Sony RX100 IV review: A powerhouse compact camera

Image quality

The RX100 IV’s image quality is extremely impressive, too. The 1in, 20-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for A3 prints. Details looked clean, sharp and natural in brightly lit conditions, except for the occasional autofocus error described above. When a fast shutter speed or diminishing light placed higher demands on the camera, the bright f/1.8-2.8 lens helped to keep noise at bay.

My only real criticism is that the very similar Canon G5 X and G7 X are even better in low light, thanks to their superior noise reduction processing and slightly bigger zoom range. These differences are minor, though, and I wouldn’t choose one over the other purely on this basis. All three cameras use 1in sensors and f/1.8-2.8 lenses, and there’s little to separate them for image quality.
^ This high-contrast scene is expertly judged, with highlights just short of clipping, and details are sharp from edge to edge. (1/500s, f/4, ISO 125, 60mm equivalent)

^ Not all of my test shots were so successful. On a few occasions the autofocus was way off course. (1/80s, f/4, ISO 125, 69mm equivalent)

^ Precise, natural skin tones and a shallow depth of field are rare accomplishments for such a slim camera. (1/100s, f/4, ISO 125, 30mm equivalent)

^ Setting the shutter speed to 1/1,000s to freeze motion raises the ISO speed to 800. Skin textures aren’t as smooth but there’s not much evidence of noise. (1/1,000s, f/2.8, ISO 800, 49mm equivalent)

^ Shutter-priority mode at 1/1,000s once again, and this time the camera has resorted to ISO 1600. Skin and hair textures are looking a little coarse on close inspection, and focus isn’t quite pin-sharp. (1/1,000s, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 70mm equivalent)

^ The 1in sensor and f/1.8 aperture combine to deliver excellent image quality in low light. (1/30s, f/1.8, ISO 500, 24mm equivalent, -0.7 EV)

^ This much darker scene was captured at ISO 3200. There’s a fair amount of noise and not much detail when viewed up close but it’s hard to fault at normal viewing sizes. (1/50s, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 41mm equivalent)

^ ISO 6400 tells a similar story – this shot doesn’t stand up to scrutiny but it’s an excellent snapshot for such a small camera. (1/25s, f/2.8, ISO 6400, 70mm equivalent)

^ Skin textures are a tougher test at ISO 6400. Details are smeared and smooth gradients look grainy. (1/40s, f/2.8, ISO 6400, 51mm equivalent)

Conclusion

There’s no denying that the RX100 IV is a hugely impressive camera. At this price it really needs to be. It’s not perfect, but there’s nothing here that I’d classify as a deal-breaker. Its only real problem is some formidable competition. I prefer the Canon G7 X and Canon G5 X’s controls, with their dedicated exposure compensation dials and touchscreen-controlled autofocus. They also have the edge for image quality with their slightly bigger zooms and smoother noise reduction. Canon makes you choose between an optical viewfinder and a truly pocket-sized design, but I’d be happy to live without a viewfinder when the G7 X costs £380.

Then again, if you want the viewfinder, 4K video, 1080p slow motion and blistering performance, all squeezed into your pocket, the Sony RX100 IV is uniquely placed to deliver it.