OM-D E-M10 IVvs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Everyday — OM-D E-M10 IV (2020): Compact Micro Four Thirds body with built-in IBIS — ideal for travellers who want stability without bulk.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (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.
Who should buy what
OM-D E-M10 IV (2020)
- Beginners and enthusiasts who want a compact, stylish Micro Four Thirds camera
- Travellers who want a small, light system without sacrificing image quality
- Smartphone upgraders who want a proper camera that still fits in a bag
- Anyone who wants built-in selfie capability in a traditional camera body
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-D E-M10 IV (2020) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £469 | £349 |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect + contrast detect, 121 points | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 15fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 383g body only | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.4 × 83.6 × 49.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.46× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | OM-D E-M10 IV | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Architecture | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history