After so much waiting and uncertainty, the most anticipated camera of the year, the Sony Alpha 7 IV, is released. Next, we’ll see if it lives up to the expectations we all had for this camera, and if it changes noticeably to its previous model, the Sony Alpha 7 III. The first thing to note is that this new model is based on the previous one, although with certain technological improvements that impressed, since improving these was already a difficult task. The big difference is the speed of this new model, thanks to the new processor, this model is 8 times faster and more powerful than the previous one.
Sony a7 IV Specifications
In this table we will show you the main features of the Sony a7 IV model, both in photography and video, and then we will show you its quality in practice.
SENSOR | 35 mm full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor, CON 33.0 MP |
PROCESSOR | BIONZ XR |
FOCUS (AF) | 35 mm full frame: 759 points |
VIEWER | 1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (OLED Quad-VGA) with 3.68 million dots |
DISPLAY | 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT LCD display with 1 036 800 dots, 3″. |
ISO | ISO 100-51 200 (upgradeable to ISO 50- 204 800) |
SHOTS PER SECOND | 10 FPS (with AF/AE tracking) |
STABILIZER | Image sensor displacement mechanism with 5-axis compensation 5.5 steps (according to CIPA standard)
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DYNAMIC RANGE | EV-4 to EV20 (equivalent to ISO 100 with an F2.0 lens attached)
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VIDEO RESOLUTION | 4K at 60p/30p (applicable over 7K sampling) and Full HD at 120p |
CONNECTIVITY | USB 3.2, Gen3, 10Gbps, Wifi 5 GHz and Bluetooth |
BATTERY | One NP-FZ100 rechargeable battery |
MONTURA | E-mount |
WEIGHT | 658 g (with battery) |
PRICE (body only) | see current price here |
Functions
To begin with, they have incorporated a new sensor together with a processor, the sensor is of the Exmor R CMOS type, with no less than 33 MPX, allowing impressive performance and quality. In addition, this new sensor offers high-speed readout, high sensitivity, noise reduction and high-precision color reproduction. With the processor, they set up a BIONZ XR type processor, which gives higher performance, allowing these fast speeds for continuous, convenient capture and reliable operation in data transfers. With all this we find higher resolution and better color reproduction, allowing images to better represent and highlight details, such as skin textures or animal details. Likewise, they added a new image format, in addition to the RAW and JPEG formats, you can now opt to choose a HEIF type format, which is a high efficiency image file, allowing for a deeper and more realistic view.
Price
Focused on the price there is a notable difference with respect to the previous model, since the
Sony A7 III
when it went on sale was priced at 2300€ (body only), and the new Sony A7 IV rose to 2800€ (body only). So, this new one came out with a considerable difference, but will it be worth spending that difference for the new Sony?
Approach
Focusing on the approach, this is the one we can highlight the most, as new methods and technologies are introduced.
We will start with the AF tracking system, with Sony’s 4D FOCUS, developed to improve speed, accuracy and tracking, with phase detection (759 points) and tracking. Thanks to the high speed of the processor, it allows us to capture approximately 800 frames at a speed of 10 fps, with AF/AE tracking. From here we can highlight that it was strange that they have not improved the speed in relation to the shots per second, but in the end with the new technologies and the new sensors and processors that they introduced, they compensate for it.
On the other hand, they also introduced real-time tracking AI, which detects and tracks eyes and subjects, whether people or animals, with extreme precision, keeping them in focus at all times. With this we highlight the improvement of the Eye Af Tracking, in real time, due to the great power of the new processor, as well as the focus on animals.
Bird photography
Another novelty incorporated is the Eye Af system in real time, but this time especially for birds. For the first time in Sony Alpha models, the bird eye detection system is introduced for both stills and recordings. This system is based on keeping the bird (especially its eye) in focus at all times, whether it is perched or flying at any speed. It is triggered automatically, you simply have to activate the “bird” mode.
Video
The resolution and connectivity of video recordings is another of the improvements introduced. The new camera allows recording movies and recordings at an impressive quality of 4K at 60/30p, having also the option to apply a full frame 7K oversampling, guaranteeing a very detailed and amazing quality and focus. Moreover, it now has connectivity with S-Cinetone, allowing this setting to make the skin look smoother and more realistic. In addition, there is a new focus map function, allowing you to easily view the depth of field when shooting, making it easier to see if the entire area is in focus.
On the other hand with connectivity, with just a USB cable together with a computer or smartphone, you can turn the camera into a high performance webcam, allowing you to create videos at amazing quality (4K/ Full HD) in full live.
Folding screen
Another transformation they incorporated is the new screen, which is fully foldable. Allowing us to move it and accommodate it in any way we want, sideways, up or down … Being this more comfortable and simple.
Sony a7 IV review
The Sony a7 IV, thanks in part to the increase in price, goes from being a camera designed for those who want to get into full frame to a fighting mid-range camera. On the positive side, the Sony a7III is still a very valid option if you don’t need 60p video or that amount of information that the new one offers thanks to its resolution.
