Product Review: SONY Alpha A7 IV

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SONY Alpha A7 IV

SONY

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The follow-up to the A7 Mark III is the aptly titled Sony A7 Mark IV, and it comes with a host of new features, upgrades, and improvements.

And this whole array of features and improvements to what is essentially Sony’s “base model” Alpha 7-series camera is pretty spectacular. If you're unsure what to buy, you can always rent or subscribe to a Sony camera.

First, let’s get a rundown of the reviews and specifications before we dive into the key features of this new camera.

4,9/5

4,9

Based upon27 reviews from Wedio members

Effectiveness icon

Effectiveness

4,9

Usability icon

Usability

4,9

Value for money icon

Value for money

5,0

Overall icon

Overall rating

4,9

What creators like

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Great lender

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This is my go to stills camera, light weight, great in low light conditions, healthy battery life and I love the sony image look

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A7 IV er det perfekte hybrid kamera, laver vanvittig lækker video og tager fremragende billeder

What creators don't like

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Great lender

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The screen can become busy with information so try to deselect what's not needed

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Bit weak in dark place

See all reviews

Is it worth it?

Yes

Offers a brilliant blend of photographic power and video versatility. By effectively combining two cameras in one, it's the best example so far of the hybrid convenience that modern mirrorless cameras can offer. the A7 IV brings improvements across the board, including a new 33MP sensor, Bionz XR processor and significantly upgraded video skills.

No

With a cropped 4K/60p mode and rolling shutter issues, it isn't quite the perfect video camera. The A7 IV's battery life, in-body image stabilization and burst shooting speeds are also merely average rather than class-leading. This also isn't exactly a discreet camera for travel or street shooting either, nor a light one for long landscape hikes.

Community reviews

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Gustav Idun Sloth

SONY Alpha A7 IV: Review by Gustav Idun Sloth

Advance autofocus performance, easy live streaming features, improved image and video quality makes A7 IV the ultimate hybrid camera on the market. Learn more about it with Gustav 📷

Trailer

9WRaeOawXk4

Intro

1

lsgxxSXJeM8

Overview

25

Disadvantages

179

Hybrid features

305

Pricing

343

Ending

400

Tips before rental

rmIGc8WS-s8

Pros

Excellent image quality

4K 60p 4:2:2 video

Super-responsive AF

Extensive external controls

Perfect Hybrid camera

Cons

Relatively slow shooting speeds

It can overheat

No 4k/120fps

SONY Alpha A7 IV vs. Nikon Z7 II

SONY Alpha A7 IV

Nikon Z7 II

Weight

0.659 kg

0.705 kg

Sensor

33MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS

46MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS

Dimensions

129 x 97 x 81 mm

134 x 101 x 70 mm

ISO

100 - 51200 ( expands to 50 - 204800)

64 - 25600 ( expands to 32 - 102400)

Screen

3.00" Fully articulated Screen

3.20" Tilting Screen

Wireless

YES

YES

Video resolution

4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160

4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160

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Complete SONY Alpha A7 IV review

Accurate autofocus performance

The A7 IV boasts essentially the same impressive autofocusing system as the flagship A1 camera, putting a major focus on speed and subject-tracking capabilities.

Autofocus algorithms have been updated across the board for improved precision and performance and allow you to take your wildlife photography to the next level by being able to track both birds and mammals.

Easy live-streaming features

The process of live streaming directly from your camera has been streamlined in the A7 IV. When you connect the camera to the computer through USB, the menu gives you the choice to live stream via USB. Streaming video is supported up to 4K at 15fps, Full HD at 60p and 30p, and 720p at 30p.

sony alpha a7 iv

Improved image and video quality

The big news in the A7 Mark IV is the all-new 33.0-megapixel full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor, paired with Sony's newer BIONZ XR image processing engine from the Alpha 1 and A7S III. The camera offers crisp and sharp images with fine detail and well-controlled noise. Colors are vibrant yet natural and not over-saturated.

Battery and connectivity

The Sony A7 IV includes many modern ports and connectivity, both wireless and wired. Full-size HDMI Type-A port, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, and micro-USB and USB-C, which offer both 10Gbps data rate and Power Delivery. The wireless allows for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The A7 IV uses a high-capacity Z-series battery, known from the A7 III and other recent Alpha cameras.

Body and controls

The body of the A7 IV also borrows from the flagship A1. It’s a combination of the A1 and A7 III, which means it’s slightly larger than the A7 III, with a deeper and more comfortable handgrip. It makes the camera feel more sturdy and substantial, and it’s much nicer to hold.

It is also both dust- and moisture-resistant in harsh conditions. The controls are nicely placed and made a bit bigger than the A7 III, making them easier to operate.

sony a7 iv review

Final verdict: Who should get Sony Alpha A7 IV?

With the Sony Alpha A7 IV, you are getting a lot of camera for the money spent. Probably the best deal that Sony has right now if you are looking for a hybrid camera.

If you are in the market for hybrid cameras, it will be hard to find a better camera than this at this price point.

If you are still considering whether to invest in your own camera or if you just want to get your hands on it and try it out?

A camera is a great asset to have in your gearbox, but far from the only one. Explore what else there is of essential camera equipment.

Consider renting or subscribing to your next camera – even the Sony A7 IV.

What creators like

Great lender. Super easy to deal with and great comms!

This is my go to stills camera, light weight, great in low light conditions, healthy battery life and I love the sony image look.

A7 IV er det perfekte hybrid kamera, laver vanvittig lækker video og tager fremragende billeder.

meqq

DE

Thumb up green icon

Good for both video and photo

A good hybrid camera for both video and still. Especially great for video.

easy to use, tons of features, amazing autofocus and great allround camera.

Awesome combo for landscape and Street photography. Hybrid camera also gives awesome videography results in a compact set up

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What creators don't like

Great lender. Super easy to deal with and great comms!

The screen can become busy with information so try to deselect what's not needed.

meqq

DE

Thumb down red icon

Bit weak in dark place

It has no GPS, which I expect of a camera at this price range.

Crops at 4k 60FPS and although I have never personally experienced any problems people have raised concerns about overheating.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the video quality in the Sony A7 IV?

It can shoot up to 4K 60p video in Super35 and 4K 30p video with 7K oversampling.

Does the Sony A7 IV have a recording limit?

No recording time limit allows for unlimited clip lengths and the camera's physical design features an improved heat-dissipating structure to promote longer possible recording times; longer than one hour of continuous 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, for example

How long does the Sony A7IV battery last?

The official Cipa rating of the Sony A7 is at 520 shots per charge, and this is when using the electronic viewfinder. As for the recording capabilities, it can shoot 4k videos for at least 2 hours, which is quite nice not going to lie.

Is Sony A7 good for videography?

Sony Alpha A7r III has proved to be the best Sony camera for video recording by leading with its inspiring maximum artistry.

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Review by Politani and 26 other community members

Politani

LONDON, GB

5,0

Duellium

London, GB

Awesome combo for landscape and Street photography. Hybrid camera also gives awesome videography results in a compact set up

Crops at 4k 60FPS and although I have never personally experienced any problems people have raised concerns about overheating.

4,7

easy to use, tons of features, amazing autofocus and great allround camera.

5,0

Valdemar Stengaard Hansen

København, DK

5,0

jspringis

London, GB

5,0

3,3

Anton Gafiso

Sørvad, DK

5,0

Daniel S

Aarhus N, DK

A good hybrid camera for both video and still. Especially great for video.

It has no GPS, which I expect of a camera at this price range.

5,0

medierpaahovedet

Taastrup, DK

5,0

meqq

Berlin, DE

Good for both video and photo

Bit weak in dark place

5,0

Adil Zaman

København SV, DK

5,0

JCMT

EDGWARE, GB

5,0

VLF/Media

Lynge, DK

4,7

JCMT

EDGWARE, GB

5,0

Yijia

London, GB

5,0

magnolia

Københavns S, DK

5,0

johan

London, GB

5,0

Vangsfeldt Film

Kastrup, DK

A7 IV er det perfekte hybrid kamera, laver vanvittig lækker video og tager fremragende billeder.

5,0

mackmediastudio

london, GB

This is my go to stills camera, light weight, great in low light conditions, healthy battery life and I love the sony image look.

The screen can become busy with information so try to deselect what's not needed.

5,0

DJW

LONDON, GB

Perfect

Nothing

5,0

Danielmarcussen

kbh, DK

5,0

jacobchano

København V., DK

5,0

薰 霍

Derby, GB

5,0

mattbeale

London, GB

5,0

WanderBlack

LONDON, GB

Great lender. Super easy to deal with and great comms!

Great lender. Super easy to deal with and great comms!

5,0

kayde

,

5,0

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Sony Alpha A7 IV Alternatives

Canon R6

The Canon R6 Mirrorless camera comes with a full frame (36 x 24 mm) sized CMOS sensor, great built-in image stabilization, weather sealed body and a fully articulated touch screen. Read more

Buy at Wedio Rent from $40/day

Nikon Z6 II

This model brings more processing power, improved autofocus, and a second memory card. With identical pricing as its predecessor, this camera is really worth digging into. Read more

Buy at Wedio Rent from $40/day

Sony A7 III

Despite some claiming the Sony Alpha A7 III is ‘basic’, it is actually an impressively capable full-frame camera. It suits everyone’s needs- whether you are a beginner or experienced in these cameras. Read more

Buy at Wedio Rent from $35/day

Show more

The research

Why you should trust us

At Wedio, we are on a mission to keep great stories alive. We achieve this by facilitating the sharing of knowledge, tools, and services that help you as a creator craft better stories. Today we help 100,000+ monthly creators become better — together. We believe in the power of the community. Instead of gathering product reviews from one creator, we involve hundreds of creators, and create both video- and written reviews. In that way, we present the essence of the collective rather than one opinion.

How we tested this product

We used a mixed-method design. Our qualitative video reviews, were created by hand-picked Wedio members. We shipped the product to them, they tried it for at least 30 days in real-life projects, and then they did an honest video review. Our quantitative written reviews, were collected from Wedio Renters and Lenders. When renters have rented the product, they have the option to leave a product review. When lenders create a product listing, they have the option to share their thoughts on the product itself.

How we fund this review

In order to keep delivering the best possible reviews for creatives, we have four different revenue streams. This includes (1) commissions from our short-term rentals (10 % from renters 20% from lenders whenever a rental is happening through Wedio), (2) commissions from our subscriptions (we get paid by our retail partners to deliver an order), (3) commissions from brands delivering products, and (4) commissions from affiliate links to other partners (such as retail partners, software, and other creative tools).

Limitations

Even though we try to be as unbiased as possible, we still want to address two limitations of this review. First, our lenders can be affected by the “Endowment effect” when reviewing their gear. They would potentially rate their product higher than they would have done if they rented the product — just because they own the product themself. Second, there is the potential of instructors experiencing “Confirmation bias” when reviewing a product. If they received the product from us, they might have a tendency to look for all the advantages and good things about the product because they want to please Wedio and the product brand. To overcome this limitation, we strictly guide our instructors to be as objective as possible — a low rating is as valuable to us as a high rating. The review aims to guide other creators in the choice of gear.

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2498

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