Sony A7R IVFrom real comments

Name: Sony A7R IV
Rating: 5 (10 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 10 mentions across 1 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment100%

PROS 100%

Rank based on 10 mentions across 1 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want extreme resolution for large prints or heavy cropping
You shoot wildlife/landscape in good light and value crop-mode flexibility
You want near-medium-format quality without medium-format cost

What users love

Exceptional 61MP ResolutionKey factor0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You need fast, clean high-ISO/low-light performance
You want a modern touchscreen and fully articulating display
You're satisfied with an A7RIII and don't need more resolution

What users complain about

No cons data available.

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value

1Budget

Nikon Z5 II

Outstanding ValueStrong Autofocus PerformanceExcellent Image Quality and ColorRising Price Compared to Original Z5Video Compression Artifacts and Rolling ShutterAutofocus Tracking Inconsistencies

Nikon Z5 II

Outstanding Value

Strong Autofocus Performance

Excellent Image Quality and Color

Rising Price Compared to Original Z5

Video Compression Artifacts and Rolling Shutter

Autofocus Tracking Inconsistencies

2Mid

Fujifilm X-T1

Distinctive color rendering / X-Trans II sensorExcellent with vintage and manual-focus lensesTactile dial-based controlsSingle SD card slotDimmer EVF than newer bodiesLower megapixel count limits cropping flexibility

Fujifilm X-T1

Distinctive color rendering / X-Trans II sensor

Excellent with vintage and manual-focus lenses

Tactile dial-based controls

Single SD card slot

Dimmer EVF than newer bodies

Lower megapixel count limits cropping flexibility

3Mid

Nikon Zf

Autofocus performanceFun and emotional shooting experienceImage quality and low-light performanceErgonomics require an added gripHeavier than expectedLimited retro-styled lens lineup

Nikon Zf

Autofocus performance

Fun and emotional shooting experience

Image quality and low-light performance

Ergonomics require an added grip

Heavier than expected

Limited retro-styled lens lineup

You are here

4Premium

Sony A7R IV

Exceptional 61MP Resolution

Sony A7R IV

Exceptional 61MP Resolution

5Mid

Nikon Z6 II

Excellent Z-mount lensesImage quality & color scienceImproved autofocus performanceAwkward Auto ISO and menu workflowIncremental upgrade over original Z6No flip-out/articulating screen

Nikon Z6 II

Excellent Z-mount lenses

Image quality & color science

Improved autofocus performance

Awkward Auto ISO and menu workflow

Incremental upgrade over original Z6

No flip-out/articulating screen

6Mid

Panasonic GH5 II

Autofocus improvements for videoBuilt-in live streamingStrong value at discounted pricingAutofocus still lags competitorsUSB power bank compatibility issuesMenu system requires adjustment

Panasonic GH5 II

Autofocus improvements for video

Built-in live streaming

Strong value at discounted pricing

Autofocus still lags competitors

USB power bank compatibility issues

Menu system requires adjustment

7Budget

Fujifilm X-M1

Distinctive color rendering

Fujifilm X-M1

Distinctive color rendering

8Budget

Olympus OM-D E-M10

Compact, travel-friendly systemFun, characterful shooting experienceOutstanding image stabilizationLimited autofocus for actionOlympus pricing and company uncertaintyNo weather sealing

Olympus OM-D E-M10

Compact, travel-friendly system

Fun, characterful shooting experience

Outstanding image stabilization

Limited autofocus for action

Olympus pricing and company uncertainty

No weather sealing

9Premium

Sony A7R V

Versatile tilt/flip screenImproved autofocus and trackingImproved IBIS and low-light performanceSensor readout largely unchangedBattery grip fitment issuesNot ideal for fast-action/wildlife shooters

Sony A7R V

Versatile tilt/flip screen

Improved autofocus and tracking

Improved IBIS and low-light performance

Sensor readout largely unchanged

Battery grip fitment issues

Not ideal for fast-action/wildlife shooters

10Premium

Nikon Z9

Strong, adaptive autofocus for wildlife/sportsRugged build and comfortable ergonomicsExceptional battery lifeAutofocus struggles in specific scenariosLarge size and weightEVF resolution criticized by some

Nikon Z9

Strong, adaptive autofocus for wildlife/sports

Rugged build and comfortable ergonomics

Exceptional battery life

Autofocus struggles in specific scenarios

Large size and weight

EVF resolution criticized by some

Autofocus
1. Nikon Zfarrow_upward11
2. Nikon Z6 IIarrow_upward9
3. Sony A7R Varrow_upward9
Ibis
1. Sony A7R Varrow_upward6
2. Nikon Z5 IIarrow_upward5
3. Olympus OM-D E-M10arrow_upward5
Image quality
1. Nikon Z6 IIarrow_upward10
2. Nikon Zfarrow_upward10
Color rendering
1. Fujifilm X-T1arrow_upward11
2. Nikon Z5 IIarrow_upward7
Ergonomics
1. Nikon Z6 IIarrow_upward8
2. Nikon Zfarrow_downward9
Compact size
1. Olympus OM-D E-M10arrow_upward8
2. Fujifilm X-T1arrow_upward4

Overall Impression

Resolution and dynamic range are the A7R IV's headline strengths. Commenters repeatedly highlight the 61MP sensor's incredible detail, calling it near medium-format quality at a much lower price, with 15 stops of dynamic range. Photographers use this resolution for large gallery prints, extreme cropping, and an effective APS-C mode giving extra telephoto reach for wildlife. Multiple users say cropping to 20-27MP still yields excellent quality, making it a versatile all-rounder for landscape, wildlife, and fine art work.

Autofocus and tracking are strong but not class-leading. Users praise real-time eye AF and animal eye AF for wildlife and birds, describing it as fast and accurate in good light. However, several experienced shooters note it falls short of the A9 in low-light AF acquisition and tracking, especially with small, fast-moving subjects like passerine birds. Some also report AF issues when using non-Sony lenses, and one user described tracking as 'spotty' and slow in certain conditions.

Ergonomics, menus, and noise draw the most criticism. Many commenters dislike the outdated Sony menu system, absence of a touchscreen or fully articulating screen, and small body/buttons that hamper handling. Noise at ISO 800+ is frequently mentioned as worse than expected for a modern sensor, with banding and grain reported in low light. Some also note the file sizes demand costly upgrades to storage and computers, and a lack of selectable RAW sizes remains a persistent complaint.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

high_qualityExceptional 61MP ResolutionKey factor

10 mentions

Strongly positive

Users consistently praise the incredible detail from the 61MP sensor, useful for large prints and heavy cropping. Many compare it favorably to medium-format systems at a fraction of the cost.

@KurtisPape

Good video, I have this camera and use it for wildlife paired with the 200-600mm lens, I don't always achieve 61 megapixels worth of resolution (detail) as I can scale a lot of higher ISO images to 20 megapixels with no loss in quality, but in good light, focus and right shutter speed the detail I can capture is incredible and the ability to crop is unreal for wildlife photography. A lot of the time im cropping down to an APS-C sized image in post, but the ability to have that extra framing to acquire to subject in the viewfinder in that split second is game changing.

smart_display

August 25, 2021

@foveacreative

The ISO test is interesting. But I think it misses something about real world applications for many people's photos. For example, if you're an events photographer or photojournalist, there are very few cases where you'll need to provide a file larger than 6,000 pixels on the long side. So you can downsample your A7R IV files to that size when you export from Lightroom, or whatever, and in so doing more than compensate for the slight noise disadvantage in higher ISO files. Coming from an A7 III I've found that to be the case in most situations, and that camera is still amongst the very best for high ISO/ low noise images. I've certainly found that to be the case at least and I think it shows that test shooting doesn't always reveal the true strengths and weaknesses of a camera. So why get a 61MP camera? Because it's such a flexible tool, providing files you can crop to extreme levels including making large landscape photos from a portrait mode original. Plus all the other great features in this latest iteration of the A7* series.

smart_display

February 23, 2021

@gitithadani

I have had the camera since almost 6 months and it still continues to be my dream camera. Having started the advent into sony from the a7r and then the r2 the R4 really taken everything up by a notch. To get this kind of resolution on such a small body with 5 & a half stops of stabilization & an excellent evf along with excellent DR and the ability to attach light lenses makes for a very ergonomic instrument. Personally I find the menu system intelligent as it allows customization of all the buttons etc. The software in camera has improved so much that I tend to shoot most of thetime in jpeg or compressed raw unless I feel that the light situation may be tricky and require more post processing. Often the native software works better than a 3rd party (lightroom included). I use a lot of manual lenses fromthe film era & I am amazed at the quality I get from many of them - even in comparison to the earlier 42mp sensor. The increase in detail means that the sensor functions like a zoom allowing one to reframe & recompose in post. Hence prime lenses cantake on a zoom function. For design - fine art - composition - anything that requires that extra detail this camera reallyshines

smart_display

March 13, 2020

@Stefan1968ful

The Sony A7r4 changed my opinion about Sony completely. I use this camera 90% for wildlife and here it really shines. On the Sony 600mm 4.0 GM I get in APS-C Mode effectively 900mm at f/4.0 and this at 27MP. You program the function ring on the GM lens and switch then easily between Full Frame and APS-C Mode. Excellent for Wildlife, super flexible. And this equipped with an Autofocus which is not as on the A9 but close. Not to forget a buffer of 68 RAW files at 61 MP. Yes, with the Sony A7r4, Sony really delivered a great product. I am deeply impressed and move now from Canon to Sony. Cheers!

smart_display

November 2, 2019

Sony A7R IVchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

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Autofocus

Ibis

Image quality

Color rendering

Ergonomics

Compact size

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Sony A7R IVFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression