The Sony a7IV has been announced. It comes with a new 33MP sensor, new menus, a vari-angle display, 4k60p movies (Super35 / APS-C mode), bird eye-AF, CFexpress Type-A support (in one of the two slots) plus many more new features.
Prepare to be inspired. The α7 IV’s true-to-life resolution and remarkable AI-powered autofocus complement a range of world-class features at the cutting edge of imaging technology.
Newly developed 33MP full-frame back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
Delivering outstanding performance and excellent image quality in both stills and movies, the α7 IV’s new 33.0 megapixel Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor provides high-speed readout, high sensitivity, low noise, and highly accurate colour reproduction.
The α7 IV uses the latest image processor to offer greatly enhanced performance, with improved image quality and colour reproduction. Fast processing speeds facilitate comfortable continuous shooting as well as responsive operation while performing data transfers.
Still photography without compromise
The new 33MP
image sensor and processing engine raise the bar for image quality
In addition to boasting a larger pixel count and higher resolution than the α7 III, the α7 IV and its powerful Exmor R sensor represent a significant evolution of Sony’s original image technology, for improvements that go beyond mere numbers. Experience new levels of colour gradation and detail rendering as well as soft, natural-looking human skin textures.
Up to 5.5-step
shutter-speed compensation from the in-body stabilisation unit
The α7 IV’s high-precision stabilisation unit and gyro sensors work together with image-stabilisation algorithms to achieve up to 5.5 steps
of shutter-speed compensation, to maximise the high-resolution performance of the camera’s 33.0MP image sensor.
Reliable autofocus, impressive speed
The Fast Hybrid AF system, combining phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF, has evolved even further to achieve greater speed, accuracy and tracking performance. With Sony’s 4D FOCUS, a wide, dense AF area covers roughly 94% of the image area for both stills and movies with 759
phase-detection AF points.
10-frame-per-second
Both the mechanical and electronic shutters allow you to shoot more than 800 frames
at up to 10 fps with AF/AE tracking, thanks to the α7 IV’s high-capacity buffer memory, speedy BIONZ XR processor and improved memory-card writing speed.
The Fast Hybrid AF system, combining phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF, has evolved even further to achieve greater speed, accuracy and tracking performance. With Sony’s 4D FOCUS, a wide, dense AF area covers roughly 94% of the image area for both stills and movies with 759
phase-detection AF points.
10-frame-per-second
Both the mechanical and electronic shutters allow you to shoot more than 800 frames
at up to 10 fps with AF/AE tracking, thanks to the α7 IV’s high-capacity buffer memory, speedy BIONZ XR processor and improved memory-card writing speed.
Fast, accurate focus for difficult animal shots
By setting the camera’s subject detection type to “Animal” in advance, you can automatically detect and track an animal’s eyes, for greater success in both wildlife shots and photos and movies of your pets at home. Animal-eye detection has been improved, with reliable tracking and accurate focus even when the animal’s face is upside down.
Bird-eye detection supported for both still shots and movies
For the first time in the α series, bird-eye detection is available in movies as well as still shots – simply preset the subject to “bird”. The camera’s astonishing speed and precision allow automatic tracking of a specific bird
, whether it’s perched somewhere or in flight, keeping the eye in steady focus despite any fast and unpredictable movements.Reliable autofocus, impressive speed
4K 60p movies with smooth, natural-looking capture
It is now possible to record movies at up to 4K 60p with full pixel readout and without binning, taking advantage of the α7 IV’s brand-new image sensor and wide dynamic range for smooth images of fast-moving subjects.
7K oversampling for beautifully expressive, richly detailed images
When recording 4K movies at up to 30p, full-frame 7K oversampling is possible, resulting in high-resolution, highly detailed 4K. Select the mode that best suits your purpose, and let the camera deliver.
Specifications & Features
The latest sensor, processing engine, and AI-based autofocus work in tandem with cutting-edge still-photography and moviemaking technology to create a fresh, dynamic imaging experience. The α7 IV is the ideal hybrid, providing breathtaking still and movie imagery, along with flexible connectivity for on-the-spot transmission of your images.
full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor
Advanced BIONZ XR image processing engine with up to 8x the processing performance
Sensor Type35 mm full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor
Number Of Pixels (Effective)Approx. 33.0 megapixels
ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)Still images: ISO 100-51200 (ISO numbers from 50 to 204800 can be set as expanded ISO), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100-51200 equivalent (ISO numbers up to 102400 can be set as expanded ISO), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit)
Viewfinder Type1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (Quad-VGA OLED)
Monitor Type7.5 cm (3.0-type) type TFT
So the question is, what do we get in this new “basic“ model? And as it turns out quite a lot.
The Sony a7 IV features a newly developed 33 Megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated full-frame sensor, and combines it with the same Bionz XR processor we find in the higher end a7S III and the ultra-high-end Alpha 1. In comparison, the a7 III only had a 24 Megapixel sensor, so that’s a big step up for photographers.
And in terms of video quality, it oversamples the 7K from the sensor to 4K for a very detailed image. Not less importantly, we now have all the same 10-bit 4:2:2 color space codecs that we have in the a7S III and a1, which of course is amazing. That also means that from a compression point of view, this camera shoots the same quality as a € 10,000 Sony FX9.
A7IV Key Specifications vs a7III
| Specifications | Sony A7 IV | Sony A7 III |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor: | 33.0MP 35mm full-frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor | 24.2MP 35mm full frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor |
| Processor: | BIONZ XR | BIONZ X |
| Dynamic Range: | 15 Stops | 15 Stops |
| ISO Sensitivity: | Still images: ISO 100-51200 (ISO numbers from 50 to 204800 can be set as expanded ISO), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100-51200 equivalent (ISO numbers up to 102400 can be set as expanded ISO), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit) | Still images: ISO 100-51200 (ISO numbers up from ISO 50 to ISO 204800 can be set as expanded ISO range.), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100-51200 equivalent(ISO numbers up ISO 102400 can be set as expanded ISO range.), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit) |
| Frames Per Second: | 10 FPS | 10 FPS |
| Autofocus Points: | 693 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points | 693 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points |
| Eye Autofocus: | Human, Animals, Birds, | Humans, Animals (mammals) |
| Stabilization (IBIS): | 5-axis (5-stops) | 5-axis (5-stops) |
| Video Resolution Max: | Full-width oversampled 4K from 7K, up to 30p, 4K/60p with Super35 / APS-C mode. | 4K / 30p |
| Recording Formats: | XAVC S, XAVC HS | XAVC S, AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant |
| Picture Profiles: | Yes (Off / PP1-PP11) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, S-Cinetone, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset | Yes (Off / PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset |
| Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): | 3 686 400 dots | 2.36 million dots |
| Display (LCD): | Vari-Angle LCD, 1 036 800 dots. | 921,600k dots, adjustable up by approx. 107 degrees, down by approx. 41 degrees. |
| Image Buffer: | JPEG Extra fine L: over 1000 frames, JPEG Fine L: over 1000 frames, JPEG Standard L: over 1000 frames, RAW: over 1000 frames, RAW & JPEG: over 1000 frames, RAW (Lossless Compressed): over 1000 frames, RAW (Lossless Compressed) & JPEG: over 1000 frames, RAW (Uncompressed): over 1000 frames, RAW (Uncompressed) & JPEG: 828 frames | JPEG Extra fine L: 163 frames, JPEG Fine L: 172 frames, JPEG Standard L: approx. 177 frames, RAW: 89 frames, RAW & JPG: 79 frames, RAW (Uncompressed): 40 frames, RAW (Uncompressed) & JPG: 36 frames |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/8000 to 30 sec | 1/8000 to 30 sec |
| Memory Card Slots: | Two memory card slots. CFexpress Type A + UHS-II/I SD cards are supported in Slot 1. Only UHS II/I SD cards are supported in slot 2. | Two Slots. UHS II/I SD cards are supported in slot 1, only UHS-I SD cards are supported in slot 2. |
| Wireless: | Wi-Fi Compatible, (5GHz and 2.4GHz band) | Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz band) |
| Ports: | Yes, Micro USB (SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.2) compatible. | Yes, Micro USB (SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) compatible. |
| Battery Life Stills: | Approx. 520 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 580 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard) | Approx. 610 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 710 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard) |
| Weight: | Approx. 658 g (approx. 1 lb 7.3 oz) | Approx. 650 g / 1lb 7.0 oz |
| Price (MRRP): | $2,498.00 / £2,399.00 | $1,998.00 / £1,699.00 |
