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Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1

Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced July 2019
  • Old Model is Sony A7R III
  • Replacement is Sony A7R V
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost 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
  • Introduced January 2021
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A7R IV (61MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The A7R IV was launched 18 months prior to the a1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A7R IV grades versus the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony a1

 A7R IV a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7R IV

 a1 A7R IV 
IntroducedJanuary 2021July 2019Fresher by 18 months

Common features in the Sony A7R IV and Sony a1

 A7R IV a1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution1440k1440kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Sony A7R IV offers 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) whilst the Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the A7R IV and the a1.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R IV and a1 is 62 and 61 respectively.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The graphic here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A7R IV and a1.

All in all, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A7R IV to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older A7R IV is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R IV Portrait photography advice
Sony a1 Portrait photography advice
88
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
89
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R IV Street photography info
Sony a1 Street photography info
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (32,000)
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
great high ISO (32,000)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A7R IV as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
good battery pack (670 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (530 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7R IV
Travel photography with Sony a1
74
good battery pack (670 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
features touch focus
MP count excellent (61MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
74
good battery life (530 shots)
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
MP count excellent (50MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R IV as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
88
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (61 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery pack (670 CIPA)
two card slots
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good battery life (530 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
Vlogging with Sony a1
37
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
37
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R IV and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7R IVSony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7R IV Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-07-16 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 61 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 9504 x 6336 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 32000 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO 102800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 567 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 665g (1.47 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 99 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 3344 not tested
Other
Battery life 670 shots 530 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $3,498 $6,498