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Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9

Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Revealed July 2019
  • Older Model is Sony A7R III
  • Replacement is Sony A7R V
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both built by Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the A7R IV (61MP) and A9 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The A7R IV was brought out 2 years after the A9 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the A7R IV grades vs the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony A9

 A7R IV A9 
LaunchedJuly 2019April 2017Newer by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony A7R IV

 A9 A7R IV 

Common features in the Sony A7R IV and Sony A9

 A7R IV A9 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution1440k1440kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7R IV enjoys physical measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs) and the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the A7R IV compared to the A9.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A7R IV and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The picture below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A7R IV and A9.

To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony A7R IV to deliver greater detail having its extra 37 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent A7R IV provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
Portrait photography with Sony A9
88
focusing manually
high MP (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
83
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R IV Street photography information
Sony A9 Street photography information
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (32,000)
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R IV Sports photography advice
Sony A9 Sports photography advice
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (670 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R IV Travel photography features
Sony A9 Travel photography features
74
good battery life (670 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
high MP (61 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
Landscape photography with Sony A9
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (61 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good battery life (670 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R IV Vlogging features
Sony A9 Vlogging features
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R IV and Sony A9
 Sony Alpha A7R IVSony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R IV Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-07-16 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 61 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 9504 x 6336 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 32000 51200
Max enhanced ISO 102800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 567 693
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync. Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 665g (1.47 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 99 92
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 13.3
DXO Low light rating 3344 3517
Other
Battery life 670 images 650 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $3,498 $4,498