Sony RX100 IV Announced; Offers World’s First 1-inch Stacked Sensor

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 12, 2015 | 0 comments
Sohrab Osati

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If you’ve been contemplating purchasing a Sony camera then I’d say hold off just a bit longer. Sony has just announced an array of pro-consumer cameras that will be sure to catch your eye. The first of them is the Sony RX100 IV. Following in the footsteps of the original models which brought a 1-inch sensor to your pocket, Sony is at it once again with another world first, a 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor.

Details about that after the jump.

In a follow up post, I’ll be bringing more details about the RX100 IV once I’ve had time to fully gather them. Till then, here are some noteworthy features about the new pocket-sized camera, starting with its 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor.

According to Sony, the new stacked sensor has four distinct benefits:

  • Image sensor breakthrough brings you cutting-edge new functions—including up to 40x super slow motion2 and Anti-Distortion Shutter—that used to be available only with pro-use gear.

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  • Stacked under [1] the pixel area, [2] Hi-speed signal processing circuit of the new Exmor RS CMOS sensor is extended, and [3] DRAM chip (memory) is attached to buffer huge image data.

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  • Thanks to the stacked structure and quickly buffering [3] DRAM chip (memory), the new Exmor RS CMOS sensor realizes over 5x faster readout speed than conventional models.

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  • The sensor’s high readout speed—which enables the Anti-Distortion Shutter—greatly reduces image distortion (photo [1]) caused by the rolling shutter phenomenon (photo [2]).

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The Sony RX100 IV can also deliver a mind bending 40x super slow motion which allows you to record movies up to 960fps. On the opposite end of that equation, you’ll also be able to record at super-high-speed 1/32000 sec. This is perfect for shooting moving targets, be it at a sporting event or your pets and kids running around.

Shooting outside on a beautiful and bright sunny day is no longer a worry thanks to the camera’s 1/32000 sec. super-high-speed shutter. All of this is offered in 20.1-megapixel that’s still capable of 16fps. Thanks to the megapixel count, Sony was also able to offer 4K video though that feature is limited to 5 minute bursts, likely due to the heating issues.

The Sony RX100 IV will be available in July.

Discuss:

What do you think about the Sony RX100 IV?

[Via Sony]