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Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Released July 2019
  • Previous Model is Sony A7R III
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R V
Photography Glossary

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Sony A7 and Sony A7R IV, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both sold by Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the A7 (24MP) and A7R IV (61MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The A7 was launched 6 years before the A7R IV which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the A7 grades versus the A7R IV in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony A7R IV

 A7 A7R IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony A7

 A7R IV A7 
ReleasedJuly 2019January 2014Newer by 66 months
Display resolution1440k1230kClearer display (+210k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony A7R IV

 A7 A7R IV 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A7 comes with outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R IV has sizing of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A7 and Sony A7R IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the A7 against the A7R IV.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 and A7R IV is 78 and 62 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 and A7R IV.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A7R IV to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 37 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged A7 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7
Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
82
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
88
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography information
Sony A7R IV Street photography information
79
tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (474 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 Sports photography information
Sony A7R IV Sports photography information
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 CIPA)
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (61 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (670 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography factors
Sony A7R IV Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition in class (474 grams)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (340 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
74
good battery (670 shots)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
sensor resolution is high (61 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Landscape photography camera
75
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 per charge)
88
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (670 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7
Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
35
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic jack
lighter than competition in class (474g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
37
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony A7R IV
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-01-22 2019-07-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 61MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 9504 x 6336
Maximum native ISO 25600 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102800
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 117 567
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 474g (1.04 lbs) 665g (1.47 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 90 99
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 14.8
DXO Low light rating 2248 3344
Other
Battery life 340 shots 670 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Dual
Price at launch $798 $3,498