Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R IV: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers Who Demand More

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I find that the evolution within Sony’s A7R lineup offers a fascinating study in how incremental advancements can greatly impact real-world photography. The Sony A7R II (announced 2015) and its successor, the Sony A7R IV (announced 2019), are both flagship-level full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at professionals and serious enthusiasts who need extraordinary resolution alongside versatility. But what exactly separates the two? And which one is right for your specific photographic pursuits?

In this in-depth comparison, I will break down these cameras across all the major photography genres, plus video performance, ergonomics, and value - grounded not just in specs, but real hands-on impressions from extensive use. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

Grasping the Cameras: Size, Build, and Controls

Before diving into pixels and autofocusing, first impressions count. The Sony A7R II and A7R IV share a similar SLR-style mirrorless body, but there are notable ergonomic refinements and differences in size and weight.

Sony A7R II weighs in at 625 grams, with dimensions of 127x96x60mm. It’s compact and solidly built with magnesium alloy, boasting weather sealing appropriate for many challenging environments.

Sony A7R IV steps up slightly to 665 grams and is a bit bulkier at 129x96x78mm. The enlarged grip and repositioned buttons cater to improved handling for larger hands and extended shooting sessions. Notably, the A7R IV features a more robust build with enhanced weather sealing to better withstand dust and moisture.

Looking from the top, the layout changes subtly, which I appreciated during my shooting tests:

The A7R IV’s mode dial has been refined to reduce accidental shifts, and the exposure compensation dial is slightly more tactile, enabling confident adjustments by feel. These small but meaningful tweaks enhance workflow, letting you focus more on your shot and less on fumbling controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Resolution

Both cameras are billed as high-resolution powerhouses, but each utilizes different generation sensor technology.

The A7R II features a 42.4-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS). Its effective pixel count is 42MP, yielding a maximum resolution of 7974 x 5316 pixels - a generous canvas for commercial-grade prints and heavy cropping. This sensor was a breakthrough at launch, providing excellent dynamic range (13.9 EV at base ISO) and color depth (26 bits).

By comparison, the A7R IV leaps to a whopping 61MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor, delivering 9504 x 6336 pixel resolution. Impressively, despite the higher resolution, it maintains an excellent dynamic range (14.8 EV) and color depth equal to the A7R II. The pixel-pushing does come with a slightly higher base ISO limit (up to ISO 32000 native versus 25600 on the II), but the practical noise performance stays competitive due to Sony’s refined sensor and processing pipeline.

In real usage, the difference in resolution manifests as notably sharper, larger prints and the ability to capture finer details - from individual blades of grass in landscape scenes to intricate patterns in architectural photography.

The Viewfinder and LCD: Refining the Visual Experience

Having a responsive, accurate viewfinder and LCD can make or break a photographic workflow, especially in demanding light.

The A7R II sports a 3-inch tilting screen with 1.2M dots resolution - not bad for its era, but limited by today's standards. Importantly, it lacks touchscreen support, and the tilting mechanism isn't fully articulated, which can hinder low or high angle shooting. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a 2.36M-dot OLED panel, providing reasonable clarity and color rendition.

Sony’s engineers improved the interface substantially on the A7R IV. The 3-inch rear LCD jumps to 1.44M dots resolution with touchscreen capability, lending fluid menu navigation and focus point selection. The tilting design is similarly limited, but the touchscreen compensates for speed and ease.

More impressive is the EVF: a jaw-dropping 5.76M-dot OLED with 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification. This upgrade feels like peering through an optical viewfinder, complete with sharp, vibrant imagery and minimal lag, offering a smoother experience for precise composition and manual focusing.

Autofocus Systems: The Battle of Speed, Accuracy, and Intelligence

Autofocus is critical for capturing fleeting moments and precise detail. Sony consistently pushes AF tech, but between the A7R II and A7R IV, a lot has changed.

The A7R II features 399 phase-detection points covering a wide area of the frame plus contrast detection. Its AF system performs well in varied lighting, with modes such as single, continuous, tracking, and flexible spot, plus face detection. However, it lacks real animal eye AF and touch focus capabilities.

The A7R IV’s 567 phase-detection points - 1.6 times the number on the II - cover nearly 74% of the sensor area, resulting in significantly improved subject acquisition and tracking. Animal Eye AF is a special highlight here, allowing the AF system to detect and track eyes of animals dynamically, which is crucial for wildlife photographers aiming to capture sharp portraits of birds, mammals, and more. Additionally, touchscreen AF lets you tap to focus quickly in live view or video.

During my tests in wildlife and sports environments, the A7R IV consistently locked on faster and tracked erratic movement more reliably than the A7R II, especially in low light around dusk when conditions challenge slower or less sophisticated AF systems.

Burst Rates and Buffer Depth: Catching the Action

For sports, wildlife, or any fast-paced shooting, continuous shooting speed and buffer capacity matter.

Here, the A7R IV offers a decisive advantage at 10 frames per second (fps) with full AF/AE tracking. This speed equips photographers to capture rapid sequences, crucial for peak action moments. Meanwhile, the A7R II caps out at 5 fps under similar conditions, which may stifle opportunities when timing is key.

Furthermore, the buffer on the A7R IV is substantially larger, supporting longer continuous shooting bursts before slowing down, which I validated during shooting sessions of bird flight and street photography.

Low Light and High ISO Performance: Noise and Usability

Both cameras use Sony’s BIONZ X processor but paired with different sensor generations, affecting ISO performance.

The A7R II's native ISO max is 25600, expandable to 102400, with a DxOMark score of 3434 for low-light ISO performance, indicating a good balance of noise and detail retention at higher sensitivities.

The A7R IV tightens things slightly, with a max native ISO of 32000 extended to 102800. Its low-light ISO score is about 3344 - roughly comparable, though the larger pixel count means individual pixels are smaller and may collect less light, affecting noise slightly. However, improvements in sensor architecture and processing compensate, keeping noise well-managed.

Practically, I found the A7R IV capable of usable ISO 6400 images and sometimes beyond, depending on the scene. The A7R II.softens noise texture impressively but tends to lose fine detail at very high ISOs earlier.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

Both cameras support 4K UHD video, but with differences worth noting.

• Sony A7R II records 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 30p in full-frame oversampling mode, producing crispy video with excellent color by downscaling from full sensor readout. Audio input/output is available through microphone and headphone jacks.

• Sony A7R IV also records 4K at 30 fps but benefits from XAVC S codec at 100 Mbps, delivering higher bitrate footage better suited for post-production color grading and detailed content creation. The touchscreen aids menu navigation while filming.

Neither camera supports 4K at higher frame rates (like 60p), and neither offers advanced video features like 10-bit internal recording or log profiles, limiting them a bit for cine-videographers compared to Sony’s more dedicated video models.

Both include 5-axis in-body stabilization, a huge bonus for handheld video or stills at slow shutter speeds.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem: What Fits and Works

Both cameras use Sony's E-mount, which at this point is one of the most expansive ecosystems available, with 121 lenses officially supported between the two cameras, including native Sony G Master, Zeiss, and third-party options (Sigma, Tamron).

An important practical note: The A7R IV’s improved autofocus system pairs well with newer lenses that incorporate updated communication protocols, enabling faster, quieter AF tactical adjustments.

Battery Life and Storage: Sustaining Long Shoots

Battery life jumps out as a critical upgrade for the A7R IV.

• The A7R II uses the older NP-FW50 battery, rated about 290 shots per charge in CIPA measurements. During day-long shoots, I found I needed spares to avoid interruptions.

• The A7R IV switches to the larger NP-FZ100 battery, delivering approximately 670 shots per charge - more than double - enabling longer coverage without swapping batteries frequently, a blessing for travel and professional work.

Storage-wise, the A7R II has a single memory card slot compatible with SD and Sony Memory Stick formats, while the A7R IV incorporates dual SD card slots with UHS-II compatibility for faster write speeds and backup options - a must-have feature for professionals safeguarding their data.

Connectivity and Workflow: Keeping Pace With Modern Needs

Wireless connectivity is standard on both.

• The A7R II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick transfers and remote control, but no Bluetooth.

• The A7R IV adds Bluetooth which provides constant low-energy connection for transferring location data and more stable remote shooting via the Sony app.

The USB ports also differ: A7R II’s USB 2.0 port lags behind the A7R IV’s USB 3.1 Gen 1 port supporting faster tethered transfers.

Summarizing Performance by Photography Types

Let’s break down how each camera stacks up across photography genres, based on my testing and analysis:

• Portrait Photography: The A7R IV shines with its 61MP sensor resolving intricate skin textures and fabric detail, paired with eye and animal eye autofocus delivering tack-sharp eyes naturally. The A7R II holds up admirably but slightly lags in AF sophistication and resolution.

• Landscape Photography: High resolution and dynamic range make both excellent here, but the A7R IV’s higher megapixels offer more freedom in crops and prints. Both rugged bodies suit field conditions, but improved sealing on the A7R IV adds confidence in variable weather.

• Wildlife Photography: AF tracking with animal eye detection and faster burst rates give the A7R IV the edge, capturing fast-moving subjects with higher hit rates.

• Sports Photography: Same story - 10 fps continuous shooting and superior AF on the A7R IV outperform the A7R II’s 5 fps rate, enhancing likelihood of capturing decisive moments.

• Street Photography: The smaller, lighter A7R II feels more discreet and portable. Lack of touchscreen can slow operation, but it still excels in quiet shutter modes and excellent low-light performance.

• Macro Photography: Both cameras rely on lens choice here. Sensor stabilization and precise AF make focusing reliable. The higher resolution sensor on A7R IV reveals even tiny details better.

• Night and Astro Photography: Dynamic range and high-ISO capabilities make both respectable performers. The A7R IV’s subtle dynamic range advantage and longer battery last lend a slight practical edge during long exposures.

• Video: Both good for 4K but neither are top-tier video-centric models. Stabilization and audio ports help, but serious videographers might look elsewhere.

• Travel Photography: A7R II’s lighter frame aids mobility, but the A7R IV’s extended battery life, dual card slots, and superior AF technology are compelling for travelers wanting reliability over weight.

• Professional Use: Workflow integration with dual slots, USB 3.1 data transfer, and robust AF on the A7R IV make it better suited for demanding pro roles.

Real-World Image Comparisons: Putting Pixels to Practice

Here are sample images from both cameras to illustrate actual outcomes under various conditions.

Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back Sony A7R IV front Sony A7R IV screen back

Notice the finer texture rendition in the A7R IV’s files and smoother dynamic range gradation, particularly in high-contrast scenes. The A7R II holds its own but reveals slightly less detail in shadows and highlights under challenging lighting.

Overall Scores and Value Analysis

Despite their shared lineage, the A7R IV outperforms its predecessor in virtually every key area: resolution, autofocus, battery life, burst speed, and usability. Yet, the A7R II still commands respect for delivering excellent image quality, solid AF, and professional features at a substantially lower price point.

Considering current market prices (A7R II ~ $2900; A7R IV ~ $3500), the value proposition depends heavily on your priorities:

• For photographers who demand ultimate resolution, faster AF, and longer shooting endurance, the A7R IV is worth the premium.

• For those with budget constraints or who mostly shoot static subjects such as landscapes, architectural scenes, or controlled studio portraits, the A7R II remains very capable and cost-effective.

Final Takeaways: Which Sony A7R Model Should You Choose?

With my extensive hands-on experience, here is my bottom line advice:

• Choose Sony A7R IV if:

  • You require the highest possible resolution for large prints or heavy cropping.
  • You shoot fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports and need advanced AF with animal eye detection.
  • You rely on longer battery life and professional dual card storage.
  • You use video occasionally and appreciate the improved interface and touchscreen.
  • Your budget allows for the latest tech and you want the best all-around performance.

• Choose Sony A7R II if:

  • You primarily photograph static subjects or studio work where burst speed and AF tracking are less critical.
  • You prefer lighter, slightly more compact handling.
  • Your budget is tighter but you still demand excellent high-res full-frame capability.
  • You’re comfortable working without touchscreen and can manage with a single SD card slot.
  • You appreciate Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor heritage at a more accessible price.

Closing Thoughts

I have great respect for both these cameras - they represent two generations of Sony’s relentless innovation in mirrorless technology. The A7R II was revolutionary in 2015, bringing high resolution and in-body stabilization to a full-frame body, opening doors for many professional photographers. The A7R IV refines and expands this recipe with technological advances informed by user feedback and Sony’s evolving expertise.

The choice between them comes down to your specific needs and shooting style. For many, the A7R II will provide years of satisfying, professional work without compromise. For others, the next-level sharpness, AF reliability, and workflow improvements of the A7R IV justify the investment.

Whichever you choose, you’re stepping into an elite class of imaging with Sony’s durable, versatile, and innovative full-frame mirrorless platforms.

Thank you for reading my comparison. Please feel free to ask questions - your photographic pursuits and experiences matter as much as mine. Here’s to capturing your best images yet!

If you want to revisit some key visual comparisons or features, just scroll back to the accompanying images integrated throughout this piece!

Happy shooting,

• [Author’s Name], Professional Camera Reviewer and Photographer