Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV presents a compact solution for multimedia creators, offering impressive speed, extensive reach, and adaptable recording capabilities. It is equipped with a 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X image processor, enabling continuous shooting at rates of up to 24 frames per second with an ISO sensitivity of 12800. Additionally, it supports UHD 4K video recording at 30 frames per second and Full HD 1080 video at 120 frames per second. The advanced back-illuminated and stacked sensor technologies contribute to exceptional image quality, delivering remarkable clarity and minimizing noise, making it suitable for use in difficult lighting environments. Furthermore, the camera features a rapid 315-point focal plane phase-detection autofocus system, achieving focus in as little as 0.03 seconds, thereby enhancing the overall shooting experience.

The RX10 IV adeptly balances its imaging capabilities with a remarkable 25x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens, offering an extensive focal length range equivalent to 24-600mm. It employs Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, effectively reducing the impact of camera shake by as much as 4.5 stops. The lens's optical architecture features eight extra-low dispersion elements and six aspherical elements, which work together to mitigate various aberrations across the zoom spectrum. Furthermore, its f/2.4-4 maximum aperture range enhances performance in low-light situations.

The RX10 IV is distinguished by its sturdy design, which includes a 2.36m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tilting 3.0" 1.44m-dot touchscreen LCD. The user-friendly layout incorporates three dedicated control rings on the lens: a zoom ring, a manual focus ring, and an aperture ring, the latter of which can be de-clicked for seamless and silent adjustments. Constructed from magnesium alloy, the body is weather-sealed, allowing for operation in challenging conditions. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities facilitate wireless image sharing and remote control of the camera via a connected smartphone or tablet.

20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS Sensor & BIONZ X Image Processor

The RX10 IV features a sophisticated stacked architecture that incorporates an integrated DRAM chip, allowing its 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor to produce exceptional image quality at sensitivities reaching ISO 12800, all while maintaining remarkably swift performance. This innovative sensor design combines the pixel area, a high-speed signal processing circuit, and memory to enhance data throughput by more than fivefold. As a result, it supports advanced functionalities such as 40x super slow motion, an Anti-Distortion shutter, UHD 4K video recording, and focal-plane phase-detection autofocus points, which facilitate quicker and more accurate focusing.

Complementing this sensor is the BIONZ X image processor along with a newly engineered front-end LSI, which significantly boosts the speed and efficiency of the entire imaging system. This enhancement allows for continuous shooting with autofocus and auto-exposure at rates of up to 24 frames per second. The expanded buffer capacity enables extended continuous shooting, accommodating up to 249 JPEG images. For user convenience, these bursts can be reviewed in groups during playback, streamlining the review process. Furthermore, the front-end LSI contributes to the overall enhancement of image quality, particularly at elevated sensitivity levels. Another notable benefit of this configuration is the capability for raw output, which ensures superior color accuracy and image quality.

Fast Hybrid AF System with 315 Phase-Detection Points

The RX10 IV features an advanced on-sensor phase-detection autofocus system that significantly enhances autofocus performance for both still images and video recording. This camera employs a hybrid autofocus mechanism comprising 315 phase-detection points, which cover approximately 65% of the frame, in conjunction with a 25-area contrast-detection system. This combination ensures rapid and precise focusing across various scenarios. The RX10 IV can swiftly lock onto subjects in a mere 0.03 seconds and supports autofocus tracking while capturing at 24 frames per second.

To facilitate a smoother operational experience, the RX10 IV is designed with minimized blackout periods, allowing for improved tracking when utilizing the electronic viewfinder or LCD screen. Additionally, the introduction of an AF-A mode enables the camera to automatically transition between AF-S and AF-C modes as required by the shooting conditions. Users also have the option to visualize the phase-detection area, aiding in the precise focusing on their intended subjects.

ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 25x Zoom Lens

The RX10 IV is notably defined by its impressive 25x zoom lens, which is paired with advanced imaging assets. This ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens offers a focal length range equivalent to 24-600mm and features a variable maximum aperture of f/2.4-4, ensuring proficient performance across both wide-angle and super telephoto settings. Its optical construction includes eight extra-low dispersion elements that effectively mitigate color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range, enhancing clarity and color fidelity. Additionally, the lens incorporates five aspherical elements along with an advanced aspherical (AA) element to minimize spherical aberrations, thereby improving sharpness and resolution. The renowned ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to individual lens elements to diminish flare and ghosting, resulting in enhanced contrast even in challenging lighting conditions.

To further enhance the lens's capabilities, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization significantly reduces the effects of camera shake by up to 4.5 stops, facilitating sharper handheld photography. The lens is equipped with a rounded nine-blade diaphragm that creates pleasing bokeh, and despite its extensive reach, it can focus as closely as 1.2 inches with a maximum magnification of 0.42x, making it suitable for capturing close-up subjects.

UHD 4K Video Recording

The RX10 IV is capable of recording UHD 4K video at frame rates of 30 and 24 fps, enabling the creation of films with remarkable clarity. By employing a full pixel readout without binning, the camera gathers approximately 1.7 times the data required for 4K output. This oversampling technique enhances clarity while minimizing the effects of moiré and jagged edges. During video recording, Fast Hybrid AF ensures precise and rapid tracking through the use of phase-detection AF points. Additionally, the camera supports Sony's advanced XAVC S format, allowing for high bit rates of up to 100 Mbps.

For more experienced users, the camera provides various picture profiles and image controls, including S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma settings, which facilitate the expansion of dynamic range by capturing a flat image. The Gamma Display Assist feature enables users to view a more natural image while shooting in S-Log2/3. Other useful features such as timecode, zebras, peaking, and additional tools are included to simplify both shooting and editing processes. When recording internally, the camera captures video with a 4:2:0 sampling at 8-bit; however, to further enhance image quality, the RX10 IV offers clean HDMI output for connection to an external recorder. This capability allows users to record 4:2:2 uncompressed video, which can be saved in a format ready for editing.

The camera also includes a Photo Capture function, enabling users to swiftly save an 8.29MP still image from their UHD 4K videos. This feature is also applicable to Full HD recordings, allowing for the extraction of 2MP stills. Furthermore, the camera is switchable between NTSC and PAL formats, making it suitable for use globally.

High Frame Rate and Slow Motion Shooting

The RX10 IV boasts remarkable speed, providing significant advantages for video users through its advanced High Frame Rate shooting capabilities and super slow motion features. In Full HD, videographers can utilize a standard 120 fps setting, which allows for exceptional slow-motion effects when edited. Furthermore, the camera includes a specialized HFR mode that can elevate the frame rate to an impressive 960 fps. Users can choose between Quality Priority and Shoot Time Priority modes, allowing for approximately double the recording duration compared to its predecessor. This translates to around 7 seconds of recording time in Shoot Time Priority at the 240 fps setting. The camera is designed to output Full HD files from slightly lower resolutions, ensuring high-quality images across all frame rates. Additionally, an end trigger mode permits users to capture 4 or 6 seconds of footage prior to pressing the record button.

Body Design and Wireless Connectivity

• The camera features a vibrant, high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder with a 2.36 million-dot resolution, enabling clear eye-level scene monitoring and the capability to preview exposure adjustments before capturing images. Additionally, a rear 3.0-inch 1.44 million-dot Xtra Fine TFT LCD is available for monitoring and reviewing images, designed to tilt 109° upward and 41° downward, facilitating work from both high and low angles. This screen is also a touch panel, providing intuitive control for focus point selection, playback, and menu navigation. 
  
  
• The camera's robust magnesium-alloy body is designed to be both dust- and moisture-resistant, making it suitable for use in challenging environments. The manually-operated aperture ring allows for tactile control over exposure settings and can be de-clicked for smooth, silent operation, ideal for video recording. 
  
  
• The lens design also incorporates manual focus and zoom rings. A top LCD panel enables quick checks of essential exposure and other settings. Users can customize a variety of function buttons, assigning them to any of 58 different custom functions. 
  
  
• The included NP-FW50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides approximately 400 shots per charge when using the LCD monitor, or 370 shots per charge with the electronic viewfinder. 
  
  
• For audio needs, both an external microphone jack and a headphone jack are available for connecting optional external microphones and monitoring audio in real time. 
  
  
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities allow for wireless sharing of images to a connected mobile device for immediate online sharing, and also enable remote control of the camera or live view display via a smartphone or tablet. 
  
  
• Mobile devices can be paired using NFC or by scanning a QR code displayed on the camera for devices that do not support NFC.
  
  

Other Camera Features

• Zoom Assist can be assigned to a custom function button and used to automatically zoom out from the scene in order to re-locate a subject, and then released to quickly return to the zoomed-in position.
  
  
• Step Zoom lets you configure the zoom ring to only cycle through fixed popular focal lengths as the ring is rotated, including 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85, 100, 135, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600mm. Quick Zoom, on the other hand, can be assigned to a custom function button and lets you move throughout the zoom range in a fluid, seamless manner by rotating the zoom ring.
  
  
• A Silent Shooting mode makes use of an electronic shutter function for completely silent performance that is ideal for photographing in noise-sensitive areas. This electronic shutter also permits working with shutter speeds up to 1/32,000 sec for photographing in bright conditions.
  
  
• Clear Image Zoom can be used to magnify the center of scenes by 2x to effectively extend the reach of the lens. This digital zoom technology uses an intelligent interpolation process to minimize the amount of image degradation in order to produce realistic, high-quality images.
  
  
• Eye AF is a dedicated autofocus mode that bases focus on recognized subjects' eye for portraits, and can be configured to prioritize either the subject's right or left eye. It is also compatible with animals' eyes to benefit pet and wildlife photographers.
  
  
• White balance adjustment can be finely controlled using detailed sliders that span the amber-blue and magenta-green axes for more precise control over how color tones appear in various lighting conditions.
  
  
• Benefitting manual focus operation, Manual Focus Assist can be used to magnify a portion of the scene for making more precise, detailed adjustments. Peaking is also available to highlight strong edges of contrast for more objective determining over sharp focus.
  
  
• A Dual Rec mode allows you to record 17MP stills, without pixel binning, while simultaneously recording video. Auto Dual Rec takes this process further by automatically recording stills at a chosen frequency or when a new composition or subject is recognized.
  
  
• When recording in UHD 4K, 8MP still frame grabs can be saved during playback for use as a still image. If working in Full HD, 2MP stills can be taken from video files.
  
  
• Scene Selection: Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Handheld Twilight, Night Portrait, and Anti Motion Blur.
  
  
• Picture Effect: Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-Key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, and Illustration.
  
  
• Creative Style: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia, and Style Box.