JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 2.2 years newer.
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Wins
GY-HC500U
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 0)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 9.35 MP)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
GY-HC500U is 5mm shorter and 8mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 3mm wider.
GY-HC500U is 78 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GY-HC500U · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GY-HC500U: mount data unavailable
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GY-HC500U
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Weight
580 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
AF points / zones
759 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Resolution
33 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
JVC GY-HC500U
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, GY-HC500U or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for GY-HC500U — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV?
GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GY-HC500U or the Alpha 7 IV?
GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV?
GY-HC500U weighs 580 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the GY-HC500U is 78 g lighter.
Do the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the GY-HC500U and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
GY-HC500U: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GY-HC500U and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the GY-HC500U the edge.
How much does each cost?
GY-HC500U launched at $3,395 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $896 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GY-HC500U vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of JVC and Sony press materials.