Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→Sony A7R IV
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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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 A7R IV
-
Resolution61MP vs 24MP (+37MP)
-
Generation2 years newer (2019 vs 2017)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A9 | A7R IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Wildlife | -2.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.0 | ||
| Portrait | — | ||
| Travel | +1.0 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +2.0 | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Street | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | A7R IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £2,199 | |
| Released | 2017 | 2019 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 61MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K 30fps | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | |
| 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 | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | 670 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 665g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-Mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | 2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A |
Compare side-by-side
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Other upgrades from the A9
Camera family history