Review: Sony A7 IV for videography

In October 2021, Sony launched the Sony A7 IV full-frame camera, which provides several improvements to the Sony A7 III. The A7 IV offers 33 megapixels, 50 fps in 4K, the same autofocus system as the Sony A1, and many advantages that simplify the workflow of videographers and photographers. 

The Sony A7 IV has, among other things, a redesigned touchscreen menu that is more user-friendly and intuitive than the Sony A7 III. The A7 IV also has more custom buttons and dials that can be assigned to different functions, giving you more control and flexibility over camera settings.

We asked videographer Simon Vaza to take a closer look at the Sony A7 IV, including its features and video specs. Read on for our Sony A7 IV review.

Mode dial

I find it very convenient that Sony has integrated a selection wheel to switch more quickly between photo, video and S&Q (slow-mo and timelapse) modes. The best thing about it is that when you change modes, you keep the same settings you had before and you can save three different recording modes. For example, in my camera I use mode 1: 25 fps 4K, mode 2: 50 fps 4K, and mode 3: 100 fps HD. Switching between modes is super easy and fast with the Sony A7 IV. Sony has also modified the exposure wheel on this camera and made it adjustable.

Memory card slots

The camera has three memory slots, one for CFexpress cards and two for UHS-I SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-II SD cards. CFexpress memory cards are usually quite expensive, but you don't really need them in this camera.

Bit-rate

For the Sony A7 III, the recording format is 8-bit, while the A7 IV works with 10-bit 4:2:2. Explaining everything in detail is very complex––the bottom line is that it captures much more colour information to work with in post-production.

Check out our article about the difference between 8-bit vs 10-bit in videography if you’re interested in learning more.

Video formats

The Sony A7 IV gives you a choice of three video formats: XAVC S is a video codec commonly used for 4K and HD video recording for vlogging and streaming. 

XAVC S offers smaller files, and lower quality. It captures 25fps at 140mb/s, 50fps at 200mb/s and 100fps (8-bit) at 100mb/s.

XAVC-I is a professional codec used in professional productions that offers higher bit rates and better picture quality. However, the files are also much larger than in the other formats, with 24fps at 250mb/s and 50fps at 500mb/s.

XAVC HS is a hybrid codec that combines the advantages of XAVC S and XAVC-I and offers a balance between image quality and file size that is suitable for various applications. It captures 24fps at 50mb/s and 50fps at 200mb/s.

Anti-dust function 

Unlike the A7 III, the A7 IV now allows you to close the shutter to protect the sensor from dust and scratches. You can select this function in the menu settings.

Face detection

The Sony A7 IV has been enhanced with eye and face recognition for humans, animals and birds, for which a separate function has been created in the menu.

HDMI port

The Sony A7 IV can be connected to another device via a normal HDMI cable—so there's no need to buy an extra cable.

Rolling shutter

This is a problem that has not improved at all since the A7 III. In dynamic lateral movement, the picture gets distorted in a way that the top and bottom of the picture are mispositioned, which means a straight line becomes curved. It's not really a big deal for me, since my work doesn't require a lot of lateral camera movement, but it's something to keep in mind.

Flip-out screen

Unlike the A7 III, the screen of the Sony A7 IV can now be flipped to the side. This is certainly handy for vloggers, who can easily check if their face is in the frame when filming.

Crop factor

A sensor crop of 1.5x occurs when the camera is recording at 4K 60fps. Sony included it in this camera so that it doesn't use the entire sensor and the camera doesn't overheat as quickly. Sometimes, it is a problem when you are in a small place and you want or have to record in slow motion (for example, in a car or in a small room), and it can be more difficult with the sensor crop.

Output resolution 1080p for vlogging

Filming in 1080p (Full HD) sounds like a downgrade at first when 4K is also available. However, filming in 1080p also offers some advantages. The footage is easier and faster to edit. You also need less storage space and can get by with cheaper memory cards. You can also upload the videos faster. This makes the Sony A7 IV perfect for vlogging and streaming.

Weather sealing

The weather sealing works. I haven't submerged it in a pool, or taken it to the beach—not recommended—but I have used it in moderate rain, and the camera still works as normal.

Overheating

For me, this is the biggest downside of the camera. Last summer in Berlin it was 36°C and the camera stopped recording in the middle of the session due to overheating. I had to wait for the camera to cool down in order to continue, so the shoot took a lot longer than expected. 

One solution is to set the temperature of the camera to ‘high’ so that it will not turn off when the overheating signal appears. Another suggestion is to always leave the screen open. Apparently, a lot of the heat accumulates behind the camera––if the screen is closed, the heat does not dissipate and the camera heats up faster.

Conclusion

I think the Sony A7 IV is an amazing mirrorless camera. In video mode, the focus is incredibly fast, the menu is easy to navigate, and the camera feels solid. However, for a long shooting session in summer, it is not a good option due to the overheating issue. Also, I don't like it when the camera adds a 1.5 crop factor when I use slow motion.

All in all, the ability to switch between photo and video without losing any settings is amazing, and the 33 megapixels capture great detail and quality in the images.

Thanks, Simon. Read more kit guides on the MPB content hub.