Sony a7R IV New Features, Hands-On Reviews & Specs

Overall the A7r IV is an evolutionary upgrade over its predecessor, but it’s surprising how much a boost in resolution and autofocus performance has broadened the flexibility and appeal of this model in Sony’s lineup, again allowing it to tempt detail fanatics whether their subjects are static or in fast motion. Recommended, although if 42 Megapixels are enough for you, look for bargains on the A7r III.

Overall, though, the new Sony Alpha A7R IV offers a compelling blend of out-and-out resolution, surprising speed and enhanced handling that widens its appeal beyond just portrait, landscape and architecture photographers.

The A7R IV proves that Sony is still very much on a roll with its Alpha line. While a handful of niggles from previous models remain, the class-leading pixel count, revamped Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode and autofocusing improvements in particular show the company continuing to innovate, and push further in all the right directions. And, while it’s not cheap, it commands less of a premium than previous Alpha models when you consider just what you’re getting here.

Sony is once again leaving rivals choking on its dust with the high-resolution A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera. The 61-megapixel resolution is more than any rival model, by far, and image quality is detailed and color accurate. Sony’s AI powered autofocus system is stunningly fast and accurate, and the Eye AF system is by far the best on the market. It’s also got much improved handling and does 4K video well. The drawback, as usual with Sony, is a difficult-to-navigate menu system and rolling shutter in video, though less than before. At $3,500, it’s competitive with rivals in pricing and overall, and it might be the best mirrorless camera ever built.

The full-frame mirrorless Sony a7R IV outshines its high-resolution competition with an outstanding autofocus system and a superlative image sensor, delivering class-leading performance.

While the a7R IV helps nudge Sony to the front of the pack, it doesn’t look like as big an upgrade as we’re used to seeing between whole version numbers. Equally, it perpetuates a handful of irritations that have persisted for multiple generations, now.

The A7R IV’s subtle design tweaks make it handle much better than the A7R III before it, and the resolution puts it well ahead of all its full frame mirrorless rivals for megapixels – and yet it has a great ISO range and 15-stop dynamic range too. Sony’s hybrid AF system just keeps on getting better and better, but 4K video stays capped at 30fps, which is mildly disappointing.

Not everyone needs 61MP, but you’ll still want the A7R IV for its speed, autofocus, and durability.

The A7R IV is a unique camera – one that appears to be just as comfortable out in the wild, shooting action and wildlife, as it does in the studio taking 61-megapixel product photos.

Sony continue to innovate with the latest high-resolution, high-speed, BSI CMOS sensors, and this means they’re able to offer high-resolution images, with low noise.

Back in 2018, we called this camera’s predecessor the new king of mirrorless cameras, and with the A7R IV, Sony might have just passed to crown over to something new.