Upgrade Guide

Sony A9→Sony A7 IV

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

You own

Sony

£1999

2017

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7 IV

£2299 (+£300)

2021

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A9. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A7 IV

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A9	A7 IV
Price	£1,999	£2,299
Released	2017	2021	↑
Sensor	24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS	33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS
Resolution	24MP	33MP	↑
Video	4K/30p, 1080p/120p	4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone
Autofocus	693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking	759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition
Stabilisation	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops	5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops
Burst Rate	20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)	10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic	↓
Battery Life	~650 shots (CIPA)	~580 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	673g (with battery and card)	659g body only	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free)	EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen	3.0" vari-angle touchscreen
Mount	Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)	Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Dual SD UHS-II slots	Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See A9 and A7 IV next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A7 IV against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the A9

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Camera family history