Different strokes for different folks. This is the way it has always been. Although the RX-10iv will not meet my needs, I have no problems recommending it for people that their needs or desires have changed. It is a good camera. The OP's needs or desires for a camera have changed. He wants to consider other options. The RX-10iv is a good option to consider. But just like in any case, there are differences between formats and systems. The sensor on the RX-10iv is smaller than medium format, full frame, APS-C, and 4/3rds. And each one of the sensors in those formats are different from the other. One gives up something to get something else. I think and hope that the OP has looked at what changes between the format he has now and compares them to the format he is considering going to. The image quality for most of us will be more than acceptable. But there will be a difference in operation as far as ISO, depth of field, and diffraction. I have no doubts that some of our other UHH member keep their old systems and supplement them with the RX10iv because of those differences.

Like I said, different strokes for different folks. And for many different reasons.

In some ways, he is right. Let just look at frame rates alone. The film days frame rates were 5 to 20. And some did not have motor drives; it was a frame rate of as fast as one could move one's thumb. Capturing the "decisive moment" would and could be a challenge. Now I can press the shutter button, capture a half second before that moment, capture images at 120 frames per second from that moment, and sort between all those shots for the shot that best represents the "decisive moment". It is not necessarily that hard for anyone to capture a "decisive moment". It does not necessarily require practice and technical skill.

And this is just one aspect of new technology.

For an all-in-one camera, there is not one better on the market. It will probably more than meet your needs for travel and wildlife/birds. You will give up some system advantages. But most that use the RX-10iv are more than satisfied they gave them up for the necessary reasons. And there are several UHHers that kept their system cameras along with the RX-10iv and pick which situation is best for which camera. It will be useful from the stand point of the options of cameras you can use.

And you show us all the perfect reason that manufacturers make different cameras for many different photographers and many different situations. I really agree with your choice. Neuropathy can be a real problem for many if it cannot be stopped or "rolled back" a bit. My "hat" is off to you for continuing on with your love of photography in whatever way you can. Just keep going. And from what I have seen in reviews, it tends to be harder to shoot with the RX-10iv's longer telephoto than the RX-10ii's telephoto. Of course, that really should be expected, standard camera or all-in-one camera.

And there is a section for proper nude photography for those who are up to the challenge! The form seems to be operating in fine shape as far as I can see.

Good video. It only emphasizes what I have said. Most of us, that do not crop much and rarely go bigger that 20X24, can go with just the smaller sensor 20/25 megapixels. Very advanced enthusiasts and professionals (and people with money they do not know what to do with), that have to often crop heavily for some of their images, they need full frame and maximum pixels. Of course, there are sometimes special shooting circumstances for some amateur photographers that will require them to spend the money for their needs. But for a lot of amateurs and advance enthusiasts (myself included), the video points out that full frame and maximum pixels are not always necessarily required for most of us. Yes, all of us would like a few more pixels. But how many of us amateurs and enthusiasts are really going to print a 3'X4' or larger print?

And I agree the RX-10 is is the best "all-in-one". And I remember a long time ago while in a local camera store I looked at the RX-10 (I believe it may have been even the ii because of Delderby's mention of 24-200). And it was an impressive camera as an all-in-one. But as User ID said, I looked at what I had and knew I wanted to do more than the RX-10 could provide. I know the experience of the RX-10iv will fall short, no matter how good it is, for my needs and wants. And how do I know that? From all my previous "all-in-ones".

As even the photos in this thread alone show, the OP can do what he would like to do with the RX-10iv. But if he wants to be more serious about those subjects, especially the night skies, he may want to go a different direction. The OP needs to be aware of that so they can make a proper decision that they will not regret in any way.

Again, you missed the point! I have had several "all-in-one" cameras. And they were all the same except for dial and button placement and the new "bells-and-whistles". And I had to sell the "old" "all-in-one" to get the new lens range, aperture range, and/or technology. I got very tired of buying a new camera all the time and suffering the loss of money since the old one never sold high because of the old technology. And even in this thread alone there was mentioned the RX-10ii This obviously meets Delderby needs. But is it the same technology that is in the RX-10iv? No! Absolutely not! Yet if the RX-10ii is the only camera that Delderby has got, and the technology of the RX-10iv is what he wants, he will have to sell and buy a whole new "all-in-one".

Do you know what a Hasselblad feels like? Do you know what a Canon feels like? Do you know what a Minolta feels like? Do you know what a Nikon feels like? Do you know what a Olympus feels like? They were all the same except for dial and button placements and the "bells-and-whistles". And RX-10iv is no different as an "all-in-one". It is because of my experiences and ability to read what technology is really desirable, especially for me, that I have not made a photographic purchasing mistake for more than two decades, be it camera, lens, backpacks, and accessories.

And I do not need to own a RX-10iv to know what it can do. The reviews and photos are already available for anybody to see. Once I even rented a lens and found it to be exactly as the photos and reviews stated it to be. It may be true for you and some others that you need it in your hands. But I now do only critical reviews of the information available and have made no mistakes in my last five purchases (~$20,000).

No, and I never will. The RX-10 is a very good camera and I very much respect it as a very good camera. I have read plenty of technical reviews as well as personal reviews. None say this is a "bad" camera. But all the proper technical reviews have pointed out the pros and cons of the camera. Just like every camera, no camera is a perfect camera for every single photographer. Based on my years of photography, the many cameras I personally have used, and my various "all-in-one" cameras I have owned, I gave my advise. It is mainly my experience with "all-in-one" cameras that I will never own another "all-in-one" camera. They are way to limiting for my photography. In my opinion, they are too limiting as technology advances. This does not mean the RX-10 will not fill many photographers needs including the OP's needs. As User ID points out, the OP needs to make sure whether or not his needs will be met by an "all-in-one" camera.

I have heard many good RX-10 reviews right here on UHH. But I have also been reminded of the RX-10 short comings on UHH also. If anything, you failed to notice what I suggested as a possible system is not a "Very Large and Heavy" system. It is a 4/3rds system that would be small, light and not very costly if the OP does not have a proper system.

And for example, my own system is 7 f2.8 to 600 f8 (14 f2.8 to 1200 f8 in 35mm angle of view), 4X lifesize ability, two bodies, five lenses, filters, flash, batteries, accessories in a 20.3" x 11.4" x 7.9" backpack at 21 pounds total. No tripod needed. Which full frame or APS-C can match this? Yes, the RX-10 will surpass some of this, but not all of this. And my light travel pack is 12 f4 to 180 f7 (24 f4 to 360 f7 in 35mm angle of view), 4X lifesize ability, one body, two lenses, filters, flash, batteries, accessories in a 11" x 9" x 6" bag at under 9 pounds. Which full frame or APS-C can match this? And, yes, again the RX-10 will surpass some of this, but not all of this. The idea of offering a system to the OP if they needed one was not to break the OP's back or bank account.

I agree that the Sony RX-10 series is a hard to beat series for what it does for the price. Although the Sony RX-10iv has a bigger range than your RX-10ii, your RX has one of the most perfect ranges. I can see why you are very satisfied. But I have been where the OP is now and found out the hard way that I was not satisfied with what I had especially as equipment got better. And there were advantages that I would have missed if I didn't change from "all-in-one" to a system. It was easier for me to just change out a part of the system instead of selling the whole "all-in-one system". The only question the OP has to answer is what are his true needs (User ID's thoughts). There may be a Sony RX10 in his future. But there is the real possibility that it will not meet his true needs especially for his desired night skies.

Just one suggestion: the OM EE-1 Viewsight. It will increase your keepers enormously.

"It can be done but is relatively difficult with such a camera."

I found out the hard way that as cameras and lenses changed and got better, the only way to change the body or change the lens on an "all-in-one" is to sell the camera and buy a new one. Also, the sensor on the Sony RX-10iv is even smaller and more depth of field than a 4/3rds sensor. This also affects ISO and diffusion. Luckily, software is very good these days for both issues. But there is a strong chance imaging will require post processing especially with the astrophotography. And even as good as the Sony RX-10iv is for telephoto, individual lenses for a system will tend to be better both in focusing and imaging quality.

"I would look at adding proper lenses to the system you have."

User ID is correct. How much do you want to do and how much better do you want to do it. You may be able to buy, and even further upgrade, bodies and lenses and have more than you will with the Sony RX-10iv. Do not get me wrong. The Sony RX-10iv is a good camera with pros - and cons.

"If you do not have a proper system yet, I would look at a used Olympus/OM or Panasonic body coupled with a Olympus/OM, Panasonic, or one of the third party 4/3rds wide angle and telephoto lenses (5mm to 10mm at the widest end for astrophotography and 150mm to 600mm for telephoto)."

4/3rds has a bigger sensor with what could be less downsides than the Sony RX-10iv. Again, if you don't have a good system camera yet, I suggested a system that could meet your needs very well and still be cheaper (lighter and smaller) that full frame or APS-C. But if you already have a system, really consider UserID's suggestion.

It can be done but is relatively difficult with such a camera. I would look at adding proper lenses to the system you have. If you do not have a proper system yet, I would look at a used Olympus/OM or Panasonic body coupled with a Olympus/OM, Panasonic, or one of the third party 4/3rds wide angle and telephoto lenses (5mm to 10mm at the widest end for astrophotography and 150mm to 600mm for telephoto).

A used OM E-10 or similar Panasonic and used Panasonic 7-14 f4 or used OM 8-25 f4 and maybe the OM or Panasonic 100-400 or OM 150-600. Add in a OM 14-150 for a very complete system.

Congratulations! Now maybe after spending more time with your wife you will get to spend more time with your camera too. Be careful; if she starts doing the photographic thing also, the best and most desirable equipment will "migrate" to her hands.

Put in a roll of film and watch how fast it can be used up! Then remember the price of developing that film! All of a sudden, you start finding the "decisive moment" to trip the shutter! Always good to go back and remind one's self what the photographic objective is!