An all-arounder that pushes beyond basic, the Sony a7 IV does double duty with strong stills and video performance. An advanced hybrid mirrorless camera, the a7 IV has the resolution and AF performance that appeals to photographers along with robust 4K 60p video recording for filmmakers and content creators.
Sensor and Processor
33MP Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
Newly developed 33MP Exmor R full-frame sensor features a back-illuminated design that promotes high clarity, low noise, and vivid color rendering. This design benefits working in low-light conditions and works in conjunction with a broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200. The sensor’s design also achieves an impressive dynamic range of approximately 15 stops and files can be recorded in raw, JPEG, or the 10-bit HEIF format.
BIONZ XR Processor
Using the flagship-class BIONZ XR engine, high-speed image processing capabilities are available for fast continuous shooting, 4K video recording, and advanced AF tracking performance. The quick processing also helps to reduce rolling shutter and other motion distortions for clean rendering of moving subjects.
In terms of shooting speeds, the sensor and processor enable up to 10 fps shooting, using either the mechanical or electronic shutter and with AF/AE enabled. Also, the buffer permits recording up to 828 consecutive uncompressed raw + JPEG frames when using a CFexpress Type A card.
Video Recording
4K 60p Video Recording in 10-Bit
Making full use of the high-resolution 33MP sensor and fast processing capabilities, UHD 4K 30p XAVC HS 10-bit recording is possible using the full width of the sensor, offering 7K oversampling for impressive sharpness and realism.
There is also oversampled 4K recording, via a 4.6K capture area, with a Super 35 crop, that offers UHD 4K output up to 60p in 10-bit.
No recording time limit allows for unlimited clip lengths and the camera’s physical design features an improved heat-dissipating structure to promote longer possible recording times; longer than one hour of continuous 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, for example.
The a7 IV employs a pair of codecs to suit different workflows: XAVC HS, which uses HEVC/H.265 encoding to retain more detail at smaller bitrates and XAVC S-I, which is an intraframe codec for consistent performance and quality at bitrates up to 600 Mb/s.
S-Cinetone, S-Log3, and Other Color and Gamma Controls
S-Cinetone can be used to deliver distinct colors and healthy-looking skin tone rendering that matches the FX9 and FX6 cameras, along with the a1 and a7S III, and is based on technology from the professional Cinema Line cameras, such as the VENICE. This color profile offers natural mid-tones, soft colors, and especially well-controlled highlights.
HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) support permits recording within a wide color gamut for producing HDR-ready content directly from the camera.
S-Log3 is also available for producing a 15+-stop dynamic range with increased grading control in the shadow to mid-tone regions of the image.
Fast Hybrid AF System
AI-Based Autofocus
Covering approximately 94% of the image area, a Fast Hybrid AF system incorporates 759 phase-detection points for quick and precise focusing in a variety of lighting conditions with sensitivity down to -4 EV. This focusing system is available for use in all recording modes, to benefit both video and stills applications.
Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF
Borrowing from the flagship AF system, the a7 IV has tuned tracking and subject detection capabilities that lock onto subjects quickly and refines focus accurately on recognized eyes and faces of subjects:
Real-time Tracking is an AI-based subject recognition system that recognizes color, pattern, and subject distance information for high accuracy and focusing speed.
Beyond just tracking subjects, Real-time Eye AF fine-tunes the focusing accuracy and recognizes human, animal, and bird’s eyes for critical sharpness. Real-time Eye AF even maintains focus on a subject’s eye when they leave and re-enter the frame, allowing for working in more spontaneous shooting situations.
AF During Video Recording and Additional Focusing Modes
Real-time Eye AF is fully supported during video recording, for subject detection and tracking of human, animal, and bird eyes while shooting.
For more control over how focus shifts appear during recording, seven-step AF transition speeds and five-step AF subject shift sensitivity controls let you refine how quickly focus shifts from point to point and how smoothly focusing shifts occur.
Focus Map is a unique way of visualizing depth of field and functions in a similar way to peaking with a colorful overlay of the scene that indicates which parts of the scene are in front of and behind the focus point depending on the chosen aperture.
A feature carried over from the FX6 digital cine camera, AF Assist lets you intuitively switch over to manual focus control for adjusting focus position when working with AF. This is a quick way to shift selective focus between various subjects in a scene while recording.
A unique solution to compensate for how certain lenses perform when racking focus, Focus Breathing compensation will automatically smooth focus transitions and maintain a consistent field of view when changing the focus position during a shot. This mode crops into the image slightly and corrects for any detected shifts in composition when focusing is happening. This function is compatible with select E-mount lenses, Body Design, Connectivity, and Streaming
Viewfinder and LCD Screen
An improved QVGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF features a 3.68m-dot resolution that is approximately 1.6x higher in resolution than its predecessor for sharper, clearer viewing. This viewfinder supports both standard 60 fps and 120 fps frame rates for smooth motion rendering and its physical design has a long 23mm eye point, 0.78x-magnification, and 37.3° field of view.
Perfect for vlogging or other self-recording needs, the side-opening 3.0″ 1.03m-dot vari-angle articulating screen can be used in a front-facing orientation or can be tilted up or down to suit working from high or low shooting angles. This LCD is a touchscreen, too, for intuitive shooting control and menu navigation.
Ports and Interface
Full-size HDMI A port offers a more reliable connection when working with external recorders.
A USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port has been added, in addition to a micro-USB port, for faster, more reliable tethering support. The USB Type-C connection allows the camera to be charged or powered from the host power source while connected.
Both 3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports facilitate greater control over audio recording.
Multi Interface Shoe supports working with the optional ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adapter Kit, which provide improved, clear audio recording sound by sending a digital audio signal to the camera, opposed to an analog signal.
USB Type-C port can be paired with an optional Ethernet wired LAN adapter to provide 1000BASE-T connectivity, wired remote shooting, or FTP transferring.
5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization
Enhanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system compensates for five different types of camera shake encountered during handheld shooting of stills and video and allows users to confidently use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical shooting without encountering blur from camera shake.
For long focal lengths, the system will correct for pitch and yaw adjustments. Macro and high-magnification imagery, on the other hand, will benefit from the inclusion of horizontal and vertical shift compensation. All shooting styles will get usage out of the roll compensation. All 5 axes of stabilization will function at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization.
Additionally, specifically for video, there is also an Active IS mode that adds even more precise stabilization methods for even smoother footage straight out of camera.
Advanced External Flash Control
Suiting working with flash while photographing fast-moving subjects, P-TTL flash metering is possible in between each exposure when working with lo, mid, or even hi-speed continuous shooting modes. This helps to maintain stable illumination if making low-light bursts and greatly benefits working in changing light or low-light conditions. The updated flash control system also helps to reduce flash trigger lag, uses the camera’s AWB information for natural color rendering, and supports adjusting select flash and transmitter units directly from the camera’s interface.
Wireless Connectivity and Streaming
Built-in Wi-Fi enables the remote camera control and instant sharing of imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing online, and support for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands also enables wireless tethered shooting support. This connectivity also provides remote camera control.
Use of the Imaging Edge mobile app is benefitted by Bluetooth to maintain a reliable connection between the camera and mobile device.
Supports Visual Story for easy cloud-based deliver of photos and videos immediately after shooting.
Live streaming is possible directly from the camera simply by connecting the camera to a computer or compatible mobile device via USB, allowing the camera’s video and audio capabilities to be used for live social media and video conferencing.
4K 15p, FHD 60p/30p, and HD 30p recording settings are available and there are also internal Creative Look and Soft Skin effects for a refined image quality straight from the camera.
Internal recording is supported to a memory card while live streaming.
UVC and UAC standards are supported for improved picture and sound quality during streaming.
Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens
Designed for versatility, the FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens from Sony is a wide-angle to short-telephoto zoom designed for E-mount mirrorless cameras. Complementing the useful range of focal lengths is a constant f/4 maximum aperture, which maintains consistent performance throughout the zoom range and also affords increased control over depth of field. Benefitting the reach is an advanced optical design, which employs aspherical and extra-low dispersion glass elements to control color fringing, distortion, and a variety of aberrations for greater sharpness and clarity. A Nano AR Coating has also been applied to suppress lens flare and ghosting for high contrast and color accuracy when working in harsh light.
Further adding to the versatility, this 24-105mm f/4 also incorporates an Optical SteadyShot image stabilization system to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting, and this system can pair with select cameras’ sensor-shift image stabilization for even more effective blur control. Suiting both stills and video shooting, a Direct Drive Super Sonic wave AF motor, along with an internal focusing design, provides quick and quiet focusing performance as well as natural manual focus control. Additionally, this also features a weather-resistant physical construction, along with a fluorine-coated front element, to enable its use in trying weather conditions.
Note: Not a Motorized Servo Zoom lens.
Covering a versatile wide-angle to short-telephoto range, this 24-105mm lens is designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 36-157.5mm equivalent focal length range.
A constant f/4 maximum aperture offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range and also lends greater control over focus position for shallow depth of field techniques.
Four aspherical elements are featured in the optical design and two of which are designated as Advanced Aspherical elements to noticeably reduce spherical aberrations and distortion throughout the zoom range for improved sharpness and clarity.
Three extra-low dispersion elements are also used to minimize color fringing and chromatic aberrations for greater color accuracy.
A Nano AR Coating has been applied to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds. This stabilization system can also be combined with select camera’s sensor-shift type image stabilization for more effective control of camera blur.
A Direct Drive Super Sonic wave AF motor and internal focus mechanism provide quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance and also contribute to more natural, intuitive manual focus control.
A focus hold button and AF/MF switch are present on the lens barrel for intuitive tactile control and rapid access to select settings.
A dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.
The front lens element features a fluorine coating to protect against smudges and dust from adhering to the glass surface.
Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
Presets: Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Color Temperature Filter, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater
Continuous Shooting
Up to 10 fps at 33 MP for up to 828 Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
Interval Recording
Yes
Self-Timer
2/5/10-Second Delay
Still Image Capture
Image Sizes
3:2 Raw
7008 x 4672 3:2 JPEG
7008 x 4672
4608 x 3072
3504 x 2336 1:1 JPEG
4672 x 4672
3072 x 3072
2336 x 2336 4:3 JPEG
6224 x 4672
4096 x 3072
3120 x 2336 16:9 JPEG
7008 x 3944
4608 x 2592
3504 x 1968
Aspect Ratio
1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9
Image File Format
JPEG, Raw, HEIF
Bit Depth
14-Bit
Internal Video Capture
Recording Modes
H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:2 10-Bit
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/50p/59.94p [50 to 200 Mb/s] H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:0 10-Bit
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/50p/59.94p [30 to 150 Mb/s] H.264/XAVC S-I 4:2:2 10-Bit
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [240 to 600 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [89 to 222 Mb/s] XAVC S 4:2:2 10-Bit
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [100 to 200 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [50 Mb/s] XAVC S 4:2:0 8-Bit
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [60 to 150 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [16 to 100 Mb/s]
4:2:2 10-Bit via HDMI
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/50p/59.94p
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i 4:2:0 8-Bit via HDMI
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/50p/59.94p
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i
IP Streaming
None
Interface
Media/Memory Card Slot
Slot 1: CFexpress Type A / SD (UHS-II)
Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
Video I/O
1 x HDMI Output
Audio I/O
1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input
Other I/O
1 x Sony Multi/USB Micro-B Input/Output (Shared with Remote Input) 1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 2) Input/Output (Shared with Power Input)
Power I/O
1 x USB Type-C Input/Output
Wireless
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Global Positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.)
None
Monitor
Size
3.0″
Resolution
1,036,800 Dot
Display Type
Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Viewfinder
Type
Built-In Electronic (OLED)
Size
0.5″
Resolution
3,680,000 Dot
Eye Point
23 mm
Coverage
100%
Magnification
Approx. 0.78x
Diopter Adjustment
-4 to +3
Focus
Focus Type
Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode
Continuous-Servo AF, Direct Manual Focus, Manual Focus, Single-Servo AF
