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Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

vs

Sony

Alpha 7R IV

61MP resolution king before the A7R V era.

$3,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2019

Alpha 7 IV is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

Wins

3categories

Alpha 7R IV

LandscapePortrait

8 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7 IV wins 4 categories·Alpha 7R IV wins 1 categories
  • 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 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
  • BAlpha 7R IV has higher Resolution (61 MP vs 33 MP)
  • AAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 32,000)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7 IVAlpha 7R IV
Resolution33 MP61 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,20032,000
Burst10 fps10 fps
4K60 fps30 fps
IBIS5.5-stop5.5-stop
Weight658 g665 g
Battery580 shots670 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7R IV

129 × 96 × 78 mm

665 g (1.47 lb / 23.46 oz)

Alpha 7 IV is 2mm wider and 2mm thicker than Alpha 7R IV.

Alpha 7 IV is 7 g lighter than Alpha 7R IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 80mm Alpha 7 IV · 78mm Alpha 7R IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7R IV

129 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7R IV

129 × 78 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Alpha 7R IV

35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

850 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7R IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseAlpha 7 IVAlpha 7R IV
Portrait
9.0Excellent✓ wins
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good✓ wins
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.5Good✓ wins
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
7.0Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
8.0Excellent✓ wins
4.5Fair
Vlogging
8.0Excellent✓ wins
4.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • AF low-light limit

    -4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 79.8

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265

  • 4K max frame rate

    60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • Internal RAW video

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7R IV

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 128.9, 77.5

  • Resolution

    61 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    670 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Burst (mechanical)Both 10 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 IV

Pros

  • 61MP detail
  • Great for studio
  • Pixel shift mode

Cons

  • Slower AF than A7R V
  • Large files
  • Rolling shutter in video

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7R IV
Resolution
33 MP
61 MP+85%
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 23.9 mm
35.7 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7R IV
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ X
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7R IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200+0.7 stops
32,000
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
102,400
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7R IV
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7 IV or Alpha 7R IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for Alpha 7R IV — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV?

Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and Alpha 7R IV is 61 MP, so the Alpha 7R IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7R IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 IV or the Alpha 7R IV?

Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7R IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV?

Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and Alpha 7R IV weighs 665 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 7 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV record 4K video?

Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7R IV: 4K up to 30p.

Are the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7R IV weather sealed?

Alpha 7 IV: Yes. Alpha 7R IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 670 shots for the Alpha 7R IV, giving the Alpha 7R IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7 IV launched at $2,499 and Alpha 7R IV at $3,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $1,000 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 IV vs Alpha 7R IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.