Sony unveils 61-megapixel α7R Mark IV camera

Angled view of the new α7R Mark IV with the 24-70mm GM lens and showing the dual SD card slots. (Source: Sony.)

The new Alpha 7R IV comes with a 36 x 24 mm back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with an effective  resolution of 61.0 megapixels, the first of its kind. The new sensor’s back-illuminated structure and advanced noise reduction techniques combine to deliver extremely low-noise and high-sensitivity performance, while the camera also boasts an impressive 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivities, resulting in smooth natural gradations from deep shadows to highlights. Algorithms developed for the latest Alpha cameras ensure outstanding colour reproduction. A new Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode can composite up to 16 full-resolution images, shifting the sensor in one pixel or half-pixel increments to capture a total of 963.2 million pixels of data. When combined using Sony’s ‘Imaging Edge’ desktop application, they result in a 240.8 million pixel (19008 x 12672 pixels) image.

Front, back and top views of the α7R Mark IV camera body. (Source: Sony.)

Another feature of new camera is its UXGA OLED Tru-finder EVF, which has a resolution of 5,760,000 dots, roughly 1.6x the resolution of the EVF in the Alpha 7R III. The display quality can be set to ‘Standard’ or ‘High’ mode, and to either 60 fps or 120 fps refresh rate to best match the subject and shooting conditions.

The new camera can record full resolution images at up to 10 fps with continuous, accurate AF/AE tracking for up to approximately seven seconds in full-frame, full-resolution mode (JPEG / RAW), and approx. three times as long in APS-C crop mode, where it delivers 26.2 megapixel images. Its upgraded focusing system  contains 567 focal-plane phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 74 percent of the image area. There are also 425 contrast AF points that add extra precision and reliability for low light and other situations that are best served by contrast AF, resulting in improved tracking performance, allowing complex subject motion and sudden subject movements to be tracked with greater precision. The Alpha 7R IV also supports Real-time Eye AF, which employs artificial intelligence to detect and process eye location data in real-time.  This is available for both animal and human subjects. Real-time Tracking utilises a newly developed subject recognition algorithm to ensure accurate subject tracking and persistence from the focusing system.  There is also an anti-flicker shooting mode, which automatically detects the presence of fluorescent or artificial lighting.

The α7R Mark IV comes with built-in wireless LAN functionality to support the conventional 2.4 GHz band, as well as a high-speed 5 GHz band for faster, more stable data transfer. Wireless PC remote connectivity (wireless tethering shooting) is also available. A new  SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.2 Gen 1) USB Type-C connector supports fast wired data transmission, with almost double the data transfer speed of the previous model, achieved in combination with Sony’s Imaging Edge software. It also supports FTP data transfer with background transfer capability.

4K video (3840 x 2160 pixels) recording is also supported across the full width of the image sensor, with full pixel readout without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode. S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 are also available to maximize colour grading flexibility, with S-Log 3 offering a total of 14-stops of dynamic range.  Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is also available on the Alpha 7R IV to support an Instant HDR workflow. Autofocusing in video mode is driven by a refined Fast Hybrid AF system that achieves faster, smoother, more stable performance. The camera also includes Touch Tracking functionality during movie shooting as well as Real-time Eye AF for movie shooting.

To maximise durability, the new Alpha 7R IV features upgraded dust and moisture resistance, with additional sealing provided at all body seams, battery compartment cover and media slots. The camera is built with an extremely lightweight and durable magnesium alloy and also has an upgraded six screw, extra-firm lens mount. Additional enhancements to the body design include an improved grip, increase in the diameter and feedback for the ‘AF-ON’ button; a new multi-selector joystick design for improvised control; an exposure compensation dial lock button; and a redesigned shape and new position for the rear dial. In response to demands from professional photographers, the new camera also includes two UHS-II compatible media slots. Battery life has also been improved, with a CIPA measurement of up to 670 still images per change using LCD monitor, or 530 images with EVF.

Sony will also release a number of new accessories to compliment the new Alpha 7R IV camera, including the VG-C4EM Vertical Grip,  ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone, XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit, SF-M series TOUGH memory cards and MRW-S3 fast USB hub.

The new Alpha 7R IV full-frame Interchangeable lens camera will be available in Australia at the end of August for SRP$5,699. Click here for more information.