The Sony RX100 range of compact cameras has won plaudits from critics and consumers alike over the past couple of years, finding favour as a model which you can slip into your pocket or handbag when you don't want to carry a DSLR or CSC around with you.

The latest version of Sony's popular RX100 range of compact cameras, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV, features a brand new sensor design. It retains the same pixel count as its predecessor, at 20.1 million, but a new stacked Exmor RS design sees a DRAM memory chip attached to the sensor itself for...

The Sony RX100 IV is the fourth instalment in what has become our favourite compact camera series. Since its beginnings in 2012, it has given us pocket-friendly models that offer image quality good enough to satisfy high-end DSLR-wielders on those days when taking out a large camera just isn't on...

Pocketable size; Excellent shooting speed; Versatile video; Great image quality at lower ISOs

Intimidating price

Back in 2012 Sony redefined expectations for small cameras by fitting a large, high resolution 20.1-million-pixel 1-in sensor into the pocket-sized RX100. Every year since then, it has taken its advanced point-and-shoot compact and improved it for the better.

+ Impressive resolution for a camera so small; + Advanced video capabilities including 4K and slow motion recording; + 16fps continuous shooting; + Electronic shutter (allowing shutter speeds of up to 1/32000sec to be used; + Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity; + USB charging

Reduced battery life (280 shots; No touchscreen functionality; No rubberised handgrip; Small buttons

The improvements that have been made to the RX100 IV are centred around its new sensor. The repositioning of the high-speed circuitry has resulted in it being able to shoot faster and offer unique video capabilities such as high frame rate mode that allows you to record super slow motion footage.

Pocketable size; Excellent shooting speed; Versatile video; Great image quality at lower ISOs;

Intimidating price;

The RX100 Mark IV is the fourth iteration of Sony's popular fixed-lens, pocketable digicam line, which was launched in June 2012. All four cameras have featured 13.2 x 8.8 mm with effective resolutions of around 20 megapixels, pocketable bodies with retracting Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lenses and...

As you can see from this review, the Sony RX100 IV is a little powerhouse that is not only capable of delivering outstanding image quality for its sensor size, but also superb 4K and slow motion video.

The RX100 IV gains some headline-grabbing features such as high frame rate and 4K video but it's the smaller features that most impressed us. Continuous eye tracking, fast Raw burst modes with AF, and small user-interface changes have made the Mark IV the most responsive and enjoyable RX100 yet. It's the most expensive in the series but is peerless in terms of capability.

Photographers looking for the best image quality and video from a responsive camera that fits in a pocket.;

Shooters on a budget or users looking for long telephoto focal lengths.;

Like its predecessor, the RX100 IV is expensive, but it's also the best compact camera you can buy.

1-inch; 20.1MP "stacked" CMOS sensor; Outstanding photos and videos; 4K and super-slow-motion modes; Improved EVF

Even pricier than before; Limited focal range; Mediocre battery life