In this Sony RX100 IV Review I will cover all the information you need to know including real word photography, video, high ISO low light abilities, camera design, and features… I will also show you how to use the camera in the lab, so you can get a good idea how you will actually use it in the real world 😉
The Sony RX100 IV is the latest and greatest from Sony when it comes to there RX ultra compact high quality camera line. It features the killer best in class 1″ Sony Exmor RS Sensor which produces stunning images and video quality which you will see below.
The biggest selling point of the RX100 series in my opinion is the ultra compact size while still maintaining pro level image quality. The camera is slightly larger than a deck of cards, so it can literally fit into your jeans pocket, so if you are going out on the town and want a high quality camera with almost zero burdon, the RX100 series is the best possible high quality option out there.
The large 1″ sensor combined with the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/1.8-2.8 24-70mm effective Lens can really handle almost any situation. You can get great separation from backgrounds and super high quality shots in low light as well. This is something a cell phone can not due, and why cameras like this still hold a strong place in the market for those demanded the best quality.
The Sony RX100 IV is not cheap at the $948 US price point, but like I said before, this camera is for those that want pro grade quality in an ultra compact camera body. The new RS sensor is even better in low light that the previous R version, so the price is bit more than the RX100 III as expected.
I have been putting more time into my youtube video style reviews for the past couple of months now, because I think it’s much more appealing than reading reviews to most people. I also enjoy the video production process and creation of the videos in particular these days. Therefore, please watch the entire video style review below in addition to reading and checking out the sample photos etc…
RX100 IV – Key Features:
- NEW 20.1 MP 1″ Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log2 Gamma
- Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/1.8-2.8 Lens
- EFL: 8.8-25.7mm (35 mm equivalent: 24-70mm)
- Minimum Focus Distance: Wide: 1.97″ (5 cm) – Infinity, Telephoto: 11.81″ (30 cm) – Infinity
- Super Speed anti-distortion Shutter 1/32000 sec
- Built in 3-stop ND Filter
- 2359k-Dot OLED Tru-Finder Pop-Up EVF vs 1440k-Dot on RX100 III
- 3.0″ 1229k-Dot Multi-Angle Xtra Fine LCD
- Slow Motion Video up to 960 fps
- Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
- ISO 12800 and 16 fps Continuous Shooting vs 10fps on RX100 III
- Weight = 10.51 oz / 298 g with battery and memory card
- Price = $948 US vs $748 for RX100 III
RX100 IV Camera Body Design
As you can see from the photos below, the camera is ultra compact. It does not have any audio ports for those wondering and wanting them for video, but it does offer and HDMI out and the USB charging port.
The screen articulates 180 degrees up and also down a decent amount. The pop-up OLED viewfinder is very high quality and works well although a bit awkward to use since the camera is so small. My nose sort of smashes into the lcd screen for example when using the viewfinder, but it really bright conditions it’s a killer feature to have.
Sony RX100 IV Review – Video Version
Please be sure to use full screen mode and also select the highest quality option for the best video viewing experience…
Sony RX100 IV – 4K Sample Video
In this 4k Sample Video courtesy of the Sony RX100 IV, I try and show off what this camera is capable of in the real world under various scenarios. I also tried to show off the depth of field available with the 1″ sensor and lens set-up as well as lots of focus transition testing. I shot using the best quality 4k @ 100mbs/24fps. Please feel free to ask questions below in the comments area as always. Also, my son Jase broke his leg when he fell out of the bed ~ 3 weeks ago for those wondering… Yeah I know it’s insane, but he is a trooper and will be back on his feet in no time! Thanks for watching!
RX100 IV – Real World Sample Photos
Please be sure to click on the sample photos for a higher res version that looks much better!
Lab and High ISO Testing:
As you can see below, the high ISO abilities are improved over the previous generation, and the separation offered by the 1″ sensor is pretty darn good.
f/2.8, 25.7mm 
f/8, 25.7mm 
f/1.8, 25.7mm 
f/8, 25.7mm 
ISO 12800 
ISO 6400 
ISO 3200 
ISO 1600
Conclusions:
The bottom line for the Sony RX100 Mark IV in my opinion is, it’s a ultra compact pro grade camera when it comes to image quality and features! Particular with video this camera stands out with exceptional quality! I watched the 4k video footage from youtube on my 4k smart TV and it really does look incredible to me. You can hear the lens zooming when recording the video however, so be aware of that.
The 1” sensor is very large for such a small camera and offers some quality separation from the backgrounds if you are close to your subject in particular, as you saw in the sample photos earlier.
The RX100 IV can literally fit in your pocket and does not burden you with size and weight like some other larger cameras and lens combos. If you want the smallest yet highest quality camera, then the Sony RX100 Mark IV is worth considering for sure!
Is it worth upgrading from the RX100 III?
Compared to the RX100 III, the high ISO is better for sure thanks to the new sensor, and the OLED Viewfinder is about double the resolution which is much better as well. It also has 16fps as opposed to 10fps high speed shooting. In addition to that, the RX100 IV can record 4k video internally and has the powerful Slog-2 gamma profile for higher dynamic range video capture. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same… My Sony RX100 III review is here >>
If you want more versatility, then the RX10 II camera would be a better option due to the killer constant aperture 24-200mm f/2.8 lens and larger camera body design. The New RX10 III actually has a 24-600mm lens!! The RX10 III packs the same 1” sensor as the RX100 IV, so you can expect very similar Image and video quality results, but with way more optical freedom. The downside or upside depending on your needs, is a larger camera body design compared to the deck or cards sized RX100 series cameras. My RX10 III Review is Here for those interested.
If you want to learn more about how to use the Sony cameras, then please be sure to check out my How-To tutorial videos which go over tons of different features for several different Sony cameras. All the Sony cameras work the same pretty much, so watching a video for a different camera will not really matter when it comes to most things.
That is about it for this review and I really hope you guys got what you were looking for! I look forward to your comments and questions below as always 🙂
If you are shopping for gear, please consider using the links below to help support the cause and as a way to say thanks for the reviews and or help.
- Sony RX100 IV @ BHPhoto >>
- Sony RX100 IV Carrying Case @ BHPhoto >>
- Battery – NP-BX1 @ BHPhoto >>
- Attachment Grip – AG-R2 @ BHphoto >>
- IKElite Underwater Housing @ BHPhoto >>
- Recommended Memory Cards >>
