Sony · Camera History
Sony A7R Series
Sony's high-resolution full-frame mirrorless line — four generations of 42–61MP.
The A7R series is Sony's definitive high-resolution E-mount line. The original A7R launched in 2013 as the world's first 36MP mirrorless. The A7R II added IBIS, BSI sensor technology, and 4K. The A7R III added 10fps and dual SD slots. The A7R IV pushed resolution to 61MP; the A7R V added AI autofocus and a class-leading EVF.
1
Generation 1
Sony A7R
36MP
1080p/60p
Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor)
None
4fps
~340 shots (CIPA)
465g (with battery and card)
2
Generation 2
Sony A7R II
42MP
4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p
399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection
IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS)
5fps
~290 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
625g (with battery and card)
What's new in this generation
- Resolution: 42MP (+6MP)
- Weather sealing added
- IBIS added
- Video: 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p
- Price: +£450 vs previous
3
Generation 3
Sony A7R III
42MP
4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p
399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF
5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops
10fps with AF/AE tracking
~650 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
650g body only
What's new in this generation
- Burst rate: 10fps with AF/AE tracking
- Video: 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p
- Price: +£1,000 vs previous
4
Generation 4
Sony A7R IV
61MP
4K 30fps
567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking
5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops
10fps
670 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
665g (body only)
What's new in this generation
- Resolution: 61MP (+19MP)
- Video: 4K 30fps
- Price: +£400 vs previous
5
Generation 5
Sony Sony A7R V
61MP
8K/25p, 4K/60p
AI subject recognition AF, 693-point phase-detect
8-stop IBIS
10fps mechanical / 7fps electronic
530 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
723g body only
What's new in this generation
- Stabilisation improved (8-stop IBIS)
- Video: 8K/25p, 4K/60p
- Price: +£1,700 vs previous
6
Current generation
Sony A7R VI
61MP
8K 30fps, 4K 120fps oversampled
AI processing unit — subject recognition for people, animals, birds and vehicles across the frame
In-body 5-axis IS, up to 8.5 stops
8fps mechanical / 7fps electronic with full AF/AE tracking
~530 shots (CIPA, NP-FZ100)
Weather sealed
723g (body with battery and card)
What's new in this generation
- Video: 8K 30fps, 4K 120fps oversampled
- Price: +£500 vs previous
All generations at a glance
| Spec | A7R (2013) | A7R II (2015) | A7R III (2017) | A7R IV (2019) | Sony A7R V (2022) | A7R VI (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £799 | £1799 | £2199 | £3899 | £4399 |
| Resolution | 36MP | 42MP | 42MP | 61MP | 61MP | 61MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p | 4K 30fps | 8K/25p, 4K/60p | 8K 30fps, 4K 120fps oversampled |
| Stabilisation | None | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 8-stop IBIS | In-body 5-axis IS, up to 8.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 5fps | 10fps with AF/AE tracking | 10fps | 10fps mechanical / 7fps electronic | 8fps mechanical / 7fps electronic with full AF/AE tracking |
| Battery | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~290 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) | 670 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) | ~530 shots (CIPA, NP-FZ100) |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 465g (with battery and card) | 625g (with battery and card) | 650g body only | 665g (body only) | 723g body only | 723g (body with battery and card) |