Upgrade Guide
Sony A7R IV→Sony A7R
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Skip it
The A7R offers little measurable spec improvement over the A7R IV. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution36MP (down from 61MP — optimised for low light)
-
Weather sealingNot present in new body
-
StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R IV | A7R | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.0 | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Architecture | -2.0 | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -4.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -2.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A7R IV | A7R | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £349 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2013 | ↓ |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) | |
| Resolution | 61MP | 36MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K 30fps | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | None | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 4fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 665g (body only) | 465g (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
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See A7R IV and A7R next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A7R against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the A7R IV
Related buying guides
Camera family history