Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera Body, Black {33MP}

Sony a7 IV: 33MP full-frame hybrid built for stills and video equally.

The a7 IV pairs a 33MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor with the BIONZ XR processor, and the combination gives portrait, wedding, and documentary shooters a camera that handles both disciplines without compromise. AI-powered hybrid AF draws on 759 phase-detection points covering roughly 94% of the frame, with real-time eye tracking for humans, animals, and birds in both stills and movie modes. At 10 fps with AF/AE tracking and a buffer deep enough for over 1000 compressed RAW frames, it holds up against fast-moving subjects, wildlife in particular responds well to the bird eye-detection, which tracks reliably even mid-flight.

For video, the spec sheet reads like a dedicated cinema camera. Full-frame 4K up to 30p pulls from a 7K oversample, and 4K 60p is available in Super 35 crop. Internal recording reaches 10-bit 4:2:2 across formats, with XAVC S-I all-intra encoding pushing up to 600 Mbps for editors who want frame-independent files. Focus breathing compensation works by analyzing the lens's narrowest angle of view across its focus range, then holding the frame to that width during focus pulls, a practical tool for solo video shooters who rack focus without an assistant. S-Log3 captures 15+ stops of dynamic range for grading, and S-Cinetone delivers a Cinema Line color matrix straight out of the camera.

Dual card slots accept CFexpress Type an and UHS-II SD, the 3.68 million-dot OLED EVF gives a clear framing view, and the vari-angle touchscreen opens the camera up for low-angle and self-shooting work. At 663g body-only, it carries easily on a full day of event or travel work. For photographers who shoot stills as a primary and need video that holds professional standards when the job calls for it, the a7 IV has been a proven answer to that brief since its release.

Key Features

• 33MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
• 759 phase-detection AF points covering 94% of frame with real-time eye tracking for humans, animals, birds
• 10 fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking and 1000+ compressed RAW frame buffer
• BIONZ XR processor with 8x faster speed than predecessor for real-time AF and video processing
• 4K 60p in Super 35 crop, 4K 30p full-frame with 7K oversampling, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
• 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization with Focus Breathing Compensation for video work
• Dual card slots supporting CFexpress Type A and UHS-II SD with independent recording paths
• 3.68-megapixel OLED electronic viewfinder and 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen display

FAQ

What autofocus system does the a7 IV use, and how does it perform with moving subjects?

The a7 IV pairs 759 phase-detection points with 425 contrast-detection areas covering 94% of the frame, backed by the BIONZ XR processor. Real-time Eye AF tracks humans, animals, and birds in both stills and video, with bird eye-detection holding focus reliably even mid-flight. At 10 fps with AF/AE tracking, it keeps pace with fast movement and holds a buffer of over 1000 compressed RAW frames.

Can the a7 IV handle professional video work, or is it primarily a stills camera?

It's a genuine hybrid. Full-frame 4K up to 30p pulls from 7K oversampling, and 4K 60p runs in Super 35 crop. Internal recording reaches 10-bit 4:2:2 with XAVC S-I all-intra encoding up to 600 Mbps-frame-independent files that editors prefer. Focus breathing compensation, S-Log3 for 15+ stops of dynamic range, and S-Cinetone for in-camera color grading make it viable for solo video shooters and small crews.

What's the practical difference between shooting RAW at 10 fps on CFexpress versus SD cards?

With CFexpress Type A, you can shoot compressed RAW at 10 fps indefinitely and clear the buffer instantly. On SD UHS-II, compressed RAW drops to 8 fps, and uncompressed RAW falls to 6 fps immediately or 3.5 fps after the buffer fills. For high-speed stills work, CFexpress is the only card that lets you sustain the top burst rate across all RAW formats.

How effective is the 5-axis in-body stabilization for handheld video?

Sensor-shift IBIS delivers roughly 5.5 stops of compensation when paired with stabilized lenses, less with unoptimized glass. Active mode adds digital stabilization on top for additional smoothing when handheld. Rolling shutter is moderate at 4K 25p but lessens at 50p or 60p, making higher frame rates preferable for fast pans.

Is the vari-angle LCD screen practical for gimbal and low-angle work?

Yes. The 3-inch touchscreen opens side-to-side and tilts nearly 270 degrees vertically, enabling low-angle and self-shooting setups without a monitor arm. The 3:2 aspect ratio uses screen space efficiently, though the LCD can interfere with L-brackets and USB/headphone cables when fully extended.

What memory card setup makes sense for mixed stills and 4K video?

Use CFexpress Type A in slot 1 for video and high-speed bursts-the sustained write speed handles 4K 60p and 10 fps RAW without throttling. Pair it with a fast UHS-II SD card in slot 2 for overflow or slower work. Avoid mixing uncompressed RAW and high-bitrate video on SD alone.

How does the electronic viewfinder perform during fast continuous shooting?

The 3.68-megapixel OLED EVF is clear in normal framing, but noticeable blackout occurs at H+ (10 fps) continuous mode. Dropping to H mode reduces the burst to a slower speed but restores live viewfinder feedback. For tracking fast-moving subjects, many shooters prefer H mode over H+ to see their subject in real time.