Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Sony
Alpha 7R
36MP no-AA-filter full-frame mirrorless for landscape and studio — launched the high-res mirrorless era.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Oct 2013
Alpha 7 IV is 8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7 IV
Wins
Alpha 7R
8 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7R has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
- BAlpha 7R has lower Weight (465 g vs 658 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7R
127 × 94 × 48 mm
465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 oz)
Alpha 7 IV is 4mm wider, 2mm taller, and 32mm thicker than Alpha 7R.
Alpha 7 IV is 193 g heavier than Alpha 7R.
Depth (front-to-back): 80mm Alpha 7 IV · 48mm Alpha 7R
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7R
127 × 94 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7R
127 × 48 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7R
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R
✓ 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
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 94.4, 48.2
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 7R supports it
Weight
465 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Resolution
36.4 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
Alpha 7R
Pros
- ✓36MP no AA filter
- ✓Compact high-res body
- ✓Historic significance
- ✓Great used value
Cons
- –Slow AF
- –No IBIS
- –Very dated ergonomics
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Sony Alpha 7R
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, Alpha 7 IV or Alpha 7R?
Alpha 7R scores 9.0/10 versus 7.0/10 for Alpha 7 IV — 465g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R?
Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and Alpha 7R is 36.4 MP, so the Alpha 7R captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7R has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 IV or the Alpha 7R?
Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7R reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R?
Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and Alpha 7R weighs 465 g, so the Alpha 7R is 193 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R record 4K video?
Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7R: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R weather sealed?
Alpha 7 IV: Yes. Alpha 7R: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 640 shots for the Alpha 7R, giving the Alpha 7R the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7 IV launched at $2,499 and Alpha 7R at $2,299. The Alpha 7R is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 IV vs Alpha 7R vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.