Sony Alpha A7R IV: A Game-Changing Camera for Professional Photographers

The Sony Alpha A7R IV is a high-performance camera designed for professional photographers who demand the best quality and precision. With its advanced features and cutting-edge technology, this camera is becoming increasingly popular among photography enthusiasts across the world.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A7R IV article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 16 2019

Announced

61 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight665g
MSRP$3200USD

Other similar cameras

Sony Alpha A7S III thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7S III

Released Jul 21 2020 | 12MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7R V thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7R V

Released Oct 26 2022 | 61MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 IV thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 IV

Released Oct 21 2021 | 33MP resolution

Overview of the Alpha A7R IV

When it comes to photography, the quality of the equipment you use can make or break your work. As a professional photographer, you know the importance of capturing the perfect shot and how the right camera can make all the difference. The Sony Alpha A7R IV is a camera that is changing the game for photographers everywhere, with its advanced features and unparalleled quality. The Sony Alpha A7R IV is a full-frame camera that offers a stunning 61-megapixel resolution, enabling you to capture images with incredible clarity and detail. Its autofocus system is also top-of-the-line, allowing you to lock onto your subjects with precision and speed. Additionally, its high-resolution electronic viewfinder and LCD screen provide you with a clear and accurate view of your shots in real-time. Whether you're shooting photos for a magazine cover or capturing stunning landscapes on your next outdoor adventure, the Sony Alpha A7R IV is a camera that delivers exceptional results. With its superior technology, this camera is quickly becoming a favorite of professional photographers across the world.

Sony Alpha A7R IV Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A7R 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 (61 megapixels)
Fast autofocus
Full-frame sensor
High dynamic range
Eye autofocus
Low light performance
Tilting touchscreen

Cons

Expensive
Heavy
Limited lens options
Limited battery life
No built-in flash
Slow buffer clearing
No dual card slots

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A7R IV

Weather sealed
Dimensions129 x 96 x 78mm
Weight665g
Thickness78mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R IV is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

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

Suitable for:

PhotographyExcellent
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,440k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A7R IV not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Alpha A7R IV includes a electronic viewfinder with 5,760k 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 A7R IV has a 61MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 61 pixels. Sony Alpha A7R IV has a native ISO range of 100 - 32000 which can be boosted to 50 - 102800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jul 16 2019

Announced

100 - 32000

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 102800
Max resolution9504 x 6336 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

99 / 102

Color Depth

26 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3344 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R 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/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Battery Life670 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A7R IV supports Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R IV uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 670 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 A7R 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 A7R 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 A7R IV includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 567 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.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha A7R IV?

The Sony Alpha A7R IV features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A7R IV weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A7R IV does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A7R IV announced?

The Sony Alpha A7R IV was announced on Jul 16 2019

Does the Sony Alpha A7R IV have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A7R 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 A7R IV?

The Alpha A7R IV has a native ISO range of 100-32000, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews

Sony Alpha A7S III article cover photo

Sony Alpha A7S III: A Game-Changer in Low-Light Photography

The Sony Alpha A7S III is the latest addition to Sony's famous line of mirrorless cameras. This camera boasts impressive low-light capabilities, along with many other features that make it a game-changer for both amateur and professional photographers. In this blog, we will dive deep into its stunning specs, advanced features, and everything you need to know about this camera.

Sony Alpha A7R V article cover photo

Sony Alpha A7R V: The Best Mirrorless Camera of 2021

The Sony Alpha A7R V is the newest addition to Sony's mirrorless camera lineup. With a brand new 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, incredible autofocus capabilities, and lightning-fast image processing, the A7R V is quickly becoming popular among photography enthusiasts. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at what makes the Sony Alpha A7R V stand out among other mirrorless cameras in the market and why it's one of the best cameras of 2021.

Sony Alpha A7 IV article cover photo

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.