Upgrade Guide
Sony A7R IV→Sony A7
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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The A7 offers little measurable spec improvement over the A7R IV. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution24MP (down from 61MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
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StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R IV | A7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -1.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -2.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A7R IV | A7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £299 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2013 | ↓ |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 61MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K 30fps | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | None | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 665g (body only) | 474g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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