"The RX10 IV doesn't need to be updated."

[AlwynS]

I'm sure owners of the Panasonic FZ80, a camera from 2017, thought they would not be getting update to that in 2024, but they have.

A bit of an update to the EVF and LCD plus changing a connector hardly strikes me as a significant change. The amount of R&D/product development required for something like this is relatively trivial. And changes of that nature to the RX10 IV would certainly not get me all excited. So this really is not a valid comparison to the comprehensive changes listed by the OP.

Much as it would be interesting to see a new, improved RX10, I believe Sony has long ago decided that market sector is pretty much dead. In any case, any marked improvements would be so expensive to develop and implement that it would push the camera into the ILC territory. That would mean that it is so expensive that it would not be a big seller PLUS any sales would likely be at the cost of their own ILC sales.

Doesn't sound like a great plan to me. So I will just happily stick with my almost 6 year old IV.

 

[redhed17]

I'm sure owners of the Panasonic FZ80, a camera from 2017, thought they would not be getting update to that in 2024, but they have.

A bit of an update to the EVF and LCD plus changing a connector hardly strikes me as a significant change. The amount of R&D/product development required for something like this is relatively trivial. And changes of that nature to the RX10 IV would certainly not get me all excited. So this really is not a valid comparison to the comprehensive changes listed by the OP.

Updating a 7 year old design with new components is significant imho. And the (presumed) reduced R&D/product development costs is the most interesting aspect of the FZ50D, if that is the case. If it is a success, it opens the door for other older designs to be upgraded, maybe by other manufacturers, and a 'new' products brought to market.

Panasonic obviously think that there is still a market for that type of camera, so it was either the updated FZ50, or nothing. If you don't fill that niche, it is probably money that they would not be getting from that (potential) buyer, because they don't have another close product to that.

Much as it would be interesting to see a new, improved RX10, I believe Sony has long ago decided that market sector is pretty much dead. In any case, any marked improvements would be so expensive to develop and implement that it would push the camera into the ILC territory. That would mean that it is so expensive that it would not be a big seller PLUS any sales would likely be at the cost of their own ILC sales.

Doesn't sound like a great plan to me. So I will just happily stick with my almost 6 year old IV.

As you would have thought Panasonic have done, a balance of what can be updated versus cost, and expected return will have been poured over to the nth degree. And they will be hoping they have got the numbers right. ;-)

What can and can't be upgraded, and the costs, only the manufacturer would know. We call all speculate as much as we want.

Just a thought, if your RX10 IV were to break, would you replace it? If the answer is yes, would you buy the exact same model (if still available), or, if there was an updated version for x$£'s more?

 

[PGH423]

If Sony would implement those improvements, either the camera would cost $3500 and only 20 people would buy it, or many people would buy it at an advantageous price thus making sony lose money on their mirorless cameras.

So no. A compact camera will never get pro features and the RX series are fundamentally dead anyway.

It’s obviously a wish list…OP wants as many of those things as possible. I’m not familiar with everything on that list, but I think the Canon R7 body has most of those things and costs $1400. It just doesn’t have a very sharp all purpose lens option like the RX10 IV. But the point is I doubt it adds $2000 in price to put those things into a camera body.

 

[Digital Nigel]

If Sony would implement those improvements, either the camera would cost $3500 and only 20 people would buy it, or many people would buy it at an advantageous price thus making sony lose money on their mirorless cameras.

So no. A compact camera will never get pro features and the RX series are fundamentally dead anyway.

It’s obviously a wish list…OP wants as many of those things as possible. I’m not familiar with everything on that list, but I think the Canon R7 body has most of those things and costs $1400. It just doesn’t have a very sharp all purpose lens option like the RX10 IV. But the point is I doubt it adds $2000 in price to put those things into a camera body.

It depends on the sales volumes, and how many other cameras share the same technologies and, ideally, the same components. The RX10s were always RX100 spin-offs, sharing many of the internal tech and components. The battery, EVF and rear screen came from Alpha cameras, so the lens was the only expensive, unique component.

With the definite end of the RX100 line, a significantly improved RX10M5 could only be viable if it borrowed as much as possible from the A6700 body and internal tech, while retaining the current, excellent lens.

That's how the new ZV-E10ii was created, but it leaves out more A6700 components than an RX10M5 would, so a price of at least $1700 for such a model sounds about right. Would it sell enough to justify the R&D and launch costs? I'm not too sure.

 

[AlwynS]

Just a thought, if your RX10 IV were to break, would you replace it? If the answer is yes, would you buy the exact same model (if still available), or, if there was an updated version for x$£'s more?

It is impossible for me to say if I would buy an upgraded model for extra money without knowing a) what the upgrades would be and b) how much more money it would cost. As for would I buy a new, current generation RX10 IV again should mine die today? In a heartbeat! There is nothing on the market that comes even close to matching how well this camera meets my requirements. It still seems to be quite widely available at the same price at which I bought mine when it was first released. Still a bargain I think.

My opinion of the camera is probably quite well summarised in a thread that I recently started, see HERE

 

[Ab S]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

 

[PGH423]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

 

[tbcass]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

They could just give us that AF upgrade in a firmware update for the RX10 IV, though, right? That would be upsetting if they wanted us to buy a whole new camera that doesn’t even have other serious upgrades.

No. AF upgrade such as what is available in the RX100VII would require a hardware upgrade. Sony already offers a firmware upgrade for AF.

DSC-RX10M4 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver.2.00 (Windows) | Sony USA

 

[Ab S]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

They could just give us that AF upgrade in a firmware update for the RX10 IV, though, right? That would be upsetting if they wanted us to buy a whole new camera that doesn’t even have other serious upgrades.

No. AF upgrade such as what is available in the RX100VII would require a hardware upgrade. Sony already offers a firmware upgrade for AF.

DSC-RX10M4 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver.2.00 (Windows) | Sony USA

To, you may be right in the sense the AF upgrade needs another chip. But with a bit of luck the (AF) chip of the RX100vii is not bigger than the current AF chip in the RX10iv, i.e. no or minimal mechanical changes..

 

[Digital Nigel]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

They could just give us that AF upgrade in a firmware update for the RX10 IV, though, right? That would be upsetting if they wanted us to buy a whole new camera that doesn’t even have other serious upgrades.

No. AF upgrade such as what is available in the RX100VII would require a hardware upgrade. Sony already offers a firmware upgrade for AF.

DSC-RX10M4 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver.2.00 (Windows) | Sony USA

To, you may be right in the sense the AF upgrade needs another chip. But with a bit of luck the (AF) chip of the RX100vii is not bigger than the current AF chip in the RX10iv, i.e. no or minimal mechanical changes..

It uses a different sensor. I think the Bionz chip is the same.

 

[Snapsh0t]

The same people will say exactly the same things as they did in previous threads. It's just become pointless.

 

[btwango]

A compact camera will never get pro features and the RX series are fundamentally dead anyway.

"Pro" is a marketing term. If one makes money from a camera one is a professional regardless of the camera or features said camera has.

 

[redhed17]

The same people will say exactly the same things as they did in previous threads. It's just become pointless.

Again, what is wrong with that! If you don't want to read the repetitious posts, walk on by. Some may be seeing things for the first time, and/or the thread may veer in different directions. It is a Forum, it was set up for people to interact and discuss things. You may not engage with everything being discussed, and that is fine.

Being negative, and 'shutting" threads down, helps no one. If someone is posting things that can be demonstrated to be incorrect, then correct them by all means, but if someone wants to discuss hypertheticals, why can't they! If no one is interested, they will get no replies, if only one person replies, and goes along with the premise of the thread, whist disappointing to the OP if just one, would justify the thread to me.

If you are coming here for new riveting unseen content, it may be few and far between, given the age of the RX range, and the apparent cessation of new RX cameras from Sony.

 

[PGH423]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

They could just give us that AF upgrade in a firmware update for the RX10 IV, though, right? That would be upsetting if they wanted us to buy a whole new camera that doesn’t even have other serious upgrades.

No. AF upgrade such as what is available in the RX100VII would require a hardware upgrade. Sony already offers a firmware upgrade for AF.

DSC-RX10M4 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver.2.00 (Windows) | Sony USA

Yeah, it’s a 5-year old AF system that does a great job of recognizing some animals (dogs and similarly shaped mammals). That 2019 update expanded the subject identification and didn’t require new hardware. They couldn’t do another subject identification expansion without new hardware (other animals like birds and possibly vehicles too)?

--
My Flickr Page: https://flic.kr/ps/22miQH
My Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/leejmarkowitz/
(@leejmarkowitz)

 

[Digital Nigel]

Indeed, what to do if my current RX10iv breaks down (for whatever reason): No doubt for me, another RX10iv. I am shooting RAW and process in DxO PL7 Elite /FP7/VP4 and occasionally Topaz Photo AI. The results are amazing and I am surprised by its sharpness and overall image quality every time again (thanks to both the RX10iv and DxO).

Thus for me personally it would comfortable to know if there is an USB-C version on sale after 2024.

Inspired by the Panasonic FZ50D story (update also after 7 years), I think if Sony continues the RX10 line the most cost effective option would be:

• Include an USB-C socket
• Implement the AF system of the existing RX100vii

And that's it. That means, except for the change of the power/data socket to USB-C, no hardware changes. Updating the firmware to that of the RX100vii does not require another battery.

Such an RX10v is not a serious option for current RX10iv users, but it is for new users and for users of which the RX10iv breaks down the coming time.

They could just give us that AF upgrade in a firmware update for the RX10 IV, though, right? That would be upsetting if they wanted us to buy a whole new camera that doesn’t even have other serious upgrades.

No. AF upgrade such as what is available in the RX100VII would require a hardware upgrade. Sony already offers a firmware upgrade for AF.

DSC-RX10M4 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver.2.00 (Windows) | Sony USA

Yeah, it’s a 5-year old AF system that does a great job of recognizing some animals (dogs and similarly shaped mammals). That 2019 update expanded the subject identification and didn’t require new hardware. They couldn’t do another subject identification expansion without new hardware (other animals like birds and possibly vehicles too)?

The additional subject recognition is done by the new AI Processing Unit chip working in conjunction with the pair of new Bionz XR CPUs. This fast new hardware needs to be powered by the bigger Z battery, which all new Alpha cameras use.

This new AI chip is fitted to most new Sony Alpha bodies

This pair of fast new Bionz XR CPUs fitted to modern Sony cameras replace the single, slow, old Bionz X CPU in all the RX cameras.

The old single CPU Bionz X, as used in the RX and older Alpha cameras



If Sony really did see the market demand for a modern 1" sensor bridge camera, the obvious route would be to take the A6700 body (minus the focal plane shutter), fit it with the latest available 1" sensor (probably from a smartphone) and mount the more-or-less unchanged RX10M4 lens on it. That combo would have both OSS and IBIS, which is probably overkill, so whichever is less effective (or too expensive) could be deleted. That is all technically feasible and would produce a worthy, thoroughly modern, RX10M4 successor, with minimal R&D effort. As Cyber-shots are no more, it would be a product of the Alpha camera group, and so could be updated in line with other Alpha cameras.

 

[Belgarum]

For me personally, the best improvements that Sony could make to the RX10 would be to make it smaller and lighter.

The smaller and lighter the camera, the more likely I am to take it with me (hence my D750 stays home most of the time, and my RX100s and HX90V get used more than my RX10s).
--
Philip

 

[Ab S]

For me personally, the best improvements that Sony could make to the RX10 would be to make it smaller and lighter.

The smaller and lighter the camera, the more likely I am to take it with me (hence my D750 stays home most of the time, and my RX100s and HX90V get used more than my RX10s).
--
Philip

..the lens is the biggest part of the weight, and that lens has to stay!!

 

[tbcass]

For me personally, the best improvements that Sony could make to the RX10 would be to make it smaller and lighter.

The smaller and lighter the camera, the more likely I am to take it with me (hence my D750 stays home most of the time, and my RX100s and HX90V get used more than my RX10s).
--
Philip

The lens is the heaviest part of the camera and to adequately hold the 600mm equiv. focal length lens the camera should have a good grip and a large body. Because of that I don't think your wish is possible. My biggest camera is a Full Frame A99ii and compared to that with even a 45mm f1.8 lens the RX10iv is small and feathery light. I also own an RX100vii with a 24-200mm range so that is my go-to camera when I don't need the RX10iv zoom range.

 

[PGH423]

For me personally, the best improvements that Sony could make to the RX10 would be to make it smaller and lighter.

The smaller and lighter the camera, the more likely I am to take it with me (hence my D750 stays home most of the time, and my RX100s and HX90V get used more than my RX10s).
--
Philip

Too many people have contradicting wishes though. I’d rather have full weather sealing, a fully manual zoom, and bigger viewfinder. If it was 50% heavier, I’d be fine with that. That would still make it far lighter than any ILC equipment that provides excellent IQ and covers the same focal length.

 

[DDoram]

If the RX10V is every produced, which may be unlikely, having a Pre-burst Mode would be a great innovation. For wildlife shooting this would be a boon. Panasonic and Olympus have these modes and Nikon in a few models.

Dale

Some people will say this, but I disagree.

What features would you like to see in the hypothetical updated revision of this camera?

What I'd like to see in an updated revision of this camera:

1. IBIS. The IV only has Optical Stabilization, and it's good but not that great. Having both IBIS and OSS would be very helpful for low light and shooting at the tele end. I can't take a video of birds at 600mm without major shaking.

2. Z-series Battery for longer battery life.

3. Tiltable Flash.

4. AI Autofocus and all the new tracking AF for birds, insects, vehicles, etc.

5. All the updated video modes from the A6700, and "Active Stabilization" for 4K.

6. Faster mechanical shutter of 1/4000s

7. Tracking while zooming

8. USB C 3.2 Gen 2

9. UHS-II card slot

10. Gyroscopic Stabilization

11. Unlimited Video Recording

12. Lens Breathing Correction

13. Anti-Flicker

14. More durable plate at the bottom. Reports show this is a weak spot in the camera.

So obviously, it does have room for improvements. It still may be the "best" bridge camera overall but for me, it's starting to show it's age.

But I fear they will never make a mark V, just maybe a "IVMA" with USB-C and minor Screen/EVF improvements.