A7 IVvs ZV-E1
VS
Which should you buy?
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
Who should buy what
A7 IV (2021)
- 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
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the zv-e1 is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 IV (2021) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,299 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 33.0MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~580 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 659g body only | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 IV | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — |
More comparisons with A7 IV
Camera family history