Sony is killing it when it comes to advanced amateur digital cameras. The feature-packed Sony RX10 IV features a built-in 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-4 superzoom lens, record-breaking autofocus speed, high image quality via a 1-inch sensor, and 4K video. Designed especially for high-speed, rapid-fire action photos, the RX10 IV is ready for a range of assignments for both amateur and even some professional users.
They’re nicknaming it the “Pro Compact.”
Key Features:
- 20MP 1.0-type CMOS sensor
- 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-4 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens
- Claimed 0.03 sec AF acquisition time is world’s fastest
- 24fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking
- 315 phase-detection AF points
- 3-inch, 1.44M dot resolution flip-out touchscreen LCD
- 4K video
- XAVC S codec
- External mic jack
- Slow-motion at 280, 480 and 960fps
Sports Coupe
The RX10 IV’s main upgrade over its predecessor, the RX10 III, is its speed. The lens and sensor are basically the same, but it adds 480 and 960fps super-slow motion, triples AF acquisition from 0.09 to 0.03 second, and boosts continuous shooting from 14 to 24fps.
Claimed to be the world’s fastest AF acquisition time at 0.03 seconds with full AF/AE tracking, the camera’s 315-point phase-detection system covers roughly 65 percent of the sensor, making it easier to track and lock focus on fast-moving subjects while shooting video or high frame-rate stills. The RX10 IV is the first Sony Cyber-shot camera to employ high-density tracking AF technology, which concentrates AF points around a subject—even ones that move erratically—to improve focus accuracy and tracking. This feature was previously only available in some of Sony’s Alpha interchangeable-lens cameras.
A sports and action photography-friendly camera, the RX10 IV offers advanced image processing that includes benefits such as continuous high-speed shooting at up to 24fps at full resolution. The buffer limit of 249 consecutive images is impressive. The EVF display lag during continuously shooting has been reduced, according to Sony, and continuously-shot images can be displayed in groups rather than in individual shots.
The RX10 IV has a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000 second, and deploys a high-speed anti-distortion shutter to reduce the “rolling shutter” effect that can occur when shooting fast-moving objects. The camera can shoot in total silence when using the electronic shutter mode; a mechanical shutter is also available.
The 25x 24-600mm optical zoom lens offers a large maximum aperture of f/2.4 at 24mm and a relatively wide f/4 at 600mm, one of the brightest long-range built-in zooms available. It has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which Sony says gives as much as 4.5 stops of stabilization—an essential feature for handheld telephoto shooting, even in daylight. Minimum focus distance is 2.36 feet at 600mm, resulting in 0.49x magnification for macro shooting at a reasonable working distance.
The lens features a super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element and ED aspherical elements that minimize chromatic aberrations. The lens is also coated to minimize flare and ghosting.
Other improvements include enhanced Eye AF, touch focus and a focus-range limiter. The AF-On button is assignable.
4K Video
The RX10 IV offers 4K movie recording, but its Fast Hybrid AF system is said to be twice as fast in focusing as its predecessor, the RX10 III. In 4K mode, the new RX10 IV utilizes full pixel readout without pixel binning, capturing approximately 1.7x more information than is required for 4K movie output to ensure that all the finest details are captured accurately. The camera utilizes the XAVC S codec, recording video at a high data rate of up to 100 Mbps depending on shooting mode. Users have the option of shooting at either 24p or 30p in 4K mode (100 Mbps), or in frame rates of up to 120p in Full HD mode.
Pro-level video features include Picture Profile, S-Log3/S-Gamut3, Gamma Display Assist, Proxy recording, Time Code/User Bit, as well as external mic and headphone jacks. Slow-motion is available in 960fps, 480fps, and 240fps in 60, 30 and 24p playback formats.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV will ship in October and will be available from Adorama for . Pre-orders will be accepted starting Sept. 14, at 10am. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
