Decision tools · Compare
A7R vs A7R IV
Quick take: The A7R IV has the highest resolution at 61MP; the A7R 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 — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
A7R IV — Landscape, Studio, Commercial: 61MP in a mirrorless body — the resolution benchmark.
Who should buy what
A7R (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
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 | A7RSony · 2013 | A7R IVSony · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £1,078 usedBest |
| Sensor | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 36.4MP | 61.0MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K 30fps |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 10fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | 670 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 465g (with battery and card)Best | 665g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× 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
A7R IV
Portrait
5.8/10
8.1/10
Street
5.7/10
6.2/10
Travel
5.7/10
6.2/10
Wedding & Events
4.4/10
7.8/10
Documentary
4.9/10
6.9/10
Sports & Action
4.5/10
7.4/10
Landscape
6.3/10
7.9/10
Wildlife
5.4/10
7.7/10
Casual
3.7/10
4.8/10
Food
5.6/10
7.4/10
Macro
5.0/10
6.5/10
Architecture
6.1/10
8.1/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
6.9/10
Filmmaking
—
6.4/10
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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