Sony a7 II → Sony a7 IV
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Sony a7 IV is 2 generations newer to your Sony a7 II, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; resolution rises from 24.3MP to 33MP; 4K goes from 25p to 60p. The Sony a7 IV lists at $2,499 (the Sony a7 II launched at $1,699, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Sony a7 IV if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 10fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 25p, 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage, no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 33MP resolves noticeably more than 24.3MP and gives more cropping latitude.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Stick with the Sony a7 II if…
- •You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,699, about $800 less, freeing money for lenses.
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (28 items)
↑ 14 improved · ↓ 3 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony a7 II | Sony a7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| →Image Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ XR |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 24.3 MP | 33 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 25600 | 100 – 51200 |
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 51200 | 50 – 204800 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 10 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 25p | Up to 60p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| →Recording Limit | 29 min | No limit |
| ↑Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| →HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 3.69M dots |
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.71x | 0.78x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↓LCD Resolution | 1.23M dots | 1.04M dots |
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 1x CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II + 1x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $1,699 | $2,499 |
| →Dimensions | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm | 131.3×96.4×79.8 mm |
| ↓Weight | 599g (1.32 lb) | 658g (1.45 lb) |
| ↑Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 350 shots | 520 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 410 shots | 580 shots |
| →Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
What stayed the same (17 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony a7 II already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony a7 II (keep or buy used)
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Sony a7 IV
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony a7 II to the Sony a7 IV?
The Sony a7 IV is 2 generations newer to your Sony a7 II, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; resolution rises from 24.3MP to 33MP; 4K goes from 25p to 60p. The Sony a7 IV lists at $2,499 (the Sony a7 II launched at $1,699, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Sony a7 IV over the Sony a7 II?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a7 IV improves 14 items. The most significant: 10fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames. it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 25p, 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage, no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. 33MP resolves noticeably more than 24.3MP and gives more cropping latitude. the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
What does the Sony a7 II still do just as well as the Sony a7 IV?
17 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Full-Frame), lens mount (Sony E), mechanical shutter (1/8000), electronic shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250), built-in flash (No). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a7 IV give anything up compared to the Sony a7 II?
Yes — 3 items on the spec sheet move the other way: lcd resolution (1.23M dots → 1.04M dots), price (msrp) ($1,699 → $2,499), weight (599g (1.32 lb) → 658g (1.45 lb)).