A7vs A7 IV
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
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.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
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
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the a7 is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 (2013) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £299 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
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