Sony RX100 IV Slow Motion: My Budget 1,000fps Camera
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The quick answer
The Sony RX100 IV is a fun way to experiment with extreme slow motion in a pocket-sized camera. Its HFR mode can capture at 960 fps in NTSC or 1,000 fps in PAL, but it records a short burst and trades image detail for speed. It needs plenty of light, and the fastest footage can look soft and noisy.
Correction to my video: I describe the RX100 IV's 1,000 fps footage as 1080p. The camera saves a 1080p file, but the sensor readout at that speed is much smaller. It is not native full-HD capture. Sony's specifications also list the Chronos 1.4 at a maximum 1280 × 1024, rather than the 1080p I mention in the video.
Watch my high-speed camera test on YouTube
Why I bought this camera
I wanted to try super slow motion without buying a dedicated professional high-speed camera. The RX100 IV is a compact Sony point-and-shoot with a built-in lens, and its high-frame-rate mode let me capture motion much slower than ordinary video.
I bought my copy used on eBay for about $200 before filming. It had a cracked screen and obvious wear, so that was a deal on a damaged camera, not a price to expect for a clean one today. In my later video I estimated typical used prices around $400 to $475 at the time. Current prices and condition vary.
My unboxing video shows the condition when it arrived. The screen had strange colors, the control ring was stiff, and the lens cover did not open fully on its own. A cheap listing is only a good deal if you understand what needs repair and whether it affects your shoot.
You can check used Sony RX100 IV listings on eBay. Confirm the model is Mark IV and inspect the lens, display, controls, battery and return terms before buying.
What 1,000 fps actually means on the RX100 IV
The camera captures a short burst at a high frame rate and saves it as a slowed-down video file. In NTSC mode the fastest setting is 960 fps; in PAL it is 1,000 fps. The selected playback rate determines the slowdown. For example, 960 fps played back at 24p is approximately 40 times slower than real time.
| HFR capture setting | Sensor readout | Approximate capture time |
|---|---|---|
| 960/1,000 fps, Quality Priority | 1136 × 384 | 2 seconds |
| 960/1,000 fps, Shoot Time Priority | 800 × 270 | 4 seconds |
| 240/250 fps, Quality Priority | 1824 × 1026 | 2 seconds |
The finished HFR movie is saved in a 1920 × 1080 format, but the smaller readout means the fastest mode does not capture 1080p detail. Shoot Time Priority gives you a longer window at the expense of readout resolution. For a less extreme effect with more detail, try the lower HFR frame rates and compare them yourself.
The RX100 IV records the slow motion without sound in HFR mode. It also needs time to save the clip before the next shot, and you cannot change exposure, focus or zoom after switching to the HFR shooting screen. See Sony's RX100 IV HFR instructions for the complete settings and limitations.
How to shoot slow motion on the RX100 IV
- Turn the mode dial to HFR and open the camera menu's HFR settings.
- Choose the capture frame rate and the playback record setting. Select Quality Priority for the larger readout or Shoot Time Priority for the longer capture window.
- Choose Start Trigger to capture after you press the movie button, or End Trigger to save the buffered action leading up to the press.
- Set your framing, focus and exposure before entering the HFR shooting screen, then press the center of the control wheel and use the movie button to capture.
- Wait for the camera to finish saving, review the clip, and adjust your setup before trying again.
Fast shutter speeds need a lot of light. In my test the fastest footage was noticeably soft and noisy, especially without enough light. Plan a bright scene, test your timing and expect a few attempts. The brief capture window makes unpredictable action harder to catch.
Who should buy it?
If you want to explore things like splashes, moving mechanisms or other quick moments and can accept the image-quality tradeoff, I think the RX100 IV is a fun option. It can also shoot regular photos and video, so it is more versatile than a camera built only for high-speed work.
If you need long capture windows, crisp native 1080p at 1,000 fps or a dedicated high-speed workflow, this little camera has real limitations. Compare the total price and condition with what you need before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the RX100 IV record native 1080p at 1,000 fps?
No. Its HFR file is 1920 × 1080, but Sony lists a 1136 × 384 sensor readout in Quality Priority at 960/1,000 fps and 800 × 270 in Shoot Time Priority.
How long can the RX100 IV record at 960 or 1,000 fps?
Sony lists approximately two seconds in Quality Priority or four seconds in Shoot Time Priority. The resulting slow-motion playback is much longer than the real-time capture.
Does the RX100 IV record sound in HFR mode?
No. HFR clips do not include sound, so record any sound separately if you need it.
Is 1,000 fps available on every RX100 IV setting?
The fastest option is 1,000 fps in PAL mode and 960 fps in NTSC mode. The available playback frame rates also depend on the video system setting.
Keep reading
For more used-camera shopping advice, see my guide to buying used cameras from KEH, eBay and MPB.
Watch more camera experiments on FoxTailWhipz.