Sony A7 IV vs Sony A7R III

Sony A7 IV vs Sony A7R III – We are comparing these two cameras since the price factor of both is up to some extent. So, let’s talk about the Major core differences between the two.

• Get the new Sony A7 IV Camera at Amazon.com | B&H Store
• Sony A7R III at B&H Store at Amazon.com | B&H Store

Keep in mind the specification we are using here is of the latest Sony A7R IIIA Camera.

Compared to its predecessor the a7R III, the most significant improvement of the a7R IIIA is the rear LCD resolution, which jumps from 1,440,000 to 2,359,296 dots. The USB port has also been upgraded from a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port to a faster USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Port. Beside these two improvements, the a7R III and a7R IIIA are equal in specifications and performance.

Image Quality:

Sony A7R III Features a BSI 42.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor that works with the BIONZ X image processor to offer high-resolution stills and video while minimizing noise and improving speed.

The newly developed 33MP Exmor R full-frame sensor features a back-illuminated design that promotes high clarity, low noise, and vivid color rendering. Paired up with a more advanced BIONZ XR Image processor.

ISO Rating

• 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 204800
• 100 to 32000 (Extended: 50 to 102400)

Sony A7R III additional advantage: Pixel Shift Multi Shooting, this mode shifts the sensor while making four consecutive exposures in order to acquire approximately 169.6MP

Verdict (Image Processor): For Studio Shooters: Sony A7R III – features a super high-resolution sensor, but needs more light to deliver ultimate details compared to A7 IV. If you are a wedding photographer, casual style shooter or Hybrid shooter the Sony A7 IV is made for you.

Autofocus

The New BIKONZ XR image processor features a new AF Algo for advanced tracking system. Let’s have a look at the screen coverage and number of AF points we are getting in both camera.

• A7 IV: 759 phase, 425 contrast Screen Coverage 94 %
• A7R III: 399 phase, 425 contrast Screen Coverage 68 %

Burst shooting

Both feature the same Burst Shooting Speed 10 FPS

• Sony A7 IV @ 10 FPS  (33 MP) JPGs or Lossy Compressed RAW.
• Sony A7R III @ 10 FPS (42 MP) JPG or Uncompressed RAW

Buffer Size

• Sony A7 IV Can Record up to 1,000 files (JPGs, or lossless compressed RAW).
• Sony A7 III Can Record up to 76 JPGs, 76 RAW (compressed) or 30 RAW (uncompressed).

Verdict (Autofocus): Sony A7 IV features a more advanced tracking system than the Sony A7R III camera.  As well as more buffer, the best camera in-between these two is for sure the Sony A7 IV.

Faster Image Processor and Slower Speed, Why Sony?

Sony A7R III uses an older image processor Bionz X, despite that the A7R III camera is able to process a 42MP Sensor @ 10 FPS Uncompressed RAW. But, at the same time, the Sony A7 IV Camera uses a Bionz XR image processor with faster processing speed but the A7 IV speed is limited to 10FPS with lossless compressed RAW.

High Quality 7K Down sampled Video at Standard 4K

The A7 IV can record 4K up to 30p with no sensor crop and full pixel readout (7K Downsampled to create standard 4K 30p, 24p Video) without pixel binning (in other words, at the best quality possible).

Cropping at 4k 60p Sony A7 IV, when you will use the 50 and 60p mode in the Sony A7 IV camera, you have to face a 1.5x crop on the sensor (aka Super35/APS-C mode)

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.

• Gryo Based IBIS in Sony A7 IV – the A7 IV has gyro stabilization and would store metadata for the gyro which can be edited later.
• Enhanced Vlogging AF Modes – Sony also added the product focusing mode, face exposure to upscale your full-frame Vlogging experience.

Sony A7R III 4k Full Sensor readout uses Pixel Binning / Lime Skipping

In full-frame mode, while recording 4k Videos at 24p and 30p, the Sony A7R III camera does line-skipping due to limited processing power. You also have a crop mode in 4K standard Video recording mode to get more details.

10 Bit Internal

• You Can also record 1 hour in 4K 60p with 10-bit 4:2:2 with Sony A7 IV
• No such option hin Sony A7R III

Verdict Video: Sony A7R III look weak in Video core specification and settings.

The various-angle display screen is really very impressive and makes it a perfect camera for vloggers.

Full-size HDMI A port and multi-interface hot-shoe in Sony A7 IV offers a more reliable connection when working with external recorders and sony’s own accessories.

Size and weight

Final Verdict: Sony A7 IV Camera is very impressive with its core specification and is recommended for Hybrid shooters of all type, if you work in a studio only and does product and model photography then A7R III is more recommended to you.