Sony announces the A7R IV, which is its latest and most advanced full-frame mirrorless camera yet. This certainly shows that the company doesn’t seem happy allowing Canon and Nikon to invade on its territory. Sony states that the new camera ensures “medium-format image quality” using its new 61-megapixel sensor.
While the predecessor, the A7R III offered just 42.4-megapixel sensor, Sony clearly made a stride forward in terms of camera resolution. As per Sony, the new sensor ensures a great level of detail even when you zoom far into your images. It’s scheduled to be released in September with a price tag of $3,500.
When compared based on megapixel count, the full-frame mirrorless cameras from other brands have the following on offer:
Panasonic S1R: 47.3MP
Nikon Z7: 45.7MP
Canon EOS R: 30.3MP
Now, the bigger megapixels count doesn’t seem important, especially to general users. Whereas, those wanting more resolution to work with will definitely get drawn towards this new camera from Sony. And going any higher basically requires buying into a medium-format system. Sony claims that the A7R IV offers 15 stops dynamic range, five-axis image stabilization, and burst shooting at 10 fps (with continuous AF/AE for every shot). Similarly, even when you drop it into an APS-C crop mode, it’ll capture 26-megapixels, on par in pixel density with something like the Fujifilm X-T3.
The camera’s autofocus system utilizes 567 phase-detect points and Sony’s signature eye-tracking for both humans and animals. Also, Sony for the first time ever is applying that real-time eye AF to video recording in one of its cameras. The A7R IV can record a 4K movie with S-Log 2/3 for professional editing.
Again, Sony is upgrading the audio recording capabilities in the A7R IV with a new system that captures a digital audio signal. It’s introducing two accessories that make the use of the new system, a $350 shotgun mic and $600 XLR mic adaptor kit.
And there are other improvements that include a 5.56-million-dot electronic viewfinder, redesigned grip, enhanced resistance against dust and moisture, dual UHS-II SD card slots, and wireless tethering.
Mirrorless bodied cameras are more compact and efficient as compared to other DSLR-styled cameras and as consumers shifting to the mirrorless ones are increasing, Sony’s latest entry seems very reasonable. This shifting trend has also led camera giants like Canon and Nikon to follow Sony’s path into full-frame mirrorless. While with the A7R IV, Sony seems to try to demonstrate that its existing leads, both in terms of technology and market share, might be overwhelming.
