Sony RX100 IV
Announced June 10, 2015
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is a powerful, pocket-sized camera that delivers impressive image quality and advanced video features like 4K and high-frame-rate recording. While it serves as a top-tier compact, the high price tag and limited battery life may give some photographers pause.
Weighted from 43 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image quality from the 1-inch sensor
- Versatile 4K and high-frame-rate video capabilities
- Compact, pocketable design with a pop-up electronic viewfinder
- Fast autofocus system and high-speed burst shooting
- Bright, sharp f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss lens
Cons
- High price point compared to competitors
- Short battery life, especially when shooting video
- No touchscreen or external microphone input
- Limited 4K recording time and tendency to overheat
- Slippery, grip-less body with cramped controls
- Launch price $949 (USD)
- Sensor 20.1MP 1-inch Stacked BSI CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
What the Reviewers Say
All 43 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- DPReview 85/100
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.
-
All told, Sony squeezes so much good stuff into the slim yet robust RX100 IV that it’s an easy Dave’s Pick.
-
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.
-
As you can see from this review, the Sony RX100 IV is a little powerhouse that is not only capable of delivering outstanding image quality for its sensor size but also superb 4K and slow-motion video.
-
It’s nearly a toss up, but if forced to pick one as Just Right, we’d likely go with the RX100 IV.
-
For the money, this is the best option currently available.
-
The improvements that have been made to the RX100 IV are centred around its new sensor.
-
Before, I would have said the LX100 is a serious contender, but I would take this guy over it. Little more clunky controls, but everything else, this is the gold standard for compacts now.
-
This is a seriously well-rounded pocket camera.
-
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV features a new high speed 1inch 20.3 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor that gives the ability to record 4K video, high speed video, as well as high speed continuous shooting.
-
Sony has made some good improvements to what is already an excellently performing camera, but there are still a few small problems with the RX100 IV which make it just slightly less than perfect.
-
I can recommend it to people if you're looking for something to carry around or it's your first point and shoot.
-
The Sony RX100 IV is a great compact camera for most people. It’s small and easy to carry around, and it takes great photos and videos.
-
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV offers serious video improvements over the RX100 III, but it is very expensive for a compact camera.
-
If you want something that's great for everyday shooting, includes some fun and high-end features such as 4K shooting, and fits neatly in your pocket – and if you can stretch to that asking price – then you can't go far wrong.
-
For such a small camera, the RX100 IV resolves impressive detail from its 1-inch sensor.
- Digital Trends 8.5/10
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.
- CNET 8.2/10
If you’re simply looking for an advanced compact for still photography, cheaper models like the RX100 III or the LX100 are better bets; they deliver equal or better photo quality, and while the LX100 is a little slower, it’s still in the same ballpark.
-
The RX100 mark IV is very close to perfection. It offers so much in such a tiny little body that it is almost overwhelming.
-
The Sony RX100 IV, like its predecessors, is a marvel of miniaturization. This is quite a powerful camera for its size and it takes photos and videos that look noticeably better than point and shoots.
-
Take it for what it is, a compact camera with quite an amazing set of features that some bigger cameras don't have. It makes a great addition to a photographer's kit, a camera you can get some top quality stills or video when you don't want to bring the big stuff out.
-
Like the previous RX100s, version IV makes a strong case that it's the best point-and-shoot you can buy.
-
Simply put, the Sony RX100 IV is the best pocket camera money can buy today.
- Photo Review 8.7/10
Like its predecessors, the RX100 Mark IV pack a lot into a very pocketable body and delivers pretty good performance.
-
[T]he newest RX100, or what I call it, “the Super Pocket Rocket 100” (RX100 IV) is a real deal masterpiece of a point and shoot.
-
A more detailed and faster autofocus system wouldn't go amiss, but even so the Sony RX100 is still the high-end compact camera to beat.
-
There’s no denying that the RX100 IV is a hugely impressive camera. At this price it really needs to be.
-
The RX100 has long been Sony’s flagship Cyber-shot compact. It’s the leader in its point-and-shoot squad, gathering up cutting edge features and high-performance components and stuffing them neatly into a pocket-sized camera.
-
This is a great camera, there is no doubt about it. Image quality is first class, 4K and slow motion videos are outstanding, LCD is great, electronic viewfinder is great, lens is great.
-
Alright guys, so the bottom line for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV in my opinion is it's an excellent camera.
-
I think it's worth it because by the time that you spend the money to get a DSLR or a mirrorless camera and a lens that can perform and do what this Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV does, you're going to be in for it much over $950.
-
The Sony RX-100 Mk IV shoots super-fast, handles nearly perfectly and makes great looking photos. The RX100/4 works faster than just about any other camera and the pictures are always sharp and clear.
-
The images shot on this little gem are, beyond doubt, impressive. But would you be doing newfangled stuff like slow motion videography or capture bursting balloons in a split second?
-
So should you buy one? If you don't care about the 4K video this is the best camera you can buy (in that category) or you can go ahead and buy Sony RX100M3 which doesn't have 4K at all so it's out of sight, out of mind.
-
The bottom line on this camera: if you need a 4K capable, truly pocketable camera with excellent quality, this is an awesome option for you.
-
[T]he Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is an improvement over last year, looks the same, has a lot of the same features, but Sony just made those incremental improvements that they do every year to kind of make this camera just one step above the rest of the competition.
-
I’ve kept this short because I believe the images speak for themselves on this one.
-
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV brings in new features that a lot of people will appreciate, and with Sony's new sensor technology, it's the most advanced and fastest camera in its range while still maintaining its compact form factor.
-
I'm in love with this camera. The compact size, the dynamic range, the high resolution photos and videos, the quick autofocus, the built-in ND filters, the pop-up LCD, the EVF, everything about this camera.
-
This is really a remarkable camera for the price tag.
-
The Sony RX100 IV is the camera you want to document your adventures when you prefer light weight, a small size and superb image quality.
-
It's an absolutely awesome camera, but it's only for those people that really know what they're doing, not for someone to go and take on holiday to take some pictures of the family.
-
Sony has definitely taken over the pocket camera series or market with this series right here. And it's it's definitely top of the line, top of its class, valictorian of the pocket cameras.
