Sony’s new A7 The IV full-frame mirrorless camera is one of the best “low-end” mirrorless camera on the market. Yes, there are higher resolution sensors and you won’t find some of the premium video features, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better hybrid and a camera.
This update adds a new 33-megapixel sensor, crazy, virtually unlimited buffer capacity — meaning you can keep shooting uncompressed RAW/JPG until the battery runs out — an automatic focus system that lets you shoot uncompressed. Much improved dynamics with better eye tracking and support for more video capture modes, including Hybrid Log Gamma for playback on HDR TVs.
What’s new
Physically, the A7 IV isn’t much different from its predecessor, although the grip is noticeably larger, giving the camera a leaner feel. The new grip is very similar to what A7S III use. I find it less comfortable than mine A7RII, but how it feels will depend on the size of your hand. I recommend checking out one at your local camera store if you can. Despite the increased size, this is still one of the more compact full-frame cameras Mirrorless camera tutorial.
The controls on the back are still pretty close to what you’ll find on other recent A7-series cameras. There’s a four-way multi-controller that can also act as a dial, a joystick for locating the autofocus point, and six buttons that are all programmable. That’s enough external controls to make sure you really only need to drill down into the menus once to set things up the way you want them to. That’s also a good thing, because Sony’s menu system is still a maze, and the less time you spend there, the happier you’ll be.
What’s new and remarkable about the A7 IV is mainly on the inside. The A7 IV uses a new back-illuminated 33-megapixel CMOS sensor, which provides better resolution and potentially better image quality in low-light situations. The new sensor is a step up from the A7 III (which has a 24-megapixel sensor), as well as what you’ll find in rivals like the Canon R6, Nikon Z6II, and Panasonic S1.
At the same time, the A7 IV remains the entry-level camera in Sony’s lineup. In terms of resolution, the A7R IV, with its 60-megapixel sensor, is still in a class of its own. It’s worth noting that we’ll likely see the A7 IV’s sensor in the A7C successor, which I expect later this year — you should wait for that if you want a smaller body.
Although the sensor is new, the A7 IV’s processor from the Sony A7S III is focused on video, where it’s notable for its dynamic range. The A7 IV is similarly enhanced, offering 15 stops of dynamic range, opening up a wealth of post-processing possibilities. The new processor also makes the A7 IV slightly faster than its predecessor. (Sony claims it’s up to eight times faster.) I didn’t have the A7 III to compare the two, but I never felt like the A7 IV was bogged down.
AF power
Along with the processor and sensor, Sony’s new autofocus system – first seen on the flagship A9 – is finally on the A7 series. The improvement here is hard to overstate. This system that Sony calls “real-time tracking” is really smart and very fast.
I test half a dozen high-end mirrorless cameras a year, each of which promises faster autofocus, but most are indistinguishable judging by the results. I will confess that, on my own time, I only shoot with a manual focus lens. I’ve been shooting manually since picking up my first Minolta SR-T in 1988, and I’m pretty fast at this point. In most situations — with the exception of wildlife and sports — I get less out of focus with manual focus than with the latest and greatest autofocus. That is, until the A7 IV.
