Decision tools · Compare
A7R II vs A7R IV
Quick take: The A7R IV has the highest resolution at 61MP; the A7R II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 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?
A7R II — Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography: The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
A7R IV — Landscape, Studio, Commercial: 61MP in a mirrorless body — the resolution benchmark.
Who should buy what
A7R II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
A7R IV (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape photographers who print large
- Studio shooters needing maximum detail
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7R IISony · 2015 | A7R IVSony · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £420 usedBest | £1,078 used |
| Sensor | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 42.4MP | 61.0MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p | 4K 30fps |
| Autofocus | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~290 shots (CIPA) | 670 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 625g (with battery and card)Best | 665g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, USB-C 3.2 |
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
A7R II
A7R IV
Portrait
7.1/10
8.1/10
Street
5.8/10
6.2/10
Travel
5.6/10
6.2/10
Wedding & Events
5.5/10
7.8/10
Filmmaking
5.9/10
6.4/10
Documentary
6.1/10
6.9/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
7.4/10
Landscape
6.4/10
7.9/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
7.7/10
Casual
3.9/10
4.8/10
Food
6.4/10
7.4/10
Macro
5.8/10
6.5/10
Architecture
6.4/10
8.1/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
6.9/10
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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