let's get to it...when $$ is ignored but not weight or IQ: best bridge or pseudo bridge

It is not possible at this time to beat Sony RX10IV!
Any larger sensor system will require 2 lenses minimum but at the cost of bulk and money.

Not much beats the rx10 mk4 but it all depends on end uses etc. A fz2000/2500 or Nikon P950/1000 could be better option .
A bridge camera has a fixed lens that is designed specifically for that sensor . Bridge cameras tend to be able to do things a icl camera can’t with a single lens .
Everything from close up ‘macro to telephoto , motorised zoom for remote control video applications, sync at all shutter speed flash . Some even have built in ND filters .
I’ve tried the one lens solutions on both dslr and mirrorless but they just don’t compare to bridge cameras , simply not enough focal range with a fast aperture. Yes the image quality tends to be better on the dslr / mirrorless but the number of times I found myself needing a second lens became a burden I no longer wanted so I went back to the bridge camera . In fact I have several and just pick the one that best suites what I’m doing that day

:) I would like to add the Canon G3X Canon G3X on DPReview to the discussion.

As I have been a Canon shooter my whole life the G3X at the time was more appealing to me than the Sony (in 2016, the competitor was the Sony RX-10 III) with regards to color science, menu structure, handling, compatibility with my Canon flash eco system etc.

...YMMV..., my €0.02 worth,

kindest regards,
Max@Home

Good point, I think the camera is basically OK, but it only shoots 1 raw per second, otherwise I would have bought one instead of Sony RX 10IV, too!
The Canon is smaller and lighter than the Sony and I even have already the optional EVF because I use EF-M system.
However, it may be still of interst for dedicated JPG users and Canon (flash) eco system owners?

This is absolutely correct. There is nothing in the bridge-camera category, and most other categories, that out performs the RX10 iv. That's why Sony has found no reason to update the camera. It is surprising how wonderful the images are that come from this camera - including some of the low-light (not dark) photography that you can do with a zoom-lens camera.

...or anyone that prefers the Canon color science, menu structures and handling 😎

Kindest regards,

Max@Home