The Sony A7 IV is a camera that's great for both video and still images. If there's one drawback, it's that it's a bit more expensive than you'd expect. In fact, it costs more than the A7 III did at launch at S$3,599 (body only), and S$3,899 with a 28-70mm kit lens. But I daresay it's probably the best all-rounder camera you can get, and a great one to begin your photography hobby or career with.
Quick specs
- 34.1MP 35mm fullframe, Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Around 520 shots per battery shot (but we got more)
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz, Bluetooth connectivity
- Up to 4K 60p video recording and 120p 1080p
Compared with my A7 III, there are some tweaks to the A7 IV's design. There's a dedicated still/movie/slow and quick (S&Q) dial, so you can switch between modes easily. S&Q lets you shoot timelapse or slow-motion video without needing to post process. The menu system is also a lot better, and the screen now flips out, so you can take selfies a lot easier. I do point out that if you have it connected to a power source or an external monitor, the flipped-out screen will be slightly blocked by the wires. The exposure compensation dial is now a customisable dial, so you can set it to say, switch ISOs quicker, too.
Software-wise, it now supports auto-focus for human eyes, animal eyes, and bird eyes. Focus tracking is pretty good, too. If you're a sports photographer, you can shoot a ton of pictures continuously. I was able to shoot for 13s in RAW even with just a SDXC U3 Class 10 card before the buffer ran out. A faster card will probably have no issues. You can use the A7 IV as a webcam too, without needing a capture card such as the Genki ShadowCast. Just connect a USB-C cable to the camera from your laptop, and it will be detected as a webcam.
As for image performance, the larger 33MP sensor allows for larger pictures compared to the A7 III. This means more details to zoom into. With the Sony FE 200-600MM F5.6-6.3 G OSS, I was able to use APS-C mode for extended reach, and I could even see a fly resting on a tiger's nose. The FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS isn't quite comparable to lenses with a f2.8 aperture, but you'll still get excellent shots. Using the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM, I was able to capture the Milky Way even in light-polluted Singapore. As for video, it's no A7S III, but you can shoot great looking video with sufficient light.
The Sony A7 IV is a great all-round performer. You'll get a camera that's capable of taking really good still shots as well as videos. But if you're on a budget, you may want to consider the A7 III instead. It is cheaper, has almost similar features, and also takes great pictures. But shooting videos on the A7 IV will be a lot better, at 4K/60fps compared to 4K/30fps with the A7 III. Get it from Lazada or Shopee.
Note: Review unit provided by Sony.
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