Sony
A7R IV review
The 61 megapixel Sony A7R IV is remarkable as a technical achievement, but as a camera its handling is starting to grate
OUR VERDICT
The Sony A7R IV’s design tweaks make it handle better than
the A7R III before it (though it can still be tiresome), and the resolution
puts it well ahead of all its full frame mirrorless rivals for megapixels. And
yet… while Sony’s hybrid AF system just keeps on getting better and better, the
4K video stays capped at 30fps, and real-world sharpness gains are subtle.
FOR
World record
resolution!
Better
handling than the Mark III
Eye-tracking
AF
10fps
shooting
AGAINST
No 60/50p
video
Small
body/big lens imbalance
Ageing
design and handling
SPECIFICATIONS
Model number: ILCE-7RM4
Sensor: 61MP full frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
Image processor: BIONZ X
AF points: Hybrid AF, 567 phase detection, 325 contrast AF points
ISO range: 100 to 32,000 (exp. 50-102,400)
Max image size: 9,504 x 6,336
Metering modes: Multi-segment, centre-weighted, spot, average, highlight
Video: 4K UHD at 30p, 24p
Viewfinder: EVF, 5.76m dots
Memory card: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS II)
LCD: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1.44m dots
Max burst: 10fps
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Size: 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5mm
Weight: 655g (body only, with battery and SD card)
KEY FEATURES
61 millions pixels is a ground-breaking resolution for full
frame cameras, but it’s worth pointing out that this increase is spread across
both the image width and height, so the Sony’s images are not THAT much larger
than those of the Nikon Z 7, say, measuring 9,504 x 6,336 pixels (Sony) versus
8,256 x 5,504 pixels (Nikon). That’s an increase in image width and height of
15%.
What’s truly impressive is how Sony has managed to maintain a
10fps continuous shooting speed despite the massive increase in the data that’s
being captured and processed. True, the buffer capacity is restricted to 68 raw
files/JPEGS, but it’s also possible to shoot in an APS-C mode that captures 26
megapixel images and with 3x the buffer capacity (claimed).
Sony’s latest AF system brings 567 phase detection AF points
covering 74% of the image area (or the entire area in APS-C mode) and both
human and animal eye tracking.
The A7R Mark IV shoots 4K video, naturally, but
doesn't seem to have moved on very far in this area. The SteadyShot INSIDE
system now claims to offer 5.5EV shake compensation. (Image credit:
Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)
Video performance gets a boost with the addition of Real-Time
AF, but otherwise it does feel as if Sony is resting on its laurels somewhat.
There’s still no 50/60p 4K video capability, nor 10-bit capture, and if you
want the best ‘oversampled’ quality you need to use the cropped Super 35 mode.
You can capture full HD at up to 120fps and, arguably, the A7R IV is hardly a
video specialist. Nevertheless, it does feel as if the video capabilities have
not really advanced significantly.
Sony says its 5-axis in-body stabilisation system has been tuned
for this new camera to offer up to 5.5EV compensation, and A7R IV’s Pixel Shift
Multi Shooting mode can merge 16-shots made with tiny pixel-shifts between each
to produce 240MP images – if you have static subjects, sufficient storage
capacity and the required Sony Imaging Edge 2.0 software.
The A7R Mark IV does bring wireless tethered shooting
capability, though the large files and limited wireless data bandwidth
means you’re still likely to be better off with an old-fashioned cable
connection.
source:
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/uk/reviews/sony-a7r-mark-iv-review#section-performance