Sony RX10 IV Review: Is It the Ultimate Camera for Traveling Photographers?
Written by Antonio Cala.
Table of Contents
Are you looking for an all-in-one solution for your imaging needs? We’ve been checking out the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV, and it seems like a promising option.
This camera boasts one of the world’s fastest AF acquisition time of 0.03 seconds and up to 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking, making it a top choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Plus, with a versatile 24-600mm F2.4-F4 ZEISS Vario Sonnar T lens, you’ll be able to capture stunning images from any distance.
Some noteworthy features include the 315 point phase-detection AF system, which covers approximately 65% of the frame, and the optical image stabilization technology developed by Sony, which is particularly useful for handheld shooting in low light or at the ultra-telephoto end of the zoom range.
With 20.1 MP 1″ back illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and 24 fps continuous shooting up to 249 frames with AF/AE tracking, you can capture stunning images and videos with ease.
Let’s dive into the details.
For a complete analysis of wildlife cameras, make sure to check out the ultimate guide to wildlife photography cameras.
Sony RX10 IV Overview
The Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV is a powerful camera that boasts some impressive features. With its 0.03 second AF acquisition time and up to 24 fps continuous shooting, this camera is perfect for those who need speed and versatility. The 315 phase-detection AF points covering approximately 65% of the frame ensure that you can capture the perfect shot every time. Additionally, the camera’s ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-600mm3 F2.4-F4 ultra-zoom Lens allows you to take stunning photos from a wide range of distances.
The 20.1 MP 1″ back Illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor w/ DRAM is another impressive feature, ensuring that your photos come out looking crisp and clear. The camera’s dimensions (W x H x D) (CIPA) are 5 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches, making it easy to carry around with you wherever you go.
Overall, the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV is a great camera for those who need speed, versatility, and high-quality photos.: a fantastic choice for wildlife photography. Its 24 fps continuous shooting and 315 phase-detection AF points make it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects, while its ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-600mm3 F2.4-F4 ultra-zoom Lens allows you to take stunning photos from a wide range of distances.
Key Features
When it comes to choosing a camera, there are certain features that are crucial to consider. Here are some of the key features of the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV that make it stand out from other cameras in its category.
World’s Fastest AF
The Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV boasts an incredibly fast autofocus acquisition speed of 0.03 seconds. This is thanks to its 315 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 65% of the frame. This means that you can capture fast-moving subjects with ease, without worrying about missing the perfect shot.
High-Density AF Coverage
The high-density AF coverage of the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV means that you can focus on your subject with precision, even when it’s far away. The camera’s autofocus system is designed to work in low light conditions, making it ideal for shooting in challenging environments.
ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T Lens
The ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens on the RX10 IV is a marvel of engineering. It has an ultra-zoom range of 24-600mm3 and a maximum aperture of F2.4-F4. This means that you can capture stunning images from wide-angle to telephoto with ease. The lens is also designed to minimize distortion and aberration, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear.
Exmor RS CMOS Sensor
The Sony RX10 IV features a 20.1 MP 1″ back illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with DRAM. This sensor is designed to capture more light, resulting in clearer, more detailed images. The camera’s sensor is also ideal for shooting in low light conditions, as it reduces noise and improves image quality.
High-Speed Continuous Shooting
The Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV can shoot up to 24 frames per second with continuous autofocus and auto exposure tracking. This means that you can capture fast-moving subjects with ease, without worrying about missing the perfect shot. The camera can also shoot up to 249 frames in a single burst, giving you plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect image.
Overall, the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV is a great camera for anyone who wants to capture stunning images and videos with ease. Its fast autofocus, high-density AF coverage, ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens, Exmor RS CMOS sensor, and high-speed continuous shooting make it a great choice for both amateur and professional photographers alike.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV, there are definitely some pros and cons to consider before making a purchase. Here’s a breakdown of what we found:
Pros
- Fast Auto-Focus: The RX10 IV boasts the world’s fastest AF acquisition speed of 0.03 seconds, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Sony’s advanced OIS technology is incredibly valuable for handheld shooting, especially in low light or at the ultra-telephoto end of the zoom range up to 600mm.
- Impressive AF Points: With 315 phase-detection AF points covering approximately 65% of the frame, you can trust that your shots will be in focus.
- Amazing Zoom Range: The ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-600mm F2.4-F4 ultra-zoom lens is a standout feature of the RX10 IV, allowing you to capture everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife.
- High-Quality Sensor: The 20.1 MP 1″ back illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with DRAM delivers stunning image quality, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Fast Continuous Shooting: The RX10 IV can shoot up to 24 fps with AF/AE tracking, allowing you to capture fast-moving action with ease.
Cons
- Price: The RX10 IV is definitely on the pricier side for a bridge camera, so it may not be the best option for those on a tight budget.
- Weight: At 2 pounds 6.7 ounces (including battery and SDXC card), the RX10 IV is a bit on the heavy side, which may be a consideration for those who plan to carry it around for extended periods of time.
- Lack of Articulating Screen: The lack of an articulating screen may be a downside for videographers or those who like to shoot from unusual angles.
User Reviews and Testimonials
Cameras often receive negative online reviews due to technical issues, poor customer service or defective models.
The Sony RX10 IV is no exception and it receives its fair share of negative reviews. However, the great majority are from very happy customers.
Sony RX10 IV vs Competitors
The main competitors of the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV are the Nikon COOLPIX P100 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000. Here’s how they all compare.
- |
Sony RX10 IV |
Nikon COOLPIX P1000 |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CAMERA |
|
|
|
|
BEST FOR |
Overall |
Bird Photography |
Budget-friendly |
|
SENSOR |
CMOS |
CMOS |
MOS |
|
PRICE |
$$ |
$$ |
$ |
|
WEIGHT |
2.41 lbs |
3.12 lbs |
2.02 lbs |
|
MEGAPIXELS |
20.1 MP |
16.0 MP |
20.1 MP |
|
BURST RATE |
Up to 24fps |
Up to 7fps |
Up to 12fps |
|
AUTOFOCUS POINTS |
315 |
N/A |
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
After analyzing the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV, we can confidently say that it is a highly impressive camera. Its 0.03-second autofocus and 25x optical zoom are standout features that make it a great option for those who want to take stunning photos and videos. The camera’s zoom Zeiss lens is one of the best in the world, allowing users to capture images of wildlife from a wide range of distances.
While the lack of an articulated screen can be a downside for some, the camera’s overall performance and image quality more than make up for it. The RX10 IV is an excellent all-around camera that can replace the need for multiple lenses, making it a great option for traveling photographers.
Overall, we highly recommend the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV to anyone looking for a versatile and high-performing camera. Its price may be a bit steep, but the quality of the images and videos it produces make it well worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that before making a purchase, you may have some questions about the Sony RX10 IV. In this section, we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions to help you make an informed decision.
What are the common issues with the Sony RX10 IV?
While the Sony RX10 IV is a great camera, it does have some minor issues. One of the most common issues is the lack of a fully articulating screen, which can make it difficult to shoot from certain angles. Additionally, the camera is quite heavy, which can make it uncomfortable to carry around for extended periods of time.
How does the Sony RX10 IV perform in low light situations?
The Sony RX10 IV performs exceptionally well in low light conditions, thanks to its optical image stabilization technology. This technology is especially valuable for handheld still and movie shooting, even at the ultra-telephoto end of the zoom range up to 600mm. Additionally, the camera has a fast aperture range of F2.4-F4, which allows for better low light performance.
Can the Sony RX10 IV be recommended for wildlife photography?
Absolutely! The Sony RX10 IV is an excellent choice for wildlife photography, thanks to its versatile 24-600mm F2.4-F4 ZEISS Vario Sonnar T lens. Additionally, the camera has a 315 point phase-detection AF system, which covers approximately 65% of the frame. This makes it easier to capture fast-moving subjects, such as birds in flight.
What improvements have been made in the Sony RX10 IV over its predecessors?
The Sony RX10 IV has several improvements over its predecessors, including a faster AF acquisition time of 0.03 seconds and up to 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking. It also has an improved 315 point phase-detection AF system, which covers approximately 65% of the frame. Additionally, the camera has a versatile 24-600mm F2.4-F4 ZEISS Vario Sonnar T lens.
What are the standout features and limitations of the Sony RX10 IV?
The standout features of the Sony RX10 IV include its fast AF acquisition time of 0.03 seconds, up to 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking, and versatile 24-600mm F2.4-F4 ZEISS Vario Sonnar T lens. Additionally, the camera has a 315 point phase-detection AF system, which covers approximately 65% of the frame.
One of the limitations of the Sony RX10 IV is its lack of a fully articulating screen, which can make it difficult to shoot from certain angles. Additionally, the camera is quite heavy, which can make it uncomfortable to carry around for extended periods of time.
How does the image quality of the Sony RX10 IV compare to other cameras in its class?
The Sony RX10 IV has excellent image quality, thanks to its 20.1 MP 1″ back illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with DRAM. The camera also has a fast aperture range of F2.4-F4, which allows for better low light performance. In comparison to other cameras in its class, the Sony RX10 IV is a top performer in terms of image quality.
Other Models Reviewed
If you would like to read more reviews of cameras for wildlife photography, you can check out our other reviews below:
Other Camera Reviews
If you would like to read more about camera options for wildlife photography, make sure you check out our Master Guide to Wildlife Photography Cameras.
For even more specific options, you can check out our other reviews below:
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Budget
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Planned activitiy
Sony RX10 IV Reviews Online
When doing your research, you might want to read what other publications have to say about the Sony RX10 IV camera.
Here are some of the most popular reviews from the web.
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV review – by dpreview.com
Camera Review: Sony RX10 IV for bird photography – by conservationmag.org
About the Author
Born and raised in Southern Spain, Antonio quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight.
They visited 150+ countries, cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions.
Today Antonio runs Adventure Fix with Amanda, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix