Sony Alpha A7 IV Launched

2021.10.21

After launching the class-leading Sony Alpha A7R IV reviewed here just over two years ago, brand enthusiasts started eagerly waiting for a more affordable the 4th-generation A7. Today, the wait is over. Less than three years since the previous model was announced, Sony introduced the latest generation of the most popular series of Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Cameras. The A7-series offers Full-Frame image-quality with a relatively low price while giving a truly solid performance.

The 4th-Generation model in its series is a substantial upgrade from the Sony A7 III with an entirely new image processing pipeline that boosts the image-quality and video-capabilities to the next level. The heart of the new Sony Alpha A7 IV is a 33 MP Exmor R Full-Frame CMOS sensor that is paired with a Bionz XR processor. This high-resolution sensor is mounted on a modern 5-axis image-stabilization system which provides 5½-stop of advantage over hand-holding, bringing the A7 IV inline with its Sony peers. Like other recent models the sensor in the A7 IV does not have an Anti-Alias Filter.

The Sony Alpha A7 IV is said to capture 15-stops of dynamic-range. Its sensor provides a typical ISO 100-51200 sensitivity-range which expands to ISO 50-204800. The 33 megapixels sensor in this mirrorless has a fast read-out speed which lets it capture full-resolution bursts at 10 FPS. With the latest Bionz XR processor, this camera can sustain over 1000 frames in JPEG or RAW format. A newly added uncompressed RAW format is slightly larger but the A7 IV still manages a whopping 800 frames per burst!

With the additional processing power, 759 Phase-Detect AF points on-sensor and a 425-area Contrast-Detect AF system, the Sony Alpha A7 IV greatly improves upon its predecessors, even surpassing the higher-end A7R IV. Newly developed algorithms allow this camera to continuous focus on faces, a human eye, birds and animals in general. Sony provides a huge number of focus-selection modes and a DMF directly in-camera to quick-shift the focus-distance on any lens. Due to its builtin image-stabilization, all lenses are stabilized on the A7 IV.

Many new features introduced on this camera are centered around video capabilities. Given its 33 MP sensor, images from the A7 IV are 7K pixels wide which it downsamples to 4K Ultra-HD. This enables it to introduce a unique feature to compensate for focus-breathing by adjusting the sampling area from which to render 4K video. Speaking of, this Sony records 4K at 60 FPS and 1080p at 120 FPS. Frame-rates up to 60 FPS can be recorded in 10-bits using the XAVC S or XAVS HS codec. Lower rates at 8-bits are available for direct streaming via USB in MJPEG format, a feature completely new to the Sony A7-series.

Videographers will rejoice while photographers will cringe at the relatively low-resolution LCD at the back which is mounted on a decidedly awkward and likely more fragile rotating hinge. This is the only significant setback on the A7 IV compared to the A7 III. A new of features however are missing from the specification sheet, possibly an omission but we are looking into it. This 4th-generation A7 is missing HDR, an Interval-Timer, Focus-Bracketing and Multiple-Exposure modes. Although its EVF has been upgraded a very nice 3.7 megapixels 0.5" unit, this one appears to be lacking an Eye-Start Sensor which will be sorely missed.

Sony made a number of major ergonomic upgrades to their A7 IV. Its new body closely resembles the A7R IV with a deeper grip, large 8-way focusing joystick and virtually the same control-layout. It even surpasses its more expensive sibling with a dedicated dial to switch between photo and video modes independently of Exposure-Mode. Realizing that few people use a direct Exposure-Mode dial these days, Sony made it customizable, thereby making the Sony Alpha A7 IV the first first model with 4 control-dials! During our review of the A7R IV, we found that its triple control-dials were underused at times, so it will be very interesting to see if Sony resolved the situation. Still, the Sony A7R IV is generally quite efficient and so the A7 IV is expected to surpass it! Already, the A7 IV is capable of keeping its shutter closed while changing lenses which hopefully greatly diminishes changes of getting sensor-dust that tends to stick on sensors that are statically-charged.

The Sony Alpha A7 IV is promising to be a significant upgrade in most regards. Its 33 MP sensor boasts a 25% increase in resolution which translates into larger prints. The 15-stop dynamic-range it can capture is a good leap ahead too. With a fast continuous drive and high-frame-rate video, this camera can capture faster action than other members of the A7-series. Even though some features did not appear on the specifications sheet, the A7 IV is packed with features including 5 metering modes, 9-Frame AEB with flexible drive modes. Sony always provides a high degree of control over color and detail rendition.

Connectivity of this mirrorless is exemplary. It supports both USB Type-C and Micro USB ports. The camera can charge via USB-C and accept a wired-remote via Micro-USB. It supports a slightly dated Bluetooth 4.1 protocol yet modern 5Ghz WiFi. With an adapter, it be connected via Ethernet. The new sensor and processor are slightly more power-hungry but the A7 IV still manages 520 shots-per-charge using the same Info-Lithium battery as its predecessors.

As with the majority of modern Full-Frame cameras, the Alpha A7 IV is weatherproof. It remains fairly light and moderately compact. What has increased is its price. The new Sony Alpha A7 IV is expected this December for $2500 USD or $3200 CAD. This is certain to be a popular mirrorless for videographers, so it is recommended to preorder one as soon as you are decided. Preorders are already accepted by Adorama and B&H Photo.

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