Sony A7R V with 8K and a dual-motion screen
26.10.2022
Translation: machine translated
Of all things, Sony does not increase the resolution of its resolution flagship. Nevertheless, the fifth edition of the Alpha 7R offers some interesting innovations. I was already able to get a first impression.
The "R" in the name of the Sony A7R stands for Resolution. In the Sony line-up, it is the camera with the highest resolution. Now comes version V of the A7R - but the resolution is not increased. It remains at 61 megapixels. Instead, Sony has improved various other points, from the screen to the viewfinder to the image stabiliser.
Better image stabilisation
The built-in image stabiliser, according to Sony, now compensates for up to eight exposure stops instead of five and a half stops as in the predecessor. A powerful image stabiliser is important in a high-resolution camera, as even the slightest shake is noticeable. I cannot check whether there are really eight stops, but the difference between the stabiliser being on and off is very clear.
Here is a detail from a photo with a focal length of 24 millimetres and a half-second exposure time.
For comparison, a shot with the same settings but without image stabiliser.
Video at 8K and 4K50
Better viewfinder, more versatile screen
By the way, these figures are sub-pixels. The number of pixels is only a third as high. In pixels, the resolution of the viewfinder is 2048 × 1536.
On the screen, Sony combines two different movement mechanisms. On the one hand, the screen can be turned out sideways by 180 degrees and then rotated around its own axis, as is popular for video recording. At the same time, the screen can also be pulled out and then rotated upwards to look at it from above. This mechanism is less flexible, but faster.
Autofocus gets a bit smarter
The autofocus also works better in APS-C mode. It now includes just as many autofocus points as in full-frame mode and also covers almost the entire image field. In APS-C mode, only the inner part of the sensor is used - mainly to be able to use lenses built for smaller sensors.
Ah, there was one more thing: image quality
Sensitivity in low light has somehow been improved, but Sony remained vague about this in advance. The manufacturer has also tweaked the colour reproduction and white balance. These are certainly not significant improvements over the predecessor.
This is an unedited image of the camera.
I shot this unprocessed JPEG at 25600 ISO. Below is a small crop of it. The camera's RAW files cannot yet be edited at the time of this hands-on because my RAW converter does not yet support the new format.
The Sony Alpha 7R is expected to be available from mid-November 2022. Also remaining available are its predecessor, the IV model, and a slightly updated version of its predecessor, the Sony A7R III A.
Conclusion: resolution potential is better utilised
The main feature of the A7R series has always been its high resolution - so at first it seems perverse not to improve that of all things. The improvements in autofocus were probably made by Sony with other cameras in mind. In this respect, the new A7R V is not quite what I expected.
The innovations are nevertheless useful and sensible. There wasn't necessarily a need for action in terms of resolution - 61 megapixels are enough for practically everything. It is more important that the resolution can be fully exploited. This requires not only high-quality lenses, but also a powerful image stabiliser and precise autofocus. The A7R V has all that.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
Photo and video
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
News + Trends
From the latest iPhone to the return of 80s fashion. The editorial team will help you make sense of it all.
Show all
