Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III, the Sony A7R IV camera features major upgrade in the core specification of the camera. Let’s have a detailed look how Sony A7R IV camera is improved from inside to out.
1. Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III Sensor
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E | |
| Camera Format | Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor) | Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor) | |
| Pixels | Actual: 62.5 Megapixel Effective: 61 Megapixel |
Actual: 43.6 Megapixel Effective: 42.4 Megapixel |
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| Maximum Resolution | 9504 x 6336 | 7952 x 5304 | |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 | 3:2, 16:9 | |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS | |
| Sensor Size | 35.7 x 23.8 mm | 35.9 x 24 mm | |
| Image File Format | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW | |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit | 14-Bit | |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis |
2. 1.5X More Resolution
Sony A7R IV camera us using a brand new sensor, the sensor resolution is approx 1.5X more than of Sony A7R III. With 61 MP BSI CMOS sensor Sony A7R IV camera will show more details when compared to Sony A7R III.
3. 1.5X Faster Image Processor
Not only sensor the image processor of the camera is now 1.5X more faster compared to the image processer used in Sony A7R III. And due to that we will sure see some noticeable improvement in the image quality of the new camera.
4. ISO Range 50-102400
Sony engineers did a remarkable job to maintain the low-light performance of the camera. Despite of increase in the resolution (We all know as the resolution increases the photodiodes sizes gradually decreases resulting poor low light performance ) Sony A7R IV camera is able to deliver same ISO range as we have in the Sony A7R III.
5. Jpeg Image Quality Comparison
As you can clearly see the image of Sony A7R IV camera (left) have more details compared to Sony A7R III (in right).
6. Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III – Exposure
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 32000 (Extended: 50 to 102400) | Auto, 100 to 32000 (Extended: 50 to 102400) | |
| Shutter Speed | Mechanical Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode 1/8000 to 1/4 Second in Movie Mode |
1/8000 to 30 Seconds 1/8000 to 1/4 Second in Movie Mode Bulb Mode |
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| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multiple, Spot | Center-Weighted Average, Multi-Zone, Spot, Highlight Weighted | |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) | |
| Metering Range | -3 to 20 EV | -3 to 20 EV | |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater | |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 10 fps at 61 MP for up to 68 Exposures (JPEG) | Up to 10 fps at 42.4 MP for up to 76 Exposures (Raw) | |
| Interval Recording | Yes | 2/5/10-Second Delay | |
| Self Timer | 2/5/10-Second Delay |
7. Buffer is also increased
Buffer of the camera is also improved upto 1.5X according to the Sony. Now despite of larger file size, the new bigger buffer can store upto 68 consecutive shots in a single burst.
8. Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III – Video
| Recording Modes | XAVC S UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/24p/59.94p/100p/120p [16 to 100 Mb/s] AVCHD Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/ 59.94i [17 to 24 Mb/s] |
XAVC S UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/ 59.94p/ 100p/120p [100 Mb/s] HD (1280 x 720) at 100p/120p [50 Mb/s] AVCHD Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50p/ 59.94p [28 Mb/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/50i/59.94i [17 to 24 Mb/s] |
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| External Recording Modes | 4:2:2 8-Bit DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/ .97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/50i/50p/59.94i/ 59.94p |
4:2:2 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24.00p/50i/50p/59.94i/59.94p |
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| Recordig Limit | Up to 29 Minutes | Up to 29 Minutes | ||
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL | NTSC/PAL | ||
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto: 100 to 12800 Manual: 100 to 32000 |
Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input |
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| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo) | ||
We do have slight improvement in the external video recording mode of the Sony A7R IV camera, now you can record DCI 4K video in Sony A7R IV camera which was limited to UHD 4K in Sony A7R III.
The Sony a7R IV can capture full-frame 4K oversampled from 6K, that clearly means no pixel binning and you are getting maximum image quality possible. However, Sony A7R III also uses the same process to create 4K video.
So, we don’t have any major difference in the Video quality of both the camera despite of enjoying a major specs upgrade in the still part of A7R IV.
9. Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III – AutoFocus
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus | Auto and Manual Focus | ||
| Focus Mode | Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) | Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) | ||
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 567 Contrast Detection: 425 |
Phase Detection: 399 Contrast Detection: 425 |
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| Autofocus Sensitivity | -3 to +20 EV | -2 to +20 EV |
The Autofocus sensitivity of the camera increased upto 1 stop and at the same time the Focus point are also increased upto 567, which enables more better AF coverage than Sony A7R III. The AF points of the camera cover up more than 75% of the viewable area of the screen.
10. Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III – Viewfinder and Monitor
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) | Electronic | |
| Viewfinder Size | 0.5″ | 0.5″ | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5,760,000 Dot | 3,686,400 Dot | |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 23 mm | 23 mm | |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.78x | Approx. 0.78x | |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4.0 to +3.0 | -4.0 to +3.0 | |
| Monitor Size | 3″ | 3″ | |
| Monitor Resolution | 1,440,000 Dot | 1,440,000 Dot | |
| Monitor Type | Tilting Touchscreen LCD | Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
Viewfinder resolution of the screen is dramatically improved, the Sony A7R IV camera now features class leading viewfinder.
11. Pixel shift (240 vs 168 MP)
The Sony A7R IV camera now features 240MP high resolution mode, the Sony A7R III was limited to 168 Megapixels only. With Sony A7R IV you will get super high resolution images and enormous amount of details compared to A7R III.
12. DSLR like Hand-grip
The handgrip of the Sony A7R IV camera is drastically improved handgrip compared to Sony A7R III, if you are DSLR user you will find Sony A7R IV camera more friendly to your hands compared to Sony A7R III.
13. physical size
| Battery | 1 x NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh (Approx. 530 Shots) | 1 x NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh (Approx. 530 Shots) | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.07 x 3.8 x 3.05″ / 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5 mm | 5 x 3.8 x 2.9″ / 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7 mm | |
| Weight | 1.46 lb / 665 g | 1.45 lb / 657 g |
Conclusion
Sony A7R III camera arrived with major specs upgrade in still shooting part, you are getting better sensor, more AF point more improved image processor and bigger buffer compared to Sony A7R III. The video part of the camera more or less remains same. So, if you are looking for an upgrade from Sony A7R III, you should go for it if you are a still shooter.
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