Sony Launches the New Sony A7IV - Is it right for you?

The Sony A7IV mirrorless is one of the most anticipated cameras of the year. With Sony pitching it as the ideal instrument for a “new generation of image-makers,” creators around the globe are wondering it’s the right fit. We have a full video break-down with our good friend and special guest Lee Zavitz.

Key Specs:

• 33MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
• Up to 10 fps shooting in lossy Raw with extensive buffer
• In-body stabilization rated up to 5.5EV
• Full-width oversampled 4K from 7K, up to 30p
• 4K/60p with Super35 / APS-C mode
• 10-bit video or HEIF stills capture
• H.265 video, S-Cinetone color mode
• Twin card slots (1x CFe A/UHS-II, 1x UHS-II SD)
• Full-time Bluetooth LE connection

https://youtu.be/ONVE1ONNiJM

Some old, some new

Off the bat, the new model maintains a lot of its beloved features with two new wireless, remote control external flashes: the HVL-F60RM2 GN60 and the HVL-F46RM – GN46. But of course, the most important update to the Sony A7IV is its new sensor.

Photo

Some are calling it the perfect hybrid camera due to the AF, 33mp full frame for photos, as well as both people and animal eye focus, including birds! So wether you are planning to use for photography or video, you are getting a beast of a camera. Special thanks to Lee Zavitz for being our guest host and providing high-res photo samples from the Sony A7IV for your review. [gallery link="file" columns="4" size="medium" ids="3958,3959,3960,3961,3962,3963,3964,3965"]

The Sensor

Boasting a new 33MP full-frame Exmore R back-illuminated CMOS sensor, it carries a significant increase in resolution from its predecessor (the A7 III) at 24.2. The new sensor, in conjunction with the latest BIONX XR image processor, unlocks 10fps continuous shooting with full-pixel readout. The faster sensor also allows 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video recording up to 60p internally. Unlike the Canon R5 for example, the body is better able to support continuous recording at the highest rate for over an hour.

Video

For videographers out there, the new high-resolution sensor allows for 4K 30p video with 7K oversampling in full-frame mode. Here’s the coolest part, creators can now shoot in S-Cinetone, the same picture profile used by Sony’s high-end Cinema Line cameras. Though we haven’t had a chance to test out this profile, it’s sure to enrich the color and tones of your shoots for a more professional cinematic look and feel.

Autofocus

Similar to its predecessor, the a7 IV’s core is a BIONZ XR image processor which packs speeds up to eight times faster than the Sony a7 III. A major benefit of this is faster processor is response times and autofocus. Sony has estimated that face and eye detection on the Sony A7IV, is around 30% more accurate than the a7 III.  For nature lovers, features like Eye AF, which can track the eyes of birds and animals in both stills and video is a welcomed bonus. It also uses a new Hybrid system that combines 794 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points that cover approximately 94% of the image area.

Body

The Sony A7IV will look familiar to most camera enthusiasts, but it does have some improvements. A new 3-inch vari-angle touch screen for better viewing, an improved Quad-VGA OLED viewfinder with around 1.6 times the resolution of the EVF on the a7 III

Price

The New Sony A7IV is obviously their most powerful camera on the market but is it worth the price tag? It’s available now for pre-order for $2,498, or $2,698 with a 28-70mm kit lens. That comes as a significant price increase to the Sony a7III which is new for $1,798 or as low as $1,500 in near mint condition on Gear Focus.