Sony has just announced the latest powerhouse in its R series. The high-resolution A7R V is the perfect blend of power, performance and intelligence. By combining an evolved image processor, a 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor, 8K video recording, and a whole list of additional upgrades this camera will suit both photographers and video shooters alike. Sony made some pretty significant improvements to the a7R V to make it feel like a true step up from the previous generation, sporting the best of Sony’s current technology for menus, storage, video recording, body design, and more.
The A7R V keeps the 61MP Exmor R CMOS sensor found in the a7R IV, but it uses the newer dual BIONX XR processors found in the A1 and A7S III. This means that the A7R V has up to eight times the processing power of its predecessor, making it capable of handling huge volumes of image data while minimising latency, and boosting the camera’s movie and still-image processing power. Exposure control and colour reproduction accuracy is improved as well. The camera has a native ISO range of 100-32,000—expandable to 102,400, and can continuously shoot up to 583 compressed RAW images at 10 fps.
The 5-axis in-body optical stabilisation has been upgraded to offer up to 8 steps of stabilisation in the body alone, for the first time in the Alpha series. This achieves effective stabilisation for slow-shutter shots of interiors or night scenes where it is preferable to avoid the need for increased sensitivity. A new stabilisation algorithm provides precise detection and control right down to the single-pixel level, taking full advantage of the sensor’s 61.0 megapixel9 resolution to bring out the finest subject details.
With the latest artificial intelligence-driven (AI) autofocus system controlled by a new dedicated AI processor, which Sony says was trained with deep learning techniques, the A7R V has the best autofocus system in Sony’s lineup by a long shot. This new AI processor allows the A7R V to track a much more comprehensive range of subjects. For human subjects, the camera can focus on bodies, heads, and eyes using human pose recognition that uses detailed information about human forms and postures. Sony says the autofocus system can now also recognise more animals’ and birds’ eyes, heads, and bodies. In addition, it can track insects, and the leading edges of cars, trains, and planes.
The camera’s real-time tracking leans on 693-point high density phase detection and wide autofocus coverage, so you get fast autofocus even at the extreme corners of the frame. The full-time DMF lets you switch seamlessly from AF to manual focusing at any time. The latest algorithms also include a Focus Priority mode that provides more reliable AF in low light or when using smaller apertures, giving you high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV -4.0 in AF-S mode.
The A7R V’s AWB function has evolved alongside the camera’s AI capabilities. In addition to the “Visible Light + IR sensor” on the front of the body, the camera’s AI processing unit helps to achieve more accurate white balance in difficult lighting, such as when the subject is in shadow. A new AE algorithm can detect the skin area in faces to control exposure accordingly when shooting stills and movies.
The A7R V has the familiar look and feel that Sony users love, with the added feature of a brand-new four-axis LCD screen. The new design is both a tilt screen and a flip screen. The camera sports dual CFexpress slots, and a 9.44 mil dot EVF. There is a wealth of customisable buttons on the A7R V as there are many more things to control and adjust with the new AI focusing system.
In terms of the A7R V’s video capabilities, it has the ability to shoot up to 8K for about 30 minutes and unlimited 4K 24p/25p. It can record up to 8K at 24/25 fps with full AF and AE support. Full-frame 4K recording provides a full sensor readout with no cropping, up to 30 fps, while 4K/60 and 8K capture results in a 1.2x crop. The a7R V can capture 8K footage up to 10-bit 4:2:0 and 4K 10-bit 4:2:2. XAVC-HS is available for 8K and 4K recording in addition to HD. For subjects demanding a high frame rate, it can record up to 120 fps at 1080p. The AI-assisted tracking keeps a wide range of subjects in focus when recording. In terms of colour, the a7R V offers S-Log3, S-Cinetone, and HLG and HDR recording.
The a7R V hosts a range of advanced connectivity options. It can act as a UVC webcam for content creators streaming in 4K up to 15p. For workflows that demand lightning-fast turnaround, FTP file transfer via 2×2 MIMO can transfer 3.5x more data than the a9 II. Additionally, files can be transferred via wireless LAN, wired LAN (via adapter), or USB-C.
Feature Recap:
- AI-driven Real-Time Recognition Autofocus
- Four-axis LCD screen
- Eight-stop image stabilisation system
- Multiple raw file formats, including lossless raw, compressed raw, and three raw sizes plus JPEG and HEIF
- Dual CFe-A card slots
- 10fps capture
- 583 image burst depth in compressed raw, 547 in uncompressed raw, and more than 1000 images in JPEG X-Fine
- 9.44M dot EVF, which is best in class
- Video capture is possible up to 8K 24/25p and 4K 50/60p in 4:2:2: 10-bit All-I.
- Pixel Shift capture with the ability to merge images with motion between frames
- Dedicated Still/Video/S&Q mode dial
- Breathing compensation support, focus mapping, and all the latest video tools Sony offers
- UVC/UAC streaming over USB with the ability to record internally simultaneously
- Wi-Fi 802.11 ac 2X2 MIMO
- SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps over USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Bluetooth connectivity allows for control and image transfer without needing a Wi-Fi connection with the camera
- Focus stacking