A7R IVvs ZV-E1
VS
Which should you buy?
Landscape, Studio, Commercial — A7R IV (2019): 61MP in a mirrorless body — the resolution benchmark.
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
A7R IV (2019)
- Landscape photographers who print large
- Studio shooters needing maximum detail
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 a7r iv has the highest resolution at 61mp; the zv-e1 is the most affordable; only the a7r iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7R IV (2019) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 61.0MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K 30fps | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 10fps |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 665g (body only) | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, USB-C 3.2 | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R IV | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Landscape | — |
More comparisons with A7R IV
Camera family history