Sony’s New RX10 IV Locks Focus in .03 Seconds with World’s Fastest Autofocus System

Sony today in unveiled the newest addition to their RX10 series, the RX10 IV. The new camera keeps many of the features that made its predecessor, the RX10 III, stand out — 4K video recording, an extensive zoom range and high frame rate recording of up to 960 frames per second in full HD are still big highlights — but the RX10 IV also boasts an upgraded sensor and an even faster autofocus system.
 
The RX10 IV uses the latest 1.0-type 20.1 megapixel Exmor RS CMOS stacked phase-detection AF image sensor with DRAM chip coupled with the BIONZ X image processor, promising fast operating speeds and high-quality images.
 
Like the RX10 III, the RX10 IV offers 4K video shooting at 24 or 30 frames per second and full HD 1080 recording at up to 120 frames per second. For super slow motion, the RX10 IV also offers high frame rate mode recording, allowing for the capture of up to 7 second of footage at 960, 480 or 240 frames per second for playback at 60, 30 ro 24 frames per second.
 
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The RX10 IV records in 4K without pixel binning to capture more information than is needed and provide a more detailed image. It uses the XAVC S codec to record video at bitrates up to 100 megabits per second and also features a number of picture profiles including S-Log3/S-Gamut3 for log video recording. 
 
Perhaps the most impressive new feature for the RX10 IV, however, is what Sony claims to be the world’s fastest autofocus system with an AF acquisition time of 0.03 seconds. The Fast Hybrid AF system combines 315 phase-detection AF points covering about 65 percent of the sensor with contrast-detection autofocus to allow ultra fast focusing and continuous photo shooting with AF at up to 24 frames per second, upgraded from 14 fps on the RX10 III. In addition, when shooting video, the new autofocus system is said to be two times faster than that of the RX10 III.
 
This paired with the camera’s High-density Tracking AF technology promises fast and accurate tracking and focusing on moving subjects. Complementing this is an Anti-Distortion Shutter that’s said to significantly reduce rolling shutter effect distortion.
 
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Like the RX10 III, the RX10 IV is equipped with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with a 35mm-equivalent zoom range of 24-600mm and a f/2.4-4.0 maximum aperture. The lens includes Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, especially useful at the extreme telephoto end of the zoom range. Tele-macro shooting is also possible when combining the camera’s powerful zoom capabilities with the its minimum focusing distance of 2.36 feet. The lens feature three separate control rings for aperture, zoom and focus.
 
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“Our customers have been asking for an RX10 series camera with Sony’s latest innovations in AF performance, and we’ve delivered with the RX10 IV model,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.  “With its unmatched combination of AF speed and tracking, continuous shooting performance, extensive range of up to 600mm and outstanding video quality, the RX10 IV delivers more flexibility in a singular package than anything else in market.”
 
Also new to the RX10 IV is a 3.0-type 1.44 million dot tiltable LCD screen with Touch Pad and Touch Focus capabilities — the first time a touch-enabled screen has been featured in the RX series. The camera connects includes separate headphone and microphone jacks and can connect over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Micro HDMI and USB.
 
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All in all, the RX10 IV looks like a solid upgrade to its predecessor, but it certainly doesn’t introduce any groundbreaking new features. Sure, the autofocus is ridiculously fast and promises exceptional accuracy, but unless you specifically need outstanding autofocus capabilities and like having touch screen functionality, the RX10 III is probably just as appealing and stands at a cheaper price point.
 
The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is priced at 1,700 dollars and will begin shipping in October 2017. For more information, visit sony.com.
Nicole LaJeunesse
Nicole LaJeunesse
Nicole LaJeunesse is a professional writer and a curious person who loves to unpack stories on anything from music, to movies, to gaming and beyond.

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