Sony a7 IV to a7R V - Worth the Upgrade for an Advanced Amateur?

Antonio_G · Dec 13, 2022

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

yysc · Dec 13, 2022

If you need the extra resolution I guess it can make sense in your use case.

Other than the extra resolution and perhaps a bit better AF I don't see you gaining much. The better EVF is nice to have but does not improve IQ.

Also have the A7M4 and if I upgrade it will be to a future mid range stacked FF camera. A7M5? A7M6?

In both A7M4 and A7R5 electronic shutter is very limited, sensors are too slow. Being able to get rid of the mechanical shutter is a way bigger plus than the extra resolution (for me),

Bread chef · Dec 13, 2022

Antonio_G said:
Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

yysc · Dec 13, 2022

Take five said:
Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

Improved AF with subject recognition

Improved EVF (9,440,000)

Improved IBIS (8 stops)

Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Is it better than the A7M4? Of course it is. If you want a better camera go for it.

But as I said, the A7RV does not address the almost unusable ES of both. It's the same or worse as the A7M4 in this regard. And shutter sound seems similarly loud in both.

This is my biggest gripe with the A7M4. Stuff like better AWD, then again nice to have but can be done in LR. The slow sensor cannot be fixed.

River Photography · Dec 13, 2022

yysc said:
If you need the extra resolution I guess it can make sense in your use case.

Other than the extra resolution and perhaps a bit better AF I don't see you gaining much. The better EVF is nice to have but does not improve IQ.

Also have the A7M4 and if I upgrade it will be to a future mid range stacked FF camera. A7M5? A7M6?

In both A7M4 and A7R5 electronic shutter is very limited, sensors are too slow. Being able to get rid of the mechanical shutter is a way bigger plus than the extra resolution (for me),

why dont you just buy the A1 thats what it was built for.

Rp

River Photography · Dec 13, 2022

Take five said:
Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

hes not comparing it to the 74 at all where did you get that information from ? the ar4

Rp

River Photography · Dec 13, 2022

yysc said:
Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

Improved AF with subject recognition

Improved EVF (9,440,000)

Improved IBIS (8 stops)

Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

Is it better than the A7M4? Of course it is. If you want a better camera go for it.

hes not comparing it to the 74

yysc said:
But as I said, the A7RV does not address the almost unusable ES of both. It's the same or worse as the A7M4 in this regard. And shutter sound seems similarly loud in both.

This is my biggest gripe with the A7M4. Stuff like better AWD, then again nice to have but can be done in LR. The slow sensor cannot be fixed.

maxxxx · Dec 13, 2022

yysc said:
Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

Improved AF with subject recognition

Improved EVF (9,440,000)

Improved IBIS (8 stops)

Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

Is it better than the A7M4? Of course it is. If you want a better camera go for it.

But as I said, the A7RV does not address the almost unusable ES of both. It's the same or worse as the A7M4 in this regard. And shutter sound seems similarly loud in both.

This is my biggest gripe with the A7M4. Stuff like better AWD, then again nice to have but can be done in LR. The slow sensor cannot be fixed.

I have played a little with the ES and BIF and I didn't see much distortion. Maybe it's not on the level of stacked sensors but I find it quite good.

Waku Waku · Dec 13, 2022

Antonio_G said:
Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

If you question if it is worth the upgrade then probably not worth it yet. You'll know when you do without doubt.

For me AI AF + 4-axis LCD was must have feature. Everything else was just cherry on top.

Bread chef · Dec 13, 2022

River Photography said:
Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to the 74 at all where did you get that information from ? the ar4

Rp

Perhaps you should 've increased the volume of your speakers, please listen again to the endscene of the particular video: endscene at 06:54

River Photography · Dec 13, 2022

Take five said:
River Photography said:

Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to the 74 at all where did you get that information from ? the ar4

Rp

Click to expand...

Perhaps you should 've increased the volume of your speakers, please listen again to the endscene of the particular video: endscene at 06:54

hes not comparing it to anything he is saying what he likes, hes recording with the a74 and doesnt compare it at all other than saying the rear lcd resolution is higher. in all seriousness i look at the rear lcd for menue settings only 60meg image down to 2 lol, my phone has more resolution i dont go wow look at my images on my phone i go home and print an A3+ for that and i could print a 10 foot wide amazing image with the a74.

Rp

Bread chef · Dec 13, 2022

River Photography said:
Take five said:

River Photography said:

Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to the 74 at all where did you get that information from ? the ar4

Rp

Click to expand...

Perhaps you should 've increased the volume of your speakers, please listen again to the endscene of the particular video: endscene at 06:54

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to anything he is saying what he likes, hes recording with the a74 and doesnt compare it at all other than saying the rear lcd resolution is higher.

Rp

In the context of the video (emphasized in the endscene) the entire video is nothing but a comparison to all his Sony cams before the A7RV, please review, listen carefully and stop trying to prove me wrong.

existensmaximum · Dec 13, 2022

Antonio_G said:
Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

100% worth it. I did just that and couldn't be happier. The EVF and articulating LCD alone makes it worth it. Definitely better image quality and much more room to crop in of necessary.

Also, quite a leap forward in autofocus I think, even if the A7IV had great autofocus as well.

yysc · Dec 13, 2022

River Photography said:
yysc said:

If you need the extra resolution I guess it can make sense in your use case.

Other than the extra resolution and perhaps a bit better AF I don't see you gaining much. The better EVF is nice to have but does not improve IQ.

Also have the A7M4 and if I upgrade it will be to a future mid range stacked FF camera. A7M5? A7M6?

In both A7M4 and A7R5 electronic shutter is very limited, sensors are too slow. Being able to get rid of the mechanical shutter is a way bigger plus than the extra resolution (for me),

Click to expand...

why dont you just buy the A1 thats what it was built for.

Rp

Because it's too expensive for my use case (amateur, shoot family & kids mainly).

River Photography · Dec 13, 2022

Take five said:
River Photography said:

Take five said:

River Photography said:

Take five said:

Antonio_G said:

Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

Click to expand...

Professional photographer Taylor Jackson reviews the 7RV and draws a comparison with the 7IV:

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to the 74 at all where did you get that information from ? the ar4

Rp

Click to expand...

Perhaps you should 've increased the volume of your speakers, please listen again to the endscene of the particular video: endscene at 06:54

Click to expand...

hes not comparing it to anything he is saying what he likes, hes recording with the a74 and doesnt compare it at all other than saying the rear lcd resolution is higher.

Rp

Click to expand...

In the context of the video (emphasized in the endscene) the entire video is nothing but a comparison to all his Sony cams before the A7RV, please review, listen carefully and stop trying to prove me wrong.

missed that bit.

image comparison at 2000% its all marketing, these are at pixel level not phone level viewing

if you cant crop and get a decent image with a 33meg sensor photographers need to give it away

AshleyMC · Dec 13, 2022

Antonio_G said:
Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

You practically know what you are having now with your a7 IV, which you may or may not be using to its full potential.

By gathering information, you conceptually know what enhanced goodies you may enjoy by upgrading to an a7R V.

Will those enhanced goodies significantly help you as an “advanced amateur” photographer, pushing you concretely to a “more advanced and less amateur” level?

Only you and your disposable income (or acceptable debt) can answer that.

You may want to ask the same question regarding the A1.

ProDude · Dec 13, 2022

yysc said:
But as I said, the A7RV does not address the almost unusable ES of both. It's the same or worse as the A7M4 in this regard. And shutter sound seems similarly loud in both.

This is my biggest gripe with the A7M4. Stuff like better AWD, then again nice to have but can be done in LR. The slow sensor cannot be fixed.

Just had my RV arrive and I'll be using ES most of the time. I'll be sure to report back and let you all know how bad it truly is. I suspect for MY style of shooting it will do just fine. We shall see.

yysc · Dec 13, 2022

ProDude said:
yysc said:

But as I said, the A7RV does not address the almost unusable ES of both. It's the same or worse as the A7M4 in this regard. And shutter sound seems similarly loud in both.

This is my biggest gripe with the A7M4. Stuff like better AWD, then again nice to have but can be done in LR. The slow sensor cannot be fixed.

Click to expand...

Just had my RV arrive and I'll be using ES most of the time. I'll be sure to report back and let you all know how bad it truly is. I suspect for MY style of shooting it will do just fine. We shall see.

As long as you shoot static things (without LED lighting) you'll be fine. Unfortunately for me my subjects like to move.

According to this

How fast is the Sony a7RIV silent shutter? - the last word

This is one in a series of posts on the Sony alpha 7 R Mark IV (aka a7RIV). You should be able to find all the posts about that camera in the Category List on the right sidebar, below the Articles widget. There’s a drop-down menu there that you can use to get to all

blog.kasson.com

readout speed in the A7R4 (that uses the same sensor) at 14bit is about 1/10, that is 100ms. The A7M4 does 1/15 that is 66ms and the A1 does 1/250 which is 4ms.

SmokeAndMirrorless · Dec 13, 2022

If you need to ask then you probably don't need it.

AlephNull · Dec 13, 2022

Antonio_G said:
Would it be worth it for an advanced amateur photographer (stills only - not interested in video) to move up from an a7 IV body to an a7R V body?

What I find interesting:

- Improved AF with subject recognition

- Improved EVF (9,440,000)

- Improved IBIS (8 stops)

- Higher MP sensor (although, file size would be much larger...)

I have not used the A7IV. I own and have used many other Sony bodies. I am currently learning the A7RV, and enjoying the process.

The A1 is faster, of course. It is also usable on electronic shutter for all purposes (small exception: using fill flash in bright ambient light where 1/400 is handy). So it can shoot silently. After using the A1 for over a year, I was a bit disconcerted to hear the shutter again on the A7RV; not because it’s loud, but because I was accustomed to silence.

The A7RV is a highest res sensor in the Sony line, now coupled with the much faster processor (the slower processor in the A7RIV holds it back).

The new rear screen is nice to have - I had grave concerns that the A7RV might come with a flip-out screen, and I am glad it didn’t. It’s good that the rear screen has more pixels, too.

Now to your list:

the new AF works, and works really well. The A1 AF is excellent, and gets data from a faster sensor, but the A7RV does more with the data it gets. It wasn’t until I started looking at the results of an entire shoot that I began to appreciate how good the A7RV AF is. I want this in my next A1!
I have been using the hi-res EVF in the A1 for well over a year, and I find it makes a difference. Could live without, but happy it is there!
I have not tested the new IBIS - at least, not intentionally. Will find out how good it is as I try it in more challenging situations.
I’ve had the 60Mp sensor in the A7RIV since 2019 - pre-ordered - and it was startling in 2019. I’ve been using the slightly lower res A1 (50Mp), and jumping back to 60Mp was not a huge surprise by itself, but it combines with the shockingly good AF to make the images more impressive. Coming from 33Mp, I think you will see more of an improvement.

Things to consider:

the A7RV is at its most expensive right now. It will be cheaper if you wait (I didn’t!)
yes, the files are larger, and if your processing system is already strained, this won’t help, but people exaggerate the impact - these files don’t require massively more memory to process

I’d encourage you to consider it. Maybe keep an eye out for a good price over the holiday season - there seems to be more supply of this model than I expected after the shortage we saw for the A1.

Sony a7 IV to a7R V - Worth the Upgrade for an Advanced Amateur?

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