Decision tools · Compare
A7 IV vs A7R
Quick take: The A7R has the highest resolution at 36MP; the A7R is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 IV — Portrait & Wedding Photography: The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
A7R — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: 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
A7 IV (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
A7R (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7 IVSony · 2021 | A7RSony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,799Best | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 33.0MP | 36.4MPBest |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronicBest | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~580 shots (CIPA)Best | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 659g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Slot 1 CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II, slot 2 SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
A7 IV
A7R
Portrait
8.2/10
5.8/10
Street
6.5/10
5.7/10
Travel
6.3/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
7.9/10
4.4/10
Vlogging & Video
6.1/10
—
Filmmaking
7.2/10
—
Documentary
7.4/10
4.9/10
Sports & Action
7.5/10
4.5/10
Landscape
6.7/10
6.3/10
Wildlife
7.8/10
5.4/10
Casual
5.3/10
3.7/10
Food
7.6/10
5.6/10
Macro
7.3/10
5.0/10
Architecture
6.8/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
5.4/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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