Sony a7 IV vs Sony α7R
The bottom line
Same line, different generation: the Sony a7 IV (2021) moves ahead on burst speed (10fps vs 4fps), in-body stabilisation and subject-detection AF. The Sony α7R is still the value pick at $2,299 ($2,499 for the Sony a7 IV). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Sony α7R gives you most of the experience for less.
Choose 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 4fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 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 shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Choose the Sony α7R if…
- ✓You value portability — at 465g (1.03 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 658g (1.45 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Sony a7 IV is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 60p, 10-bit internal and Log.
- ›Burst: the Sony a7 IV shoots 10fps to the Sony α7R's 4fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Price: the Sony α7R launched at $2,299, $200 under the Sony a7 IV — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Stabilisation: only the Sony a7 IV has in-body IS — slower handheld shutter speeds and steadier video without relying on stabilised lenses.
- ›Weight: the Sony α7R is 465g (1.03 lb) vs 658g (1.45 lb) — 193g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Resolution: 36.4MP on the Sony α7R vs 33MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
Frequently asked
Is the Sony a7 IV or the Sony α7R better?
Same line, different generation: the Sony a7 IV (2021) moves ahead on burst speed (10fps vs 4fps), in-body stabilisation and subject-detection AF. The Sony α7R is still the value pick at $2,299 ($2,499 for the Sony a7 IV). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Sony α7R gives you most of the experience for less.
Who should choose the Sony a7 IV?
Choose 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 4fps would drop frames. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings 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. Choose it if you shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens. Choose it if you vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Who should choose the Sony α7R?
Choose the Sony α7R if you value portability — at 465g (1.03 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 658g (1.45 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What is the main difference between the Sony a7 IV and the Sony α7R?
Video: the Sony a7 IV is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 60p, 10-bit internal and Log.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR | BIONZ X |
| Effective Resolution | 33 MP | 36.4 MP |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 51200 | 100 – 25600 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 204800 | 50 – 25600 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/8000 | − |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 10 fps | 4 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 1080p |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 60p | − |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 60p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | No |
| Recording Limit | No limit | 29 min |
| Log Profiles | S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone | − |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Full-size (Type A) | Micro (Type D) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 759 | 0 |
| Contrast Detect Points | 425 | 25 |
| Low Light AF | -4 EV | -1 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | No |
| Animal AF | Yes | No |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 3.69M dots | 2.36M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.78x | 0.71x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 0.92M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Tilting |
| Touch Screen | Yes | No |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 4 |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | − |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | Micro USB 2.0 |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II + 1x SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-I |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $2,499 | $2,299 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions | 131.3×96.4×79.8 mm | 126.9×94.4×48.2 mm |
| Weight | 658g (1.45 lb) | 465g (1.03 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 520 shots | 250 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 580 shots | 270 shots |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | NP-FW50 |
