Sony Alpha 7R IV: 61 megapixels and still fast
16.7.2019
Translation: machine translated
Sony has announced the Alpha 7R IV for autumn. As befits the R series, it is a pixel monster. But it is probably also ideal for sports, animal photography and videos.
Sony continues to go full throttle with its mirrorless full-frame cameras. Today, the company presented the Sony A7R IV. Compared to the predecessor model A7R III, it represents a big step forward.
Lots of resolution and lots of speed
The A7R series is trimmed for particularly high resolution. The new back-illuminated sensor of the A7R IV offers 61 megapixels. With pixel shifting technology, it is even possible to take photos with 240 megapixels. This involves taking 16 shots in quick succession with a slightly shifted sensor and then combining them into one image.
According to Sony, the new sensor has a dynamic range of 15 exposure levels. If that's true, it's a record for a 35mm camera.
Of course, the A7R IV also has a built-in image stabiliser. This is important because even the slightest shake is recognisable at a high resolution.
Also a sports camera
The high resolution of the A7R III did not come at the expense of speed. This remains the case. Because data processing is getting faster and faster, the A7R IV can still shoot 10 images per second despite 61 megapixels. The buffer memory is sufficient for 68 images.
Important: The camera achieves the 10 photos per second with tracked autofocus. This makes it ideal for sports and action. It is also suitable for other reasons.
The image section can be cropped to the format of an APS-C camera. This crop mode allows sports and wildlife photographers to enlarge their subjects even further. Of course, this reduces the resolution, but it is still 26 megapixels. More importantly, however, in crop mode practically the entire image area is provided with autofocus points, 325 in total.
Sony is known to have very good AI for recognising eyes and moving subjects. The tracking technology has been pushed even further in Sony's top-of-the-range A9 model via a firmware update: It is capable of real-time eye autofocus for people and animals. These features are also included in the new A7R IV.
Also a video camera
Real-time eye autofocus is even available in video mode, which is a first. The camera naturally supports 4K, as well as S-Log 2 and 3 and HLG for post-processing. The interesting thing for video people, however, is the new microphone. It transmits the signals digitally to the camera. The microphone can be adjusted to determine how directional it is.
First impression: a well-rounded affair
The presentation was quite short for such a complex device. Sony mentioned a few features in passing:
- OLED viewfinder with 5.76 million pixels
- Double card slot for UHS-II cards (particularly fast SD cards)
- Studio flash connection
- USB-C and Wifi (2.4 and 5 Ghz for the first time)
- Wireless tethering
- Improved dust and moisture protection, magnesium alloy
- New battery grip with 2 batteries
- Revised buttons
The Sony A7R IV should be available in September 2019. Sony has given a price of 3500 US dollars for the USA. However, you can't simply convert this price into Swiss francs - partly because taxes are added in the USA, which vary from state to state.
Update: The RRP is 4500 francs and we have the camera available for pre-order in the shop.
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.
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