Sony A7 IV is official: 33MP fullframe sensor with 50/60p 10 bit 4:2:2, S-Log 3

[17:15 thu,21.October 2021 by blip]

After being leaked properly in advance, Sony has now officially unveiled its new mid-range full-frame DSLM Sony Alpha 7IV. At the heart of the new Sony Alpha is its newly developed BSI stacked full-frame sensor with a resolution of 33 MP, for which Sony specifies an ISO range of 50 - 204,800. The camera also features the same BIONZ XR image processor as the professional Alpha 1.

Sony Alpha 7 IV

Like its video-savvy pro sister, the Sony A7S III, the A7 IV offers a whole host of exciting video features that should make it an interesting back camera for A7S III and other Alphas.

10 Bit Log Video Formats.

When it comes to video formats, the new Sony Alpha 7 IV shows itself to be equipped to the highest standards, which should bring it close to the image quality of the Sony A7S III. Thus, it has both internal 10-bit 4:2:2

S-Log 3 and 10-bit HLG recording. For 10 bit 4K up to a maximum of 30p, 7K is downsampled from the (8K) sensor of the A7 IV and for 10 bit 4K up to a maximum of 60p, 4.8K (S35 crop) of the sensor is used. We are already very curious to see how the downscaling affects the quality of the 4K material - especially in comparison to the more moderate downsampling of the A7S III

from 4.2K horizontal pixels.

Recording is possible in XAVC S-I with intraframe compression or XAVC HS with H.265 long-GOP. The
S-Cinetone image profile from the cine cameras is implemented. The A7 IV doesn&t have a 30-minute limit in video, and heat-related limitations shouldn&t be an issue either, according to Sony.

Like the sensor of the A7S III, the A7 IV sensor is also stabilized. Sony again specifies 5.5 stops of exposure compensation here, which should put stabilization performance on par with the A7S III.

Incidentally, the α7 IV also captures gyro and lens data as metadata, so camera shake can also be edited afterwards (for example with Sony&s Catalyst Browse/Prepare software).

Autofocus and AF functions.

The advanced hybrid autofocus combines AF phase detection and AF contrast detection
and is said to work faster, more accurately and more reliably. With 759 AF phase detection points and a wide, dense AF area, 4D FOCUS covers approximately 94% of the image area in stills and video. Sony&s Scene Recognition algorithm uses color, pattern (brightness), and distance (depth) data of the subject to quickly process spatial data in real time. Eyes and faces of subjects (people, birds, other animals) are recognized by AI.

Focus functions are available for fine-tuning as in the α1 and α7S III cameras with video capabilities such as focus switching, fast switching for AF subjects, and custom sensitivity for subject tracking. Furthermore, the a7 IV is the first Alpha camera to offer Focus Breathing Compensation, though it only works in conjunction with Sony E-mount lenses.

The AF Assist function of the Cinema Line / FX6 is also on board for clean switching between auto and manual focus. To change focus, simply rotate the focus ring to MF and focus on a different subject. When the ring is no longer rotated, AF activates again.

A new focus map shows the depth of field when shooting - the focus data (depth map) is superimposed on the Live View display in real time, making it visible which areas are in or out of focus.

In photo mode, by the way, the A7 IV, which is definitely geared towards photographers, manages 10 frames per second including focus tracking.

XLR Audio

As with its predecessor, the A7 III, the A7 IV also features Sony&s MI Shoe Interface

on the hot shoe. This also allows the A7 IV to use the corresponding Sony XLR

adapters such as the XLR-K3M to use high-quality miking, or wireless radio links such as the corresponding Sony UWP-D versions.

Along with Panasonic (and more recently Canon), Sony is one of the few manufacturers to offer XLR

audio for its DSLM lineup.

Dual card slots and HDMI A.

For many professional users, dual card slots should be an important requirement. It&s nice to see that the Sony A7 IV is equipped with two SD card slots. In addition to SD cards, one slot also accepts CF Express cards, allowing for higher data rates - e.g. for 10-bit 4K 120 fps in S&Q mode.

For external monitoring and video recording, the Sony A7IV provides a full-size HDMI

connector (type A) and thus offers the greatest possible solidity (for the HDMI

world). Even without a cage and cable clamp, this should get you quite far in our experience from the A7S III.

Finder and flip-up display.

Compared to the A7S III, the Sony A7 IV has to make do with the viewfinder. This resolves with "only" with rather average 3.69MP. For optimal image control, an external monitor (see above) should be mandatory.

The 3" folding display of the Sons A7 IV can also be folded to the side for video friendliness and resolves with 1 million pixels.

Price and availability.

The A7 IV will be available for 2,799 euros (body-only) starting in December.

more infos at bei www.sony.de

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