Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV Digital Camera

Like the RX100 Mark III, the Mark IV earns our Editor’s Choice. This small package is expensive and it’s a niche camera, but it’s possibly the best compact digicam you can buy; there is some truly amazing enhanced performance over its predecessor and the competition.

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  1-inch, 20.1MP “stacked” CMOS sensor, Outstanding photos and videos, 4K and super-slow-motion modes, Improved EVF

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  Even pricier than before, Limited focal range, Mediocre battery life

A nice choice if you're looking for an advanced compact with class-leading video capabilities, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is a little expensive if you just want a good camera for shooting stills.

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  Great video features to supplement its 4K capabilities distinguish the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV from the rest of the advanced-compact pack. It also retains the nice design perks, like a popup electronic viewfinder, of the earlier RX100 models.

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  Like its predecessor, the autofocus system could be more consistent and the battery life has gotten even worse.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV offers serious video improvements over the RX100 III, but it is very expensive for a compact camera.

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  Wide-aperture zoom lens. 1-inch image sensor. Strong low light performance. 16.1fps burst shooting. Customizable controls. Large, tilting LCD. Pop-up OLED EVF. Quick autofocus. Raw shooting support. Wi-Fi with NFC. Super slow-motion video. 4K recording.

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  Expensive. Short zoom range. Omits hot shoe. External charger not included.

The RX100 IV gains some headline-grabbing features such as high frame rate and 4K video but it's the smaller features that most impressed us. Continuous eye tracking, fast Raw burst modes with AF, and small user-interface changes have made the Mark IV the most responsive and enjoyable RX100 yet.

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  Some of the best image quality in any compact camera, ever, Impressively sharp 24-70mm equiv lens remains usefully bright throughout zoom range, Impressive image stabilization for stills, dramatically effective in video, Well implemented Eye AF system tracks subjects well, Superb high resolution...

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  Extensive feature set overwhelms the user interface, As a twin-dial camera, could be programmed better to make full use of both dials, Expensive compared to rivals, Short battery life, Lock-on AF can be unpredictable and laggy, Lens range will be limiting for some users, No microphone socket,...

Sony keeps upping the ante with their RX100-series of premium compact cameras. Now on its fourth-generation model, the Sony RX100 IV introduces a host of performance-oriented improvements and new features, including 4K video capture, 16fps continuous burst shooting and a very fun high frame rate...

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  Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video;...

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  Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

The RX100 IV becomes one of the smallest traditional compacts with 4k video, and the slow motion modes from 4x to 40x are simply fantastic. Whether you're a film-maker, someone who analyses sports motion, or simply enjoys footage of your kids or pets running and splashing around, the RX100 IV...

Although Sony has already made the fourth iteration of its RX100 camera, sadly, I have not had a chance to test and review any of the earlier models. After the Sony RX100 IV was announced, I told myself that I had to give this camera a try.

Simply put, the Sony RX100 IV is the best pocket camera money can buy today. Of course, it takes a lot of money to buy this camera, which is probably the only criticism that I have for the RX100 IV. At $950 retail, the potential audience is somewhat limited by the size of one’s wallet.

The most significant changes are the slow motion video feature and the high speed shutter speed of 1/30,000, along with a new auto-focusing system. Sony has kept the compact size and who can fault it for keeping a winning formula?

Every year, point-and-shoot cameras march closer towards their extinction as smartphones continue to eat their lunch. The only way for a point-and-shoot to stand out and earn your hard-earned money is to come armed to the teeth with high-tech features your phone doesn't have.

Before purchasing the Sony RX100 IV I was using the RX100 III. I gave it to a family member so they could take high quality photos of their kids. The RX100 cameras take excellent photos in auto mode, so I thought they would enjoy it.

I bought this camera prior to a family trip to two national parks. Once I started taking pictures with it, I didn't bother to take out my dslr during the trip. I was very impressed with how sharp the photos turned out.

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  Easy selfies with adjustable LCD screen, Good photos from Automatic modes, Image quality, Size

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  Price

After returning the RX100 for repair, I received it back with a note indicating the service was a total rebuild of the camera. Guess what, 2 months later, it is failing again, camera freezes randomly, and every time Pano mode is selected, only way to fix is to remove battery and hope it restarts.

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  Large Clear LCD

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  Short Battery Life

I took this Sony on a trip recently. Worked wonderfully in a variety of lighting situations. This time I wanted a small camera that was easy to use, had a great selection of menus and was easy to carry in a bag.

Features galore! Still learning. Carrying it along with my a7rii which is unreal.

It was a great camera and it took great pictures while it was alive, but less than 6 months after end of warranty and it developed the battery drain problem. When turned off it will drain the battery to 0 overnight. I hear this is a common problem with these cameras.

Low light performance was the primary draw to this camera. I have DSLRs with comparable performance, but compared to current phones and last generation point and shoot cameras, this takes amazing shots.