Sony A7r IV review: IN-DEPTH with 61 Megapixels 

The good thing about the Sony A7RIV is that it's made the A7RIII cheaper!

I'm a Fuji guy but learning what new features other camera got is pretty neat

Brilliant review !! A7R4 was released for sale last Friday in Singapore

Love watching cameras I can't afford lol.

Sony Please bring the Small 20MP, Medium 40MP and Large 60MP RAW options through firmware

... the best review on the a7r IV I've seen so far. 👍🏻 Thanks for the info! I think the new Sigma 35 / 1.2 is a good choice for the new Sony.

Comprehensive (and entertaining) as usual - thanks, Gordon.

One of the best reviews I've come upon. I'm planning to transition from my old Nikon to this, but my only real issue is the lack of screen "flipability" as my Nikon had that functionality and I used it often for selfies with my lady on trips and getting down low for landscape shots.

Thanks for the review Gordon. Just one tiny thing, there is intervalometer in the A7rIII and A7III since a FW update.

another good review Gordon. Yes I also wish the r3/r4 mode dial was a lock dial like the ev comp on the r4 (and panasonics) that way you can use or not. interesting to see the higher ISO IQ is compromised in comparison (back to the days when this was always true). PS no steven seagull again :D :D

In-depth review of Sony's 61 Megapixel A7r IV mirrorless camera! Check prices at B&H: bhpho.to/2lD4Kjv or Amazon: amzn.to/31UTXkH Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Like Cameralabs? Get the T-Shirt: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop

Excellent camera. Thanks for the review.

Another great review mate. I don't have need for a high megapixel camera at least at that price . I'm just an enthusiast photographer who shoots mostly birds and macro, no landscape here. Yes one could argue more is better but in my case I will stick with my 24mp a7iii thanks. Cheers.

In video mode its same 5 years old camera.

Gordon ... best review so far. Thanks a lot.

Awesome review Gordon , Thanks for that 😊

Waiting for this sensor in the new Nikon Z8. Get those Pro lenses out and the Z Mount will rock it.

Once again another fantastic video from you. I love the way you provide critical "pixel peeping" comparisons between the images and cover the little quirks in these reviews. Keep up the great work...I just subscribed!

I am a surf photographer. The fact you can program the C1 button, toggle between full frame and 1.5 crop sensor and still get 24 MP shots, both at 10fps, get 120 fps video, and have great autofocus in still photography and video is the attraction for me. This camera body and set up turns the new Sony 200-600mm lens into a sharp 300-900mm lens for stills and video without changing lens. I know if no other set up that can do it.

Thank you so much for an amazing and detailed review.

Fantastic review as always Gordon! Thank you for your perspective on this new 61 Megapixel beast ;)

I have to stick with my Canon 5D Mark IV. I really like what Sony is doing but something about Canon keeps me with them.

Isn't the IV just a III with a larger sensor? I don't need it. My high res desktop monitor has ~8MP.

Very very nice reviews the best on youtube !

Another great review sir ! Thank you .

great to know i can have a camera that i can have for the rest of my life and not have to replace!

The only critique for me.. I don't know why they do not to put the drive dial on the body like A9 or at least why not move the mode dial on the left to allow a small top lcd on the right? Don't want to bind every button, I prefer to have physical dials. This is the only cons together with the old style menu, let's hope for a fw update to solve this on III and now IV series..

Thanks to the A1, I picked up mine damn near new for 2300 :D

So basically all Sony has to do now is a flip screen with touch capabilities and maybe a new menu. Interesting that this is all screen related

I returned my a7r IV today. The Sony cameras are really disappointing. The noise at low ISO is very poor. It kind of makes them impossible to be versatile cameras. I shoot events, interiors, portraits and products and this camera is not one I can pick up and shoot with like my canons. I’d be surprised if people find the A9II a good camera for low light sports matches. I found that the camera produces crazy banding and noise at 800+ISO. Also unless you have Sony glass the AF is pretty poor also. Something I’ve not heard mentioned on any of the reviews. That should be a consideration if jumping ship but you want to keep your Canon or Nikon glass. The menus are really terrible and no touch screen is crazy. The grip feels ok but the wheels to adjust aperture and shutter speed are not in the right, natural place for your fingers. Canon and Nikon may be behind at the moment with megapixels, but that’s something that isn’t a massive issue. Being a pro for 16 years most of my work never gets printed big unfortunately, it usually goes online or in brochures/magazines. Crazy file sizes are pretty pointless. The Canon camera design is far superior to Sony. Also the viewfinder that people keep saying is amazing is actually crap! It’s not pleasant to look at. Another thing is the horrendous Sony viewer, editor and connection software tools. These should be cancelled FOREVER! Workflow is pretty much ground to a halt with these. I find it hard to imagine a sports photog using these to upload ARW files at half time. I guess the A9II doesn’t produce the same file size images as A7rIV but the software is dog wham! People need to pay attention to what you are saying about the menus and not get caught up in the megapixels and AF, which isn’t that accurate. They aren’t good cameras, design and functionality are very poor. I would say to anyone to stick to your DSLR until the big boys start making decent mirrorless options. If you just use the Sony cameras in bright light situations then maybe they’re a good option but everyday pro use is not really an option in my opinion. Dslr and medium format are still the the ones to use in my opinion.

This video is AWESOME!! I wish you could have discussed battery life, particularly when shooting movies.

The ISO test is interesting. But I think it misses something about real world applications for many people's photos. For example, if you're an events photographer or photojournalist, there are very few cases where you'll need to provide a file larger than 6,000 pixels on the long side. So you can downsample your A7R IV files to that size when you export from Lightroom, or whatever, and in so doing more than compensate for the slight noise disadvantage in higher ISO files. Coming from an A7 III I've found that to be the case in most situations, and that camera is still amongst the very best for high ISO/ low noise images. I've certainly found that to be the case at least and I think it shows that test shooting doesn't always reveal the true strengths and weaknesses of a camera. So why get a 61MP camera? Because it's such a flexible tool, providing files you can crop to extreme levels including making large landscape photos from a portrait mode original. Plus all the other great features in this latest iteration of the A7* series.

This is the first of the reviews I've seen by you Gordon, a very good, clear and concise review. Well done.

Great video Gordon, really detailed and professional, keep up the good work .

Very well done Sir!

I have no idea why you guys like this electronic viewfinders, I just bought this Camera and I am not impressed, I hate it, at this point I am regretting selling my D850, colour science different, dynamic range definitely worse, fine noise in shadow areas even in somewhat low ISO images. ergonomics is shitty, although that I expected and I don't care that much as my camera spend more time on a tripod than in my hands. I think all of the reviews were somewhat favourable to this Camera even more for landscape and I am not impressed. I will let you know if I change my mind once I have more time with it.

' nice pretty camera and len... but still both problems... 1- blur blur focus 1- blur blur focus depth of field

Great video again thanks, Sony really pack these cameras with so many options but why on earth they did not fit that mic. with a pass through with a top connector so you could piggy back a flash on there? Out of my price range sadly, be looking forward to the Canon 90D and your corresponding review of that one.

Nice Review David Oastler . I got you on a coffee if you ever come to Philadelphia. My studio is is right next door to a coffee roaster.

Lovely camera review, always a joy to watch, thank you. Really sexy camera. But a bit too high-class for me.

Great review!

It's kind of hilarious that sony is able to output 60mp FF cameras but a interval shooting mode has just arrived now, after cameras from other companies had it for ages, even in the lowest tier models. Anyways, superb review

Good review, thanks!

The pixels are way too small, the ergonomics are terrible, and the camera isn't well built.

Fro Knows Photobomb at 7:12

9:57 top picture, in 2160p 4k, able to discern the texture of the building.

Nice review👍👍

Interesting video! I'd like to know more about moire that this camera has considering its 61 Megapixel. Thanks! :-)

Toys Made by Sony are the best! To be honest: in my opinion the noise level of the Sony A7R4 is totally unbearable. For Wildlife not really useable, you typically shoot at low light in the morning or evening and this at high shutter speeds. Not good.

Video looks decent, but hard to tell on RU-vid, do you feel it’s video capabilities in terms of quality are up to par for hybrid shooters, even though it’s 8bit, pizen binning, or sampling algorithms. What lens were you using in your vlog test?

Well done. Can't wait for my A7R4!

As usual, the most comprehensive reviews I can find. An awesome informative video review. Thank you, Gordon.

Cheers G-dog another video without waffle,to the point and with picture examples,top man.in regards to photographs I find it fascinating that an A7R2 has the same quality images as the A7R3 but it operates quicker and yea . the A7R2 sluggishness can get frustrating but it's not as if you have to wate for your film to get developed and the A7R4 doesn't really take notesibly better pictures than the 2 previous model. I think it is really quite unprofessional that Sony pixel shift seems well from what I have been watching and reading is a gimmick. Buy a second hand A7R2 and!!!! a brand new lense like the sony24mm G or 26-35 for under £2000 or spend £4000 on a A7R4 and lense and not get any better quality at all.grest news for photographers.the camera world moves too fast to bring out new camera's without not much improvement in image quality.

Nice review Gordon I just wish prices would be a bit lower from SONY I have the original Mark 1 which looks kinda old fashioned now somehow compared with 4 ✌️ keep the good reviews coming now I always watch them.

Medium format quality 😀 if you just count pixels (like idiots do) but if you have a better eye sight you see that medium format has more going for it than just resolution. I don’t even like the output of Sony cameras compared to many rivals in the 35mm realm. Go and shoot a hasselblad h6d and then tell me that you don’t see a difference.

Full frame 4K definitely looks sharper than crop mode.

pre-ordered the A7R IV and the digital microphone! - Gordon do you know when it will arrive in the UK ? early Sept or late?

The right side of the camera is too busy and has too many buttons and controls. Some of it should be moved to the left side. Sony could do a better jib with the body shape, the edges are too sharp, making it uncomfortable to hold. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Interesting that the sensor tech offers no greater light sensitivity than III. Is that true of II as well or was there progress there? If there hasn't been much progress since II then II seems like the obvious deal.

I need to see a comparison with a Fuji gfx100

hi Gordon...do you think this camera COMPLETELY elimitates the need for super zooms in wildlife since you can just crop it in while retaining the details?

I don't have A7R3. I have a7 mk3 for speed, then I preorder this for high resolution work . Can't wait to get mine on the coming weeks

Really enjoyed your review of the r5, si I'm now watching this one... Please can you do a comparison between the Sony a7riv and Canon r5?

PRICE !! PRICE !! PRICE !!!! STUPID PRICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hard to take bad pictures with any camera when you have models like that. Jordan 😍 other models are not bad either :)

These cameras are all getting very silly tbh

Why pay all that coin for such crap functionality? They make smart phones FFS.

im new here... so don't know if this is common on Gordon, but... whats up with your pulse bro ?

Yeah. I don't see it worth upgrading from the r3. The only exciting thing is the button on the exposure comp wheel. I move it all the time on my r3s

Damn. That AF is incredibly impressive. But I still love my Panasonic G9 :-D

I think it's a problem for Sony that the standard 24-70 2.8 Zoom Lens for the system costs $2200. Oh well, everyone can buy Tamron.

No filler all killer thanks for another great review Gordon. Good to see that Sony finally offers more than two aspect ratios in camera about time. A pity though there is no RAW Small and Medium options available. This would have made the camera an even more attractive option to buyers.

I don't think pro's will soon use this camera for sport, action and wildlife as DX sized camera's are still king at this because of crop and the info on the crop

At 15:37 "so I photographed the still life scene with both cameras using the same lens" => which lens was used?? that's quite important information and you don't say nor write which lens you used.

Great video. Subscribed. I'm an A7R2 user. Been looking to upgrade for sometime now. It has amazing image quality but battery, ergonomics and focusing on moving subjects is poor. Unless it's on a tripod I really don't enjoy shooting with it anymore. Using back button focus is cumbersome as you have to repurpose the AEL button which has a cheap feel to say the least. The EVF feels dated now. I have been thinking about the A7R3 but am hesitant as its been out for 4 years already. Now in 2021 they have the A7R3a and A7R4a on sale for $2000 and $3000 respectively. I shoot landscapes, portraits and wildlife. The A7R2 works well for stills but stinks for moving subjects. I initially wanted to upgrade to the A7R4 for the ability to crop and still get decent size images when using my 100-400 GM. I am also looking to get the Sony 200-600 in the future. With current prices and my complaints about the A7R2, do you think I should go with the A7R3a or A7R4a? If focusing is not going to be a big improvement with the A7R4 then maybe the A7R3 is the right choice. Thoughts? Thanks!

I’ve heard the a7iii and a7iv regular versions are better in low light ?

Maybe I missed this, but how quickly does this camera clear it's buffer with fast UHS 2 cards?

7:13 known faces in the background :)

Thanks for review, was waiting for it. It's very nice, but the Z7 review is more detailed (I love how you showed menu options there, it's like using the camera without having one near you wich for me is very beneficial, must go far to test in shops, rather spend that money on the camera). Current camera D810. Since the mirrorless full frame battle got to really high stakes, i stopped buying any F-mount lens, as it seems non future proof investment. Now to choose between A7RIII with finicky buttons and 'worse' grip (making the step from super grip of D810 big), but at crazy good price of 2400 euro, to the A7RIV, while expensive, is same price as earlier models at launch, has a very good grip (at least as good as Z7 from my 'camerasizecomparison dot com' comparisons.), has clicky buttons, 5 millions dot viewfinder, 61mp in case i need it (but worse high iso noise) Though i'm a Iso 64 freak, even when light is way to difficult i stay prefer to try get a shot with it, i think i only did 20 of 10500 image in Iso 3200-6400 on my last two week trip in Thailand on D810). So perhaps not much of issue :D And theres the F1.2 Sigma art to solve light sensitivity. Buuuuuuuuut: dillema. If A7RIV would be 3500, think it would be no brainer. Perhaps wait till end of year. Btw been missing your Sony 16-35mm GM and 24-70mm GM (full) review for a while Gordan (and Thomas). Glad first is resolved; now the last :D Btw the 16-35mm GM is clearly decentered. And not a little bit, small decenters are not visible at F8. I would send that one back for sure. Now Sigma 14-24mm is much more tempting (and also better addition to 24-70mm GM wich seem like no brainer). Question, your 24-70mm GM 'skyline' pictures, where they shot handheld of on tripod? My guess is tripod. PS for someone so frustrated that it has no touch screen functionality, i'm amazed you said nothing about lossless compressed RAWS. In my comparison list, it's the biggest missing factor from sony camera's, compared to nikon. 120MB files, that could be 70MB for free! cheaper memory and hard drive space.

Great work Gordon. You're one of the only people whos reviews I watch.

They probably gave you the limited touch screen functionality to make you feel like you are having a more authentic hands on experience. CAN YOU IMAGINE 'AUTHENTIC HANDS ON CAMERA EXPERIENCE WITH A SONY! HA HA HA! I'm laughing deep in my cold soul.

I'll only get it if sony bundles a beast PC for free. Lol

Superlative yet again Gordon! Coffee on the way. Oh, and the book is more than worth the price!

God I really want this camera......gotta settle for a A7R iii for now though. Still saving for it. But then again I may just say hell, I saved enough for the A7R iii and waiting this long might as well save a lil more and get the A7R iv. .......or I may just end up with both A7R iii and iv.

What about the A7S 3 ? Any idea when it will come out ?

I can't find a Pixel Shift Multi sample.

Can you make a suggestion to Sony to develop firmware that would allow for a 40 or 45 megapixel option on the A7r4.

Thanks Gordon, this is another great review because Gordon!

Interesting & compelling review. I'm considering upgrading/replacing one or more of my canon bodies (7Dii and 1Div). I had planned on my next body being a mirrorless Canon unit, but the Sony options are getting good reviews on some of the forums I follow. I'm likely looking at either a A7R3 or a Canon 1DX if I make any changes currently. Do you have any first hand experience that would give you an opinion as to which body you would lean towards?

Sony! The Apple of the Camera world...Don’t change or give us much new stuff, I mean Sony made touchscreens before most now they’ve forgotten how..60p 4K well that’s just to much to give you.Your reviews are very good but on the whole Sony are lucky they have RU-vid reviewers that talk up their products and most listeners are gullible enough to fall for their Sales pitch..I like your videos very unbiased and informative.

I need to film drones at night. Small, fast and bight lights against black sky. What is the best camera? Should I go for a higher ISO?

i am watching gordon's review's on camera's almost 10 year's..👍

a picture reel of fitness expo taken by a7r IV on my channel

Looking to move from a old Canon 7D. Stumped on the Sony a7R IV or the D850. What would you suggest for someone picking back up photography who takes landscape, wildlife, and some sports?

Hi Gordon, I am sorry if I have missed it in video but is there still some crop in 4K/30p full frame mode (I guess yes if it is in APS-C mode) ? Thank you for answer.

Thank you very much for a detailed review! Just want to ask if the selection of megapixels of 60m, 26m and 15m only available in jpegs or is it available as well in raw format?

Still waiting for Sony A7sIII.. if ever...

Suscribed. Thank from Spain. I dude between lumix s1R or a7r4... I love retro illuminated lumix. Video quality and specifications lumix win (in theorie). I love this `Sony’s microphone and AF. The dynamic range is very important for me. The same Versus review between LUMIX s1R vs a7r4 would be great!!!. If lumix could recover the dark frame areas as well as Sony I would buy lumix. In theorie Sony has better dynamic range... I don’t know the lumix low sensibility responses... this battle would be absolute AMAZING 😉

That high ISO performance (well, actually low ISO too), is interesting. Looks like the usable top limit of pixel pitch has been reached, if not surpassed. I'm struggling to understand why Sony went this high for 35mm. 'Marketing' springs to mind. I say this as an owner of many an Alpha camera.

I will bay a sony camera which one. The A7IV lower pix but newer focus systeem or The A7RIII more pixel but older focus systeem. Or the A7RIV it is faster and better Focus system but not so good as the A7IV. I think the A7Riv for landschape en wildlife. If you lens is to sort you can crop it. That is 33 mp also you can do that. The V is not a option to high in price for my. The only problem that i can have is that the big files slow down the computer by editing.