The Sony DSC-RX10 IV is premium superzoom bridge-camera (DSLR-like form factor) with a 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 zoom lens and a 20MP 1"-type stacked BSI-CMOS sensor: the same used by the Sony RX100 V. This new sensor brings phase detect autofocus to the RX10 series for the first time, adding the depth-awareness that is important for focusing long lenses. The camera is also faster than its predecessor and can shoot at 24 fps with AF and auto exposure (compared to 5 fps).
The processor is borrowed from the flagship Sony a9, which should mean excellent subject tracking. In short, this camera packs speed, AF ability and lens reach into a convenient package, not to mention 4K video. So is it the most capable all-in-one camera on the market? Read on...

Key specs:

  • 20MP 1"-type stacked BSI-CMOS sensor
  • 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 stabilized zoom lens
  • 24 fps burst shooting in JPEG + Raw, with full AF and AE
  • 315-point phase-detection autofocus system covers 65% of frame
  • Detailed 4K video capture with well-controlled rolling shutter
  • High frame rate video capture
  • Touchscreen
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Updated menus
We feel like this camera will appeal to a variety of users including those seeking an all-in-one camera with serious reach for casual shooting, travel or vacationing. But advanced videographers may also find this camera tempting thanks to a laundry list of video features and good quality UHD capture.

Key features compared

The body is almost identical to that of its predecessor, using the same outstanding lens. However the RX10 IV offers a touchscreen that can be used as a touchpad for placing AF points with your eye to the finder or for selecting a point of focus in still or video mode. There are a few other minor differences between the two cameras as well:
Sony RX10 IVSony RX10 IIISony RX10 IIPanasonic FZ1000Panasonic
FZ2500
MSRP$1699$1499$1199$899$1199
Sensor20MP 1"-type stacked CMOS sensor20MP 1"-type stacked CMOS20MP 1"-type stacked CMOS20MP 1"-type BSI-CMOS20MP 1"-type BSI-CMOS
ISO range (native)100-12800100-12800100-12800125-12800125-12800
Lens (35mm equivalent)24-600mm F2.4-424-600mm F2.4-424-200mm F2.825-400mm F2.8-424-480mm F2.8-4.5
Built-in ND filterNoNoYesNoYes
AF systemPhase detectContrast detectContrast detectContrast detectContrast detect
AF points315-point25-pt25-pt49-pt49-pt
Fastest shutter speed1/32,000 sec
(e-shutter), 1/2000 (mechanical)
1/32,000 sec
(e-shutter),
1/2000 (mechanical)
1/32000 sec
(e-shutter),
1/2000 (mechanical)
1/16000 sec
(e-shutter), 1/4000 (mechanical)
1/16000 sec
(e-shutter), 1/4000 (mechanical)
EVF resolution2.36m-dot2.36m-dot2.36m-dot2.36m-dot2.36m-dot
LCD3" 1.44M-dot tilting3" 1.23M-dot tilting3" 1.23M-dot tilting3" 921k-dot fully articulated3" 1.04M-dot fully articulating
TouchscreenYesNoNoNoYes
Burst rate24 fps14 fps14 fps12 fps12 fps
Video4K/30p4K/30p4K/30p4K/30p4K/30p
High-speed videoUp to 960 fps @ 800 x 270Up to 960 fps @ 800 x 270Up to 960 fps @ 800 x 270120 fps @ 1920 x 1080120 fps @ 1920 x 1080
Wi-FiYes, with NFC and BluetoothYes, with NFCYes, with NFCYesYes
Battery life (CIPA)400 shots420 shots400 shots360 shots350 shots
Weather sealingYesYesYesNoNo
Dimensions133 x 94 x 145mm133 x 94 x 127mm129 x 88 x 102mm137 x 99 x 131mm138 x 102 x 135 mm
Weight1095 g1051 g813 g831 g915 g
As you can see, the RX10 IV stacks up nicely next to its siblings and direct competitors. For someone primarily concerned with stills, the RX10 IV seems like the obvious choice, especially if you plan on shooting action: it's got the fastest burst rate of the bunch and is the only camera in its class with phase detection.
But for videographers, the FZ2500 with its fully-articulating touchscreen, built-in variable ND filter and similar zoom range might make it the more sensible choice, especially given its lower price point (though we found its lens performance inferior to its Sony counterparts). You don't get the cool, super-high-speed frame rate options offered by the Sony cameras, but 1080/120p is not too shabby.

Availability

The RX10 IV is available now for an MSRP of $1699.