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 7S
12MP low-light video legend that changed indie filmmaking with incredible high ISO performance.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Apr 2014
Alpha 7 IV is 7.6 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7 IV
Wins
Alpha 7S
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 200 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 12.2 MP)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7S has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
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 7S
127 × 94 × 48 mm
489 g (1.08 lb / 17.25 oz)
Alpha 7 IV is 4mm wider, 2mm taller, and 32mm thicker than Alpha 7S.
Alpha 7 IV is 169 g heavier than Alpha 7S.
Depth (front-to-back): 80mm Alpha 7 IV · 48mm Alpha 7S
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 7S
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 7S
127 × 48 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7S
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7S
✓ 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 200 Mbps — higher is better
Resolution
33 MP vs 12.2 MP — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7S
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 7S supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
489 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
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓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
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 7S
Pros
- ✓Legendary low light
- ✓12MP optimized for video
- ✓Full-frame
- ✓Historic video body
Cons
- –12MP for stills
- –No IBIS
- –Superseded by a7S series
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Sony Alpha 7S
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Alpha 7 IV or Alpha 7S?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Alpha 7S — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S?
Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and Alpha 7S is 12.2 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7S has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 IV or the Alpha 7S?
Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7S reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S?
Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and Alpha 7S weighs 489 g, so the Alpha 7S is 169 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S record 4K video?
Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7S: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S weather sealed?
Alpha 7 IV: Yes. Alpha 7S: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 640 shots for the Alpha 7S, giving the Alpha 7S the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $2,499.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 IV vs Alpha 7S vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.