Decision tools · Compare
A7 vs A7 IV
Quick take: The A7 IV has the highest resolution at 33MP; the A7 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 — Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction: The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
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.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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)
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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7Sony · 2013 | A7 IVSony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £151 usedBest | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 33.0MPBest |
| 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 | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronicBest |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card)Best | 659g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (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 | Slot 1 CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II, slot 2 SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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
A7 IV
Portrait
6.6/10
8.2/10
Street
6.2/10
6.5/10
Travel
6.0/10
6.3/10
Wedding & Events
5.3/10
7.9/10
Documentary
5.6/10
7.4/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
7.5/10
Landscape
5.8/10
6.7/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
7.8/10
Casual
3.9/10
5.3/10
Food
5.7/10
7.6/10
Macro
5.0/10
7.3/10
Architecture
5.6/10
6.8/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
7.3/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10
Filmmaking
—
7.2/10
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 →
Next
More comparisons with A7
Camera family history