is a real chunk. With its giant lens, it weighs in at almost 1.1 kilograms, and its dimensions easily match those of a DSLR with a large lens. So this compact camera is not compact in the truest sense of the word, but only because of its fixed lens it belongs to this category. Thanks to its very pronounced grip, it nevertheless lies perfectly and securely in the hand. This is not least ensured by the non-slip rubber coating. The RX10 IV can easily be held with one hand, zoom and shutter release can be operated with the index finger. Even the little finger still finds a little space on the handle. Despite the high price, the case is made of plastic, and Sony has also saved on sealing against environmental influences. Although the manufacturer speaks of a certain degree of moisture protection, seals cannot be found on the memory card compartment or battery compartment, for example. The case is well finished and makes a quite robust impression, but the last bit of high quality is missing.

The huge lens tube offers space for all kinds of controls, but they control everything electronically, including the zoom. When switched on, the lens extends by a further 3.5 centimeters, when zooming to 600 millimeters it extends by a full eight centimeters. The luminous intensity starts with F2.4 at 24 millimetres of focal length equivalent to a small-format image and initially even very brightly. When zooming, however, the light intensity drops quickly and reaches an initial aperture of F4 at 100 millimetres 35 mm equivalent, which is maintained until the end of the telephoto image. The focal length is not only shown on the display, but at 24, 100, 135, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 millimetres (each 35mm equivalent) lines on the lens barrel also reveal the focal length.

The tube has such a large diameter that it looks quite robust again – no comparison to the relatively shaky constructions of other compact cameras. As with a DSLR, the lens is equipped with a large thread measuring 72 millimetres, which allows a wide variety of filters to be connected. A lens hood that can be mounted upside down on the bayonet for compact transport is even included in the scope of delivery. The zoom ring on the lens allows a very fine zoom, but the motor doesn’t lag behind during fast movements, so that there is no particularly direct, delay-free feeling. You can also place a step zoom function on the zoom ring to directly approach classic fixed focal length values. The zoom lever on the shutter release button can still be used for continuous zooming. In addition to the zoom ring, there is also a focus ring on the lens that is very easy to use. The aperture ring, on the other hand, runs rather tightly and requires some force to be moved. This prevents inadvertent adjustment, but is still not nice to use. Videofilmer will be pleased with the slide switch, which deactivates the locking of the aperture ring; then it also turns a little easier. Thanks to the optical image stabilizer, handheld photography is no problem even with long focal lengths.

The RX10 IV does not only have many controls on the lens, but also on the camera body. Beside the program selector wheel, there is a quite fixed exposure correction wheel on the top of the camera, which is certainly only occasionally accidentally adjusted. Furthermore, there are two thumbwheels on the back of the camera, but unfortunately no index fingerwheel on the front. Many of the numerous keys are freely assignable and labeled C1, C2 and C3 respectively, or in the case of the four-way dialer not labeled at all. The keys are preassigned in a meaningful way. But it’s a pity that it wasn’t enough for a “real” ISO key, one of the function keys has to be used for this.

Pressing the Fn key brings you to the quick menu, which is also configurable. The main menu looks like any Sony. This means a structure in six main groups with numbered tabs as submenus. Depending on the category, these are one to fourteen tabs. This gives an idea of how many settings the RX10 IV allows, but it also requires a certain amount of training. In any case, the menus can be quickly browsed without annoying vertical scrolling. Compared to the RX10 III there is a slight change in the menus. The sixth category, by the way, is a My Menu, in which six menu items from a large selection of menu items can be added to each of up to five tabs. This makes it easier to find favorite settings that cannot be placed on a button or in the Fn menu, or that no longer found a place there.

On the top, the Sony DSC-RX10 IV has a practical, illuminated LC display. Already at 24 mm, corresponding to 35 mm, the lens barrel moves out clearly.

The lens of the Sony DSC-RX10 IV is very long when fully extended to 600 millimeters corresponding to 35mm. Practically, focal length specifications are printed on the tube.

On the top, the Sony has a status display that provides information about many set recording parameters, the battery status or the remaining number of images. It can even be illuminated at the touch of a button, but the keys unfortunately don’t. The rear screen measures about 7.5 centimeters in diagonal and has a resolution of 1.44 million pixels, slightly higher than the previous model. The screen brightness can be increased to over 1,000 cd/m², which ensures good readability even in sunlight. In addition, it is now finally a touch screen. However, this functionality is only used for a touch AF function. Neither the menus can be operated, nor can images be scrolled through or enlarged by touch during playback. As with the predecessor model, the display can be folded up and down, which makes it easy to use when working close to the ground or overhead.

As befits a bridge camera, an electronic viewfinder is also built in. Typical for an OLED, the display flickers slightly in bright areas, as long as you can see it at all. The resolution is high at 2.36 million pixels. Thanks to 0.7x magnification (compared to 35mm), this viewfinder doesn’t need to hide behind DSLRs. Due to the 23 millimetre exit pupil, even spectacle wearers can use the viewfinder quite well, but you have to press it a little against the glasses to be able to see the entire image from left to right without shadows. The proximity sensor automatically activates the viewfinder if desired, and Sony has also thought about diopter correction. In the live image on the monitor or in the viewfinder, all kinds of recording information and aids can be displayed, such as different grid patterns, a 3D spirit level or a live histogram. If you wish, you can also use the monitor as a pure status display.

The RX10 IV does not lack interfaces either. The remote release thread in the release may seem a bit anachronistic and doesn’t fit so well with this thoroughly modern camera, but some photographers will certainly enjoy digging the old mechanical remote release from grandpa’s times out of the drawer. There are four interfaces on the left side of the housing. In addition to the microphone input, there is also a headphone output, a Micro-HDMI interface and a Micro-USB interface. By the way, the replaceable lithium-ion battery is charged via the latter. This is practical on the one hand, but can also be annoying, since charging the battery blocks the camera. On the way with a power bank, however, the battery can also be recharged quickly from time to time far away from a socket.

The Sony DSC-RX10 IV has numerous interfaces on the side: Microphone input and headphone output, Micro-HDMI with cleant output and Micro-USB with charging function.

The lithium-ion battery is removed from the bottom of the camera. Although according to the CIPA standard it should be sufficient for 400 photos in monitor mode (that’s 20 pictures less than the previous model, presumably due to the higher resolution and thus somewhat more power-hungry display) or 370 photos in viewfinder mode, the battery discharges quite quickly when the camera is switched on, so you should use the power-saving functions or switch the camera off completely if you’re not taking pictures. The latter is a bit annoying with the over two seconds long switch-on time. If you like, you can also supply the RX10 IV with power from a mains adapter via an appropriate battery compartment adapter. By the way, the metal tripod thread is located in the optical axis, but extremely far back, which makes the camera on the tripod quite top-heavy. The battery remains removable on the tripod due to the large camera. The SD memory card (optionally also MemoryStick possible) is removed in a separate compartment on the side, which is extremely convenient.

Equipment

The Sony RX10 IV wants to cover a wide range of users. From the automatic clipper to the ambitious photographer who likes to control the exposure himself, to the videographer, no matter whether occasional clips or more extensive camcorder functions are required. The Sony even records high-speed videos. Thanks to the program selector wheel, you can quickly switch between the corresponding shooting functions, without missing the classic exposure programs P, A, S and M, of course. In addition, three recording configurations can be saved and quickly recalled, and even saving and recalling via file is possible. The RX10 IV offers special functions such as an HDR recording function or the panorama function that is standard with Sony.

In addition, the photographer can influence the image settings and activate various filter functions. In playback mode, on the other hand, the editing options are extremely limited. Images can only be cropped, rotated or enlarged. The camera apps used in earlier models to extend the range of functions were deleted without replacement.

The powerful zoom lens not only covers a large focal length range, but also a large focus range. This becomes particularly clear at the long end of the focal length, as the RX10 IV allows a minimum shooting distance of 72 centimetres despite the enormous focal length of 600 millimetres corresponding to 35mm. This allows telemacro shooting with sufficient distance to the subject. Motifs about 6.5 x 4.3 centimeters in size can be imaged full-frame, which corresponds to a small image equivalent reproduction scale of almost 1:2. But the long focal length is also the catch, because the telemacro function is best used due to the increased risk of blurring despite the image stabilizer from the tripod. But for macro lovers the RX10 IV is a real tip.

The Sony DSC-RX10 IV’s optical 25x image-stabilized zoom covers a 35x equivalent focal length range of 24-600 millimeters at a speed of F2.4-4.

Thanks to the new image sensor, the RX10 IV offers a hybrid autofocus consisting of 315 phase sensors integrated in the sensor as well as a contrast autofocus with 25 measuring fields. Sony promises a 0.03 second fast focus, three times faster than the previous model. In our lab, the wide-angle autofocus took almost four times as long, 0.11 seconds, to focus from infinity to two meters. In addition, there is a 0.01 second short release delay, which also occurs without focusing. Both are at least slightly faster than their predecessors. If, on the other hand, you zoom in properly, the autofocus becomes significantly slower. He takes just under 0.4 seconds to complete the long end of the focal length. This is still quite fast, but the focus time depends strongly on the selected focal length. The focus in the Tele is no faster than in the predecessor model. A new feature is the focus limiter, with which the close-up limit can be increased to three metres. This sometimes saves some focus time with more distant subjects, as the camera does not come up with the idea of focusing on an irrelevant detail in the foreground. In contrast to zooming, focusing itself is absolutely silent. Manual focusing is not only very successful due to the beautiful focus ring, but also thanks to the aids such as focus magnifier and focus peaking.

In continuous shooting mode, the RX10 IV wants to score with even higher performance. Sony promises 24 continuous frames per second – and achieves them in JPEG for 221 and in Raw for 113 frames in a row. The best thing about it is that both the autofocus and a live image that is only interrupted by super-short black images are displayed. So it is no longer a problem to keep the motive in the picture even when pulling. However, if the extremely large buffer memory is full thanks to the front-end LSI connected upstream of the Bionz X, then it continues in Raw with only 3.1 continuous frames per second, in JPEG the RX10 IV with 1.9 frames per second is even slower. The long storage times prove to be extremely annoying, during which, for example, the menu is locked, but at least the quick menu, the key functions and the shutter release can be accessed, so that one can continue photographing to a limited extent. In Raw, it takes a little over 30 seconds for the writing light to go out, indicating that the camera is fully operational. In JPEG, on the other hand, it takes over 90 seconds! In Raw a maximum write speed of 62.6 MByte per second is reached. Here you notice that the RX 10 IV lacks UHS II support, which would allow write rates well beyond 95 MB/s. But even the UHS-I speed is only used 2/3 of the time. Why Sony writes longer in JPEG remains speculation. Perhaps it is due to the more extensive image processing, perhaps also to a bad file management. By the way, the electronic shutter is used for the continuous shooting function, but it hardly shows any rolling shutter effect anymore.

The video recordings are also very fast, at least if this is desired. The video quality, in any case, is truly impressive with 4K resolution and 1.7x oversampling. The focus is gently adjusted and the exposure and video experts will find numerous setting options that are a book with seven seals for pure photographers. The internal microphone, for example, records in stereo, but can of course be leveled out or replaced by an external microphone. Thanks to the headphone socket, the videographer can control the sound live. The Clean HDMI video output, for example for an external recording, is already part of the good sound. If the resolution is switched down, the frame rate can be increased accordingly to up to 960 (NTSC) or 1,000 (PAL) frames per second. 40 times slow motion is possible. However, the very high frame rates (over 120 fps) are only available for a short recording duration (two or four seconds). However, as a videographer, one should pay attention to the crop that varies, depending on the mode, between 27-650 mm corresponding to 35mm and 60-1390 mm corresponding to 35mm.

The integrated pop-up flash jumps up very high if unlocked mechanically. However, the folding mechanism does not allow the most “tricky” indirect flash, as the flash cannot be folded back with the finger. However, this can be tolerated because of the low power of about guide number 6. For a bridge camera, the flash is quite inefficient. The flash functions are also limited to the essentials, such as flash exposure compensation, long-term sync, sync to the second shutter curtain, flash at the end of exposure, and red-eye correction. Unfortunately, the integrated flash is not suitable as a wireless master, but an external flash has to be inserted into the multifunction shoe. After all, the RX10 IV has a central shutter and thus allows a 1/2,000 second short flash sync time – at least as long as at least F8 has been dimmed. With an open aperture, the shortest mechanical shutter speed is 1/1,000 second. With the 1/32,000 second fast electronic shutter it is unfortunately not possible to flash, which is opposed by the rolling shutter effect. Regardless of whether the shutter is operated electronically or mechanically, it is always very quiet to inaudible.

The tripod thread of the Sony DSC-RX10 IV sits in the optical axis, but is so far back that the camera on the tripod becomes extremely top-heavy.

Thanks to the integrated NFC chip as well as Bluetooth and WLAN, the Sony RX10 IV can easily be connected to a smartphone, whereby this is much easier “thanks to” the restrictions in Apple’s iPhones under Android. The durable Bluetooth connection allows energy-saving use of the Smartphone GPS, which is very convenient. For image transmission and camera remote control, the WLAN is added.

Picture quality

The best camera isn’t much use if the image quality isn’t good. This results from the interaction of lens and image sensor. The latter offers good conditions with 20 megapixels on the one-inch sensor (13.2 x 8.8 millimeters), which is quite large for compact cameras. Since the lens was also designed with great effort without regard to compactness, this also promises good quality. We have checked this not only in practice, but above all under controlled conditions.

The lens achieves a maximum resolution of 56 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) in 35mm equivalent at 50 percent contrast. This is a good five percent less than with the predecessor model. However, the RX 10 IV is much more cautiously tuned, the sharpness artifact rate is half as high. The maximum resolution in wide angle is achieved at F4 in the center of the image. Open it resolves just under 50 lp/mm, dimming also costs a lot of resolution. If it is still 50 lp/mm at F5.6, the RX10 IV reaches only 40 lp/mm at F8. The edge resolution at 24 millimeters 35mm equivalent, however, ranges from F2.4 to F8 in the range from 33 to just under 38 lp/mm, which means a visible but not dramatic edge drop. For 20×30 cm and larger exposures this is sufficient without any problems. When zooming, the Sony loses resolution, but with a medium focal length of approx. 120 millimeters corresponding to 35mm, however, there is no longer a drop in the resolution at the edge of the image when the camera is stopped down at one level, but the edge resolution even slightly exceeds the resolution in the center of the image due to slight overcompensation of the edge blur. In the center, the resolution maximum of 48 lp/mm is already reached at the open aperture of F4. Then the resolution over 41 lp/mm at F5.6 drops to only 33 lp/mm at F8. If you zoom further, the resolution drops again. More than 43 lp/mm at F4 and only 33 lp/mm at F5,6 are not possible in telescopic position. Further dimmed are less than 30 lp/mm, too little for 20×30 cm prints, at the edge of the picture this critical mark is already slightly undershot.

The memory card on the Sony DSC-RX10 IV is conveniently removed from the side. However, the fast UHS II is not supported, which slows down the camera noticeably as soon as the very large buffer is full.

The distortion as well as the edge darkening of the lens are completely uncritical. There is simply no distortion, the edge darkening is minimal. The colour fringes, on the other hand, look a bit different. On average, they are small, but in wide-angle and medium focal length the extremes are easily visible near the edges of the image, while in telescopic position they are much stronger.

The good performance of the 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor that Sony has come to expect from the RX10 IV also performs without any problems, but doesn’t quite come close to the previous model. For example, the signal-to-noise ratio is only in the good range of over 40 dB at ISO 64, and remains in the acceptable range of over 35 dB up to ISO 1,600. The noise is generally fine-grained, with brightness noise slowly becoming visible at ISO 3,200 and above and increasing more markedly at ISO 6,400 and 12,800 than with the RX10 III. Colour noise, on the other hand, plays practically no role. The noise suppression remains so restrained that no loss of detail occurs up to ISO 800 and even at ISO 1.600 only minimal losses can be reported. Only from ISO 3.200 on do the detail losses become more visible. The measurement curve itself shows a high measured value, especially from ISO 64 to ISO 400, with an over-sharpening that begins to sink above ISO 400. Here, the RX10 IV is at approximately the same level as its predecessor.

The input dynamics range from ISO 64 to 1,600 at a high level of almost ten to at least eleven f-stops. From ISO 3.200 onwards, the dynamic range decreases more significantly than in the predecessor model and is critically low above ISO 3.200. The tonal value curve, still somewhat damped at ISO 64, shows a slight, but by no means exaggerated steepness at all other sensitivities. The pictures seem crisp, but by no means artificial. The RX10 IV is capable of displaying fine differences in brightness, especially from ISO 64 to 800. At ISO 3.200, the measured value falls into the still acceptable range; at higher sensitivities, however, only about one third of the brightness levels are still present. Here the predecessor model was clearly better. The color fidelity of the RX10 IV is on average just about good. Individual measured values deviate in favor of a “beautiful” color representation. Especially warm colors, especially violet and red, shine stronger than in reality, but also magenta and orange tones are affected. The manual white balance, on the other hand, worked in the measuring laboratory without any mistakes or criticisms, and the automatic system also generally performs well in practice.

Bottom line

The Sony RX10 IV is a RX10 III with an even higher performance, but it’s also much more expensive. If you don’t need this extra performance, which is especially noticeable in the continuous shooting function, you can confidently grab the RX10 III. For a 2,000 Euro camera, the RX10 IV is neatly, but not excellently crafted, but still offers good ergonomics and customizability. The display is very bright, but the touch function is very limited. The faster autofocus cannot convert its advantages in the laboratory into measurable numbers, but in practice it shows clear advantages in action shots. At 24 frames per second, both the live image and the autofocus function remain active. However, if the buffer is filled with 220 JPEG or 110 raw images, the camera needs a rather long pause for reflection, especially in JPEG, during which it can only be used to a limited extent. The image quality is at the usual high level of 1″ sensor cameras. It is very good up to ISO 800, good at ISO 1,600 and still acceptable images with little noise and sufficient detail come out at ISO 3,200. Here the RX10 IV has to admit defeat to its slightly better predecessor.

The Sony DSC-RX10 IV promises a certain amount of moisture protection, but neither the battery nor the memory card compartment are provided with seals.

Fact sheet

Fact sheet

Manufacturer
Sony

Model
DSC-RX10 IV

Sensor
CMOS 1″ 13.2 x 8.8 mm (Crop factor 2.7
)21.0 Megapixel (physical)
20.1 Megapixel (effective)

Pixel pitch
2.4 µm

Resolution (max.)
5.472 x 3.648 (3:2)

Video (max.)
3.840 x 2.160 30p

Lens
F2,4-4,0/24-600mm

Filter threads
72 mm built-in

Video viewfinder
EVF, 100 % field coverage, 2,359,296 pixels resolution, 1.89x magnification (sensor related), 0.70x magnification (KB equivalent), diopter compensation (-4.0 to 3.0 dpt)

Monitor
3.0″ (7.5 cm)

Disbandment
1.440,000 pixels

tiltable
yes

rotatable
–

swivelling
–

Touchscreen
yes

AV connector
HDMI Output Micro (Type D)

Fully automatic
yes

Automatic motif control
yes

Motif programmes
9

Program automation
yes

Program shift
yes

Aperture priority
yes

Aperture priority
yes

Manual
yes

Bulb long time exposure
yes

HDR function
yes

Panorama function
yes, Sweep panorama

Exposure metering
Multi-field, Centre-weighted Integral, Spot

fastest shutter speed
1/2.000 s

Lightning bolt
built-in

Synchronous time
1/2.000 s

Flash connection
Sony Multi Interface, standard centre contact flash shoe

WLAN
yes

NFC
yes

GPS
external, permanent smartphone connection

Remote release
yes, remote control via Smartphone/Tablet

Interval shooting
–

Storage medium

Memory Stick (Duo, Duo Pro)

SD (SDHC, SDXC, UHS I)

Sensitivity

automatic
ISO 100-12.800

manually
ISO 64-12.800

White balance

automatic
yes

manual measurement
yes

Kelvin input
yes

Fine correction
yes

Autofocus
yes

Number of measuring fields
25 Contrast sensors

Speed
0.12 to 0.42 s

AF auxiliary light
LED

Dimensions (WxHxD)
133 x 94 x 127 mm

Weight (ready for operation)
1.095 g

Tripod socket
in optical axis

Zoom

Zoom adjustment
Lens ring (motorized), ring rocker (motorized)

Battery life
400 images according to CIPA standard

– = “not applicable” or “not available”

Short evaluation

Pros

• Handy housing with good ergonomics
• Fast autofocus (albeit slower than promised)
• High continuous shooting rate while maintaining live image and focus tracking
• Very good video function including high-speed functions
• Good to very good image quality even at higher ISO sensitivities

Cons

• Slow writing to the memory card
• Low-power integrated flash with only a few functions
• Tripod thread located far back makes the camera top-heavy

Sony DSC-RX10 IV Datasheet

CMOS sensor 1″ 13.2 x 8.8 mm (crop factor 2.7
)21.0 megapixels (physical), 20.1 megapixels (effective)

2.4 µm

5.472 x
3.648 pixels
(3:2)

5.472 x
3.080 Pixel
(16:9)

4.864 x
3.080 Pixel

3.888 x
2.592 pixels
(3:2)

3.648 x
3.648 pixels
(1:1)

3.648 x
2.736 pixels
(4:3)

3.648 x
2.056 Pixel
(16:9)

2.736 x
1.824 Pixel
(3:2)

2.720 x
1.528 pixels
(16:9)

2.592 x
1.944 pixels
(4:3)

2.544 x
2.544 pixels
(1:1)

1.920 x
1.920 pixels
(1:1)

JPG, RAW

24 bits (8 bits per color channel), 36 bits (12 bits per color channel)

Exif (version 2.3), DCF standard (version 2)

3.840 x
2.160
(16:9)
30
p

3.840 x
2.160
(16:9)
25
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
120
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
100
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
60
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
60
i

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
50
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
50
i

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
30
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
25
p

1.920 x
1.080
(16:9)
24
p

1.280 x
720
(16:9)
30
p

1.280 x
720
(16:9)
25
p

XAVC S
(Codec H.264)

AVCHD
(Codec H.264)

MP4
(Codec H.264)

AAC Stereo

24 to 600 mm (35mm equivalent
)25x Zoom8
.8 to 220 mm (physical)
Digital zoom 4x

3 cm (wide-angle
)72 cm (telephoto)

F2.4 to F16 (wide-angle
)F4 to F16 (telephoto)

yes

Phase comparison autofocus with 315 sensors, contrast autofocus with 25 measuring fields

Single autofocus, Continuous autofocus, Tracking autofocus, Manual, AFL function, AF Assist Light (LED), Focus Peaking, Focus Magnifier (11x)

72 mm

3.0″ (7.5 cm) TFT LCD monitor with 1,440,000 pixels, touchscreen, anti-glare, brightness adjustable, tiltable 109° upwards to 41° downwards

additional info display (top) with illumination

Video viewfinder (100 % field coverage) with 2,359,296 pixels, magnification factor 1.89x (0.70x KB equivalent), dioptre compensation (-4.0 to 3.0 dpt)

Center-weighted integral measurement, matrix/multi-field measurement, spot measurement, AF-AE coupling

1/2,000 to 30 s (Automatic
)1/2,000 to 30 s (Manual)Bulb function1/32
,000 to 30 s (Electronic)

Fully automatic, Program automatic (with program shift), Aperture priority, Aperture priority, Manual, Scene automatic

Bracket function with maximum 9 shots, step size from 1/3 to 3 EV, HDR function

-3.0 to +3.0 EV with step size of 1/3 EV

ISO 100 to ISO 12.800 (automatic
)ISO 64 to ISO 12.800 (manual)

Remote control via Smartphone/Tablet

Landscape, Macro, Night Scene, Night Portrait, Portrait, Sunset, Sports/Action, 2 additional scene modes

High Key, High Contrast Monochrome, Miniature Effect, Retro, Selective Color, Softer, Toy Camera, 13 more Image Effects

Auto, Cloudy, Sun, White balance bracket, Fine-tune, Shadow, Flash, Fluorescent lamp with 3 presets, Incandescent light, from 2,500 to 9,900 K, Manual 3 memory locations

Adobe RGB, sRGB

Continuous shooting function max. 24 frames/s at highest resolution and max. 249 stored photos

Self-timer 10 seconds apart, special features: or 5 or 2 seconds, bracketing with 10, 5 or 2 seconds Self-timer

AEL function, AFL function, live histogram

built-in flash (hinged
)flash shoe: Sony Multi Interface, standard center contact

1.0 to 10.8 m at wide angle1
.0 to 6.5 m at teleflash range
at ISO autoflash sync time
1/2,000 s

Auto, Fill-in flash, Flash on, Flash off, High speed sync, Slow sync, Flash on second shutter curtain, Red-eye reduction by pre-flash, Flash exposure compensation from -3.0 EV to +3.0 EV

Lens-Shift (optical)

Memory Stick (Duo, Duo Pro)

SD (SDHC, SDXC, UHS I)

Swivel panorama

12.416 x
1.856 pixels

8.192 x
1.856 pixels

3.872 x
2.162 pixels

GPS external (permanent smartphone connection)

Stereo

Power supply unit connectionUSB continuous power supplyUSB charging function

1 x Sony NP-FW50 (lithium ion (Li-Ion), 7.2 V, 1,240 mAh
)400 images according to CIPA standard

Image rotation, Protect image, Highlights / Shadow warning, Playback histogram, Playback magnifier, Image index, Slide show function

Voice memo (AAC stereo format)

Face recognition, face recognition, smile recognition

Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation, Noise Reduction

yes

Electronic spirit level, orientation sensor, zebra function, live view, user profiles with 3 user profiles

Data interfaces: Bluetooth, USBUSB type
: USB 2.0 High SpeedWLAN
: available (type: B, G, N)
NFC: availableAudio output
: yes (3.5 mm jack (stereo, 3-pin))
Audio input: yes (3.5 mm stereo jack)
Video output: yes (HDMI output Micro (type D))

DPOF, Exif Print, PIM

1/4″ in optical axis

BIONZ X Image ProcessorFront-End
LSIMulti-Frame Noise Reduction
(ISO 100-25.600)
ISO Range (Video) 100-12800Dynamic Range Optimizer
(1-5 Levels)
DRO BracketCreative
Style (14 Settings)
Picture Profile (15 Settings) incl. ITU709, Cine1-2Motiverkennung
with 44 recognizable scenesBravia-SyncDrive displayHFR mode

with 250, 500 or 1,000 fps and 24p, 25p or 50p playbackVideo functions

:

Picture Profile, S-Gamut/S-Log2, Gamma Display Assist, Proxy Recording, Time Code / User Bit

1.095 g (operational)

133 x 94 x 127 mm

Sony AC-UUD12 AC AdapterSony
NP-FW50 Special BatteryMicro-USB Cable
, Carrying Strap, Eyepiece Cap, Lens Cap, Hot Shoe Cover, Lens Hood, User’s Guide

Sony HVL-F20M Slip-on flash with swivel reflectorSony
HVL-F32M Slip-on flash with swivel reflectorSony
HVL-F43M Slip-on flash with swivel reflectorSony
HVL-F45RM Slip-on flash with swivel reflectorSony
HVL-F60M Slip-on flash with sw

ivel reflectorSony

HVL-F60RM S

lip-on flash with swivel

reflectorSony
HVL-F60RM Slip-on flash with swivel reflector

USB 2.0 High Speed