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Sony

Sony A7R

The Sony A7R launched in late 2013 alongside the original A7 as the world's first full-frame mirrorless camera to exceed 36 megapixels — making it the highest-resolution full-frame interchangeable-lens camera available at launch. Its 36.4MP CMOS sensor had no optical low-pass filter for maximum sharpness, but the contrast-detect-only autofocus and notorious shutter shock (vibrations from the mechanical shutter that could blur images at certain shutter speeds) meant it demanded careful technique. Despite these limitations, the A7R signalled that mirrorless could deliver professional resolution, and it launched one of the most consequential product lines in camera history.

GearFrame's Take

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.

Used from
£949
Available at 3 retailers
✓ Available at 3 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only
RetailerPrice
Wex Photo Video
Wex Photo Video used
£949
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£176
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Core
Released
2013
Sensor
36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF)
Resolution
36.4 MP
Mount
Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Dimensions
126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm
Weight
465g (with battery and card)
Weather Sealed
No
Performance
Autofocus
Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor)
Stabilisation
None
Burst Rate
4fps
Battery Life
~340 shots (CIPA)
Features
Video
1080p/60p
Viewfinder
EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification
Screen
3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch)
Memory Cards
Single SD UHS-I slot
Connectivity
USB, Wi-Fi, NFC

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17 lenses compatible with the Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) mount.

Who should buy this
  • 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
GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre
Landscape
9.0
Portrait
7.0
Architecture
7.0
Travel
4.0
Sports & Action
4.0
Vlogging & Video
4.0
Great For
🏔️
Landscape On a tripod with good technique, 36MP and no OLPF extract extraordinary landscape detail.
👤
Portrait Full-frame rendering and 36MP produce beautiful portrait files in controlled studio conditions.
🏛️
Architecture Tripod-based architectural work benefits from the high resolution and no-OLPF sharpness.
⚠️ Not Ideal For
✈️
Travel Contrast-detect AF and shutter shock make the A7R demanding for candid travel photography.
🏅
Sports & Action Contrast-detect AF and 4fps burst make action photography impractical.
🎬
Vlogging & Video No 4K, no IBIS, and a fixed non-touch screen make this a poor video choice.
📝 How suitability scores are calculated Scores reflect the aggregated consensus from verified purchaser reviews across tracked UK retailers, weighted by photography genre tags applied by reviewers. This is community opinion — not GearFrame editorial assessment. See our full methodology →
Price History — A7R

Video reviews and hands-on coverage for the Sony A7R from across YouTube.

Video results sourced from YouTube. GearFrame is not affiliated with these channels.

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Go deeper

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📸
Series history
Sony A7R Series
Sony's high-resolution full-frame mirrorless line — four generations of 42–61MP.