Clicky

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500

Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 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
  • Released July 2019
  • Older Model is Sony A7R III
  • New Model is Sony A7R V
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Sony A7R IV and Sony A500, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the A7R IV (61MP) and A500 (12MP) and the A7R IV (Full frame) and A500 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The A7R IV was launched 10 years after the A500 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the A7R IV grades versus the A500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony A500

 A7R IV A500 
ReleasedJuly 2019August 2009Newer by 121 months
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A7R IV

 A500 A7R IV 

Common features in the Sony A7R IV and Sony A500

 A7R IV A500 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A7R IV features outer dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs) and the Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7R IV and Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A7R IV and the A500.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R IV and A500 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A7R IV and A500.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A7R IV because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony A7R IV will render extra detail utilizing its extra 49 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer A7R IV provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R IV Portrait photography features
Sony A500 Portrait photography features
88
manual focus
great MP (61MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Sony A7R IV Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (32,000)
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sony A7R IV Sports photography features
Sony A500 Sports photography features
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (670 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 shots)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Sony A7R IV as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
74
good battery life (670 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
great MP (61 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
43
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery (520 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
Landscape photography with Sony A500
88
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good battery life (670 CIPA)
2 card slots
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R IV Vlogging features
Sony A500 Vlogging features
37
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
9
can't shoot video
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R IV and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha A7R IVSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R IV Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2019-07-16 2009-08-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 61MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 9504 x 6336 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 32000 12800
Highest boosted ISO 102800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 567 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync. Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 665g (1.47 pounds) 630g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 99 64
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 11.6
DXO Low light rating 3344 772
Other
Battery life 670 images 520 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 1
Launch cost $3,498 $638