Sony A7R V Review: The Ultimate Mirrorless Camera
Sony A7R V offers exceptional 61MP image quality, advanced autofocus, and impressive 8K video performance in a mirrorless design.
Sony introduced A7R series with A7R in 2013, marking first high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera. Sony A7R V is the fifth model in series offering updates in ergonomics, handling and technology. While it faces stiff competition from cameras like Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z 7II, A7R V still holds its ground with impressive specs.
Sony A7R V features a new 61MP sensor, Bionz XR processing engine and up to eight stops of in-body image stabilization. It also offers fast burst shooting and AI-powered autofocus with subject recognition for humans, animals, birds, insects and vehicles. Video capture supports up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps.
Sony A7R V Specs:
- 61MP full-frame sensor
- Bionz XR processor with AI
- 693-point phase-detection autofocus
- Autofocus subject recognition for various subjects
- 9.44-million dot EVF
- In-body stabilization up to 8 stops
- Continuous shooting at 10fps
- 8K video at 24fps, 4K at 60fps, 10-bit 4:2:2
A7R V delivers excellent image quality for both photos & video. However, to get the most out of its high-resolution sensor, you’ll need high-quality lenses such as those in Sony’s G and GM ranges. While this might not be issue for those purchasing camera at around $3,900, users upgrading from older models with cheaper lenses should keep this in mind.
Table of Contents
Sony A7R V Specification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💵 Price | $3900 (body only) |
| 📷 Body Type | SLR-style mirrorless |
| 🖼️ Sensor | Full frame (35.7 x 23.8 mm), 61MP, BSI-CMOS |
| 🌌 ISO Range | Auto ISO 100-32,000 (expandable 50-102,400) |
| 📦 Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift, 8 stops (CIPA rating) |
| 🔗 Lens Mount | Sony E |
| 🎯 Focus Points | 693 phase-detection points |
| 📺 Screen | 3.2″ tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| 🔭 Viewfinder | 100% coverage, 0.9x magnification, 9.44M dots |
| ⏱️ Shutter Speed | 30s to 1/8000s (electronic: 1/8000s) |
| 🎥 Video Resolution | Up to 8K @ 25fps, 4K @ 60fps, FHD @ 120fps |
| 💾 Storage | Dual UHS-II SD/CFexpress Type A slots |
| 🔋 Battery Life | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| 🌐 Connectivity | USB 3.2, full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| ⚖️ Weight | 723g (including battery) |
| 📏 Dimensions | 131 x 97 x 82 mm |
| ⭐ Other Features | Timelapse, stereo microphone, weather-sealed body |
Date and Price
Sony A7R V was released in December 2022 with a price of around $3,900 / £4,000 / AU$5,900. While the price is close to medium-format cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100S which costs about $6,000 / £4,800 / AU$9,300, A7R V offers strong value for its features. It’s a better option for those shooting fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife, as well as video. However, for landscape, portrait or studio photographers, the Fujifilm GFX 100S, with its larger sensor and higher resolution, may be a better choice.
Design
Design of Sony A7R V closely resembles previous models, with most updates found in its features. It’s easy for current Sony users to navigate, while newcomers will find it user-friendly as well.
Back of the camera features new 4-axis 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen that can be tilted, flipped out and rotated for easy use in both photography and video. This design tweak makes the screen bulkier than earlier models but it doesn’t affect handling. Camera also has a 9.44-million dot resolution electronic viewfinder with 0.9x magnification, similar to A7S III.
On top, exposure compensation dial is now unmarked but can be customized to perform different functions. The camera has dual card slots for SD and CFexpress Type A cards with CFexpress providing faster speeds.
A7R V offers a continuous shooting speed of 10fps with a larger buffer that can handle up to 583 compressed raw images. However, using SD cards with a speed of up to 300MB/s, it captures about 170 JPEGs, 100 compressed raw files and 50 uncompressed raw files before slowing down. This performance is still more than enough for most photographers.
Camera supports 8K video recording for up to 30 minutes, although it can heat up in warmer environments. To help with heat dissipation you can open the battery door, though this presents some risks.
Features and Performance
Sony A7R V offers several key features that improve its performance over its predecessor, making it a more versatile camera for photographers and videographers.
One standout feature is its subject-recognition autofocus which includes 693 AF points and Real-time Recognition AF. This system can identify humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes, providing better focus tracking for a variety of subjects. However, recognition isn’t flawless and turning it on or off requires navigating the camera’s menu.
Image stabilization has been significantly improved, offering up to eight stops of compensation for stills. This allows for sharp handheld shots even with slow shutter speeds and when used with lenses that have optical image stabilization, video footage becomes even smoother.
Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode has also been enhanced. It now captures 16 frames with slight shifts in sensor’s position and merges them into a 240.8MP image for greater detail and accuracy, although this requires Sony’s Image Edge Desktop software.
A new feature added to combat sensor dust is the ability for the shutter to close when the camera is turned off, however its efficiency has yet to be demonstrated.
Other enhancements include a customisable My Menu for easy access to settings and a Bulb Timer for timed long exposures, allowing you to record long-exposure images without the need for extra equipment.
Image and video quality
Sony A7R V delivers impressive image and video quality, especially when paired with high-quality lenses. Its new 61MP Exmor R sensor and Bionz XR processing engine offer exceptional detail & dynamic range, with 15 stops of dynamic range for better exposure control. To get best results, it’s recommended to use Sony G lenses, as lower-quality lenses may not fully utilize the camera’s potential.
ISO performance is strong, with a native range of 100-32,000 and an expanded range of 50-102,400. The best results are seen at ISO 1600, with images remaining good up to ISO 6400. However, noise and color loss become noticeable at higher ISOs.
Video quality is likewise great, with 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps, and FHD at 120fps. With 10-bit 4:2:2 color depth and S-Cinetone and S-Log3 color profiles, it’s an excellent choice for hybrid photographers and videographers, however the A7S III may still be a better option for professional video.
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Pros and Cons of Sony A7R V
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Excellent autofocus performance | ❌ High price point |
| ✅ Impressive ISO handling | ❌ Requires premium-quality lenses |
| ✅ Versatile 4-axis articulating touchscreen | ❌ 4K video capped at 60fps |
Conclusion
Sony A7R V is a great camera, maintaining its position as the highest-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera. While it’s versatile, with features suited for sports and wildlife, it doesn’t have the burst rates of A9 II. Video quality is good but not as high as the A7S III. So, while it’s a jack of all trades, it excels in some areas but not all.
