Sony a7R IV

Sony launched the a7R IV in 2019 as a high-resolution entry in its full-frame mirrorless line-up. The high-resolution sensor and Sony FE mount suit photographers who make large prints or need room to crop, from landscape shooters to studio and commercial workers.

The body measures 129 x 96 x 78 mm and weighs 665 g, so it still fits a normal camera bag.

Owning it means working with large files, so planning for ample storage at home is part of the deal.

Resolution is the headline here. The 61.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor records fine texture that survives heavy cropping and large printing, whether the subject is fabric, foliage or a wide landscape. Our Optics score of 85 rates it as exceptional, placing it in the top 4% of cameras in our database for Optics.

Speed is serviceable. The burst mode reaches 10 fps at maximum, which covers short action sequences, and the 1/8000 shutter speed can freeze fast subjects.

Stabilisation is built into the body to counter camera shake. That keeps handheld shots sharper at slower shutter speeds and helps in dim interiors, though it cannot stop a moving subject.

The electronic viewfinder shows the scene at 5.76 million dots, so focus and exposure checks read clearly. Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 32000, a span that covers bright outdoor work and darker interiors alike.

Video recording tops out at 4K resolution, and the highest available frame rate is 30 fps. These are separate limits, and our data does not confirm a combined 4K at 30 fps mode. Even so, the pair covers standard playback and everyday clips.

Footage can be recorded in XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 or MP4, giving a choice of formats for different projects.

A built-in timelapse function handles interval shooting in the camera, which is handy for cloudscapes or long-running projects without extra gear.

Our Video score of 70 sits in the good range. The 4K maximum and built-in timelapse earn solid credit, while the 30 fps frame-rate limit is where the score loses ground, since slow-motion capture at higher frame rates is unavailable.

Handling is well covered. The 3-inch LCD offers 1.44 million dots and touch control, and the screen flips away from the body for waist-level or overhead framing.

Wireless options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and live view is available for composing on the screen.

The body is sealed against dust and moisture, useful for landscape work in poor weather, though it is not waterproof. There is no built-in flash, but external flash is supported, so add a unit when you need fill light. GPS is absent, so files carry no automatic location data.

Those handling basics add up to a Features score of 83, which we rate as very good, with the touchscreen, sealing and screen specification all scoring well.

Two card slots accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media with UHS-II support, so fast cards run at their rated speed. Two cards fit at once, which is welcome on long shoots where swapping cards mid-session would be inconvenient.

The NP-FZ100 battery is rated at 670 shots, though the conditions behind that figure are not specified, so it is best read as a guideline rather than a promise. A charged spare makes sense for intensive sessions. Battery endurance is the weaker point in this section's score of 79, which is otherwise good.

The battery can also be charged over USB, which simplifies travel and lets you top up between shoots.