Sony A7R IV Digital Camera Body

Introducing the Sony A7R IV mirrorless camera. This addition to the Sony mirrorless family features a powerful and huge 61MP full-frame sensor. This back-illuminated sensor can provide up to a whole 15-stops of dynamic range which in turn allows for incredible low-light performance. The same impressive pixel-shift multi-shooting mode, found in the A7 III has been used in this new iteration. This mode allows you to create unbelievable 240MP images. The camera also features a stunning 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED viewfinder, 567 phase-detect AF points, and a hugely accurate real-time iAF tracking for both humans and animals.

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Key Features

• A back-illuminated full-frame 61MP image sensor
• Rivals medium format image quality
• A huge 15-stops of dynamic range
• Optical in-body image stabilisation up to 5-stops
• Improved autofocus performance
• 567 phase-detection points which cover 74% of the frame
• Real-time tracking iAF for both humans and animals
• Full sensor width capture & oversampled 6K for 4K capture
• Slog2/3 for 14-stops of dynamic range & Hybrid Log Gamma
• Real-time iAF tracking for video
• Digital audio interface in camera
• Dual UHS-II slots for fast file saving and transfer
• Beautiful clear 5.76mil dot OLED screen
• A redesigned grip based on user feedback
• 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED viewfinder
• USB-C connector

Full Details

Taking Image Quality To The Next Level

Sony's A7R IV is the first of their camera lineup to feature their new 61MP 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor. This beast of a sensor is, in fact, the worlds first to use this new generation of high-performance sensors. The back-illumination that Sony has incorporated works in tandem with their latest noise-reduction technique which in turn provide an incredibly high sensitivity performance. The sensor is capable of providing a massive 15-stops of dynamic range to work with. Those who shoot stationary subjects will no doubt make use of the camera's impressive Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode. This super-high-resolution mode adjusts that big 61MP sensor by as little as 0.5 pixels, allowing the camera to shoot up to 16 max-resolution images. Using Sony's Imaging Edge software, these images can then be composited into a hulking 240.8MP image. That's 19,008 x 12,672 pixels!

OLED Electronic Viewfinder

At 5.76 million dots, the A7R IV's OLED EVF is the highest resolution viewfinder Sony has ever produced. That's over 1.5x the resolution of the A7R III's viewfinder. You can even alter the quality of the display by selecting either Standard or High modes as well as being able to also choose between a 60fps and 120fps refresh rate. This unbelievable EVF makes capture and reviewing much easier and more true to the image you have just taken. Using this EVF, you'll know whether you've captured the perfect shot before you get to the edit.

Lightning-fast performance and AF

Sony has gone all out to equip the A7R IV with an improved focusing system which comprises 567 focal-plane phase-detection points, which cover around 74% of the image frame. The contrast-detect AF points clock in at 425, offering precise performance and reliability, especially in low light conditions. The algorithms that power the AF tracking have also been refined and improved, resulting in the ability to track sudden and complex movement with great reliability.

The A7R IV features the same Real-Time Eye AF and Real-Time Tracking AF found on the Sony A9 (an R series first). The A7R IV also features Sony's new Real-Time Eye AF for Animals, so you can capture tack-sharp images of your beloved pet. You'll be able to shoot continuously at full-resolution at a speed of 10fps with full AF and AE tracking; this is tripled in APS-C mode. You'll experience 5.5 stops of compensation, thanks to the latest Sony 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation that was even altered to cope with the camera's substantial high-resolution capabilities.

High-resolution 4K and Professional Filmmaking Features

The A7R IV isn't just a powerful stills camera; it's a formidable video camera too. It's able to shoot 4K UHD video and touts full pixel readout without binning in Super 35mm mode, which is a welcome addition to the camera's arsenal. Sony's log profiles are included as standard, and users have a choice between both S-Log 2 and S-Log 3, offering 14-stops of dynamic range for greater control and flexibility in post-production. Hybrid Log-Gamma is also available. Image and video quality is elevated even more with the use of Sony FE Mount Lenses.

Video Audio and AF Acquisition

The A7R IV features a refined Fast Hybrid AF system and all the while, you can also utilise real-time touch tracking to find their focus. One of the most exciting video features, and a Sony first, is the ability to make use of Real-Time Eye AF when shooting video. As much as quick and accurate AF is important; audio acquisition is as big of a deal when it comes to video. The A7R IV's Multi-Interface Shoe features a handy digital audio interface. This enables you to connect Sony's new Sony ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or Sony XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit. As you'd expect, the camera is also able to produce time-lapses and can capture full HD at up to 120fps for slick slow-motion footage.

Enhanced Build, Design and Customisability

The construction of this camera enables use even in adverse shooting conditions. It's built from strong magnesium alloy, and extra peace of mind is provided thanks to its additional sealing for enhanced dust and moisture resistance - The camera is dust- and moisture-resistant at all seams on the body, including the battery and media card compartments. It's also got an improved grip, a new multi-selector joystick and a lock button for the exposure compensation dial. With such a large and powerful imaging sensor, the A7R IV features two UHS-II slots to cater to the large image file sizes. The battery life has also been expanded too - On a single charge, you'll see up to 670 stills images via the rear LCD and 530 via the EVF. But if you need that bit more, the brand new Sony VG-C4EM Battery Grip is available for purchase and can hold two Sony NP-FZ100.

For Those Using the Hahnel HL-XZ100 battery

Sony has just released a firmware update (version V1.20) for the Sony a7R IV, which has caused a message to appear on screen when using a Hahnel HL-XZ100 Battery. The message reads 'The operation and safety of this battery cannot be guaranteed.' Please Note: If you select OK (to continue use), the camera will work as normal with 100% functionality. If the camera is turned OFF and ON again, the message will no longer be displayed. The message will only appear again if the battery is removed for charging. This firmware update will not stop the HL-XZ100 battery from functioning and on-camera charging of the HL-XZ100 is not affected.

Our Review

Why we love the A7R IV:

• It has the highest resolution sensor for a full frame camera, currently on the market.
• The camera has 567 phase detect AF points which cover 74% of the sensor. This is very good coverage if you're trying to track something, you're probably not going to lose it with that sort of coverage.
• Wirelessly tethers to the Sony imaging software. This is extremely convenient, avoids a mass of wires and let's face it, looks very professional.
• You can get up to 240 megapixel shots using the built in pixel shift technology.

The use of this camera:

ISO range is 100 to 32000 native and 102400 expanded and 15 stops of dynamic range so it's fantastic in high contrast situations. This makes the A7R iv great for everything from portraits and landscapes to lowlight shots and action and wildlife. Speaking of which, if you go into APS-C crop mode, you have 26 megapixels and 325 phase detect points within that APS-C mode and they cover almost 100% of that region. This makes it great for wildlife photography because you can track across the whole sensor with no chance of losing your subject.

Despite this, I would still say that it's predominantly a stills camera though. The real time tracking functions means this will provide performance in many video situations but because it does only have 8-bit colour in 4K, it may not provide the best colour depth for serious videographers.

The look and feel:

Sony really has upgraded the look and feel with the mark iv. It feels great in your hands. The new design is really tactile with deeper buttons and better dials, compared to previous versions. And the upgraded high speed wireless connections means less wires and more freedom more often too.

A7R IV vs A7R III:

It doesn't make so much sense to compare these cameras side by side. The A7R IV is essentially a new camera - Literally everything has been upgraded. The brand new 61MP sensor is the obvious feature, but there's so much more than just that. From the latest processors, 15-stops of dynamic range and the incredible real time human and animal eye tracking autofocus (check out the video for this in action), the only thing that's the same is the battery; which is fine with us because it's well understood in the Sony community that this is a reliable battery. And then of course, there's an increased buffer size so the camera can deal with the higher resolution megapixel count and file sizes. Very understandable!

Sony A7R IV Videos

Watch the Wex team take the A7R iv out for a test spin, both at the launch itself, but also out testing the animal eye tracking in situ.

Sample Images

What's in box?

FAQs

Q: What does the R stand for in Sony A7R?

A: The R in this series of cameras stands for 'Resolution', as the aim of all the A7R's is to enable you to capture the highest possible image quality.

Q: Is Sony a7R IV good for video?

A: It's not its prime purpose, but that being said, it still has formidable video capabilities that will match or supersede some other cameras on the market, including stunning 4K UHD video recording. The Sony A7R IV's huge sensor and processor are best suited to landscapes, portraiture and architecture where the camera will be able to highlight every tiny detail of the scene in front of you. That being said, the speed of the camera and the autofocus system does allow this camera to be excellent for wildlife, sport and some action photography and videography.

Q: What's the difference between the A7R III and A7R IV?

A: There are some notable differences between these two cameras. The IV has an OLED electronic viewfinder, boasting 5.7 million dots. This is a huge increase over the III and with that extra resolution, you'll see a much clearer image before and after taking the photo. Both have SD-Card slots, but the IV's are both UHS-II compatible, which leads to the biggest difference - The sensor. The sensor in the A7R III has a sizable and powerful 42MP sensor. But the IV has a huge 61MP image sensor - Partly why both card slots are UHS-II compatible.

Used

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