Sony a7 IV vs a7R V Comparison
Sony a7 IV
Sony a7R V
Price | |||
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Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a7 IV | a7R V | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2021 | 2022 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | October 21, 2021 | October 26, 2022 | |
Camera Type | |||
Camera Size | |||
Camera Weight |
The Sony a7R V narrowly edges out the Sony a7 IV with a score of 85/100 compared to 84/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and share similar dimensions, with the a7 IV measuring 131 x 96 x 80mm and the a7R V at 131 x 97 x 82mm. They were released relatively close to each other, with the a7 IV in 2021 and the a7R V in 2022.
The a7R V’s higher score reflects its superior performance in certain areas. However, the a7 IV has its advantages as well, including a lighter weight of 659g compared to the a7R V’s 723g. This difference makes the a7 IV more portable and easier to handle during extended shooting sessions.
On the other hand, the a7R V justifies its higher score and price tag of $3999 compared to the a7 IV’s $2499. While specific features are not provided here, the a7R V likely offers improvements in image quality, autofocus, and other key aspects that photographers value.
Taking these factors into account, the Sony a7R V is the better camera in terms of overall performance. However, the Sony a7 IV remains a compelling option for those seeking a lighter and more affordable alternative without sacrificing too much in terms of features and capabilities.
Sony a7 IV vs a7R V Overview and Optics
The Sony a7 IV and Sony a7R V both score 85/100 for optics, making it a tie in this category. Both cameras share several specifications, such as a CMOS sensor, Bionz XR processor, full-frame sensor size, Sony FE lens mount, and image stabilization. Their shooting speed is also identical at 10 frames per second.
The Sony a7R V stands out with its higher megapixel count of 61, compared to the Sony a7 IV’s 33 megapixels. This difference allows the a7R V to capture more detailed images, making it suitable for large prints and cropping without losing image quality. Additionally, the a7R V may be more appealing to professional photographers who require high-resolution images for their work.
On the other hand, the Sony a7 IV has a higher DXOMARK score for its sensor, with a score of 97 compared to the a7R V’s 94. The higher score indicates that the a7 IV’s sensor performs better in terms of dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. This advantage makes the a7 IV a more versatile camera, capable of handling various shooting situations and lighting conditions.
Both cameras excel in different aspects of optics. The Sony a7R V is the better choice for photographers who prioritize high-resolution images, while the Sony a7 IV offers a more versatile sensor performance. Ultimately, the decision between these two cameras depends on the specific needs and preferences of the photographer.
Optics
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 33 MP | 61 MP | |
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Image Resolution Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 7008 x 4672 px | 9504 x 6336 px | |
Sensor Type The camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. | CMOS | CMOS | |
Sensor Size The sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. | 23.8 x 35.6 mm | 35.7 x 23.8 mm | |
Sensor Format Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. | |||
Frame Rate The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 10 fps | 10 fps | |
Lens Mount The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony E | Sony FE | |
Image Processor The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Bionz XR | Bionz XR | |
Aspect Ratio The aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. | |||
Minimum ISO (Native) Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 100 | 100 | |
Maximum ISO (Native) Refers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 51,200 | 32,000 | |
Minimum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 50 | 50 | |
Maximum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 204400 | 102400 | |
Minimum Shutter Speed The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 30 s | 30 s | |
Maximum Shutter Speed The maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. | 1/ 8000 s | 1/ 8000 s | |
Autofocus Points Autofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. | 759 | 693 | |
In-body Stabilization In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. | |||
Viewfinder Type The viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. | Electronic | Electronic | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3,686,400 dots | 9,440,000 dots |
Sony a7 IV vs a7R V Video Performance
The Sony a7R V outperforms the Sony a7 IV in terms of video capabilities, scoring 100/100 compared to the a7 IV’s score of 91/100. Both cameras share common features, such as a maximum video frame rate of 120fps and built-in time-lapse functionality. However, the a7R V surpasses the a7 IV in certain aspects, making it the superior choice for video performance.
The primary advantage of the Sony a7R V is its 8K maximum video resolution, with dimensions of 7680 x 4320. This higher resolution produces significantly more detailed and crisp footage than the Sony a7 IV, which has a maximum video resolution of 4K and dimensions of 3840 x 2160. The a7R V’s 8K resolution allows for greater flexibility in post-production, such as cropping and reframing, without losing quality.
Although the Sony a7 IV has a lower video score and resolution, it may still be a suitable option for users who do not require the highest possible resolution for their projects. The a7 IV’s 4K resolution is still sufficient for many applications, including social media content, vlogging, and lower-budget productions. Additionally, the a7 IV’s lower resolution may result in smaller file sizes and faster processing times, which could be beneficial for some users.
Considering the differences in video capabilities, the Sony a7R V is the clear winner for those seeking the highest quality and resolution in their video projects. While the Sony a7 IV may be a viable option for users with less demanding video needs, the a7R V’s superior video performance and 8K resolution make it the better choice overall for serious videographers and professionals.
Video
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Video Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video. | |||
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Max Video Resolution The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. | |||
Max Video Dimensions Video resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. | 3840 x 2160 px | 7680 x 4320 px | |
Max Video Frame Rate How many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. | 120 p | 120 p | |
Time-Lapse Built In A built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. | |||
Video File Format Different cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. | MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 | MPEG-4, MOV, H.264, H.265, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I |
Sony a7 IV vs a7R V Features and Benefits
The Sony a7R V outperforms the Sony a7 IV in features, scoring 87 out of 100 compared to the a7 IV’s score of 83. Both cameras share several specifications, including touchscreen capabilities, flip screens, WIFI, and Bluetooth connectivity. However, neither camera has GPS functionality.
The a7R V’s superiority is evident in its larger screen size and higher screen resolution. At 3.2 inches, the a7R V’s screen is 0.2 inches larger than the a7 IV’s 3-inch screen. Additionally, the a7R V boasts a screen resolution of 2,100,000 dots, which is significantly higher than the a7 IV’s 1,040,000 dots. These differences provide a7R V users with a better viewing experience and more precise image review.
On the other hand, the a7 IV still offers good features, albeit with a slightly lower score. The camera has a smaller screen size and lower resolution, but retains the touchscreen, flip screen, WIFI, and Bluetooth capabilities found in the a7R V. These features make the a7 IV a reliable choice for photographers who prioritize connectivity and ease of use.
Considering the differences in feature scores and specifications, the Sony a7R V is the superior camera in terms of features. Its larger screen size and higher resolution provide a better user experience, while still offering the same connectivity options as the a7 IV. Meanwhile, the Sony a7 IV remains a solid option for those who value convenience and connectivity, even with its lower feature score and smaller screen size.
Features
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Built-in Flash A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. | |||
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External Flash External flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. | |||
GPS GPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. | |||
Weather Sealing Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. | |||
Screen Type | LCD | LCD | |
Touch Screen Touchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. | |||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Resolution Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 1,040,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots | |
Flip Screen A flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. | |||
Live View Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. | |||
Wi-Fi | |||
Bluetooth Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. | |||
Sony a7 IV vs a7R V Storage and Battery
The Sony a7 IV wins the storage and battery comparison with a score of 76/100, while the Sony a7R V scores 73/100. Both cameras have two memory card slots, accepting CFexpress Type A and SD cards, with the a7 IV being UHS-II compatible and the a7R V accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. They also share the same battery type, NP-FZ100, and offer USB charging capabilities.
The a7 IV outperforms the a7R V in battery life, providing 580 shots per charge, compared to the a7R V’s 530 shots. This longer battery life makes the a7 IV more suitable for extended shooting sessions without needing to change batteries.
The a7R V, despite its lower score, still offers reliable storage and battery performance, making it suitable for most photography needs. However, the a7 IV’s longer battery life and UHS-II compatibility give it a slight edge in this aspect.
Considering the storage and battery capabilities, the Sony a7 IV proves to be the better choice for photographers who prioritize longer battery life and faster memory card compatibility. The a7R V remains a strong contender, but the a7 IV takes the lead in this comparison.
Storage and Battery
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Memory Card | CFexpress Type A, SD (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, CFexpress Type A | |
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Dual Memory Card Slots | |||
Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | NP-FZ100 | |
Battery Life Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 580 shots | 530 shots | |
USB Charging |
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Overall Score DXOMARK overall sensor score. | N/A | ||
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Portrait (Color Depth) As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.' | 25.4 bits | N/A | |
Landscape (Dynamic Range) As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.' | 14.7 EVs | N/A | |
Sports (Low-Light ISO) Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better' | 3379 | N/A |
Scores
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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Alternatives to the Sony a7 IV and a7R V
Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a7 IV or the Sony a7R V:
User Scores
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Sony a7 IV
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Sony a7R V
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B&H photo video | N/A |
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