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Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1

Portability
61 Imaging
80 Features
92 Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85

Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released October 2021
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7 III
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
Photography Glossary

Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Sony A7 IV versus Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the A7 IV (33MP) and a1 (50MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A7 IV was introduced 9 months after the a1 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the A7 IV grades against the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 A7 IV a1 
RevealedOctober 2021January 2021More modern by 9 months
Screen typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7 IV

		

		

			
 a1 A7 IV 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Sony A7 IV and Sony a1

		

		

			
 A7 IV a1 
Focus manually  More exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution1440k1440kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7 IV comes with physical dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs) and the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Check out the Sony A7 IV versus Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the A7 IV and the a1.
Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 IV and a1 is 61 and 61 respectively.
Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Typically, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 IV and a1.
As you can see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony a1 to produce more detail using its extra 17MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher A7 IV will have a benefit in sensor tech.
	
			Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Sony A7 IV Portrait photography advice
Sony a1 Portrait photography advice
81
 focusing manually
 excellent  resolution (33MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 provides face detection focusing
 exports RAW files
 no liveview feature
88
 you can focus manually
 flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
 megapixel count excellent (50MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 provides face detection focus
 delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Sony A7 IV Street photography information
Sony a1 Street photography information
79
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 has touch focus
 environment sealing
 above average high ISO (51,200)
79
 screen tilts
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 delivers RAW formats
 includes focus via touch
 weather sealing
 great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
 Sony A7 IV as a Sports photography camera
 Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
84
 high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent  resolution (33MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 provides tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 better than average battery power (600 shots)
 has phase detect AF
 no liveview feature
90
 high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 high fps (30.0 frames per second)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 provides tracking autofocus
 weather sealing
 better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
 has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Sony A7 IV Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
80
 better than average battery power (600 CIPA)
 environment sealing
 has bluetooth
 has touch focus
 excellent  resolution (33MP)
 screen is selfie friendly
73
 better than average battery life (530 per charge)
 weather sealing
 has bluetooth
 includes focus via touch
 megapixel count excellent (50MP)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Sony A7 IV Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
83
 focusing manually
 switch lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen size is good (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent  resolution (33MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 above average high ISO (51,200)
 exports RAW files
 environment sealing
 better than average battery power (600 per charge)
 two card slots
 no liveview feature
88
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 decent sized screen (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 great high ISO (32,000)
 delivers RAW formats
 weather sealing
 better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
 2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Sony A7 IV Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
80
 screen is selfie friendly
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detection focusing
 high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 has external mic socket
36
 screen is touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detection focus
 video res high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
 has external microphone support
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7 IV vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 IV and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7 IVSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 IV Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-21 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 33MP 50MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7008 x 4672 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 51200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos    
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
Live view AF    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Total focus points 759 759
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 172 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,440 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB Yes (USB PD supported) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 699g (1.54 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 photographs 530 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse recording    
Storage type Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two Two
Price at release $2,500 $6,498