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Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Comparison

Optics
Video
Features
Storage & Battery

Sony a1

sony a1
Winner!
86%

Sony a7R IVA

Sony a7R IVA Specs
85%
Sony a1
vs
Sony a7R IVA
Price
Brand
Sony
Sony
Model
a1
a7R IVA
Released
2021
2021
Announcement Date
January 26, 2021
April 07, 2021
Camera Type
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Camera Size
Camera Weight

The Sony a1 takes the lead with a score of 86/100, while the Sony a7R IVA follows closely with 85/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and were released in 2021, sharing similar dimensions with the a1 measuring 129 x 97 x 81mm and the a7R IVA at 129 x 96 x 78mm.

The a1 shines with its higher score and a launch price of $6499, reflecting its superior features. It is slightly heavier at 737g, which could indicate a more robust build. On the other hand, the a7R IVA has a lower launch price of $3500 and a lighter weight of 665g, making it a more budget-friendly and portable option.

Considering their scores and specifications, the Sony a1 is the better camera for those seeking top-of-the-line features, while the Sony a7R IVA offers great performance at a more affordable price.

Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Overview and Optics

The Sony a1 outperforms the Sony a7R IVA in optics with a score of 89/100 compared to the a7R IVA’s 85/100. Both cameras share common specifications, including a CMOS sensor, Full Frame sensor size, Sony FE lens mount, and image stabilization.

The Sony a1 possesses a superior shooting speed of 30, whereas the a7R IVA has a shooting speed of 10. This significant difference allows the a1 to capture fast-moving subjects and to deliver better performance in action and sports photography. Additionally, the a1 features a Dual Bionz XR processor, providing faster processing and improved image quality compared to the a7R IVA’s Bionz X processor.

On the other hand, the Sony a7R IVA boasts a higher megapixel count of 61 compared to the a1’s 50.1 megapixels. This advantage enables the a7R IVA to capture more intricate details and produce larger prints. However, the a1’s DXOMARK score for the sensor is slightly lower at 98 compared to the a7R IVA’s 99, indicating that the difference in image quality may not be substantial.

Considering these aspects, the Sony a1 emerges as the better camera in terms of optics due to its faster shooting speed and advanced processor. The Sony a7R IVA, though offering a higher megapixel count, falls short in other areas that contribute to overall optical performance. Thus, the Sony a1’s higher score reflects its superiority in delivering better results for various photography situations.

Optics
Optics
89%
85%
Megapixels
50.1 MP
61 MP
Image Resolution
8640 x 5760 px
9504 x 6336 px
Sensor Type
CMOS
CMOS
Sensor Size
24 x 35.9 mm
35.7 x 23.8 mm
Sensor Format
Full Frame
Full Frame
Frame Rate
30 fps
10 fps
Lens Mount
Sony FE
Sony FE
Image Processor
Dual Bionz XR
Bionz X
Aspect Ratio
3:2
3:2
Minimum ISO (Native)
100
100
Maximum ISO (Native)
32,000
32,000
Minimum ISO (Expanded)
50
50
Maximum ISO (Expanded)
102400
102400
Minimum Shutter Speed
30 s
30 s
Maximum Shutter Speed
1/ 32000 s
1/ 8000 s
Autofocus Points
759
567
In-body Stabilization
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution
9,437,184 dots
5,760,000 dots

Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Video Performance

The Sony a7R IVA comes out on top with a video score of 91/100, while the Sony a1 scores 86/100. Both cameras share key video features, including a maximum video frame rate of 120fps. However, their respective video resolutions and dimensions, as well as time-lapse functionality, set them apart.

The Sony a1 surpasses the a7R IVA in terms of video resolution, offering 8K capabilities with dimensions of 7680 x 4320. This higher resolution provides greater detail and a more immersive visual experience. On the other hand, the Sony a7R IVA has a maximum video resolution of 4K, with dimensions of 3840 x 2160. Although this resolution is lower than the a1’s, it is still sufficient for most professional applications.

Despite its lower resolution, the Sony a7R IVA scores higher in video capabilities due to its built-in time-lapse functionality. This feature allows users to create stunning time-lapse videos without the need for external accessories or software. The Sony a1, unfortunately, lacks this built-in time-lapse functionality, which may be a drawback for some users.

To sum up, the Sony a1 boasts a superior video resolution, making it an excellent choice for those seeking the highest possible image quality. However, the Sony a7R IVA’s built-in time-lapse feature gives it an edge in video capabilities, earning it a higher score. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras will depend on one’s specific needs and preferences, whether it be higher resolution or time-lapse capabilities.

Video
Video
86%
91%
Video
Max Video Resolution
8K
4K
Max Video Dimensions
7680 x 4320 px
3840 x 2160 px
Max Video Frame Rate
120 p
120 p
Time-Lapse Built In
Video File Format
LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 24bit), LPCM 4ch(48 kHz 24bit), MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
MPEG-4, MOV, H.264

Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Features and Benefits

The Sony a7R IVA wins the features comparison with a score of 85/100, while the Sony a1 scores 83/100. Both cameras share several specifications, including a 3-inch screen size, touchscreen capability, flip screen, absence of GPS, and the presence of WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sony a7R IVA outperforms the Sony a1 in terms of screen resolution, boasting a higher resolution of 2,360,000 dots compared to the a1’s 1,440,000 dots. This higher resolution provides the a7R IVA with a clearer and more detailed display, which is advantageous for photographers when composing shots and reviewing images.

On the other hand, the Sony a1 has its own strengths despite its slightly lower feature score. The camera’s performance in other categories, such as general specifications, optics, and video, may surpass the a7R IVA. However, this comparison focuses solely on features, and the a1 does not outperform the a7R IVA in this regard.

In determining the better camera based on features, the Sony a7R IVA emerges as the winner due to its superior screen resolution. This advantage enhances the user experience by providing a clearer display for composing and reviewing images. However, it is essential to consider other aspects, such as general specifications, optics, and video capabilities, when choosing between the two cameras.

Features
Features
83%
85%
Built-in Flash
External Flash
GPS
Weather Sealing
Screen Type
LCD
TFT LCD
Touch Screen
Screen Size
3"
3"
Screen Resolution
1,440,000 dots
2,360,000 dots
Flip Screen
Live View
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth

Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Storage and Battery

The Sony a7R IVA wins in the storage and battery category with a score of 79/100, while the Sony a1 scores 73/100. Both cameras have two memory card slots and support USB charging. They also share the same battery type, NP-FZ100.

The a7R IVA outperforms the a1 in battery life, providing 670 shots per charge compared to the a1’s 530 shots. This longer battery life allows photographers to capture more images without needing to recharge or swap batteries, proving advantageous for extended shooting sessions.

The Sony a1, however, accepts both SD and CFexpress Type A memory cards, while the a7R IVA only accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards. The CFexpress Type A compatibility offers faster read and write speeds, enhancing the a1’s performance during high-speed continuous shooting and 8K video recording.

Despite this advantage, the Sony a7R IVA remains superior in storage and battery performance due to its longer battery life. The a1’s added memory card compatibility is beneficial for specific shooting scenarios but does not outweigh the a7R IVA’s overall storage and battery advantage.

Storage and Battery
Storage and Battery
73%
79%
Memory Card
SD,CFexpress Type A (UHS-II compatible)
SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Dual Memory Card Slots
Battery Type
NP-FZ100
NP-FZ100
Battery Life
530 shots
670 shots
USB Charging
Photography Genre
Graded from the first-hand experience of one of our writers
Beginner Friendly
85%
N/A
Portrait
90%
N/A
Landscape
90%
N/A
Sports and Action
95%
N/A
Street
90%
N/A
Value for Money
60%
N/A
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK
Overall Score
98%
99%
Portrait (Color Depth)
25.9 bits
26 bits
Landscape (Dynamic Range)
14.5 EVs
14.8 EVs
Sports (Low-Light ISO)
3163
3344
Scores

Alternatives to the Sony a1 and a7R IVA

Sony a1 vs a7R IVA Comparison image.

Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a1 or the Sony a7R IVA:

User Scores
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