Sony A7 IV Review
A few years ago I decided to move across to the Sony family and subsequently purchased the Sony A7 IV, which I have used ever since. In this blog I’ll be reviewing and sharing my thoughts on this camera, which after becoming the staple piece of my photography work, has seen extensive use.
Purpose, Who is the Camera for?
As the fourth generation of Sony’s A7 full-frame mirrorless line, the A7 IV is a powerhouse of a camera, and the ultimate photo and video hybrid. Considered to be the perfect all-rounder, it’s very much capable of producing incredibly strong stills and high quality video performances. As a result of this, the A7 IV is a piece of equipment that appeals to those involved in all genres of photography and videography. Street photography, sports, wildlife and more, with the high resolution and auto focus features for photos, and the dazzling 4K 60p recording options for the cinematic idealists out there, if you want the best of both worlds, this is the camera for you.
Build Quality
The design of the A7 IV is an implication that the camera and its build quality makes it built to last. Rough, rigid, and firm at the seams, the way this camera has been precisely put together makes it extremely tactile and a breeze to use. Add in the fact the camera is also weather sealed, this enables you to enjoy shooting, whatever the weather. If i’m being picky, maybe the outer components may feel slightly plasticky compared to those features on say a Fujifilm model, however after 2 years of heavy use, it has only been in recent months I’ve started to notice wear and tear on the grip and a couple of scrapes on the outer frame, nothing major whatsoever.
Handling & Ergonomics
Compared to different models from others brands, notably Fujifilm, the Sony A7 IV has a chunkier, and more bulky appearance and feel. However to counteract this, the feature and benefit of the solid grip integrated on the camera still makes it easily manoeuvrable and accessible to use.
The size of the camera means it’s still easy to use with one hand with a smaller lens attached, such as the Sigma 35mm, however the problem is that there is not many small size lenses to use on Sony Cameras, such as the A7 IV. Furthermore, the large majority of Sony and third-party lenses from Sigma etc. even the 35mm, are big in size and are heavy once again compared to its Fujifilm counterparts. Therefore it’s worth taking note, if it’s a day-to-day travel camera you’re after, the Sony A7 IV may not be the ideal choice, however if you’re prepared to look past the added weight and heavier combination of camera and lens, and instead envision the high resolution content you can create with it, then carrying this camera around with you will be no problem at all.
Buttons, Dials, & Menus (Customisation)
Now this is where the Sony A7 IV really stands out and comes into a league of its own. As far as customisation goes with this camera, the possibilities are endless.
The slick design of the model allows for smooth and seamless transitions, switching between modes by use of the integrated dials and buttons couldn’t be easier. Each button has its own individual purpose, however each one can be specifically modified and programmed to suit you and your personal needs.
As far as the interface menu is concerned, the menus on the system are well laid out and precise enough in order for the user to navigate and therefore customise the settings of the camera without fuss. Within the many menus and settings, this is where you’ll be able to fine-tune any niggles and mishaps, leading to a greater performance level of the camera over time. Take the time to scroll through each menu label before heading out to shoot, it may be time consuming, but you’ll thank yourself later and in the long-term.
Screen & Viewfinder
Following on from this, the Sony A7 IV has a fully functional, LCD touchscreen that allows for convenient and accessible use. Furthermore, as well as being able to see what you’re shooting, you’re able to navigate menus, settings and playback options with the use of a simple touch. The screen is also able to extend, which you can turn sideways and flip out if needed, perfect to still be able to see the screen and what you’re shooting even through reach and unique perspectives.
Alongside this, the camera also hosts a high resolution viewfinder, giving the user incredible opportunities to capture even the fastest paced moments, which in turn enables the idea of photography to be far more engaging. Within the viewfinder it will of course display the photo frame or playback option, a series of important settings, and finally the exposure metre.
Battery Life & Memory
Depending on if you’re planning to do both photography and/or videography with the A7 IV, this will determine the length and span of a battery life. From experience, even if you do the smallest slice of videography, the battery will drain much faster compared to if you stick to just taking photos. Therefore if you plan to do both, I’d highly suggest purchasing a spare battery to take with you on the road.
As a rough guide, Sony suggests you’ll be able to take 580 photos on a full charge, or around 2 hours of 4K video. Of course if you plan to mix and match on the day, expect these numbers to be much less from either side.
A nice addition to the Sony A7 IV is that it has 2 memory card slots, something not all cameras have. This allows you be flexible with your approach to shooting, with much less emphasis on saving space for storage purposes with specifically chosen photographs. With the two slots available, as a suggestion, with two memory cards you can assign one for photos, and the other for video. Therefore not only will you have a clear separate channel for each approach, you will also save lots of space on the individual memory cards, leaving room for more files in regards to the one specific purpose.
Performance & Reliability
Like any piece of technical equipment, performance levels are ultimately what it will be tried and tested against. Fortunately for the A7 IV, the technology it attains allows for an outstanding volume of output whatever the situation. Come rain or shine, this camera consistently produces the goods with the help of its wide range of in-built features and components. Ask anyone, and they’ll say if you want the best low light performance, the Sony A7 range is the place to be.
Through the use of in-body stabilisation (IBIS), this allows for a smoother experience and process when shooting handheld with the camera, allowing those with even the shakiest hands to gain clear and clean footage. The screen and viewfinder intertwine and combine perfectly with each other to help you view and inspect live perspectives and playback options with ease. Furthermore, the ability to input a CFexpress memory card ensures the camera constantly runs at lightning fast speeds, reducing the buffering time between shots taken significantly. As mentioned earlier, the Sony A7 IV allows you to switch between photo and video modes easily and swiftly, ideal for the hybrid shooter.
Overall during my few years of use, the A7 IV has been a consistently reliable workhorse which has barely seen any mishaps or struggles. There have been a couple of niggles in recent times, such as freezing and seemingly not turning on, however all was needed was a battery reset, a fault I’ve put down to wear and tear due to daily and constant shooting, especially over the course of a recent 5 month stint in Asia. Despite this, I feel the camera has held up incredibly well and is still in great condition, something I expect it to do over the course of the coming years.
Focusing
Yet another key component where Sony tends to excel, and especially with the A7 IV is its integration of the focusing system. The ability to switch between Autofocus and Manual Focus gives the camera the cutting edge when it comes to focusing, and the option of several different focus settings enables you to ensure your content is always sharp and stands out, honing in on what really matters at all times within the frame.
The snap between subjects means you’ll never miss a beat, the incredibly fast switch focus is always there when needed. The camera has the unique potential to track eyes and faces in an instant, giving the A7 IV a fast, accurate, and responsive feel.
Image Quality for Photography and Videography
If you’re searching for a camera with the ability of producing high quality imaging for both photography and videography, then the hybrid nature of the Sony A7 IV produces that right from the get-go for you.
With an incredibly high ceiling of 33MP for photo, and 4k 60p resolution for video recording, the A7 IV is capable of generating incredible levels of detail through the use of its extensive dynamic range. As a result of this, the images and recordings shot contain, and more importantly maintain beautiful jpeg colours straight out of the camera.
Below are some of my favourite images that I’ve taken using the Sony A7 IV over the last few years:
Value for Money
Depending on what you plan on using the Sony A7 IV for, the value for money will naturally increase if you are looking to use the camera for both photo and video. Essentially with this camera you are killing 2 birds with 1 stone, a wonderful piece of equipment that acts as the perfect hybrid and excels in both fields. Even then, if like myself you only plan on doing mainly photography, the high quality build, slick interface of the camera itself and the content it is capable of producing makes it worth spending the big bucks for.
At the time of writing, the A7 IV is retailed at £1,899 ($2,499.99), which in my eyes for a top of the range hybrid camera, is a definite steal. I paid a few hundred pounds more a few years ago when the camera was obviously slightly newer, however I still feel it was definitely worth the price tag then and I have no regrets whatsoever.
A camera such as the Sony A7 IV demands a higher price tag simply because it’s a premium top of the range model, however if you are certain about getting into photography and/or videography, the investment will be well worth the purchase in the long-term.
Summary
Simply put, if you’re looking to enter the world of photography and/or videography for the long run, or even upgrade your existing technology, the Sony A7 IV should be high up on your list of existing choices. The camera is an absolute workhorse, with high tech specs and top tier performance levels to meet any needs necessary, the outstanding technology on display really does set the camera apart from the rest. Add the fact that you can customise the A7 IV to your hearts content, this makes it the ideal all round hybrid camera choice.
It is however on the more expensive side of things, although when you weigh up what you’re getting for your money, it’s more than worth the price tag. Furthermore, there are lighter camera combinations out there for the casual photographer, therefore remember these two factors when considering purchasing the Sony A7 IV. All in all, the purchase of this camera will depend on your personal needs and how serious you’re looking to get involved within the world of photography and videography, and of course your budget.