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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.

📷 5 generations 💷 £ → £3899 current
1
A7R
Generation 1
Sony A7R
£349 Released 2013 The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
36MP 1080p/60p Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) None 4fps ~340 shots (CIPA) 465g (with battery and card)
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2
A7R II
Generation 2
Sony A7R II
£799 Released 2015 The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
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
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3
A7R III
Generation 3
Sony A7R III
£1799 Released 2017 The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
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
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4
A7R IV
Generation 4
Sony A7R IV
£2199 Released 2019 61MP in a mirrorless body — the resolution benchmark.
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
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5
Sony A7R V
Current generation
Sony Sony A7R V
£3899 Released 2022 61 megapixels and 8-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body — the reference resolution camera for commercial and landscape professionals.
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
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All generations at a glance
Spec A7R (2013) A7R II (2015) A7R III (2017) A7R IV (2019) Sony A7R V (2022)
Price £349£799£1799£2199£3899
Resolution 36MP42MP42MP61MP61MP
Video 1080p/60p4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p4K 30fps8K/25p, 4K/60p
Stabilisation NoneIBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS)5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops8-stop IBIS
Burst Rate 4fps5fps10fps with AF/AE tracking10fps10fps mechanical / 7fps electronic
Battery ~340 shots (CIPA)~290 shots (CIPA)~650 shots (CIPA)670 shots (CIPA)530 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed NoYesYesYesYes
Weight 465g (with battery and card)625g (with battery and card)650g body only665g (body only)723g body only