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Sony Alpha 7R IV Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera w/High Resolution 61MP Sensor, up to 10FPS with Continuous AF/AE Tracking
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sony |
Model Name | Sony Alpha 7R IV |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 61 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | Full Frame (35mm) |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Metering Description | Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multiple, Spot |
Exposure Control Type | Manual |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
About this item
- World’s first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor
- 15-stop dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 102,400
- Up to 10fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking
- Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for human, animal and movie
- 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder
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Price | -6% $2,998.00$2,998.00 List: $3,199.99 | -18% $2,449.99$2,449.99 New Price: $2,998.00 | $1,798.00$1,798.00 | $4,498.00$4,498.00 | $6,498.00$6,498.00 | -22% $1,549.00$1,549.00 New Price: $1,998.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it Apr 1 - 2 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | — | Get it Apr 1 - 5 | — |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Picture quality | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
Auto focus | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
Image stabilization | — | 4.5 | 4.6 | — | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Global Camera USA | Focus Camera LLC | Focus Camera LLC | DataVision Computer Video | HOTOTRONICS RENEWED |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
lens type | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Zoom | Telephoto | Prime | — |
zoom type | — | Optical Zoom | optical | — | Optical Zoom | — |
shooting modes | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes | Auto, Programmed AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, Movie, Slow /amp; quick motion | AUTO, Programmed AE, Aperture priorty, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, Movie, Slow and Quick Motion | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes |
connectivity tech | NFC, Bluetooth, HDMI, Wi-Fi, USB | NFC, Bluetooth, HDMI, Wi-Fi, USB | NFC, HDMI | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | HDMI, Micro USB, NFC, Bluetooth | 1/8~ / 3.5 mm Headphone, 1/8~ / 3.5 mm Microphone, HDMI D (Micro), USB Type-C (USB 3.0), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0) |
video resolution | 4320p | 4320p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4320p | FHD 1080p |
optical zoom | 1 multiplier x | 0.78 multiplier x | 1 multiplier x | — | — | 1 multiplier x |
Videos
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Sony a7R IV Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Specs
Jason Abraham
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Autofocus and Focus Hold Features for Sony Alpha 7R4
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Sony Alpha 7R IV Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Review.mov
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What's in the box
From the manufacturer
A7R IV
Another Milestone
Virtuoso expression. Sony’s full-frame mirrorless α7R IV reveals ever more overwhelming photographic vision, with expressive prowess once expected only in medium-format cameras, and remarkably high speed in a compact body. See how its enhanced rigidity and connectivity raise your productivity.
α7R IV 35mm full-frame camera with 61.0MP
Unprecedented Highest Resolution and Widest Dynamic Range for α - Alpha System, Combined with High-speed Performance and a Lightweight, Compact Body
Ever more inspiring
-
Real-time Eye AF: evolution of portraiture
Real-time Eye AF represents the evolution of portrait shooting. This AI-aided technology provides immediate, accurate eye detection and tracking for crisp, clear focus on the subject’s face.
-
Real-time Eye AF with animal eye tracking
The α7R IV now supports animal eye tracking13, allowing fast, precise, automatic detection. This animal eye support increases your success in capturing images of animals in the wild or at home.
-
The highest-level burst speed in its class
The α7R IV maintains its shooting speed of up to 10fps with a mechanical shutter (up to 8fps in live-view continuous shooting mode)8 allowing you to capture decisive moments with subtle details.
-
Unimagined subtlety
The 61.0-megapixel2 full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor combined with BIONZ X imaging engine delivers unprecedented resolution, fine gradation, and low noise to open entirely new dimensions of detail.
-
Rely on smart AI-based Real-time Tracking
AI-based Real-time Tracking12 greatly improves your success rate in challenging shots. Simply select a subject, press the shutter button halfway & rely on the camera to steadfastly track the subject.
-
Steadfast AF tracking for stunning movies
Meet the rigorous autofocus demands of 4K movies with enhanced Fast Hybrid AF. You have high speed, precision and tracking performance at your command for smooth, stable AF movie shooting.
Enter a whole new world of photographic expression with incomparable image quality and processing speed. A powerful new choice joins the α7R series with ever more advanced connectivity and enhanced reliability demanded by pros.
Features
Shoot in absolute silence
Where quiet is required and avoids vibration that can cause camera-shake blur. A vibration-free shutter maximizes resolution for crisp clear images.
5-axis image stabilization
The in-body 5-axis image stabilizer algorithm is optimized to maximize high-resolution 61.0-megapixel2 image sensor performance.
FTP background transfer
To meet pro needs for prompt delivery, the α7R IV supports FTP background transfer during16 and after shooting for JPEG and RAW file delivery.
Precise AF in low-light
AF precision at light levels as low as EV-39. ‘Focus Priority in Aperture Drive’ for accurate focusing in dim light and when aperture is stopped down.
Accessories (sold separately)
Digital Shotgun Mic - ECMB1M
Connects via MI Shoe w/ digital audio interface support; audio transfers digitally to camera so highest possible quality is achieved
ASIN B07VHRP9RL
XLR Adaptor Kit w Mic – XLRK3M
Wireless digital audio interface support w/ direct connection to MI shoe w/ combo connectors and stereo mini jack for mic & line input
ASIN B07VCGDP43
Vertical Grip - VG-C4EM
Easy to hold the camera and operate controls. Double the capacity & operation time with space for two long lasting NP-FZ100 batteries.
ASIN B07VGNNNX8
SEL2470GM Full Frame Zoom Lens
The ultimate choice for professional portrait, travel and event photographers seeking the highest possible optical performance.
ASIN B01BESQYJW
Footnotes & Legal
2 Approximate effective pixels
8 Up to 10fps in continuous "Hi+" mode, and up to 8fps in continuous "Hi" mode. Maximum fps will depend on flash and camera settings.
12 Will be activated when [Tracking] is set in the [Focus Area] menu. When [Animal] is selected as a detectable subject, Real-time Tracking cannot be activated.
13 For using this function, it is necessary to choose "Animal" mode from "Subject Detection" menu from "Face/Eye AF Set."
16 Movie files cannot be transferred. FTP transfer is not available during movie recording.
2020 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony and the Sony logo are marks of Sony Corporation. All other marks are marks of their respective owners. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Phase Detection, Contrast Detection |
---|---|
Aspect Ratio | 1.50:1, 16:9, 4:3 |
Display Resolution Maximum | 9504 x 6336 |
Photo Sensor Size | Full Frame (35mm) |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 61 MP |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 61 MP |
Frame Rate | Up to 120 fps |
White balance settings | Auto, Daylight, Custom, Cloudy, Shade, Flash torch |
Self Timer Duration | 2 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds |
JPEG quality level | Basic, Fine, Normal |
Camera Flash | Hotshoe |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Flash Modes Description | Auto, Fill Flash, Hi-Speed Sync, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Wireless |
Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 Second |
Supported Image Format | JPEG, RAW |
Video Capture Format | AVCHD, XAVC |
Video Capture Resolution | 4320p |
Video Input Format | NTSC/PAL |
Video Standard | RAW |
Color Depth | 14 Bits |
Video Output Interface | 3.5mm audio, HDMI, USB |
Batteries Required? | Yes |
---|---|
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | Yes |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Description | Lithium Ion |
Battery Weight | 3 Ounces |
Battery Capacity | 2250 Milliamp Hours |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, NFC |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 10 fps |
Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Flash Memory Type | Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
Memory Slots Available | 2 |
Special Feature | BIONZ X Image Processor and Front-End LSI; 567-Point Phase-Detection AF System; 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization |
Skill Level | Professional |
Shock Resistant | FALSE |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
Audio Recording | Yes |
Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Audio Output Type | Headphones |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
GPS | No GPS |
Lens Type | Wide Angle |
---|---|
Optical Zoom | 1 x |
Digital Zoom | 4 x |
Maximum Aperture | 2.8 f |
Minimum Aperture | 22 f |
Autofocus Points | 567 |
Compatible Mountings | Sony E |
Focus Type | manual-and-auto |
Minimum Focal Length | 1.2 Feet |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 102400 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 50 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Manual |
Metering Description | Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multiple, Spot |
Shooting Modes | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x |
---|---|
Viewfinder Type | Electronic |
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
Display Type | LCD |
Display Fixture Type | Tilting |
Dots per screen area | 2,359,296 Dot |
Mfg Warranty Description Labor | 1 year |
---|---|
Manufacturer Warranty Description Parts | 1 year |
Model Name | Sony Alpha 7R IV |
---|---|
Brand | Sony |
Model Number | ILCE7RM4A/B |
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #90,243 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #180 in Mirrorless Cameras |
ASIN | B0973H3N8V |
Number of Items | 1 |
Color | Black |
Included Components | Camera Body & Accessories |
Lower Temperature Rating | 32 Degrees Fahrenheit |
Upper Temperature Rating | 104 Degrees Fahrenheit |
Processor Description | BIONZ X Image Processor |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.6 x 6.1 x 5.6 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product guides and documents
Product Description
Thanks to an evolutionary leap in image processing power and efficiency, the Sony Alpha 7R IV combines the world’s first high-resolution 61MP back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS image sensor with impressive shooting speeds up to 10fps with full AF/AE tracking, as well as beautiful 4K HDR video, wide 15-stop dynamic range and high sensitivity with area-specific noise reduction.
Read about our customers' top-rated cameras and lenses on our review pages: Compact System Cameras, Lenses
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, image quality, and ease of use of the camera. For example, they mention it's an ideal full-frame camera and the high resolution gives incredible detail. They appreciate the ease of holding, saying it feels great in hand. Customers are also impresseded with the improved menu options and plethora of settings. That said, opinions are mixed on focus, value, and sensor.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the image quality of the camera. They say the high resolution gives incredible detail, and the 50% increase in resolution helps with sharpness, contrast, and cropping flexibility. The 61MP resolution also makes the 100-400 lens like a 100-800 lens. Customers also say the cropping can be done flawless.
"...In addition, the higher resolution helps with sharpness, contrast, and cropping flexibility across the board and you get an overall better..." Read more
"...With this resolution, you can zoom into the pictures and be amazed at the level of details. You can zoom, crop away and still get a great picture...." Read more
"...lenses, the superior dynamic range of the sensors, and the amazing Sony focal systems...." Read more
"Sony A7R IV has the resolution, autofocus, speed, and form factor that should place it near the top ranks for Camera of the Year honors...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the camera. They mention it's an ideal full-frame camera and a phenomenal crop sensor camera. Some say that the AF has been significantly improved.
"...Autofocus. The A7riv has a significantly improved AF that covers much more of the sensor than the A7riii...." Read more
"...this both the highest resolution Full Frame as well as a phenomenal Crop Sensor camera. Win win!..." Read more
"The camera is marvelous. The ergonomics, and the weight, are exceptional for my purposes...." Read more
"...The A7R III is an amazing camera and truly refined...." Read more
Customers find the digital camera easy to hold. They mention that the updated ergonomic design is very noticeable. The joystick feels nicer and the shape is more comfortable. They also appreciate the larger grip and the way the camera feels in hand. Overall, customers are satisfied with the ease of use of this camera.
"...The joystick feels nicer and the shape is more comfortable. The camera itself is slightly thicker which is better to hold for your hands...." Read more
"The camera is marvelous. The ergonomics, and the weight, are exceptional for my purposes...." Read more
"...This camera feels like a little tank...." Read more
"...The increased backbutton size, the larger grip and just the way the camera feels in your hand are welcomed improvements...." Read more
Customers find the digital camera very easy to use. They say the menus are easy to adjust and transfer to a computer. They appreciate the improved menu options, plethora of settings, and build quality. They also mention that the larger megapixel count gives a greater range of flexibility to crop, refocus, and recompose.
"...The larger megapixel count gives greater range of flexibility to crop, refocus, and recompose photos in post...." Read more
"...Its also very easy to adjust the menus, transfer it to computer. The combination is a lot of money however." Read more
"...That's it for the negatives. AF, the plethora of settings, and build quality are awesome...." Read more
"...So a positive.2. Improved menu options (autofocus color options, other customization)3. Supposed to have real time tracking...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sharpness of the camera. They say it is truly refined, easy to use, and retains excellent sharpness. They also say it's the best mirrorless out there, letting you get significantly better quality images by using quadrupling the color. Customers also mention that the 60MP improves sharpness and cropping flexibility. They appreciate the magnesium alloy frames and the fact that it feels like a little tank.
"...The sensor shifts very slightly letting you get significantly better quality images by using quadrupling the color information in each pixel...." Read more
"...this resolution, you can zoom into the pictures and be amazed at the level of details. You can zoom, crop away and still get a great picture...." Read more
"...additional 10 mp you get with the a7riv, it's also the superior quality of Sony's lenses, the superior dynamic range of the sensors, and the amazing..." Read more
"Sony is doing a great job with their magnesium alloy frames. This camera feels like a little tank...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the camera. Some mention that it has fast autofocus, while others say that it's off considerably and needs manual focus.
"...Furthermore the AF is much snappier and eye-AF finds the eye faster and stays locked on in dimmer conditions and further away than the A7riii...." Read more
"...Doesnt let me touch to focus... would love remote focus with focus magnifier. Would die for the same with a focus stacking mode from the app...." Read more
"Sony A7R IV has the resolution, autofocus, speed, and form factor that should place it near the top ranks for Camera of the Year honors...." Read more
"liking the camera after a few months of use. sometimes difficult to get correct focus in some situations, such as wildlife photography of birds in..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the digital camera. Some mention that it's worth the price, an excellent buy, and the megapixels are worth it. Others say that it’s a little pricy.
"...Back to the Sony.. at the current price point, it is an EXCELLENT value...." Read more
"Perfect image quality, ergonomic, features and price makes it the best camera currently in the market...." Read more
"...300mb/s cards but at the time of this review these cards are RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE...." Read more
"Wow! Worth the price!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sensor of the camera. Some mention that it's amazing, with a superior dynamic range, and that it shifts very slightly, allowing for better quality images. However, others say that tracking is not reliable, and any movement will throw off the sensor.
"...Pixel shift. Pixel shift is a great feature on paper. The sensor shifts very slightly letting you get significantly better quality images by using..." Read more
"Great camera BUT eyetracking has never worked and now have this new failure issue. May go back to Nikon." Read more
"...it's also the superior quality of Sony's lenses, the superior dynamic range of the sensors, and the amazing Sony focal systems...." Read more
"Tracking not reliable..." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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The camera industry remained stead at the 24MP range for years now. In the past year the Canon R5 and R6 cameras have pushed the envelope and the new megapixel race is back in full swing. Usually high megapixel wars were more about bragging rights and marketing than actual usability. Noise and image quality decreases with higher resolutions due to smaller physical pixels. This remains true with the A7riv's 60MP sensor over the A7riii's 42MP. However the increased resolution minimalizes the perceivable noise increase (You won't see it unless you pixel peep). In addition, the higher resolution helps with sharpness, contrast, and cropping flexibility across the board and you get an overall better camera.
The Good:
Image Quality. As mentioned above 60MP improves sharpness and cropping flexibility. There is some degradation of dynamic range and noisier ISOs. But again, since the resolution is much finer, the small amounts of noise introduced is much less noticeable at these resolutions. When used with uncompressed RAW (see below) you get much better ISO and dynamic range.
Cropping. I cannot emphasize the ability to crop with 60MP. The larger megapixel count gives greater range of flexibility to crop, refocus, and recompose photos in post. Often I change the entire composition of a photo with extreme cropping of my A7riv files. You can change full body portraits into headshots and retain excellent sharpness. Reframe centered subjects to align with rule of thirds or vice versa. The ability recompose shots afterwards is amazing!
Autofocus. The A7riv has a significantly improved AF that covers much more of the sensor than the A7riii. The A7riii just added a few more contrast detection points over the A7rii but the A7riv has PDAF points nearly covering the entire sensor. With my A7riii it was very difficult to eye-AF on subjects on the corners of the sensor. With the A7riv, unless your subject is on the very edge of the sensor, you will have full AF functionality including eye-AF. Furthermore the AF is much snappier and eye-AF finds the eye faster and stays locked on in dimmer conditions and further away than the A7riii.
Battery. The camera still uses the newer Z batteries that comes with the newer generation of Sony cameras. The Z Batteries have doubled life over the older W batteries. Getting such a long runtime with such a high MP camera is pretty great.
IBIS stabilization. Sony was one of the first large companies to use IBIS in full frame cameras. 5.5 stops of stabilization is amazing and still makes handheld slow light photos seem like they were on a tripod. I am still amazed by this feature sometimes. Tests do show that in real world tests the A7riv has slightly better IBIS stabilization than the A7riii.
Ergonomics/usability: Not much has changed over the A7riii. Every year, each new version of the camera is bigger, thicker, and heavier. The joystick feels nicer and the shape is more comfortable. The camera itself is slightly thicker which is better to hold for your hands. There are no glaring issues here.
The bad:
Dynamic Range. Dynamic range is on par with other cameras of this generation. However shadow recovery is slightly worse than the A7riii. This is mainly due to the use of Compressed RAW setting with continuous shooting. When using Compressed Raw and continuous/burst mode, the camera shoots at 12-bit instead of 14 bit. If you shoot in single shots with uncompressed RAW you can get much better dynamic range and shadow recovery. 60Mp files are huge and not easy to process and this camera is NOT an action camera. But the fact that you can get 10fps with a 60mp camera even at 12-bit is still pretty amazing.
Processing speed: With 60MP, writing to SD cards is even slower than before. As previously mentioned you can improve image quality by using uncompressed raw which DOUBLES file sizes from around 59mb to around 117mb. This makes writing to a regular 90/95mb/s USH-I card EVEN SLOWER. You can't review images after each shot without waiting for the writing to clear. With continuous multiple shots it takes EVEN SLOWER! You can help alleviate this problem with faster UHS-II 300mb/s cards but at the time of this review these cards are RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE. Sony really needs to implement compressed lossless RAW files as 60MP is nearing the limit and resolution will continue to creep up.
Speed. This is not an action or sports camera, but it CAN handle some action at 10fps. As mentioned previously, shooting in burst and continuous does reduce quality a bit. If you are a wedding photographer or lifestyle/street photographer this will be fine for your needs. However if you are shooting sports, dance, motion, a dedicated action sports camera that can handle the speed without quality loss like the A1 or A9 would be better suited for you.
Pixel shift. Pixel shift is a great feature on paper. The sensor shifts very slightly letting you get significantly better quality images by using quadrupling the color information in each pixel. However realistically you can't use it without some smearing or ghosting. Unless you are using it for perfectly static scenes you will get some sort of smearing. Wind moving tree leaves or grass, moving cars in cityscapes, any movement will throw off the sensor. I have never meaningfully used this feature. Additionally you need Sony's Edge software to compile the images which just adds to the processing steps.
This is a great camera and a phenomenal upgrade. It does however have some limitations. For years the A7r series was the flagship camera of Sony's line. However we must remember this is really geared for landscapes and studio work were lighting conditions are controlled and you don't need to shoot fast action. Sony has diversified with the A9 and A1 line with the A9 being sports and the A1 being the dedicated all-around flagship camera with little compromises. For your everyday photographer who is not shooting ballet dancers or basketball games regularly, this should be perfectly suitable for their needs. Even professional wedding and street photographers will find little to complain about. Only the most demanding action photographers pushing the limits will want more.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
The camera industry remained stead at the 24MP range for years now. In the past year the Canon R5 and R6 cameras have pushed the envelope and the new megapixel race is back in full swing. Usually high megapixel wars were more about bragging rights and marketing than actual usability. Noise and image quality decreases with higher resolutions due to smaller physical pixels. This remains true with the A7riv's 60MP sensor over the A7riii's 42MP. However the increased resolution minimalizes the perceivable noise increase (You won't see it unless you pixel peep). In addition, the higher resolution helps with sharpness, contrast, and cropping flexibility across the board and you get an overall better camera.
The Good:
Image Quality. As mentioned above 60MP improves sharpness and cropping flexibility. There is some degradation of dynamic range and noisier ISOs. But again, since the resolution is much finer, the small amounts of noise introduced is much less noticeable at these resolutions. When used with uncompressed RAW (see below) you get much better ISO and dynamic range.
Cropping. I cannot emphasize the ability to crop with 60MP. The larger megapixel count gives greater range of flexibility to crop, refocus, and recompose photos in post. Often I change the entire composition of a photo with extreme cropping of my A7riv files. You can change full body portraits into headshots and retain excellent sharpness. Reframe centered subjects to align with rule of thirds or vice versa. The ability recompose shots afterwards is amazing!
Autofocus. The A7riv has a significantly improved AF that covers much more of the sensor than the A7riii. The A7riii just added a few more contrast detection points over the A7rii but the A7riv has PDAF points nearly covering the entire sensor. With my A7riii it was very difficult to eye-AF on subjects on the corners of the sensor. With the A7riv, unless your subject is on the very edge of the sensor, you will have full AF functionality including eye-AF. Furthermore the AF is much snappier and eye-AF finds the eye faster and stays locked on in dimmer conditions and further away than the A7riii.
Battery. The camera still uses the newer Z batteries that comes with the newer generation of Sony cameras. The Z Batteries have doubled life over the older W batteries. Getting such a long runtime with such a high MP camera is pretty great.
IBIS stabilization. Sony was one of the first large companies to use IBIS in full frame cameras. 5.5 stops of stabilization is amazing and still makes handheld slow light photos seem like they were on a tripod. I am still amazed by this feature sometimes. Tests do show that in real world tests the A7riv has slightly better IBIS stabilization than the A7riii.
Ergonomics/usability: Not much has changed over the A7riii. Every year, each new version of the camera is bigger, thicker, and heavier. The joystick feels nicer and the shape is more comfortable. The camera itself is slightly thicker which is better to hold for your hands. There are no glaring issues here.
The bad:
Dynamic Range. Dynamic range is on par with other cameras of this generation. However shadow recovery is slightly worse than the A7riii. This is mainly due to the use of Compressed RAW setting with continuous shooting. When using Compressed Raw and continuous/burst mode, the camera shoots at 12-bit instead of 14 bit. If you shoot in single shots with uncompressed RAW you can get much better dynamic range and shadow recovery. 60Mp files are huge and not easy to process and this camera is NOT an action camera. But the fact that you can get 10fps with a 60mp camera even at 12-bit is still pretty amazing.
Processing speed: With 60MP, writing to SD cards is even slower than before. As previously mentioned you can improve image quality by using uncompressed raw which DOUBLES file sizes from around 59mb to around 117mb. This makes writing to a regular 90/95mb/s USH-I card EVEN SLOWER. You can't review images after each shot without waiting for the writing to clear. With continuous multiple shots it takes EVEN SLOWER! You can help alleviate this problem with faster UHS-II 300mb/s cards but at the time of this review these cards are RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE. Sony really needs to implement compressed lossless RAW files as 60MP is nearing the limit and resolution will continue to creep up.
Speed. This is not an action or sports camera, but it CAN handle some action at 10fps. As mentioned previously, shooting in burst and continuous does reduce quality a bit. If you are a wedding photographer or lifestyle/street photographer this will be fine for your needs. However if you are shooting sports, dance, motion, a dedicated action sports camera that can handle the speed without quality loss like the A1 or A9 would be better suited for you.
Pixel shift. Pixel shift is a great feature on paper. The sensor shifts very slightly letting you get significantly better quality images by using quadrupling the color information in each pixel. However realistically you can't use it without some smearing or ghosting. Unless you are using it for perfectly static scenes you will get some sort of smearing. Wind moving tree leaves or grass, moving cars in cityscapes, any movement will throw off the sensor. I have never meaningfully used this feature. Additionally you need Sony's Edge software to compile the images which just adds to the processing steps.
This is a great camera and a phenomenal upgrade. It does however have some limitations. For years the A7r series was the flagship camera of Sony's line. However we must remember this is really geared for landscapes and studio work were lighting conditions are controlled and you don't need to shoot fast action. Sony has diversified with the A9 and A1 line with the A9 being sports and the A1 being the dedicated all-around flagship camera with little compromises. For your everyday photographer who is not shooting ballet dancers or basketball games regularly, this should be perfectly suitable for their needs. Even professional wedding and street photographers will find little to complain about. Only the most demanding action photographers pushing the limits will want more.
Combined with the Sony 90mm Macro I can attain tac sharp focus handheld on insect eyes. I can shoot tiny jumping spiders, assassin bugs, flowers, lichen, moss, and all kinds of incredibly tiny subjects. APSC mode (or crop in Lightroom) makes this both the highest resolution Full Frame as well as a phenomenal Crop Sensor camera. Win win!
Combined with Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM, I can shoot all of my day-to-day non-macro photos. Things like street photography, infant photography, family photos, and more.
If dual memory card slots is critical to you, then this is a feature you need and will love. Most mirrorless cameras (ie Nikon) are a dang joke! So sad! Seriously, if you don't have dual cards in the camera then it is just a toy, not a tool. Professionals can't risk loosing photos.
File size is huge, managing space might be hard, a fast computer will help in processing and managing your files. Google drive doesn't support Sony RAW files, so I also save jpg versions for quick viewing. More space gone... more upload time required.
The app is actually really great for a newer app. Connecting works all the time, but only if you do things in a particular order. They should fix that... I can control my exposure triangle from the app, shoot, and review a low resolution sample. Great for a remote shutter. Doesnt let me touch to focus... would love remote focus with focus magnifier. Would die for the same with a focus stacking mode from the app. I might be a dreamer though, probably won't ever see this.
Ok, and the back screen. Seriously Sony?! Still poor resolution, but the biggest sin is that the screen still doesn't flip around like canon cameras! Holy smokes, catch a clue Sony! Vloggers are a huge deal, stop ignoring them! At least the app can give you a remote live view experience on your cell phone. So that seems to be a workaround for me. But I can see that not working well for people that blog a lot.
Most people could do well with an A7R3 instead. Could you benefit from the savings? Could you use that for more accessories or glass? Would that help you more than the resolution jump? Maybe!
For macro, the super high resolution is really a big help. Know your needs!
Hope this helps you decide on your next camera! I love my Sony A7R4!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019
Combined with the Sony 90mm Macro I can attain tac sharp focus handheld on insect eyes. I can shoot tiny jumping spiders, assassin bugs, flowers, lichen, moss, and all kinds of incredibly tiny subjects. APSC mode (or crop in Lightroom) makes this both the highest resolution Full Frame as well as a phenomenal Crop Sensor camera. Win win!
Combined with Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM, I can shoot all of my day-to-day non-macro photos. Things like street photography, infant photography, family photos, and more.
If dual memory card slots is critical to you, then this is a feature you need and will love. Most mirrorless cameras (ie Nikon) are a dang joke! So sad! Seriously, if you don't have dual cards in the camera then it is just a toy, not a tool. Professionals can't risk loosing photos.
File size is huge, managing space might be hard, a fast computer will help in processing and managing your files. Google drive doesn't support Sony RAW files, so I also save jpg versions for quick viewing. More space gone... more upload time required.
The app is actually really great for a newer app. Connecting works all the time, but only if you do things in a particular order. They should fix that... I can control my exposure triangle from the app, shoot, and review a low resolution sample. Great for a remote shutter. Doesnt let me touch to focus... would love remote focus with focus magnifier. Would die for the same with a focus stacking mode from the app. I might be a dreamer though, probably won't ever see this.
Ok, and the back screen. Seriously Sony?! Still poor resolution, but the biggest sin is that the screen still doesn't flip around like canon cameras! Holy smokes, catch a clue Sony! Vloggers are a huge deal, stop ignoring them! At least the app can give you a remote live view experience on your cell phone. So that seems to be a workaround for me. But I can see that not working well for people that blog a lot.
Most people could do well with an A7R3 instead. Could you benefit from the savings? Could you use that for more accessories or glass? Would that help you more than the resolution jump? Maybe!
For macro, the super high resolution is really a big help. Know your needs!
Hope this helps you decide on your next camera! I love my Sony A7R4!
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2021
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Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2019
Noise :
- noisier than A7R3 and A73 so not great for taking pictures of my kids inside with only ambient lightning
- A7R4 is about 1/3 stop noisier than A7R3 which means, to have as little noise, you need to let enter 1/3 stop more light
- which means you need to lower your shutter speed (or increase aperture) by 1/3 stop, for example from f/250 to f/160, which means you will have more difficulty freezing action so your image have chances to be blurrier
File size :
- uncompressed raw files are huge (120mb)
- there is no lossless raw compression
- you will a fast computer ($$) and a lot of SSD space to process these files
- you will need large fast SD cards (UHS-II, U3, at least 256GB) that are expensive ($$)
- even Sony SF-M sd card is relatively slow and won't allow me to quickly see my photos to review focus for example, I have to wait for the buffer to clear, else it's laggy, which is quite annoying, I will have to try Sony SF-G
- Canon r5, Sony a7rIII, a7s3 files are much smaller so they are faster to process, think about it since your time is valuable
Complexity :
- not much is simple with this camera
- menus could be worst but they are not user friendly at all
- a "slow" SD card makes shooting in continuous mode quite annoying/odd/slow, Sony should warn the user
- no scene selection mode like on my Canon 6D for people that want or need simplicity (I don't trust full auto mode)
- saved settings for memory recalls can't be renamed to meaningful description
- touch tracking not enabled by default
- limited touch screen functionalities (only useful to set tracking point basically)
- enabling Preview makes Continuous Mode atrocious because the Preview also appears in the Viewfinder
- to zoom a Sony lens, it's the inverse direction than on the Canon (might be Canon's fault)
- would be nice if Sony gave recommended settings (some kind of pre-sets/suggestions for Custom Keys/Buttons and My Menu Favorites)
- no automatic focus bracketing
- PlayMemories software keeps creating .modd files and importing my PC pictures in its library even if I unselected all folders from being imported.
I tried the feature "View on TV", I get "could not authenticate the connection" on the camera and Registration failed on my sony TV (xbr 65x900e). I tried multiple times. Then I tried connecting by entering the password, I got "could not find the access point".
Then I tried the new app for ios devices called Visual Story. First, why not on android ? This is not very respectful of android users. Second, it was not available in Canada. Third, (once I changed my country in apple store) the process to set it up is a mess, the ipad does not see the camera when trying to connect via bluetooth to set up the FTP and I tried with multiple ipads.
Update after a few months : I got used to its many flaws and I was able to get good results without too much trouble. But this does not make it a better product. Another missing opportunity : there is no way to see the focus points using Sony Imaging Edge. Let's say you want to check where your focus was to better understand the end result. Finally, for video, the image stabilization is disappointing. My phone and my gopro are miles better and both are less expensive. Now Sony released the A1, double the price of the R4 and they have not updated the firmware on the R4 since over 6 months, pretty disappointing, not sure I will buy another camera from Sony because I don't want to encourage Sony to release more expensive products instead of improving flawed products already released.
Any pros ? Ok cropping when you have images of that size/resolution is pretty insane (as long as you have low iso and no motion blur), dual slot is always good to have, dynamic range is good, battery life is ok and it survived to Canadian winters.