The Sony α7 IV is the fourth iteration of its popular Alpha 7 mirrorless camera, following 2018's Sony α7 III. It offers some nice quality-of-life upgrades, including a revamped menu system with touch navigation, more dials and customization options, and sturdier build quality, albeit at the expense of a slightly larger body. Sony also stepped up the camera's video features, with advanced internal recording specs that make the latest α7 a true hybrid camera. That, along with its top-of-the-class autofocus system and a new 33-megapixel sensor, make this a worthy successor to one of Sony's most popular cameras, particularly for those interested in video as well as photography.
The Sony α7 IV is good for travel photography. Though it isn't the most portable camera, its high-resolution full-frame sensor delivers remarkably sharp, high-quality images, even in low light. The camera also has an incredible autofocus system that can keep up with subjects in a variety of situations. It feels very comfortable to shoot with, with superb build quality and weather-sealing, along with plenty of physical controls and customization options. While this camera can take stunning photos, it may be overkill for those who simply want a portable camera to take wherever they travel.
The Sony α7 IV is great for shooting landscapes. Its 33-megapixel full-frame sensor captures an incredible amount of detail and delivers sharp, pleasing photos straight out of the camera. It also gives you a bit more leeway to crop your photos or make prints. In RAW format, it has a very wide dynamic range to capture a broader range of highlight and shadow detail in busier or higher-contrast landscape shots. Also, while its high ISO noise performance is a tad worse than some comparable cameras, it still performs amazingly well here for low-light situations where you need to bump the ISO. Unfortunately, it isn't the most portable camera for longer hikes or shoots in remote locations.
The Sony a7 IV is a great camera for sports and wildlife photography. It's sturdy and weather-sealed, and it features two SD card slots, with an integrated CFexpress Type A slot, so you can have a backup ready for more intensive shoots. It also has a respectable 10 fps burst rate when shooting JPEG. If you're shooting in uncompressed RAW, it can only shoot at 6 fps, which is disappointing if you want to get the most out of the camera's sensor for faster-moving subjects.
The Sony a7 IV has excellent RAW image quality. Its high-resolution sensor captures very fine detail and gives you more leeway to crop in your photos. It also has excellent dynamic range, so it's well-suited to photographing high-contrast scenes. That said, while its noise handling in low light is good overall, it doesn't perform as well in that regard as some of its full-frame peers.
The Sony a7 IV is good for vlogging. It has a fully articulated screen so you can monitor yourself while recording. It also offers tons of frame rate options that let you capture high-speed action and incorporate slow-mo footage. There's no recording time limit, which is fantastic for longer shooting sessions. It also has a remarkable autofocus system with face and eye tracking to ensure you always stay in focus. It has in-body image stabilization, which does an excellent job smoothing out camera shake in videos. That said, it's a fairly large camera, so it isn't the best option for walk-and-talk style vlogs. Its battery life in video also isn't as long as its predecessor's.
The Sony α7 IV is a fantastic option for studio video. Unlike its predecessor, it can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally to capture more color information and give you more to work with in post. It also supports a wide range of Log profiles, meaning you can take advantage of the sensor's full dynamic range. There's a full set of inputs and outputs, including a headphone jack, microphone input, and a full-sized HDMI port. Autofocus performance and video quality are top-notch, and Sony has also greatly improved the menu's ease of use compared to the previous model, so you can more quickly find and adjust settings. There's also no recording time limit when shooting video, and the battery doesn't overheat even when shooting at its highest quality settings. While its video battery life could be a bit longer, the camera supports use while charging over USB, which is handy for long shooting days.
The Sony a7 IV isn't meant for action video. It isn't waterproof and isn't designed for mounting to a helmet or chest rig. It isn't the most portable camera either. 4k frame rate options are also a bit limited for action video since it can't record at high frame rates in 4k and can only shoot 4k / 60 fps with a large 1.5x crop. It has IBIS and does a good overall job smoothing out camera shake, but you still need a gimbal to get smooth action footage.
The Sony a7 IV comes in one color variant: 'Black'. You can purchase the body only or get it bundled with a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens. However, we bought the camera with the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens, which you can find bundled with the camera body at certain retailers like B&H Photo Video. You can also find it paired with other lenses depending on the retailer.
Let us know if you come across other variants, and we'll update our review.
You can see our unit's label here.
The Sony Alpha 7 IV is a hybrid mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiasts. It sits at a slightly higher price point than its predecessor, the Sony α7 III, which remains a great option for those looking to get a full-frame mirrorless camera and don't necessarily need the latest video features offered by the Sony α7 IV. With a larger 33-megapixel sensor, a newer processor, and an updated autofocus system, along with a fully-articulated screen and more advanced video features, this is a great all-around photo and video camera that bridges the gap between the older a7 III and both the video-oriented Sony a7S III and the higher-resolution Sony a7R IV.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras, the best 4k cameras, and the best cameras.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Sony α7 IV are very evenly matched enthusiast cameras. The Sony has a higher-resolution sensor, but the Canon performs a little better in low light. Both can handle advanced video work, with internal 10-bit 4k at up to 60 fps, though the Sony imposes a significant crop on 4k / 60 fps video. The Canon also has a faster burst rate when shooting in uncompressed RAW. Ultimately, if you're choosing between these, the decision will come down to personal preference, ergonomic preferences, and lens selection.
The Sony α7C II and the Sony α7 IV are both excellent hybrid full-frame cameras. They share the same 33 MP sensor, so image and video quality are comparable. The α7C II features a new AI-enabled processing unit that gives it more sophisticated subject detection capabilities, but the cameras perform similarly overall. The biggest difference is in design: the α7 IV is better suited to those who prefer a more robust camera with a larger viewfinder and dual memory card slots, while the α7C II is better for those who want a more compact full-frame body.
The Sony α7 IV and the Canon EOS R6 are both excellent full-frame hybrid cameras aimed at enthusiasts. They're similar in size and build, though the Canon has slightly better ergonomics. Both deliver sharp, high-quality photos, but the Sony has a higher resolution sensor that gives you more leeway to crop your photos. On the other hand, the Canon's sensor has better noise handling at higher ISO settings. The Canon can also shoot RAW photos at up to 12 fps, while the Sony is limited to 6 fps in RAW. When it comes to video, both cameras can record 4k 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally for higher-quality video capture. However, the Sony doesn't impose a recording time limit, and it doesn't have issues with overheating the way the Canon sometimes does. While the Canon imposes a slight 1.07x crop on 4k video, the Sony doesn't, except when shooting 4k at 60 fps, which unfortunately incurs a significant 1.5x crop.
The Sony α7 IV replaces the Sony α7 III. It has a new, higher-resolution 33-megapixel sensor and an improved autofocus system. Physically, the α7 IV is a little bigger and includes two UHS-II SD card slots, one of which has an integrated CFexpress Type A slot and has a fully articulated touchscreen and improved menu system. The α7 III, on the other hand, has two SD card slots, but only one of them is rated for UHS-II cards and has a tilting screen and more confusing menu. While both are fantastic cameras for photography, the α7 IV supports 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording internally and can capture video at exceptionally high bit rates, making it the better option for videographers. If you're mainly interested in photography, the α7 III still offers a lot of value.
The Sony α7 IV and the Sony α7C are both enthusiast-level mirrorless cameras from Sony. They share some similarities, including incredibly sophisticated autofocus systems that reliably track moving subjects, as well as high-resolution full-frame sensors that deliver sharp, detailed photos and perform well in low light. However, the α7C is much more compact, making it easier to travel with, but it means it has fewer physical buttons and dials, a much smaller viewfinder, and just a single SD card slot. The α7 IV, meanwhile, has a higher-resolution sensor, giving you more leeway to crop and edit. It also has better internal video recording specs than the α7C, making it a better option for more advanced video work.
The Sony α7 IV is two generations ahead of the Sony α7 II and, therefore, offers much better performance. It has superior video specs, a higher-resolution sensor, and an updated autofocus system with more accurate and reliable focus and tracking capability.
The Sony α7 IV and the Fujifilm X-H2 are both high-end hybrid cameras, but they use different-sized sensors. The Sony has a full-frame sensor, while the Fujifilm has a higher-resolution APS-C sensor and can record 8k video. That said, the Sony is better for low-light shooting.
The Nikon Z 6III is better overall than the Sony α7 IV, though they're both top dogs in the class of hybrid full-frame mirrorless cameras. While the Sony has a more reliable autofocus system and a more established lens ecosystem, the Nikon offers better video specs, faster burst shooting, significantly less rolling shutter distortion, better ergonomics, and a higher-resolution EVF. Having said that, the Sony does have a higher-resolution sensor, so you may still prefer it for landscapes and other kinds of photography.
The Sony α7 IV and the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II are both excellent hybrid cameras, each with their own advantages. The Sony has a much more reliable autofocus system, particularly for taking photos. It also has a better overall battery life and a more established lens ecosystem. On the flip side, the Panasonic has more advanced video features, with 6k recording, vectorscope functionality, and the option to add RAW video output with a paid software upgrade.
The Nikon Z 6II and the Sony α7 IV are both excellent full-frame cameras, although the α7 IV has a bit more to offer when it comes to autofocus performance and video features. Unlike the Nikon, the α7 IV can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally, meaning it can capture more color information and give you more leeway when editing and grading your footage. When it comes to photography, both take sharp, high-quality photos with a wide dynamic range and excellent noise handling. The Sony is a great option for landscapes thanks to its 33-megapixel sensor, giving you a bit more room to crop in without losing quality. However, the Nikon is better suited to sports and wildlife photography since it can shoot uncompressed RAW photos at 10 fps, whereas the Sony is limited to 6 fps.
The Sony α7 IV and the Fujifilm X-T4 are both great hybrid photo/video cameras, but they use different-sized sensors. Because the Fujifilm uses an APS-C sensor, it's more portable than the Sony, but both cameras are well-built, are weather-sealed, and have fully articulated touchscreens. The Fuji also has a faster max burst rate and better overall stabilization. On the other hand, the Sony's full-frame sensor gives it better low-light and high-ISO performance and better dynamic range. When it comes to video, both cameras can shoot 4k / 60 fps, although the Sony incurs a larger crop at this frame rate, and they can both record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally. While the higher-resolution full-frame sensor on the Sony offers some advantages over the Fujifilm, the Fuji is still competitive, especially if you prefer a more compact form factor.
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-S5 and the Sony α7 IV are both great full-frame mirrorless cameras that perform well in photo and video. They can record 4k 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally at up to 60 fps. Both have fully articulated screens and sturdy, weather-sealed bodies and are similar in size and weight. That said, while the Panasonic has better overall stabilization performance, the Sony has a significantly better autofocus system, takes CFexpress Type A cards as well as UHS-II SD cards, and can shoot at 120 fps in 1080p.
The Fujifilm X-H2S and the Sony α7 IV are excellent hybrid cameras with different-sized sensors. You'll get a higher resolution and more dynamic range in your photos with the Sony, thanks to its 33 MP full-frame sensor. On the other hand, the Fujifilm uses an APS-C sensor with a stacked design that allows for faster burst shooting with no EVF blackout and minimal rolling shutter effect. The Fujifilm is also the more capable video camera, with video recording in up to 6.2k, uncropped 4k at up to 60 fps, internal ProRes codecs, and RAW video output via HDMI. However, if you don't need all of these features, the Sony is still an excellent choice for video work. The Sony also has a slightly more reliable autofocus system.
The Sony α7 IV is more well-rounded than the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II, with better internal video recording capabilities and a more effective overall autofocus system. That said, the OM SYSTEM is more portable, including the option to use more compact Micro Four Thirds lenses, and has better weather-sealing, making it a better fit for outdoor and wildlife photography.
The Sony a7 IV isn't as portable as the Sony a7 III because of its slightly larger handgrip and more robust build, including a full-sized HDMI port. However, it's still decently portable for a full-frame camera, and the body isn't overly heavy. If you need something more portable, check out the Sony α7C II, which uses the same sensor but has a significantly more compact body.
The Sony α7 IV feels very well-built. It's a step up from its predecessor, with hinged, weather-sealed doors covering all of its inputs and outputs, as well as locking doors for its battery compartment and memory card compartment. The dials feel sturdy and turn without slack. The shoulder strap attachment points are also rigid, so they won't rattle around and make unwanted noise when shooting video. However, the buttons feel somewhat mushy.
The Sony a7 IV has four command dials: a front dial that controls aperture by default, a rear dial that controls shutter speed, an unmarked exposure compensation dial with a locking function (which you can customize to control other functions), and a customizable rear control wheel (which also acts as a directional pad to navigate the menu).
The camera also has four different custom buttons, a custom menu for your most-used settings, and three custom shooting modes on the mode dial. The mode dial features a separate switch to quickly toggle between 'Photo', 'Movie', and 'S&Q' (Slow and Quick) modes, and you can set the three custom shooting modes differently within each of those modes.
The Sony Alpha 7 IV feels very comfortable to shoot with. The handgrip is large enough for most hand sizes to hold comfortably, though the camera starts to feel uncomfortable when shooting for longer periods. The texture on the grip feels nice and provides a secure hold on the camera. Most of the buttons provide decent physical feedback, although the shutter button feels very mushy with an overly shallow half-press, so it can take some getting-used-to if you're used to shutter buttons that provide more tactile feedback.
The camera has a large EVF with a fairly high resolution, so you get a clear image when shooting through the viewfinder, but the rubber around the eyecup isn't the softest or most comfortable. Thankfully, there's very little, if any, lag when shooting.
Unlike the Sony a7 III, the Sony a7 IV has a fully articulated screen, which lets you monitor what's being recorded when the camera is facing you but takes up more space when fully deployed compared to a tilting screen. Thankfully, you can now use the touchscreen to navigate the menu instead of just selecting focus points like previous models. The screen has a slightly higher resolution, allowing you to clearly see details when reviewing your images on the monitor.
In keeping with newer releases like the Sony a7S III, Sony has thankfully brought its updated menu system to the Sony a7 IV. It's a well-organized interface with clearly delineated submenus and settings. Unlike previous iterations like the Sony a7 III, the screen is also fully touch-capable, meaning you can navigate it with touch as well as with the joystick or directional pad. It also includes a custom 'My Menu' tab, making it very easy to access frequently used settings.
The battery life on the Sony a7 IV is excellent. It uses the same battery as older Sony Alphas like the Sony a7 III and the Sony α7C, though it's rated for fewer shots according to CIPA standards. Take the CIPA rating with a grain of salt, but the camera is likely to last throughout a day of use, depending on how you use it and what settings you choose. When it comes to video, shooting extensively will drain the battery a bit more quickly when compared to the other two Alpha 7 cameras.
The Sony a7 IV can shoot at a respectable max continuous shooting speed, which is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects like birds or athletes. However, it maxes out at 6 fps when shooting uncompressed RAW files, which makes it harder to get the highest-quality captures when shooting moving subjects. If you'd prefer a camera with faster burst shooting, check out the Fujifilm X-H2S or the Nikon Z 6III.
We tested the camera with both a Sony CFexpress Type A card and a V90 UHS-II SD card. With the CFexpress A card, the buffer never filled up, whether shooting in RAW or JPEG. With the SD card, however, the buffer filled up after about 23 photos when shooting in RAW, and it took about four seconds for the buffer to empty once full.
The Sony α7IV has an excellent autofocus tracking feature. While the camera can’t automatically detect what kind of subject you’re shooting, it has different subject tracking modes for humans, animals, and birds. Eye AF is seamlessly integrated, allowing the camera to automatically switch between eyes, faces, and general subjects. It tracks moving human subjects very well, nailing focus for the majority of shots. As with newer Canon models, like the Canon EOS R6, it’s a very reliable and accurate AF system that can pretty much do all the work for you if you just want to point the camera at your subject and let it do its thing.
When not using tracking, the AF is also fantastic, especially if you use a lens with a quick-focusing motor. In scenarios where you want more control over the focus point, and you can roughly predict a subject's movement, the camera can nail focus almost every shot. All in all, it's an incredibly reliable AF system.
The Sony a7 IV has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), called 'SteadyShot' by Sony. We tested the camera with an optically stabilized lens, which works in conjunction with IBIS to reduce camera shake. It does an alright job of stabilizing handheld photos. The 24-104mm f/4 G lens we used isn't the most lightweight option and is larger and heavier than the Sony FE 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens we tested with the Sony a7 III and the Sony FE 28-60mm f4-5.6 lens we tested with the Sony α7C. This can result in more fatigue when shooting for longer periods. If you're after a camera with more effective IBIS, check out the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II.
The Sony a7 IV has excellent dynamic range, so it can capture a wide array of highlight and shadow detail. It also has amazing exposure latitude, so pushing the exposure of a photo results in minimal noise, which is great if you want to pull out more shadow detail or correct an underexposed image.
The Sony a7 IV has good RAW noise handling, so you can shoot at higher ISO settings in low-light situations without introducing too much noise. The higher megapixel count means smaller individual pixels, resulting in finer-looking noise at higher ISO settings than you get from competitors with lower-resolution sensors, like the Canon EOS R6.
The Sony a7 IV supports Log recording to take advantage of the full tonal range of the camera's sensor and give you more control over the exposure and color of your videos when processing your footage. However, it doesn't support RAW recording, even when using an external recorder. For RAW video capability, consider the Nikon Z 6III, which not only outputs RAW video but also records RAW video internally.
This camera also includes a 'Breathing Compensation' feature to correct focus breathing. It prevents the field of view from shifting as you focus the lens. That said, it's compatible primarily with higher-end lenses, like the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G lens.
If you're looking for a camera that can record 8k video, check out the Fujifilm X-H2.
The Sony a7 IV supports 4k video up to 60 fps, which is great for capturing high-speed footage and fast-action. However, shooting at 4k / 60 fps incurs a significant 1.5x crop, just like the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5. If you want a camera that doesn't impose a crop at 60 fps, check out the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
This camera has superb internal recording capability. When using a Sony CFexpress Type A card or an SD card with a V90 rating, you can capture footage at bit rates of up to almost 600 Mbps.
It can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally, matching up with competitors like the Canon EOS R6 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 and giving you much more latitude to make color and tone adjustments in post. There's no recording time limit, which is fantastic for filmmakers or videographers who want to shoot longer-form content.
We tested the camera with 'Auto Power OFF Temp' set to both 'Standard' and 'High'. When set to 'High', the camera stayed on during the entirety of the recording period and didn't overheat, although it did feel warm to the touch. When set to 'Standard', the camera preemptively powered itself off after about 15 minutes of recording.
The Sony a7 IV has fantastic autofocus when shooting 4k video. The camera has integrated face and eye tracking that can differentiate between humans, animals, and birds, and it quickly and accurately finds its subject in most situations. You can let the AF find its subject automatically by using the 'Wide' area mode, or if you want more control over the focus, you can use a smaller AF zone or spot area mode. It also has settings to fine-tune how quickly it shifts focus from one subject to another. When tracking a specific subject, it sticks with them even when they move around or pop in and out of frame, and it rarely loses track or shifts focus outside of its intended target. All in all, it's an incredibly feature-dense and reliable AF system.
Video quality is fantastic in 4k. Footage looks sharp and retains an excellent amount of fine detail. In low light, 4k videos look amazing, retaining a ton of shadow detail and sharpness without too much noise.
If you'd like to compare the test scene extract with other cameras, we also shot the test scene with the camera pulled back farther to get comparable framing and get around the 1.5x crop imposed by the camera at 60 fps. You can see that here.
Unfortunately, rolling shutter is pretty disappointing. There's a lot of noticeable skewing of vertical lines, especially when panning the camera very quickly.
The Sony a7 IV has a wide range of frame rate options in 1080p. It can shoot at up to 120 fps, which is great if you want to incorporate slow-motion footage into your videos.
FHD internal recording specs are superb. It can record 1080p video at remarkably large bit rates to capture more information and give you more to work with when editing, albeit at the expense of larger video files that take longer to transfer and process. The max bit rate is only achievable when shooting in 'XAVC S-I' format. The default FHD format gets up to around 46 Mbps. As with 4k, the camera supports 10-bit 4:2:2 video capture in 1080p, allowing more leeway when color grading and editing your footage.
Autofocus is fantastic in 1080p. It has no trouble keeping up with moving subjects thanks to its sophisticated face- and eye-tracking, which can follow people or animals as they move around the frame and even when they pop in and out or turn around. The general subject or object tracking performs just as well, rarely slipping out of focus or jumping to another subject.
Rolling shutter is much better in 1080p resolution. Skewing and distortion are far less noticeable than in 4k.
This camera has two SD card slots, which is great for those who want a running backup or for video shooters recording large video files. The first slot also takes CFexpress Type A cards if you want to take advantage of faster read and write speeds, though you can only have one type of card in that slot at a time, whether it's SD or CFexpress Type A. They're also conveniently located on the side of the body, allowing you to switch out cards when the camera's mounted on a tripod.