Sony Alpha A7 IV Review - Is It Worth Your Investment?

Looking for a camera that offers incredible stills and videos? Look no further than the Sony Alpha A7 IV. In this review, we'll explore the features, specifications, and performance of this camera and help you decide if it's the right investment for you.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A7 IV article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 21 2021

Announced

33 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight659g
MSRP$2498USD

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Overview of the Alpha A7 IV

If you're in the market for a high-quality camera that delivers stunning photographs and videos, Sony has got you covered. The Sony Alpha A7 IV is a mirrorless camera that boasts an impressive list of features and specifications, making it a top contender for photographers and videographers alike.In this detailed review, we'll dive into everything you need to know about the Sony Alpha A7 IV. We'll cover its design and build quality, image and video quality, autofocus performance, and more. So, buckle up and get ready to discover if this camera is the right investment for you.

The Sony Alpha Series Lineup

Sony Alpha 7 thumbnail

Sony Alpha 7

Released Jan 22 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 II

Released Nov 20 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 III thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 III

Released Feb 27 2018 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7c thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7c

Released Sep 14 2020 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 IV thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 IV

Released Oct 21 2021 | 33MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 IV Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A7 IV camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution sensor
5-axis image stabilization
Fast autofocus system
High-quality electronic viewfinder
Fast continuous shooting speeds
Wide dynamic range
Good low-light performance
Good battery life
4K video capabilities
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons

Expensive
No built-in flash
Limited touchscreen functionality
Limited lens selection
Heavy and bulky
No built-in headphone jack
Limited weather-sealing
Slow startup time
Limited buffer capacity
Limited ISO range.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A7 IV

Weather sealed
Dimensions129 x 97 x 81mm
Weight659g
Thickness81mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A7 IV camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Alpha A7 IV is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully articulated
Screen Resolution1,440k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,440k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A7 IV very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Alpha A7 IV includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,690k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.78x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha A7 IV has a 33MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 33 pixels. Sony Alpha A7 IV has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 21 2021

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution7008 x 4672 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

97 / 102

Color Depth

25.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3379 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A7 IV camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha A7 IV is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageDual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Battery Life600 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A7 IV supports Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A7 IV is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Sony Alpha A7 IV uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 600 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha A7 IV does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha A7 IV boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha A7 IV includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 759 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha A7 IV?

The Sony Alpha A7 IV features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A7 IV weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A7 IV does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A7 IV announced?

The Sony Alpha A7 IV was announced on Oct 21 2021

Does the Sony Alpha A7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A7 IV does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha A7 IV?

The Alpha A7 IV has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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