There he is; the Sony A7R V. A full-frame sensor system camera with 61 megapixels, 8K film, an entirely new image processor and AI processing.
The Sony A7r V has been unveiled and is undoubtedly one of the best mirrorless cameras and best cameras of the moment. R stands for resolution and although a year ago, we thought 102MP would become the standard but, we stuck with 61MP. However, the camera has both internal and physical improvements that far surpass the A7r IV.
Successor Sony A7R IV
The Sony A7r V is the successor to the Sony A7r IV from 2019, which was in the news at the time because of the enormous 61 megapixel full frame sensor. It is still one of the best professional and overall best cameras on the market.
Although the Sony A1 remains Sony’s flagship, the A7r V is a model that pushes the boundaries of full-frame cameras. The Sony A9 II is the choice for sports photography and the A7S III, with ‘only’ 12MP, is still the best choice for low-light film. The Sony A7 IV is cheaper than the 7R V and may be the better choice if you’re a hybrid videographer and photographer.
Sony A7R V specifications at a glance:
- 61MP BSI Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
- Live AI processing unit
- All-new Bionz XR image processor
- ISO 100 – 32,000
- Shutter 1/8000 – 30 seconds
- 9.444k dot EVF viewfinder with 0.9x magnification
- New autofocus system with AI Deep Learning
- 693 phase detection points (A7R IV had 567)
- 8K 24fps
- 4K 60fps / 4K 24fps with full use sensor
- 4K 16bit output
- Photo resolution of, 9504 × 6336 pixels
- Cooling System from Sony A7S III
- Color profiles as S Cinetone
- 5-axis and up to 8-stop internal image stabilization
- New pixel shift system with motion correction
- Enhanced buffer up to 88 RAW images (with 2x CF Express A)
- Vari-angle 4-axis LCD
- 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I Xavc
- Sony A7R V recognizes more subject with AI focus
The Sony A7R V has 693 face detection AF points that cover the entire sensor and can record up to 583 compressed RAW images. From airplanes, people and animals, to people who turn their heads and even insects are recognized.
AI focus
The AI focus ensures that the camera recognizes parts of the body and uses them to keep the subject in view. The A7r V can now distinguish between a nose, left and right eyes, ears, hips, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles and more. This allows the camera to follow a turned, moving or even invisible head and keep that point in focus.
More focus points
There are more focus points than on the A7r IV. You can now use 693 face detection AF points that cover 79% of the frame (86% horizontal, 93% vertical). These focus points work down to -4EV in AF-S mode, while that went down to -3EV on the A7r IV.
8 stops IBIS
The Sony A7r V has 5-axis internal image stabilization that stabilizes up to 8 stops. According to Sony, the communication between the body and compatible lenses has been optimized, absorbing even more small shocks. Filming in 4K is taken from 6.2K oversampled material, without pixel binning.
8K 24fps movie
The maximum film resolution is 8K 24fps and RAW recording is possible in 4K. Of course, 10-bit HEIF recordings are also included. The disadvantage with 8K film recordings is that a 1.2x crop is used. This is not too bad and is not surprising because a full read out of the sensor would take too much processing power.
4K 60fps
The first question is why Sony dropped 4K 120fps and kept it at 4K 60fps. Probably this also has to do with overheating issues. In 4K 30fps, the full sensor is used, but in 4K 60fps, just like with 8K, a 1.2x crop is applied. The Super35 crop mode in 4K 30fps is extracted from 6.2K oversampled material. Meaning, you will be using all the pixels of 6.2K material, downsized to 4K.
formats
Sony offers quite a bit of choice when it comes to recording formats. XAVC HS in 4K and 8K, XAVC S in 4K and HD, XAVC S-I in 4K and HD and a maximum bit depth of 4:2:2; 10-bit. The S-Cinetone color profiles are of course present, with breathing compensation with compatible Sony lenses.
New LCD screen
The Sony A7r V has an entirely new screen that you can rotate on 4 axes, making working with the screen easier. The quality of the 3.2-inch screen has been improved and now has 2.095K dots, while the 0.64-inch EVF has 9.440k dots with 0.9x magnification.
Shutter protecting sensor
The shutter falls over the sensor as a curtain when you turn the camera off. This would help prevent the sensor from getting dirty; a major problem of Sony cameras. To keep the sensor clean, a new dust removal system has also been built in. According to the Japanese company, the shutter will last up to 500,000 shots. The shutter can take 10 photos per second and buffer up to 583 compressed RAW images. This means that the buffer is 8 times larger than that of the Sony A7r IV.
Pixel shift
Pixel shift is a mode where you can take photos with 240 megapixels. And before you immediately click on the ‘buy now’ button; this function only works with the use of a tripod and with fully static scenes. With the A7R V there is an innovation and small movements are corrected. This does not mean that you can shoot handheld, and you still need the Imaging Edge Desktop application to merge the images.
Price and availability Sony A7R V
According to Sony, this camera is intended for wildlife, landscape, studio and travelling photographers and videographers. But image makers of events, weddings and portraits can also work well with this model. The Sony A7R V costs $3,898 (body) and it is already possible to place a pre-order. Shipping should start in mid-November.
Yoreh
Yoreh Schipper started his film career in 2009, shooting a documentary in India. After that, he rolled into the documentary and commercially filmmaking. He got his bachelor degree in Communication & Multimedia Design in 2012 and hasn't left the film and photo industry since. Now, he strives to build an international Camera Deals Online network, with reviews, news, rumors, top-lists and blogs!
