After a 3 year wait, Sony is back with a new “basic model”. 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.

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.

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

Specifications

• New 33-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
• BIONZ XR image processor
• ISO range: 100-51200 (expanded 50-204800)
• 15 stops of dynamic range
• JPEG & HEIF 10-bit (4:2:2 or 4:2:0) + RAW
• 828 RAW+JPEG buffer depth
• 5.5-stop In-body Image Stabilization
• 759-point phase-detect hybrid AF system (with 94% frame coverage)
• Improved AF-S speed
• Real-time Eye AF & tracking for Human, Animals & Birds
• 4K 60p video in Super35
• 4K 30p video with 7K oversampling
• 10-bit S-Log3 support, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
• Digital Audio Interface in Hotshoe
• Updated controls with separate custom controls for Stills/Movie/S&Q modes
• Improved ergonomics
• 3.68M-dot OLED EVF
• Vari-Angle LCD touchscreen
• CFexpress Type-A + SD slots (UHS-II support in both slots)
• $2500 body-only price

Key features in the Sony A7 IV

Accurate autofocus performance

The A7 IV boasts of 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.

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’s 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 price and release date

The Sony A7 IV is scheduled to hit the market towards the end of December this year, with the retail price expected to be about $2500 for a body-only configuration. Additionally, it will also be sold in a kit configuration with an FE-28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS zoom lens, which will cost about $2700.

The Sony A7 IV isn’t necessarily coming at an “entry-level” price point, but Sony is calling this camera “the new basic” and with all the upgrades and features of this camera, “basic” feels like an understatement.

Sony A7 IV alternatives

• Nikon Z5
• Nikon Z6 II
• Nikon Z7 II

Rent or subscribe to your camera

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?

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

Sony A7 IV FAQ