Mirrorless Camera News

Sony just set a new milestone in their line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, with the introduction of the 61MP A7R IV that offers a unique combination of high-resolution and “medium format image quality” in a compact, lightweight package.

The Sony A7R IV is the successor to the 42.4MP A7R III that earned our Top Clicks award in late 2017. Boasting the world’s first back-illuminated 61MP full-frame sensor, the new camera promises 15 stops of dynamic range for superb gradation from highlights to shadows, and 567 AF points covering 74% of the image area (with 325 AF points in the 26.2MP APS-C crop mode).

UPDATE: You can see seven high-resolution images shot with the new Sony A7R IV here.

Sony also upped the ante in the speed of the A7R IV, with the ability to capture full-resolution images at 10fps with continuous AF/AE tracking. The camera also features Sony’s highest resolution viewfinder ever, that at 5.76 million dots is about 1.6X the resolution of its predecessor.

Shutterbug was at a special press event in New York City today to launch the new Sony A7R IV and below is a real world, hands-on photo of the new camera. We'll have more time with the A7R IV later today and will post full resolution sample photos we shot with this exciting new mirrorless camera on the website. So make sure to stay tuned to Shutterbug.com!

The experts at Sony say the upgraded AF system in the A7R IV features enhanced tracking capabilities for capturing rapidly and erratically moving subjects, and supports high-precision real-time Eye AF employing artificial intelligence to detect and maintain focus on the eyes of both humans and animals.

The A7R IV improves upon earlier models with enhanced connectivity, including high-speed WiFi support, FTP wireless transfer, faster transfer via USB, wireless PC remote capability and more. And when utilizing Sony’s Imaging Edge Mobile app, the A7R IV can transfer images to a smartphone even if the camera’s power is set to OFF.

Designed to offer professional-quality videos in addition to stills, the new A7R IV delivers 4K video recording across the full width of the sensor. The camera’s upgraded hybrid AF system is said to provide faster, smoother, and more precise autofocus during video capture, with both real-time Eye AF and touch tracking functionality.

Here's a rundown of most of the key features of the new Sony A7R IV camera:

• World’s first 35mm full-frame 61MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with latest-generation BIONZ X image processor

• 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivities, designed to produce smooth, natural gradations ranging from deep shadows to highlights

• High-speed continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with full AF / AE tracking for approximately seven seconds in full-frame mode with an increased buffer memory, and approximately three times as long in APS-C mode

• 567 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering 74% of image area and 425 contrast AF points

• Debut of Real-time Eye AF for movie recording and advanced Real-time Tracking plus Real-time Eye AF for still image recording

• Features an APS-C crop mode delivering 26.2MP images

• 5.76 million dot UXGA (Ultra-XGA) OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder with added detail, brightness and contrast

• Upgraded connectivity and operability including high-speed Wi-Fi support, wireless PC remote connectivity, FTP wireless transfer, faster data transfer via USB and more

• Professional 4K movie recording functionality including full pixel readout with no pixel binning in Super 35mm mode, S-Log3, HDR workflow support

• Multi Interface Shoe with digital audio interface delivers the high-quality sound recording with Sony’s new microphone and XLR microphone adaptor

• Additional enhancements to the body design include an improved grip and button layout for improved control with compact, lightweight body

• Two UHS-II compatible SD card slots designed to allow for higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds

• A new multi-selector joystick design for improvised control; an exposure compensation dial lock button; and a redesigned shape and new position for the rear dial

The new Sony A7R IV is scheduled to ship in September at a price of $3,500—only $200 more than the launch price of the A7R III. You can find more details on the Sony Alpha Universe website.