Sony a7R II → Sony a7R 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 a7R IV is 2 generations newer to your Sony a7R II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; resolution rises from 42.4MP to 61MP. The Sony a7R IV lists at $3,499 (the Sony a7R II launched at $3,199, 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 a7R IV if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 10fps burst and 567 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 61MP resolves noticeably more than 42.4MP and gives more cropping latitude.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -3 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Stick with the Sony a7R II if…
- •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 (19 items)
↑ 11 improved · ↓ 2 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony a7R II | Sony a7R IV |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| ↑Effective Resolution | 42.4 MP | 61 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 25600 | 100 – 32000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 10 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Log Profiles | S-Log2 / S-Log3 / HLG | S-Log3 / HLG |
| ↑Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 399 | 567 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -2 EV | -3 EV |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 5.76M dots |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Size | 3" | 3.2" |
| ↑LCD Resolution | 1.23M dots | 1.44M dots |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 2x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $3,199 | $3,499 |
| →Dimensions | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm | 128.9×96.4×77.5 mm |
| ↓Weight | 625g (1.38 lb) | 665g (1.47 lb) |
| ↑Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 290 shots | 530 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 340 shots | 670 shots |
| →Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
What stayed the same (29 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony a7R II already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony a7R II (keep or buy used)
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Sony a7R IV
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony a7R II to the Sony a7R IV?
The Sony a7R IV is 2 generations newer to your Sony a7R II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; resolution rises from 42.4MP to 61MP. The Sony a7R IV lists at $3,499 (the Sony a7R II launched at $3,199, 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 a7R IV over the Sony a7R II?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a7R IV improves 11 items. The most significant: 10fps burst and 567 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames. it brings both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. 61MP resolves noticeably more than 42.4MP and gives more cropping latitude. AF that focuses down to -3 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What does the Sony a7R II still do just as well as the Sony a7R IV?
29 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (BSI CMOS), sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (BIONZ X), lens mount (Sony E), iso range (extended) (50 – 102400), mechanical shutter (1/8000). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a7R IV give anything up compared to the Sony a7R II?
Yes — 2 items on the spec sheet move the other way: price (msrp) ($3,199 → $3,499), weight (625g (1.38 lb) → 665g (1.47 lb)).