New Sony Hybrid DSLM: Sony Alpha 7 V is Here: 33MP Partially Stacked Sensor, 4K 60p without Crop, and 16 Stops
[15:06 Tue,2.December 2025 by Rudi Schmidts]
With the Alpha 7 V, Sony introduces the successor to its successful mid-range full-frame DSLM with numerous important innovations for photo and video operation.
New 33MP Partially Stacked Full-Frame Sensor
We have already seen full-frame CMOS sensors with a partially stacked design from Panasonic and Nikon—though not yet one with a resolution above 24MP. For the new Alpha 7 V, Sony has developed a new partially stacked sensor with a 33MP resolution, likely making it the current resolution benchmark for partially stacked sensors.
Partially stacked sensors, in conjunction with sufficiently powerful image processors, are primarily characterized by high processing speeds. In the new Sony A7 V, this is reflected in a significant speed increase: The Sony A7 V now supports blackout-free continuous shooting in photo mode at 30 fps with the electronic shutter and 10 fps with the mechanical shutter. This gives it the same continuous shooting speed as Sony&s flagship DSLM, the A1 II.
For video operation, this means 10-bit 4K 60p without crop. This is achieved by downsampling from a 7K resolution with full pixel readout (without binning) to 10-bit 4K 60p. This should contribute to very high quality 4K 60P resolutions.
Sony claims a 4.5 times faster sensor readout on the A7 V compared to its predecessor, which would be quite remarkable. We are very eager to see our lab tests...
For 4K 120p, the Sony Alpha 7 V uses an S35 crop (as the predecessor did for 4K 60p). Sony offers XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K, XAVC S HD, and XAVC SI HD as video formats, with the maximum 4K recording resolution being 4K UHD at 3840 × 2160 pixels. 4K DCI is not planned, nor is internal or external RAW recording.
Color profiles available include S-Cinetone and S-Log3, and there is also the option to load custom LUTs into the camera.
New BIONZ XR2 Processor with Integrated Autofocus AI Unit
Along with the new partially stacked 33MP sensor, the new Sony Alpha 7 V also features a completely newly developed processor named BIONZ XR2, which has not yet been installed in any other Sony DSLM. Accordingly, this new BIONZ generation is likely to form the basis for all subsequent Sony DSLMs.
In contrast to the previous BIONZ XR processor found in the Sony A1 II, FX3, etc., the new BIONZ XR2 processor integrates the AI unit for AF calculation and subject recognition, which was previously outsourced in the top models. This is intended to enable even faster and more reliable AF calculation.
The Sony A7 V accordingly offers a whole range of subject recognition modes. These include Human, Animal, Bird, Insect, Car/Train, Airplane, and Auto.
Sony&s autofocus system is currently considered the reference system for us in the DSLM segment. We are very curious to see how the AF has evolved here in conjunction with the Alpha 7 V.
Improved Body Design Including 4-Axis Multi-Angle Monitor
The body design of the Sony Alpha 7 V is heavily based on the design of the A7 RV. Like the A7 RV, the new Sony Alpha 7 V features a 4-axis multi-angle monitor that can be flipped away from the camera, leaving the ports on the left side of the camera free and allowing it to be optimally used for vertical format shots. This is also a welcome feature for video users, as HDMI, headphone, microphone, and USB-C cables should not interfere with the flip-out monitor.
The monitor of the Sony Alpha 7 V has slightly increased in size to 3.2" compared to its predecessor (3") and offers a significantly higher resolution of 2095K dots (1037K dots on the predecessor).
Everything remains the same with the OLED EVF. It still features 0.78x magnification with a resolution of 3686K dots.
Dual Card Slots and USB-C Ports
Sony has doubled both the card slots and the USB-C ports on the new Alpha 7 V. While the card slot configuration remains the same as the predecessor (1x CFexpress/SD and 1x SD), the Alpha 7 V now has two USB-C ports.
The dual USB-C ports should be particularly interesting for video users. One USB-C port can be used for additional power supply, while the other can be used for streaming and/or camera control functions. We expect to see more cameras with dual USB-C ports in the future.
7.5 Stops IBIS
The sensor stabilization of the Sony A7 V also appears to be significantly improved compared to its predecessor. While Sony specified 5.5 stops of compensation for stabilization on the A7 IV, the Sony Alpha 7 V now offers 7.5 (Center), 6.5 (Periphery).
Furthermore, the Sony Alpha 7 V now also offers the new Active Dynamic Stabilization mode, which we already examined in our Sony FX2 hands-on review (link provided in the original text), and which produced very good results.
16 Stops Dynamic Range
Sony also appears to have improved the dynamic range of the Sony Alpha 7 V compared to its predecessor. While Sony specified a maximum dynamic range of 15 stops for the Sony Alpha 7 IV, the Sony Alpha 7 V now offers 16 stops.
This is quite remarkable because partially stacked sensors have historically been characterized by a slightly reduced dynamic range. If Sony has found a way to increase the dynamic range here, it would be a real unique selling proposition compared to partially stacked competitors.
Improved Battery Life
The battery life specified by Sony for the Sony Alpha 7 V is also significantly improved compared to its predecessor. The Sony Alpha 7 IV achieved 520 shots on a single battery charge when using the EVF.
For the Sony Alpha 7 V, Sony now specifies 630 shots, which is a considerable improvement of over 20%. Since the Sony Alpha 7 V uses the same batteries as the Alpha 7 IV, the partially stacked sensor and the new BIONZ XR2 processor are likely responsible for this.
And speaking of efficiency. Sony also reports improvements in heat management for the A7 V compared to its predecessor. At higher ambient temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius, the A7 IV could record for a maximum of 10 minutes continuously in XAVC S 4K 60p 150M 4:2:0 8bit.
The Sony A7 V manages 60 minutes here, and at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, Sony specifies 90 minutes continuously (the same as the predecessor).
Price and Availability
The Sony Alpha 7 V is available immediately with an MSRP of 2,999,- Euro.
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