Nearly four years after Sony released its highly successful A7 III hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera, it finally launched a follow up. The A7 IV brings a raft of new features and improvements like a higher-resolution 33-megapixel sensor, improved video specs and updated AI-powered autofocus. However, at $2,500 it’s also $500 more than the A7 III was at launch.
A lot has changed over the years between the two models. Sony now has to contend with formidable rivals like Canon’s EOS R6 and the Nikon Z6 II. It itself has also released new high-end models like the A7S III, A7R IV and A1 loaded with the latest technology.
Sony
Sony A7 IV
90
SCORE
Engadget
90
Critics
- Not yet scored
N/A
Users
- Not yet scored
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Pros
- Excellent image quality
- 4K 60p 4:2:2 video
- Incredible autofocus
- Great handling
Cons
- Rolling shutter
- Relatively slow shooting speeds
- High price
With all that, I was of course curious to see how the A7 IV would stack up in a category it dominated for quite a few years. How does it measure up against rivals, particularly when it comes to video? How much new tech from the high-end models has made it to the mainstream A7 IV? And is it suitable for professional use? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and handling
Gallery: Sony A7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera review | 28 Photos
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- (Video) Sony A7 IV review: A nearly perfect hybrid powerhouse
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/28
Gallery: Sony A7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera review | 28 Photos
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- (Video) Sony A7 IV review: A nearly perfect hybrid camera powerhouse | Engadget
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Sony’s A1, A7S III and A7R IV all had substantial body changes compared to their predecessors, and the A7 IV follows the same script. It has the same nice big grip, so you never feel you’re going to drop it, even with a big lens. However, it has picked up some heft and size, weighing in at 699 grams compared to 650 with the AIII. It’s 7mm thicker, too.
It has similar controls to the A7 III, with the biggest difference being that the record button has moved from the back to an easier-to-access position on top. The buttons and dials also generally feel better and more precise, and the joystick is grippier and easier to use. It lacks certain dials compared to the far more expensive A1, like the shooting mode and autofocus dials. The lockable exposure compensation dial is the same, but lacks the graphics because it’s designed to be programmable.
In one way, however, the A7 IV’s body is a step up from the A1. The rear touch display can fully articulate and not just tilt out, so it’s much more practical for low-angle shooting in portrait orientation. That also makes it far more useful as a vlogging camera.
It has the same well-organized menu system as the A1 and A7S III, though some controls can be a bit tricky to find. As with any other modern camera then, it’s time well spent to set up the function menu, custom menus and manual controls to your liking. Overall, though, Sony’s menus are now among the best, and better organized than on Canon’s EOS R6, for example.
Steve Dent/Engadget
The 3.69-million dot EVF is much clearer than the 2.68-million dot one one on the A7 and on par with similarly priced rivals. However, the rear display is smaller and has lower resolution than the one on the R6. That can make manual focus tricky, though the A7 IV has a new feature that can help there – more on that shortly.
The A7 IV has a dual-slot card system that supports both SD UHS II and much faster CFexpress Type A cards. However, unlike the slots on the A1 and A7S III, it only has a single dual-slot, with the other being SD UHS II only. Type A CFexpress cards aren’t quite as fast as regular CFexpress cards, topping out at 800 MB/s compared to 1,700 MB/s. They're also only used in Sony cameras, so they’re relatively hard to find and quite expensive.
Other features include a USB-C port that can power the camera during operation, along with a full-sized HDMI port, thank God. It uses Sony’s new NP-FZ100 battery that delivers up to 580 shots on a charge, or about 2 hours of 4K video shooting. Finally, the A7 IV can close its mechanical shutter when the camera is turned off, protecting it from dust when you change lenses. That’s a feature that first appeared on the EOS R, so thanks for starting that trend, Canon.
Performance
Steve Dent/Engadget
Sony’s mirrorless cameras are renowned for their autofocus speeds and AI smarts and the A7 IV is no exception. However, Sony made some compromises that affect performance.
The new 33-megapixel sensor is back-side illuminated but not stacked like the sensor on the A1, so readout speeds are relatively slow. As a result, shooting speeds are 10 fps like the A7 III in either mechanical or electronic shutter modes for compressed RAW photos, and drop to 6 fps if you use lossless or uncompressed RAW, as many photographers prefer to do.
That’s still impressive considering the resolution is up nearly 50 percent. By comparison though, the Sony A1 can shoot 50-megapixel photos in electronic mode at up to 30 fps, showing the speed benefits of a stacked sensor.
While burst speeds aren’t improved, you can capture more photos at a time, up to 1,000 in the uncompressed RAW format. If you use CFexpress Type A cards from Sony or ProGrade, you can effectively shoot forever without filling the buffer.
Steve Dent/Engadget
Another drawback with the A7 IV’s slow sensor readout speeds is rolling shutter. If you want to shoot silently in electronic mode, you’ll need to keep the camera steady and your subject can’t move quickly either. Otherwise, you’ll see slanted lines and other artifacts that can be bad enough to ruin shots. Using the crop mode helps a lot, but then you lose the benefits of a full-frame sensor.
The A7 IV is Sony’s most advanced camera yet when it comes to autofocus. All of Sony’s new AI tricks add up to make it the easiest to use and most reliable camera I’ve ever tested in that regard.
Unlike the A7 III, face, eye and body tracking works in all focus modes for animals, birds and people. Unless you turn it off, it’ll automatically pick up your subject’s eyes, face or body and track them even if they turn or disappear from frame.
Whether you’re tracking sports, birds or cars, the tracking spot will stay tenaciously locked to your subject in most situations. All you have to do is touch the subject you want to track and the camera will take it from there.
Steve Dent/Engadget
The A7 IV’s autofocus can easily keep up with the camera’s burst speeds for sports or bird shooting. But more importantly, the A7 IV consistently nails focus in other tricky situations, particularly with people. In some chaotic situations with lots of subjects and complex lighting, I ended up with very few unusable shots. Keep in mind that optimum focus performance requires Sony’s latest lenses, but it worked well with recent Sigma models as well.
Focus is just one part of the equation. It consistently nailed auto-exposure and auto white balance in tricky situations with a mix of lighting. That worked well in a bar with a mix of studio and practical lights, or in front of the famous Paris department store animated windows with all kinds of colors of lights.
In-body stabilization improves a half stop over the A7 III to 5.5 stops with compatible lenses, but neither comes close to Canon’s claimed 8 stops on the EOS R6. That’s somewhat balanced out by Sony’s superior high ISO performance, however. I was still able to get reasonably sharp shots down to a half second with some care.
Photo Quality
Gallery: Sony A7 IV review sample images | 54 Photos
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- (Video) Sony A7 IV review: A nearly perfect hybrid powerhouse unboxing | Introducing Alpha 7 IV | Sony | α
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/54
Gallery: Sony A7 IV review sample images | 54 Photos
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- (Video) Sony A7IV - 6 Month Review | The Perfect Hybrid Full Frame Camera
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A big improvement with the A7 IV is with image quality. You’d expect more sharpness with the extra resolution, and it certainly delivers that. However, you might also think that the smaller pixels would make A7 IV worse in low light, but nope. In fact, through much of its ISO range, the A7 IV performs better even than Sony’s low-light champ, the A7S III.
Images are clean and usable in most low-light situations right up to ISO 12,800, with plenty of detail even in underexposed shots. In fact, the A7 IV has the least noise I’ve ever seen in that ISO range. Correctly exposed photos are usable up to ISO 25,600, but noise becomes a serious issue after that.
Sony has improved its color science with every new camera lately, and the A7 IV has perhaps its best setup yet. The green cast we’ve seen on earlier models is gone and colors are accurate right out of the camera and easier to balance in post than ever before.
JPEGs look great straight out of the camera with a nice balance between detail and noise reduction. The 14-bit RAW images deliver up to 13 stops of dynamic range, giving you plenty of room to lift shadows and claw back highlights. Overall, Sony’s A7 IV delivers perhaps the best images of any of its cameras, with a great balance between detail, high ISO performance and color accuracy.
FAQs
Sony A7 IV review: A nearly perfect hybrid camera powerhouse | Engadget? ›
Conclusion. Overall, the Sony A7IV is a fantastic camera if you are looking for an all-rounder kit. It's got killer image quality, dual ISO capabilities, compact size, dual SD card slots, and an excellent autofocus system. Sony's renowned posterchild choice is a no-brainer if you want a new camera.
Is Sony A7IV the best hybrid camera? ›Conclusion. Overall, the Sony A7IV is a fantastic camera if you are looking for an all-rounder kit. It's got killer image quality, dual ISO capabilities, compact size, dual SD card slots, and an excellent autofocus system. Sony's renowned posterchild choice is a no-brainer if you want a new camera.
Is the Sony a7 IV a professional camera? ›The Sony a7 IV is a full-frame, mirrorless camera
Almost all professional and semi-professional photographers use full-frame cameras as they produce higher-resolution photos with more detail (and more flexibility for editing) since the larger sensor lets in more light.
It's a definitive upgrade from previous versions, which makes reading reviews like this a bit dangerous – when the new version actually offers a lot, it makes you want to buy new gear! I find the Sony Alpha a7IV to be a very capable camera for the price point as it inherits many features from the $6,500 Sony A1.
Is it worth upgrading from Sony A7iii to Sony A7IV? ›Re: Sony A7iii upgrade to Sony A7iv In reply to MarkHether • Mar 1, 2022 "worth it" is subjective if you value a massive UI improvement a massive handling improvement extensive video features a completely revamped phone interface that's ultra fast and always on then it may be worth it.
Which is the best camera in the world? ›Mar 27, 2023: Replaced the Canon EOS R6 with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II as the 'Best Camera For Photography'.
Is there a big difference between A7 III and A7IV? ›The key difference between both cameras is the amount of megapixels they shoot. The A7 III has 24MP, and the A7 IV has 33MP.
Is Sony A7 IV entry level? ›Sony describes the A7 IV as the entry-level, basic model in its full-frame series.
Do pro photographers use Sony? ›Nikon is the most popular camera brand used by professional photographers. 31% of professionals use Nikon, closely followed by Canon (28%) and Sony (20%).
How long does Sony A7 IV last? ›The a7 IV uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as the a7 III and other more recent Sony cameras. It's a usefully hefty unit that, combined with the relatively modest viewfinder res, lets the a7 IV achieve a CIPA battery life rating of 580 shots per charge using the rear screen and 520 shots per charge using the EVF.
Who is the Sony A7IV for? ›
Overall, Sony's A7 IV delivers perhaps the best images of any of its cameras, with a great balance between detail, high ISO performance and color accuracy. As a semi-pro hybrid camera, the A7 IV is aimed at enthusiasts but could easily serve as a second body for professional shooters who use Sony gear.
How old is the Sony A7 IV? ›| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Released | October 21, 2021 |
| Intro price | $2,499 USD body, $2,699 USD kit (28-70mm Zoom Lens) |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Sony E-mount |
Its video features also make the a7 IV a terrific vlogging camera. It's got a flip-out screen, excellent autofocus and 5.5 stops of in-body image stabilization. The stabilization works great. It's an upgrade over the Sony a7 III — especially when using the active stabilization mode.
What is the best camera to compare to Sony a7iii? ›The Nikon Z6 II is Nikon's answer to the Sony A7III, and it is a good answer for dedicated Nikon shooters. The 24-megapixel full-frame sensor has excellent dynamic range, and the phase-detect autofocus system is one of the best I've used.
Is Sony A7IV better than A7R IV? ›Sony A7R IV's sensor provides 28MP more than Sony A7 IV's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life.
What is the best competitor for Sony a7iii? ›1. Fujifilm X-T5. The Fujifilm X-T5 is a great alternative to the Sony Alpha 7 III, offering similar features and specs, but with a few key differences. Let's compare and contrast the two cameras across various categories.
Which camera do most professional photographers use? ›Some of the most popular camera models of the cameras used by professional photographers are the Sony a7III, Canon R6, Nikon D750, Nikon Z6II, and Canon EOS R3. Other popular cameras are the Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS R5.
Which is the No 1 camera brand in the world? ›Canon and Nikon could be the two top camera brands. And they have the biggest range of quality cameras. They have DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals. Sony has become the biggest hitter in full frame mirrorless cameras.
Which is the world power full camera? ›As part of the Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the camera's 3,200 megapixel sensor will probe astronomical secrets. The LSST ('Large Synoptic Survey Telescope') digital camera, built by scientists at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, is the biggest in the world.
Why is the Sony A7 III so popular? ›The Sony a7iii, breaking records for years after its release, shook up the full frame world by being: affordable, compact, and, most importantly, incredibly powerful. Since then, Sony has released a number of newer cameras and other brands have started hopping on the full-frame mirrorless train.
Does Sony A7 IV shoot 4K? ›
The A7IV will shoot 4k60p, but it will have a 1.5x crop. All the latest AF and tracking modes are now available in video shooting. Not a stacked sensor, so not quite the A9II or A1 readout speeds.
Is Sony A7 III for beginners? ›Does that mean the Sony A7 III is good for beginners? Absolutely. With superb features, strong resolution and in-body image stabilization, it's a great place to start if you're new to full-frame cameras or if you're looking to upgrade your DSLR. There are plenty of Sony A7 III lenses to choose from, too.
What is the market price of Sony A7 IV? ›Sony Alpha 7 IV ILCE-7M4K 33MP Mirrorless Camera with 28-70mm Lens price in India starts from ₹2,30,989. It is available at lowest price on Amazon in India as on Jun 09, 2023. Take a look at Sony Alpha 7 IV ILCE-7M4K 33MP Mirrorless Camera with 28-70mm Lens detailed specifications and features.
Is Sony A7 IV good for landscape photography? ›Large sensor in Sony A7 IV ensures a good low light image quality compared to smaller sensors, and it also provides higher pixel quality compared to smaller sensors. Sony A7 IV's 33.0MP sensor is perfect for landscape photography. It will capture a lot of fine details and let you print them larger.
Is Sony A7 IV weather sealed? ›The A7 is dust and moisture resistant. It isn't "weather sealed"just as the vast majority of DSLR's aren't "weather sealed". I have used my camera, with no protection, in the rain with no issues what so ever. Leave the cap on your hot shoe and you'll be fine in dusty or light rain situations..
Is Sony better than Nikon for image quality? ›Sony is better at most things: autofocus, low light performance, native lens range, 3rd party lens support, dual card slots, exposure compensation dial, video, customisation, and battery life. Nikon is better at some things: grip and handling, menu layout, monitor resolution, and touch screen.
Is it better to take photos with a camera or a phone summary? ›Amazing low-light photos can only be taken if the camera's sensor is enormous. A mobile phone won't have as big of a sensor as a digital camera. Moreover, cameras like the DSLR offer much better ISO sensitivity than smartphones. This allows for vivid and clear shots when it's dark.
Which camera is best for photography DSLR or mirrorless? ›The DSLR offers a wider selection of interchangeable lenses, longer battery life, and better low-light shooting thanks to the optical viewfinder. On the other hand, mirrorless cameras are lighter, more portable, offer better video quality even in lower-end models, and can shoot more images at faster shutter speeds.
Where is the Sony A7 IV made? ›The Sony A7 IV is available now priced at around £2399 / $2499 body only or £2599 / $2699 with the Sony FE 28-70mm f3. 5-5.6 OSS kit lens. It is made in China.
Does A7IV still overheat? ›One being the most sense, the A7IV (& A1, yes A1 has overheating issue too) with larger sensor does heavier processing than the A7SIII. Without a fan, it has to use the body as a heatsink—problem that be is hard to solve. This is what I think. We hope a firmware will help.
Is Sony A9 better than A7 IV? ›
The A9 has faster readout and 60 Afcps, but the A7IV has a much newer processor with better subject detection and faster calculations.
Which camera is best for personal use? ›- Best Camera For Beginners. Fujifilm X-S10. SEE PRICE. ...
- Best Mid-Range Camera For Beginners. Nikon Z 50. ...
- Best Budget Camera For Beginners. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. ...
- Easiest-To-Use Camera For Beginners. Nikon D3500. ...
- Best All-In-One Camera For Beginners. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80.
While this news isn't necessarily going to make anyone rush out to buy one, it could influence people to buy an FX3 over the Sony A7S III, which isn't on the list of Netflix-approved cameras despite the fact the video quality is very comparable.
How many megapixels is the Sony A7IV? ›33MP Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
Newly developed 33MP Exmor R BSI CMOS full-frame sensor features a back-illuminated design that promotes high clarity, low noise, and vivid color rendering. This design benefits working in low-light conditions and works in conjunction with a broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200.
Sony Alpha a7 IV (no lens included) 33-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera with Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and 4K video capability at Crutchfield.
What size photos does Sony a7 IV take? ›Three images size are supported for JPEG and HEIF files (L: 7008 x 4672 pixels, M: 4608 x 3072 pixels and S: 3504 x 2336 pixels), along with four compression settings each for JPEG and both HEIF images. There are also four aspect ratio settings (the default 3:2 ratio plus 4:3, 16:9 and 1:1).
Which Canon compares to Sony A7III? ›The Canon EOS R and Sony a7 iii are both incredible full frame mirrorless cameras... but which one is best? Check out our comparison to find out!
Is Sony A7III good for photography or videography? ›The A7 III shoots 4K video up to 30 frames per second and 1080p up to 60 frames per second. These assets make the A7 III a capable camera for videography. But due to its 8-bit mode, the color depth is not as good as in professional videography cameras.
What is the resolution of Sony a7 IV? ›Image resolution is 7008 x 4672 pixels, which is probably as many pixels as most people will ever need. It gives you reasonably high resolution but without any of the complications that extremely high resolution brings.
Is it worth upgrading A7III to A7IV? ›As expected, the image quality of the Sony Alpha A7IV is excellent. It now offers 33 megapixels which provides almost a 50% increase over the old A7III. This means you can crop in and get more detail out of each image.
Is the Sony a7siii better than the A7III? ›
The A7S III benefits from a new imaging processor, the BionZ XR, that is 8 times faster than the Bionz X engine found on the A7 III. The sensor readout has also been improved on the S model, so the new camera should have less rolling shutter than the A7 III.
Which is better Sony A7III or a7riv? ›The A7R IV features a newly designed 61MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor whereas the A7 III offers just 24.2MP. In APS-C crop mode, the resolution becomes 26MP and 10MP respectively, making the A7R IV the more appealing option for crop sensor photography.
Is Sony A9 better than A7IV? ›The A9 has faster readout and 60 Afcps, but the A7IV has a much newer processor with better subject detection and faster calculations.
Should I get an A7IV or an A7R IV? ›The A7RIV has almost 50% more MP than your camera, so you will see a significant difference. As far as the sensor goes your current camera beats the A7IV. There is a lot of talk of how much faster the frame rate of the A7IV is because of it's better buffer/processor.
Is the Sony A7IV an entry level camera? ›The new sensor is a step up from the A7 III (which had a 24-megapixel sensor), as well as what you'll find in rivals like the Canon R6, Nikon Z6II, and Panasonic S1. At the same time, the A7 IV is still very much the entry-level camera in Sony's lineup.
How old is the Sony a7 IV? ›| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Released | October 21, 2021 |
| Intro price | $2,499 USD body, $2,699 USD kit (28-70mm Zoom Lens) |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Sony E-mount |
An all-arounder that pushes beyond basic, the Sony a7 IV does double duty with strong stills and video performance. An advanced hybrid mirrorless camera, the a7 IV has the resolution and AF performance that appeals to photographers along with robust 4K 60p video recording for filmmakers and content creators.
What is the low price of Sony a7 IV? ›Sony a7 IV 33MP Mirrorless Camera price in India starts from ₹2,18,490. It is available at lowest price on Amazon in India as on Jun 08, 2023. Take a look at Sony a7 IV 33MP Mirrorless Camera detailed specifications and features.
How long does Sony a7 IV last? ›The a7 IV uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as the a7 III and other more recent Sony cameras. It's a usefully hefty unit that, combined with the relatively modest viewfinder res, lets the a7 IV achieve a CIPA battery life rating of 580 shots per charge using the rear screen and 520 shots per charge using the EVF.
Is the Sony A7R IV good for wedding photography? ›Best high-resolution camera for weddings – Sony Alpha A7R IV / A7R IVA. At a glance: 61MP full-frame CMOS sensor. ISO 100-32,000 (expandable to ISO 50-102,400)
What is the highest frame rate of a7 IV? ›
The a7 IV can also capture 120 frames per second in its full-frame mode at 1080p, which is an upgrade from the a7 III. If you're a Sony a7 III, you'll notice there's no longer a crop when filming in 4K 30p, so that's an improvement.
Is the A7 IV good for astrophotography? ›Seems like the A7IV is a very good performer for night sky and astrophotography. Here is some tracked Milky Way, 30 frames each 2 minutes, stacked to a total of one hour.
What is the Canon equivalent to Sony A7R? ›Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5 FAQ
The Canon EOS R5 and the Sony Alpha A7R IV are both highly capable professional-grade cameras that offer a range of advanced features and impressive image quality. The A7R IV has a higher resolution sensor, while the R5 has a higher maximum frame rate and 5-axis in-body image stabilization.
The Sony a7R V is the newest camera in Sony's high-resolution lineup. The successor of the Sony a7R mark IV, this camera aims to deliver the same high resolution with an onslaught of upgrades.
Is Sony a7iv waterproof? ›The A7 IV also is said to be dust- and moisture-resistant against harsh conditions, and while I didn't experience any rain or bad weather during my time with the camera, the A7 IV feels very well built and reliable.
Is Sony a7iv good for landscape? ›Sony A7 IV's 33.0MP sensor is perfect for landscape photography. It will capture a lot of fine details and let you print them larger. Landscape photographs are taken outdoors and you should be prepared for all kind of weather conditions.