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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV first impressions review posted

Published Jul 13, 2015 | Jeff Keller, Richard Butler

The fourth iteration of Sony's Cyber-shot RX100 series brings a host of high-speed features from super slow-mo movies to 4K video with virtually no rolling shutter. It all stems from the RX100 IV's 20MP stacked CMOS sensor and the additional room for high speed circuitry that the design allows. Our full review is well under way; for now take a look at the first installment.

Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV first impressions review

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Comments

Total comments: 1600

Sony need to work on some cons.
If possible fix it via firmware upgrade.
The other which not possible try to fix it on next version

0 upvotes

You cannot go wrong with any of the RX100 iterations. For those that complain about the price then I recommend you try finding something better and buy it. Like it or not Sony reinvented the interest in premium compact cameras.

Do a Google search on this camera and read the reviews thoroughly and the conclusion always comes to it is the best compact pocket camera you can buy.

The first true competitor might just be the recently announced DL 24-85, but reviews are still pending.

2 upvotes

Hi!
it´s quite amazing that Dan editing the RAWs like I do. On expense of noise, he highlights the shadows and encreases the details. I think the biuld in noise reduction is too strict. The high ISO photos become unreasonable mushy, while the low ISO jepgs are OK. Obvioulsy the jpeg engine of the Mark IV does not work in a different way, than my Mark II. When you don´t view in original size the edited phots are even at high ISO very nice.

Edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Still way too expensive for what it is...
Drop it once and you lost a 1000$.

1 upvote

I want to buy this camera, but I'm afraid Sony can release an updated camera before summer, and I do't want to buy a almost outdated camera. Does anyone knows if this will happen?

Is people happy with it?

0 upvotes

The RX100 I was announced in June 2012.
The RX100 II was announced in June 2013.
The RX100 III was announced in June 2014.
The RX100 IV was announced in June 2015.

Just looking at this, it doesn't seem too far fetched to expect an RX100 V to be announced around June 2016.

With product cycles like these, you're almost always buying a camera that's "outdated" in a couple months. Then again, you can still buy the RX100 I new.

3 upvotes

I think its smart to keep selling the old models at a lower price.

For the RX100 V, I hope for some improved ergonomics and menu, but I doubt it with Sony... they've been resistant to improving the menu since the nex5 days.

The other thing I'd like to see would be an extension of the zoom to ~ somewhere between 90 and 135mm at the long end, to improve the ability to get typical portrait shots.

1 upvote

I Like to answer on the answer about birding. I am not birding I only shoot birds out side of my home feeders hanging of a couple trees in front of the windows they are about 12 to 15 feet from the house. By the way I do have other cameras, Canon D5 and D7 mark II. I do not need to buy another camera.

For the ones it like to know about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV about the telephoto. You like to increase the telephoto click on menu and set the camera to Digital Zoom under the gear wheel # 3

Precious9

0 upvotes

Great camera, but still worth the price difference from the RX100 III? I have a Nikon D750 but want to have a pocket camera and was looking to it.

0 upvotes

Awesome point and Shoot! Worth the money.

Edited 4 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

So true!

0 upvotes

I wish it has a hot shoe for a wireless trigger and off camera flash :(

0 upvotes

I just posted a message about this camera giving me message writing to the memory card not completely correctly. Recover data? when I hit enter It tells me Execute? This may damage data that was added edited on another device. When I enter it tells me Reinsert the memory card that you were using. I did and the same message came up with the same card and 5 different cards

Please help anyone.
Hildegard

0 upvotes

Format the card inside the camera

Edited 2 times; latest 2 minutes since posting

0 upvotes

This camera keeps telling me every time I insert a new SD card writing to the memory card was not completely correctly Recover data? It does this with everyone of my cards I tried 5 different cards.
I can no longer use the camera.
Help
Hildegard

0 upvotes

Some great images there but seeing a lot of graininess (albeit fine - in ISO125 images and even in JPEGs straight out of the camera

0 upvotes

What languages are supported by the camera in the menu settings.

0 upvotes

Does the RX100 Mk.IV have the built-in 3-stop ND filter like the RX10 Mk.II? I read somewhere that it does but couldn't find corresponding info here on the spec sheet.

0 upvotes

I believe it does

0 upvotes

thanks Bstev

0 upvotes

It does, it's in the key specs here
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-iv

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV key specifications

20.1MP 1"-type stacked CMOS sensor
F1.8-2.8 24-70mm equivalent Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
Optical image stabilization
1/32000 sec max shutter speed (1/2000 using mechanical shutter)
16 fps continuous shooting (with metering and focus fixed at the first shot)
Slow motion video recording up to 1000 fps (960fps in NTSC mode)
4K (UHD) video recording with full sensor readout and bit rates up to 100Mbps
Picture Profile modes including S-Log2 gamma setting
Dual recording captures 17MP stills while recording up to 1080/30p video
Tilting 3" LCD with 1.3m dots
Pop-up 2.36m dot OLED electronic viewfinder
Built-in ND filter (with Auto mode)
Wi-Fi with NFC

1 upvote

i got this camera for concert environments so the 1.8 lens is essential.
the video with stabilization is so good it trumps all these faults:
no mike input
no refined sound control
TERRIBLE concert sound like an iPhone 1
no hot shoe
poor hi iso
annoying menu navigation - things seem out of order
annoying button behaviors - different things come up
delay in movie off so you keep trying cuz you dont know
if it's off then you accumulate a bunch of 1 sec. movies
Easy to miss movie on and off and some others
auto focus is pretty smooth during movies, but
suddenly it's searching while recording even tho
it was nicely focused
others

but i am determined to master this thing.

1 upvote

Sorry meant to comment above

Edited 42 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

DPR or others;

Does your RX100s has the same issue?

SONY RX100s have the same issue as I found in my M3 detailed in below.

I also tried "Sport modes" when I was in the store, all RX100s (M1-M4) have very much the same issue in Sport mode that " focus pulsates into and out of focus rapidly when the shutter button if pressed half way" as some others also noticed:

https://community.sony.com/t5/Cybershot-Cameras/The-AF-C-continuous-focusing-in-the-DSC-RX100-doesn-t-work/td-p/65869

BTW, In Sport mode, my M3 has the issue regardless of the "Focus area" is set to Wide or Lock-On AF wide.

As well, the very same issue can be found in any mode when using AF-C.

Any thought?

Edited 40 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Yes, off course focus 'pulsates' in and out - that's how contrast detect AF works. Luckily, on the Mark III and IV, at least the camera opens up to F2.8 no matter what your shooting aperture is. On previous RX100 iterations, if you'd set the camera to F11, it'd 'pulsate' over an incredibly wide range, since it wouldn't open up the aperture during AF-C. With the Mark III and IV, the camera opens up to F2.8, which yields relatively shallow DOF so that focus doesn't have to 'hunt' over too large a range to determine focus.

Still, I wish the camera would open up to F1.8 on the wide end for AF-C. This is something we've fed back to the engineers.

But, again, any CDAF system will necessarily have to 'pulsate' for continuous AF. That's how it determines the maximal point of contrast, which is defined as focus.

0 upvotes

For AF-C, Is RX100s' "focus 'pulsates' in and out" supposedly endless?

Edited 22 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

...make it more clear:

RX100s' AF-C present endless "focus 'pulsates' in and out" even while camera and subject have no any movement

0 upvotes

Is Image Quality(JPEG) the output after considering optics?

1 upvote

Here's a strange problem. I changed the video format to PAL. On restarting, the camera posted "Running on PAL" - apparently a gentle reminder to format the memory card, fine. However, after formatting it KEPT posting this warning. The only way to get rid of it was to switch back to NTSC and do a format to get rid of the (single) "Running on NTSC" warning.

Is this normal or do I have a dud? Having to acknowledge that I am using PAL every time I turn on the camera is not acceptable ...

0 upvotes

Bought a 32GB card that will not let me use 100 MBit codecs/formats.
How can one tell what is working or not. I am really confused.
What IS working, Sandisk SDSDXPB-032G-A46 or other models?

I will not buy a new card unless I am absolutely sure it will work and be able to us all of the cameras features.

0 upvotes

Look at the memory card chart at the beginning of this review.

3 upvotes

No.

The card needs to be SDXC with speed rating of U3.

The one you suggested is marked SDHC, so won't work (it's about file system, not speed).

1 upvote

I got mine yesterday. Wow. I shoot OM-D mostly for my pro shots, but this little guy will make your head spin in that sweet-spot of focal lengths. And, oooh nooo. There goes Tokyo...RX100 does supreme video. Errr.. I'm in on the RX100 deal.

Edited 6 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Will the Mark 4 allow for a shallower DOF than the Mark 3?

0 upvotes

No. It has the same lens and sensor as M3.

1 upvote

WARNING: NOT all SDXC UHS U3 class10 cards are suitable for 100 MBit!

When purchasing my rx100 IV 2 days ago i bought a "Sandisk Extreme SDXC UHS I U3 class 10 64GB" card (from an official Sandisk brick & mortar dealer), which SHOULD have been fine for all recording formats / bitrates - as per the article here - and ALSO according to the manual...

BUT: it is NOT accepted by the camera for the 100 MBit codecs/formats - it just goes up to 60 Mbit

so beware - CONTRARY to what is being communicated apparently NOT ALL SDXC UHS U3 class 10 cards are OK for 100 MBit - which also includes well reknown brands!

Bought a "SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB SDXC U3 class10" card today which works fine, but not happy about the misinformation.

0 upvotes

no matter what fancy marketing terms they tag onto it,
a CLASS-10 card is a Class-10 card.

you also have to pay attention to read versus write speeds.
many manufacturers quote in big bold lettering the read speed, which is always much faster. what you need to be concerned with is the WRITE speed.

0 upvotes

ps: I'm guessing here... when you said class10... but you also said u3. perhaps download a free utility to test the card's actual read/write speeds. good way to detect fakes, or just defective cards.

0 upvotes

Hi wallpaper_guy. I'm checking this card but specs are:

Read Speed: up to 95 MB/s
Write Speed: up to 90 MB/s

Is this one? Camera needs 100Mb/s. Please can you help me with the exact model? Thank you so much

Edited 34 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Now I am really confused.
What IS working?
Sandisk SDSDXPB-032G-A46
or other models?
How can one tell what is working or not.
I have already bought a card that will not let me use 100 MBit codecs/formats. What a wast that was.
I will not buy a new card unless I am absolutely shore it will work and be able to us all of the cameras features.

0 upvotes

Dont confuse MB/s with Mbits.
All (genuine) class 10 U3 cards of 64gb or higher will easily cope with the data rate of 4k video from the MK4.
Your 1st card may be fake, or try to re-format again in camera, it should work.
cheers,
Will

0 upvotes

indeed, there are 8Mbits in 1MBit per second.
the standard has it's origins from serial communications, and everything was measured in Mb/s. at some point, however, some ISPs' salespeople and marketing started quoting things in MB/s, not knowing there is actually a difference.
So it is hard to tell, if they really mean MB, or if it's an accidentally on purpose typo on their packaging.
Best test the speed of your cards, and double-check the specs of card and camera's requirements.
PS: usually the write speeds are much less than the read speeds, and very often, they quote the read speed on the packaging.

Edited 40 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Please correct the the Sensor type in specifications. RX100 IV is not BSI-CMOS.

0 upvotes

How easy is it to set custom white balance on this camera?

0 upvotes

You can choose from various presets, choose a color temperature, or save an existing auto value from an image. Pretty easy, I would say.

0 upvotes

Which of the 5 SD cards will work with all of the features of the camera? Why hasn't the reviewer explicitly stated this card?

2 upvotes

Two failures so far with the RX100M4. The first camera had metering problems - left to its own devices it overexposed everything by around 2 -3 stops. The second completely died after one week - will not power on. Waiting for another replacement. I hope this is just bad luck.

Has anyone else seen or heard of either of these issues?

3 upvotes

where is it made, in China?

0 upvotes

Yes - made in China. It feels well made though. The 2nd replacement is still working fine, but I have noticed a few more reviews elsewhere reporting what sounds like the power problem. Just before I sent the 2nd one back I discovered that tapping it briskly on the bench resulted in it powering up, so I suspect a QA issue with the power supply.

0 upvotes

I got a new Sony RX100 III, its great. I want to get a 64GB card for it but i don know witch to choose. After seeing this review, I am wandering if my m3 has any function limitations depending on the card type (as the m4 does).

Anyone know?

0 upvotes

ok, replying to my own thing here
here is what I found
http://alikgriffin.com/feb/03/best-sony-rx100-iii-memory-cards-speed-tests

Seames you need a SDXC card (minimum size on these is 64GB)

0 upvotes

I've got an RX100m2 which I love - except for two very irritating flaws.

First off, the clock gains about 30 seconds per month - I haven't seen such poor timekeeping in the last 20 years. When using time to synchronise with an external GPS this matters, when moving, 30 seconds can translate to quite a distance. Yes, I can photograph the GPS time readout and correct for the error - but still :-)

The other flaw is the excessive time it takes for the camera to turn itself off (i.e. retract the lens) - I find myself waiting for it to do so when out hiking and wanting to stow it. Turning off the review doesn't help much.

I wonder whether these flaws have been fixed (unless of course they are specific to my copy).

0 upvotes

I'm curious to see this camera vs the 5100 with kit lens... or the Pani lx100...

1 upvote

Just go to the comparison feature. RX100 IV superior in optics and performance, LX100 for ergonomics.

5100 only if you wanna change lenses.

1 upvote

I wonder, which of the two will be better in low light? The LX100's larger sensor seems to give it an edge here.

1 upvote

I still wonder where those currency conversion rates come from...

0 upvotes

Comparing the studio test scene, I would say that the Canon G7 x performs better, especially at the corners..

5 upvotes

The Canon G7X compared to the RX100 II. LOL

Where is the EVF on the G7X?

2 upvotes

Where's the hot shoe Sony? Almost $1000 and no hot shoe. To small to hold comfortably

0 upvotes

jennyhappy2 in fairness the comparison was IQ, not EVF or anything else.

4 upvotes

Take a look at the review here..Optics and Performance far surpass the G7X....nice camera, but not in the same league.

2 upvotes

@jennyhappy2: mmm...why don't you take a look at the studio test scene, as the OP suggests, and judge by yourself?

Edited 29 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

You are right about the studio scene. In the real world scene (see lens comparison section) Sony is better at 24mm and maximum aperture, but Canon seems to perfom better as the focal length increases.

Edited 42 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

@alenis you are right. Well done Canon !

0 upvotes

Instead of looking at one focal length/aperture in our studio scene, please take a look at the more comprehensive lens widget for these cameras here.

In our infinity test scene, only at 70mm wide open is the G7X a tad bit better than RX100 III/IV, but for all other focal lengths, the RX100 III/IV lens is significantly better. And it's drastically better for focal lengths between 24mm & 35mm.

And for the 70mm focal length, once you stop do F5.6, there's not much difference between the two cameras, with the RX100 III looking even sharper further out from the center but not at extreme edges. Remember to not look only at extremes, as sharpness can vary across the entire field.

The same cannot be said about the shorter focal lengths for the G7X though, where stopping down does not help it catch up to the RX100 III.

This is precisely why we suggest not to draw lens comparisons from our studio scene. Incomplete picture.

2 upvotes

Thanks Rishi!

1 upvote

@Rishi I checked again the various focal length/aperture combinations in the studio scene. Sony is better up to 35mm; at 50mm Sony and Canon are more or less equal; at 70mm Canon is better. Canon then offers 30mm more.

0 upvotes

great post

0 upvotes

good one post

0 upvotes

I am using the RX100 m1. it's the worst to handle camera i have encouterd. yet M4 and no improvements. Front and back dial not useful as it is now. always have to dig in the menu. It can be much better; Sony have a look at e.g. the Olympus XZ-10. a highly customizable cam. much more easy to use!

5 upvotes

The XZ-10 has the same amount of buttons as any RX100. And you can customize almost all of the buttons and dials on the RX100 IV.

1 upvote

The XZ-10 has the same amount of buttons, yet is much more user-friendly! because the buttons act indepent of each other and can be highly customized. Perhaps Sony can design well thought out menus in the M5. Till then i use my m1.

0 upvotes

not bad..it gets only 85%..
too expensiv for this class of Cameras...for almost 1000 $

4 upvotes

85% is one of the highest scores we've ever awarded.

4 upvotes

Only 85%????? Can you please provide an alternative that you think is actually better?

2 upvotes

85 seems fair and you need to leave room for better things in the near future...micro 4/3 or APSC or even full frame sensor size will (one day) be in these things, or SOME TECH which mirrors what we define those sensor sizes as now.

Rx100 needs better ergonomics.
24/28 megapixels
Bigger sensor.
Better native REZ from the super slow mo.

There are LOTS of obvious things for sony to squeeze into this little thing to maintain its portability and ability to get good video and photos.

Don't expect a decent mic input as they want to protect their more expensive models.

0 upvotes

Lots of noise reduction there.

4 upvotes

nice cam good one

0 upvotes

The samples appear very grainy even at low ISO and not particularly sharp. To my eye, the results from the III are superior.

3 upvotes

Seriously?????

2 upvotes

@jennyhappy2 yup, seriously. You just got one or what ?

1 upvote

I had an RX100mk3 which I really thought had excellent IQ in all situations. Sold it when I ordered the mk4. I've regretted it. The mk4 seemed to give poorer results when shooting indoors and ISO of 800-1600 for some reason. I ended up a bit agonized and returned it near the end of the return period -- and now I have neither.

Ironically, the 4K video was not of much interest; other things (like EVF not turning off the camera) were, but IQ was just not acceptable in some of my very normal shots.

0 upvotes

In this review of the new Sony RX 100 m4 it is mentioned that only specific memory card can be used to be able use all of the cameras features.

Would SanDisk SDSDXPB-064G-A46 - 64GB be such a card?

I've only found 64GB capacity card to comply with SDXC. Is this correct?

0 upvotes

That is an SDXC card rated as speed class U3, so that will allow the use of all the camera's features (other cards work, they just don't allow the full range of features).

There are plenty of SDXC cards around, both larger and smaller, I believe.

2 upvotes

Richard - thank you for your reply.

Since I want all of the features the camera has to offer I just buy the one I listed just in case.
Could have gone for a 32GB card but the specs confuse me more than they are of any meaningful information.

1 upvote

McIro - I know what you mean. The naming conventions for SD cards have become unhelpfully confusing.

0 upvotes

So funny, there are those that think a touchscreen is more important than a built in EVF. Well, I say we leave it up to Sony as they seem to know what they are doing far better than the competition, as there has yet to be a true competitor to the RX100 series.

Yes, there seems there are those who have tried, but they are too busy focusing on yesterday's technology so they are always a generation behind.

Sony, congrats on the RX100 IV ~ Best Pocket Compact Camera!

Edited 5 minutes after posting

4 upvotes

I very much agree the EVF is key to RX100 success and value, something not enough emphazised in the review.

But since a lot of people buying a compact and taking part in this thread are not into Photography, many don't value the EVF as much as it deserves.

3 upvotes

Hi. This is my first post, so please be gentle. :)

There are 2 reasons why I'd buy the RX100 IV even though I do agree that it's overpriced:

1. I love slowmo videos, and don't think there is another pocketable camera on the market with a 1-inch sensor capable of 1080p/120fps video. The Panasonic TZ70 is less than half the price of the Sony, but it can only do 120fps at 720p/120fps, and its sensor is 1/2.3" (amazing 24–720mm zoom though!)

2. I 'm no photo expert, but it should surpass the photo quality of my Canon S95. :)

I've also been looking at the GoPro Hero 4 Black, which can do 1080p/120fps & 720p/240fps. The combination of a fixed fisheye lens, no LCD & a 1/2.3" sensor are a deal-breaker. Sure, you can get the LCD addon & the ribcage for it to attach any C/CS/M12 lens. But this requires doing delicate GoPro surgery, which would substantially increase the camera size & void your GoPro warranty. The overall cost would be equivalent to, or even be above, the Sony's.

2 upvotes

Just so you know, the original RX100 would surpass the photo quality of your Canon S95. LOL

2 upvotes

The S95 was released in 2010, the original RX100 in 2012. Bigger sensor, later technology, etc. Of course it would be better than my S95! But just so you know, I've had no real reason to think about upgrading until the extra video features of the IV have become reality. :)

0 upvotes

Can't compare sensor sizes. The S95 used a CCD sensor, the RX-100 a CMOS sensor. I've done a lot of experimenting, and found that you need about 6x the area of a CMOS sensor to match the light sensitivity of a CCD sensor. I was very disappointed initially comparing still photos between the RX-100 and S95, and to this day, if it's not a daytime outdoor scene, I shoot stills with my S95. I use my RX-100 mainly for video.

To be fair, I've just done a very detailed comparison in low light stills between an S95 and G9X, which uses the 1" BSI-CMOS sensor found in the RX-100 m2 and m3. The results are promising - optimized 1" CMOS is getting *close* to the performance of the S95. Enough that I'd live with it if they could make the other features work as well.

Edited 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I don't think I'd be asking too much for an external mic. jack with wireless flash capability for a camera at this price.

Edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

SONY should add wireless flash capability.

1 upvote

then they should also put GPS, astrotracer, light ambient sensor, GLONASS and 4G.

3 upvotes

the same people who want a touch screen would complain of the fingerprints

1 upvote

How do you know that? Prove it.

3 upvotes

... and the same people justifying not having one will consider it the best thing since sliced bread when Sony finally introduces it.

2 upvotes

Unless they come out with an amazing new interface to use it with, no. And if they do, it will be so different, it will interfere with the normal button-driven interface. The only thing that will work well without wrecking everything is touch point selection, which doesn't have to alter the OSD's layout. That's one thing. Certainly not enough to warrant the additional cost of a touchscreen. You can always play with your phone and the PlayMemories app if you want to control your phone from a touchscreen. ;)

1 upvote

I love a touch screen on cameras - Sony has it in the A5100, touch to focus in video is very good. No reason to not share the wealth here.

1 upvote

its proven below

0 upvotes

No touch screen. RIP

3 upvotes

touch sceen is for lazy people and besides you can control it via smartphone in touch screen. duh!

6 upvotes

Oh yes, because when I holding a camera in my hand, I also want to play with my smartphone at the same time.

12 upvotes

really? you can do that. duhhh. The purpose of smartphone operation is remote controlling e.g. groupies or mounted on a tripod.

People complain of no touchscreen and to think it's useless bec. the body is already small and (almost) all buttons can be operated from one hand. And besides touchscreen is useless as it only adds unnecessary cost. And Imagine this, it's funny to see holding a compact camera while the other hand is touching the screen, how awkward would that be. Then imagine a guy with big hands doing it. LOL.

Edited 2 times; latest 1 minute since posting

3 upvotes

Okay, I gave up on replying.

6 upvotes

The need to have a smartphone in one's hand all the time is now considered a addictive psychotic illness by mental health professionals. I agree with this assessment as I observe those walking around with their phone glued to their hand appear disconnected, trancelike, and have a complete lack of situational awareness. Put the thing down and take some pictures.

7 upvotes

it s funny, I wouldnt even consider it if it had touch screen!

2 upvotes

As one of very few people left who does not own a smart phone, or any cell phone for that matter, it is interesting to be a part of a society glued to these devices. Small wonder the ability to connect and work with each other is getting much harder to accomplish. No touch screen? That is a plus in my book.

Edited 2 times; latest 1 minute since posting

2 upvotes

@globethrottle and Roger -- Touch screens can be easily disabled. It simply gives you a choice, it does not force you to use it.

1 upvote

then you must have a very small hands while holding a small camera while tinkering the touch screen.

2 upvotes

Just as a counter to that I hate the idea of touch screens on the small LCDs on cameras. Too easy to touch the wrong thing by mistake. Unless you can turn the feature off it would be something that would make me not want to buy the camera.

2 upvotes

@tbcass -- Well, OF COURSE you can turn it off. Give me an example of a modern Sony or MFT camera where you cannot.

0 upvotes

"onlooker" Since I've never owned a camera with a touch screen how would I know if you can turn it off or not? That said I fail to understand why a touch screen should be a make or break feature in a camera as the OP implied. It's one of those features that might be nice to have for some people but shouldn't the camera's ability to take good photos be the #1 priority? It falls into the useful but optional category like GPS and a top LCD. I just think the OP was looking for a reason to put the camera down.

0 upvotes

"That said I fail to understand why a touch screen should be a make or break feature in a camera as the OP implied."

One-touch focus point selection (with optional shutter release). That's just one. I am sure the OP can come up with more.

0 upvotes

Can turn the operation of touchscreen off. Can't turn the price of a touchscreen off.

0 upvotes

"Can't turn the price of a touchscreen off." -- Are you serious?

0 upvotes

@onlooker
"One-touch focus point selection (with optional shutter release). That's just one."

Do You really think that should be a make or break feature. I certainly don't understand why. If camera one without a touch screen is superior to camera 2 with a touch screen no serious photographer, even one who likes touch screens, would choose camera 2. Are we becoming that gadget obsessed?

0 upvotes

It is always funny to read rationalizations of any missing features. :)

The only reason to leave off something so cheap and easy to add is to differentiate models or set up improved successors. Touchscreens are much more efficient and speedy for many tasks. You don't really miss it if you never had it, same with most things.

It is still the most complete and capable pant pocket size camera without rationalizing into perfection. All have flaws.

4 upvotes

"If camera one without a touch screen is superior to camera 2 with a touch screen"

False dichotomy.

1 upvote

onlooker;

No it's not False dichotomy because the original post by Thsoft, said "No touch screen. RIP" which to me means that no matter how good the camera is he doesn't want it if it doesn't have a touch screen. My response to you was made with that post in mind which you seem to be defending.

A big problem with posting on these forums is the delay between posts and lack of face to face interaction results in meanings often getting lost.

Edited 3 times; latest 6 minutes since posting

0 upvotes

It is false dichotomy, because it is not a final choice. Each camera is a work in progress. Next version may have a touch screen. He is simply delaying his purchasing decision.

0 upvotes

I never delay a purchase based on the hope of something in the future. It could result in never buying anything. Maybe that is what the OP is doing and maybe not. Nobody knows but him so maybe it is a false dichotomy and maybe not. I've seen too many fanboys using things like this simply to put a competing product down.

0 upvotes

just snap the QX30 0r QX1 on or off of the smart phone, either way
you dont have to hold the camera, you can be in the story and still shoot the pictures, zoom the lens, etc. with or without the touch screen or GPS, it's your new choices and one of the future multiverse of photography. The collision between the mobile internet and still photography will be very interesting.

0 upvotes

Really? Without it will make you a bad photographer using an awesome camera?

0 upvotes

"Really? Without it will make you a bad photographer using an awesome camera?"

Please show me where he said that.

2 upvotes

Touch screen is a great option for consumers used to tablets and phones. They put it on 14" $300 laptops and $100 P&S cameras - not sure why it's missing here.

1 upvote

bec. the camera is so small and you will look silly operating it with both of your hands while the other one is touching the screen.

1 upvote

Arizona Sunset; The screen on the RX100 is so small that a touch screen would be very hard to use, at least it would for me. Maybe people with small fingers would feel differently but I have a hard enough time with my iPhone which has a screen twice as big.

0 upvotes

I hear the large hand dilemma. I play with the A5100 and GM5, and the GM5 is unbelievable touch implementation but at times it gets in the way. Accidental focus, missed buttons. The trick is to not try to do too much. The benefit is in video, autofocus, which the IV has more power in anyway. I think it would only make it stronger. Those that didn't like it could disable it. Maybe next time. I'll still probably buy it.

0 upvotes

Interesting little camera, thanks for the extensive review. Did you (or anyone else) find the lens to be 'breathing' or 'hunting' occasionally?

0 upvotes

One has to question why in the comparison tool it shows this 1" sensor'd RX100 IV is "better in low light" than the APS-C NX1. Really? Not with my eyes on your comparison tool.

3 upvotes

That's because the NX1 is rated against others in the semi professional category while the RX100 is in the Enthusiast large sensor compact category. The ratings only apply to cameras in the same category which are displayed when "include all categories" is not checked.

2 upvotes

Many users are reporting sensor overheating when recording 4K video with this camera. The RX10 II looks quite good however . . .

1 upvote

It should be overheating as SONY put DRAM into the back of the sensor while in a very small body.

Helpfully, the overheating will not:
- Impact the IQ
- Increasing the early failure rate.

Time will tell.

Edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

It's a frequent Sony problem to overheat before time limit is reached but RX10 II might be least bothered because of body size vs sensor size. You can notice a hot camera video being more noisy at higher ISO and even some degradation at lower sensitivities if very hot.

1 upvote

SONY may be able to find a way in RX100.M5.

BTW: "Helpfully, the overheating will not" should be read as "Hopefully....".

No good.

0 upvotes

It does appear to be a legitimate problem that Sony has to take a look at. Some like myself won't be bothered as I never shoot video. If I was into video this would bother me.

1 upvote

SONY could release a FW update to increasing the temperature of thermal protection to a degree that:

- Noise will be increased noticeably, but
- will not increasing the early failure rate noticeably

Or reduce the readout speed...

Anyway, SONY will find a way.

Edited 3 times; latest 9 minutes since posting

0 upvotes

"IchiroCameraGuy" None of the SLTs since the A55/A33 have problems with overheating in video because they use electronic IS. In addition my RX100 i has never overheated before the video time limit.

Edited 28 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Touch screen for scrouch teenths.

0 upvotes

Actually took Sony quite a while to release a firmware update for the RX100MkII to address an intermittent autofocus issue that created lots of buzzing/vibration. But as you said, they did find a way albeit eventually! It was driving me round the bend and I had one warranty replacement for it already.

0 upvotes

buy a go pro if you want video for 1/2 the price

0 upvotes

GoPro lens is too limiting.

1 upvote

thats lame i don't see any pro sports complaining plus interchangeable lenses are available

Edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I have a GoPro Hero4 Black. I have a Sony RX100 IV. Guess which one gets more use? ;)

They're two completely different things, even though they're both cameras. The IV is significantly more advanced in video, and in photos, it's just no contest, even in JPG. Battery life on both is probably the same, though! XD

0 upvotes

Yup, a pocket full of tricks. Nothing much beyond tricks. I wouldn't even pay $500 for this cam.

8 upvotes

then you want to trick sony to lower down the price? the camera's features are not trick btw, they are real.

4 upvotes

I bet if your favorite camera company came out with the same thing you wouldn't say that. Too many fanboys on DPR.

Edited 22 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

The only things that could really be considered "tricks" are 960p which is very soft but completely usable if necessary, and 4K, which can only be recorded in short consecutive bursts, or a 5 min block with a longer cool down interval. Everything else is certainly useful, and there are many other undocumented features (by reviewers) that improve the camera over its predecessor.

0 upvotes

The ability to capture stills and video simultaneously is a rapidly expanding area that poses both great opportunities and challenges.

DP Review: I respectfully request that reviews going forward explicitly describe simultaneous still/video camera capabilities. Thank you for all the great camera info.

Owners of Sony RX100v4 or RX10v2: what are your experiences with these new very fast cameras with simultaneous stills and video?

3 upvotes

Total comments: 1600

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