Sony has unveiled the latest in its acclaimed series of high-end point-and-shoot cameras, the Sony RX100 IV.
The original RX100 set a benchmark for seriously capable point-and-shoot cameras that has arguably only been surpassed by each successive update.
The Sony RX 100 IV follows a similar pattern, offering a familiar package with a few notable upgrades.
It retains that same compact black design and the same ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm f/1.8 lens as the Sony RX100 III. It also has a 1-inch 20-megapixel image sensor that will sound familiar to any RX100 owner.
Having said that, Sony claims that this year’s is apparently the world’s first 1-inch “stacked” sensor with “advanced signal processing and an attached DRAM memory chip.”
This reportedly leads to a five times faster image detail reading, which allows for a number of impressive new features. These include 16 fps image capture speeds, 40x super slow motion video at up to 1000fps, a blazingly fast shutter speed of 1/32,000th of a second, and 4K video shooting for five minute spells.
Meanwhile, around back there’s a new XGA OLED display with a 2.35 million dot resolution, as well as the same retractable electronic viewfinder (EVF) as last year’s model. You also get Wi-Fi and NFC.
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Sony says that the RX100 IV features an upgraded Fast Intelligent autofocus system, which is better at capturing moving subjects than before.
The RX100 IV will start shipping in Europe this summer for a not-inconsiderable €1,150 (around £840). If you’re after the best point-and-shoot in the business, or a highly capable DSLR backup, keep an eye on this one.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
