If it’s resolution you’re after, you can’t go past Sony’s Alpha 7R IV, which offers the highest resolution you can get from Sony’s line-up of interchangeable lens cameras. [Article courtesy of Sony]
Sony Alpha 7R IV with FE 85mm f/1.4 GM lens
The Alpha 7R IV has a 61-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor that delivers professional quality images with rich detail and accurate colours to please even the pickiest of perfectionists. And when even higher resolution is required, a new Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode with 16-frame recording captures an eye-watering 960 megapixels of data, which results in a 240.8-megapixel image.
The BIONZ X image processing engine and front-end LSI technology enable the camera to record a massive 15 stops of dynamic range, capturing details all the way from bright highlights into deep shadows. The Fast Hybrid AF system is also class-leading, combining 567 focal-plane phase-detection AF points with 425-point contrast-detection AF to meet the most rigorous requirements of stills and movie shooters.
Photographer: Craig Parry
Location: Chobe National Park, Botswana
Camera: Alpha 7R IV
Lens: FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
Settings: ISO 400 / F4 / 1/2500s
The wide area covered by the AF point arrays can detect subjects virtually anywhere in the frame, while AI-based Real-time Tracking includes a Face/Eye Priority in AF function that selects Real-time Eye AF tracking of both humans and animal subjects. An improved 4D focus function combines space and time data when tracking moving subjects for additional speed and precision. AF/AE tracking is supported for continuous shooting at up to 10 fps and the buffer memory can hold up to 72 JPEGs or 68 compressed raw files.
Silent shooting uses a vibration-free electronic shutter mechanism and combines with the built-in 5-axis SteadyShot stabilisation system to deliver maximum resolution for images plus movie clips free of unwanted camera noise. While using the same NP-FZ100 battery as the Alpha 7R III, the Alpha 7R IV’s improved power management increases shooting capacity to 670 shots/charge.
The Alpha 7R IV is also comfortable to operate, with a lightweight, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body plus a generous grip that is contoured to fit the hand. A new 5,760,000-dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder provides a clear, true-to-life view with a fast, 120 fps refresh rate to deliver smooth displays when tracking subject movement and while recording 4K video. Overall, it’s one of the easiest cameras to shoot with.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens
The 42.4-megapixel Alpha 7R III packs many similar functions into a weather-resistant, full-frame body with ergonomic enhancements derived from the sports-focused Alpha 9. BIONZ X image processing supports a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-32000 with expansion to ISO 50-102400. Noise has been reduced by up to a full stop in the mid sensitivity range and the camera gains the improvements to colour and noise processing introduced in the Alpha 9.
The OLED Tru-Finder boasts 3,686,000 dots and 0.78x magnification plus an adjustable frame rate that is blackout-free and easy dioptric adjustment. Its AF system features 399 phase-detection AF points covering approximately 68% of the image area plus 425 densely positioned contrast-detection AF points. Eye AF offers twice the performance of the previous model plus the ability to detect eyes in traditionally challenging situations.
Both cameras have dual SD card slots and can record UHD 4K (3840 x 2160p) movies with the XAVC S codec at 25p with a bit-rate of 100 Mbps. They also support full pixel readout without pixel binning when recording in Super 35mm crop format (roughly equivalent to APS-C size). Both cameras include the S-Log 3 and S-Gamut 3 profiles, along with Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), which captures with the Log profile but displays a corrected version on the camera’s monitor.
An APS-C crop is also available for stills shooting, with the 1.5x crop providing an effective extension of lens focal length. The high resolutions of both cameras make this feature valuable for sports and wildlife photographers.
Combine either camera with an FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens for the ultimate kit for landscape photography, with weatherproofing providing reassurance in challenging conditions. Either camera can be paired with the FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS telephoto lens to provide a powerful tool for sports and wildlife photography. Its long reach homes in on the subject, while the fast f/4 maximum aperture provides a shallow focus to blur out distorting backgrounds. For travellers and generalist photographers, the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens is a versatile all-rounder to partner with both Alpha 7R Series models.