Sony A7R IV

QUICKFACT SHEET

The Sony A7R IV (aka a7r IV, α7r IV, Alpha 7R IV) is a pro-level/expert-level full-frame mirrorless camera for pros and photography enthusiasts. It is compact for a full-frame camera and is fully featured with many professional-grade features, accessories and lenses. It offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This is the high-resolution 61MP version of the A7 III/IV.

For those who need even more highly detailed architecture or art pictures (static subjects), the Pixel Shift Multi Shooting feature captures 16 pixel-shifted images which are then composited on your computer into one high-precision image of approx. 240.8 MP from original data of approx. 963.2 MP (equivalent).

The A7R IV allows you to compose your shots using the ultra high resolution 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a high 120fps refresh rate. An Anti-flicker shooting mode reduces the effect of flickering that tends to occur under artificial lighting. Or, you can use the 2.95-inch 1.44M-dot Tilt Touchscreen LCD on the back of the camera. The LCD tilts up about 107° and down about 41°. The LCD is also touch-screen so you can tap a point on the screen to lock focus, and use touch gestures to zoom or swipe right and left when reviewing images.

The Hybrid AF (Auto Focus) system uses a total of 567 phase detection AF points and 425 Contrast-Detection AF points to quickly and precisely lock focus on your subject. Tracking AF performance has been improved. For sharp portraits, Enhanced Real-time Eye AF reliably locks focus on your subject’s eye (Left, Right, Auto), even when shooting movies. For those who love to shoot pets, a new Real-time Eye AF for Animals automatically detects and tracks the eyes of animals. The AF range is EV -3 to 20. Other useful focus features include Focus Magnifier, Zebra, and Focus Peaking.

Sony’s Real-Time Tracking/Real-Time Eye AF is its ace in the hole that diffenrentiates its cameras from competitors and, once discovered by photographers that it really works incredibly well in real-time, tenaciously locking onto the subject’s eye until you take the picture, propelled Sony’s A7 series into the “It’s a serious camera” mindset, and no one was ever shy again to be seen with a Sony camera anymore. Though other competitors have introduced their own Real-time Eye-AF since then, none has yet come close to this level of precision and reliability, making getting sharp images of moving subjects so much easier.

The A7R IV features a re-engineered shutter unit assembly with dampened screws to absorb any shutter shock.

The BIONZ X image processing engine and front-end LSI to maximize high-resolution sensor performance and up to 15-stops of dynamic range.

Other features include Continuous Shooting at 10fps with AF/AE of up to approx. 68 images, a hot shoe to accept an external speedlite, Wireless Flash Control, RAW, PASM Shooting Modes, ±5 stops Exposure Compensation, Shutter Speed from 1/8000 sec. to 30 sec. (flash-sync shutter speed of 1/250 sec.), Picture Effect, Creative Style, Interval Shooting (Time Lapse video has to be produced on the computer), Scene Modes, and Silent Mode.

The A7R IV provides a wide array of functions to facilitate workflows of professional videographers, including clean HDMI output, time code / user bits (TC/UB), rec. control, marker display/setting, Slow and Quick Motion, simultaneous proxy movie recording, extraction and separate storage of a still from a movie, and Gamma Display Assist function.

Supporting a wide range of HDR movie production needs, the A7R IV offers S-Log3 as well as S-Log2 gamma curves for great flexibility to fine-tune images through color grading operation in post-production, and a new HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile for instant HDR workflow. (Color grading is not required to enjoy instant playback of high-quality, true-to-life images with no blocked shadows or blown highlights on an HDR (HLG) compatible TV.)

There are dual card slots both accepting UHS-I/II cards.

In designing the A7R IV to be able to work in adverse weather conditions, Sony claims to have listened and responded to pro photographers’ feedback:
– “Enhanced sealing is applied to the battery cover, terminal cover and all joints in the chassis.”
– “A double-sealed sliding mechanism replaces the hinge to the media compartment lid for better moisture resistance.”
– “Routes to dust and moisture entry have been re-examined, and a cushion around the lens mount has been added to ensure reliable operation in challenging environments.”

In light of these weather sealing features, the A7R IV can be considered somewhat weather resistant. However, its specifications does not provide an industry rating nor does it rate as freeze-proof. Sony is also careful to post a disclaimer that the A7R IV is “Not guaranteed to be 100% dust- and moisture-proof.”

There are a number of connectivity features that make the A7R IV practical for those who post to social media sites. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth mean that you can store GPS information, do remote Live View shooting and easily transfer images to your smart phone or tablet.

The Sony A7R IV is supported by a system of high quality lenses, vertical grip, external flashes, microphones, monitor hood, shooting grip with wireless remote commander, grip extension, and software that further expand the shooting system.

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If you shoot landscapes and/or portraits and need very high resolution files, we highly recommend the Sony A7R IV (2019, US $3,499.99).

If you do not need 61MP resolution, check out the Sony A7 III (2018, US $1,999.99) with 24.2MP.

If you shoot sports events professionally, check out the Sony A9 II (2019, US $4,499.99).

If you instead shoot a lot in challenging low-light conditions and also needs as an excellent video camera, you may want to check out the Sony A7S III (2020, US $3,499.99) with 12MP, a standard ISO range of ISO 80-102400 for stills and movies (expandable ISO range: 40-409600 for stills, 80-409600 for movies), Hybrid Phase- and Contrast-Detection AF with an AF low-light performance of -6EV.

If the Sony A7R IV is the camera that is best for you, please support this site by ordering it as well as accessories from our Trusted Sponsor B&H Photo-Video, the Professional’s Source, satisfying millions of customers for over 35 years (prices are in USD):

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Related Links:

• Sony A7R IV Press Release
• Sony A7R IV Technical Specs
• Sony A7R IV Instruction Manual
• Sony A7R IV Software & App Download
• Sony A7R IV Firmware Update