Decision tools · Compare
A7 IV vs A9
Quick take: The A7 IV has the highest resolution at 33MP; the A9 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.
A9 — Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography: The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
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
A9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7 IVSony · 2021 | A9Sony · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,799 | £1,026 usedBest |
| Sensor | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 33.0MPBest | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)Best |
| Battery Life | ~580 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 659g (body only)Best | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| 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 | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
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
A9
Portrait
8.2/10
7.5/10
Street
6.5/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.3/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
7.9/10
7.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.1/10
—
Filmmaking
7.2/10
6.7/10
Documentary
7.4/10
6.8/10
Sports & Action
7.5/10
8.2/10
Landscape
6.7/10
6.1/10
Wildlife
7.8/10
8.2/10
Casual
5.3/10
4.6/10
Food
7.6/10
6.5/10
Macro
7.3/10
5.8/10
Architecture
6.8/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
7.3/10
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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