Upgrade Guide

Sony A7R IV→Sony A1

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

A7R IV

£2199

2019

→

Upgrade to

Sony

£5999 (+£3,800)

2021

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A7R IV. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A1

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A7R IV	A1
Price	£2,199	£5,999
Released	2019	2021	↑
Sensor	Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm	50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS
Resolution	61MP	50MP	↓
Video	4K 30fps	8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking	Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops	IBIS — up to 5.5 stops
Burst Rate	10fps	30fps electronic with full AF/AE	↑
Battery Life	670 shots (CIPA)	~430 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	665g (body only)	737g (with battery)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot	EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot	3.0" fully tilting touchscreen
Mount	Sony E-Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See A7R IV and A1 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Other upgrades from the A7R IV

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Camera family history