Review: Sony A7R IV specs

The full-frame mirrorless Sony A7R IV, released in late 2019, is notable for its ultra-high-resolution sensor and a rapid-firing shooting ability to help to freeze action. The camera’s sensor features an astonishing 61.2 megapixels, while autofocus shooting is available at up to ten frames per second. And there’s also a high-resolution mode, which enables you to shoot 16 images of still subjects at 240 megapixels.

The camera’s full-frame CMOS sensor is a backside-illuminated (BSI) design, which means the A7R IV is capable of performing well in low-light situations. A BIONZ X image-processing engine and front-end LSI help to maximize high-resolution sensor performance and deliver up to 15 stops of dynamic range at low ISO values, enabling you to get richer tones in your pictures. The potent combination of the ultra-high-resolution sensor with a sophisticated processor means image quality will be excellent across a wide variety of other subjects, such as landscapes and portraits, with compressed and uncompressed 14-bit RAW image output—for smoother, more natural gradations—possible. That continuous top speed of 10fps is more than capable of capturing fast-moving action, such as nature or sport, further helped by a top shutter speed of 1/8000sec.

The A7R IV’s autofocus system features 567 on-sensor phase-detection points, which cover 99.7% of the frame vertically and 74% of the frame horizontally, plus 425 contrast-detection autofocus points. The ‘Fast Hybrid AF’ system on the camera means you get a combination of accurate focus tracking of fast-moving subjects, via phase detection, and accurate reading of still subjects, via contrast detection. The autofocus system also offers AI-based Real-time Tracking, which is activated by a half depression of the shutter button and will accurately track a subject once you’ve designated which subject you wish it to follow. It’s a 4D Focus system, which means the camera takes into account time elapsing alongside space. In effect, it’s a predictive autofocus system that tracks and calculates where your subject will go next.

To ensure steady shooting, the A7R IV has a built-in five-axis stabilization system, which uses the stabilization unit, gyro sensors and algorithms to help to achieve a 5.5-stop shutter speed advantage—even if the camera is hand-held. This means you can shoot with slower shutter speeds without any fear of camera shake in your still pictures. The system operates with a wide range of lenses, thus further expanding your hand-held shooting possibilities.

The standard ISO range is 100-32,000, but this can be expanded to ISO 50 and up to a maximum of ISO 102,800. This means you can shoot in almost any light condition while retaining very fine details in pictures—further helped by Sony’s Noise Reduction technology, which can work on exposures longer than one second and at high ISOs.

On the rear of the camera, there’s a 3-inch [7.5cm], adjustable LCD touchscreen with a 1.44million dot resolution. The screen can be tilted up by approximately 107 degrees and down by approximately 41 degrees. Such a large screen is great for reviewing both still images and video footage. If you prefer to compose your images via a viewfinder, the A7R IV has a high-resolution 5.76 million dot OLED display that can be set to either standard quality or high quality. The camera’s spec also includes full-width 4K video shooting at 30p.

The Sony A7R IV mirrorless camera is capable of delivering a huge amount of potential image quality. The full-frame 61-megapixel sensor is able to produce images that can comfortably be blown up to billboard size and beyond. If you shoot high-res stills and want superb image quality, then the A7R IV is an ideal camera for you. It merits closer inspection for shooting all sorts of genres—landscape, portrait, studio, commercial, sport, nature and more.