Sony Alpha ILCE-7R IV + Sigma 35mm f1.4

Sony Alpha ILCE 7R IV

The highly versatile and powerful Alpha 7R IV is Sony's highest resolution camera to date. It offers impressive image quality with high resolution and wide dynamic range with consistently outstanding focus performance, high-speed continuous shooting, and many other features.

These include the world's first rear-illuminated Exmor R CMOS 35 mm full-frame image sensor with 61 MP and latest-generation BIONZ X image processor, real-time focus with eye detection for movie shooting, and advanced real-time tracking plus real-time AF with eye detection for photo shooting and APS-C Zuschnnitt mode at an impressive 26.2 MP resolution. The camera supports advanced networking and operability for high-speed WiFi, remote wireless PC networking, wireless FTP transfer, or faster USB data transfer. The Alpha 7R IV allows professional 4K movie shooting with full pixel display without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode. At the same time, it features S-Log 3 and support for HDR workflows. When used with Sony's new microphones with XLR adapters, the Multi Interface Shoe with digital audio interface delivers high sound quality recordings.

A new dimension in image quality

The Alpha 7R IV is equipped with a newly developed rear-exposed 35 mm full-frame CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 61 MP - the first of its kind in the world. The new sensor's backside-exposed design and effective noise reduction ensure ultra-low noise and high sensitivity for maximum image quality. In addition, the camera offers an impressive 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity for seamless, natural gradations from dark shadows to bright highlights. Algorithms adopted from the latest Alpha cameras also ensure outstanding color reproduction.

This new full-frame model incorporates an innovative 5-axis image stabilization system optimized for this camera's high-resolution shooting capabilities, enabling a shutter speed advantage of 5.5 stops. The shutter has also been adapted to reduce even small movements that could otherwise cause camera shake.

The Alpha 7R IV's viewfinder also features the highest resolution of any Sony camera: an electronic UXGA OLED Tru-Finder with 5.76 million pixels. That's about 1.6 times the resolution of the Alpha 7R III's electronic viewfinder, so this new viewfinder renders every subject ultra-accurately and faithfully. Standard or high display quality and a frame rate of 60 or 120 frames per second can be set for optimal adaptation to the subject and shooting conditions.

In addition, Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode has been enhanced for the new camera, which stitches together up to 16 full-resolution images. In this mode, the camera precisely shifts the sensor in 1- or 0.5-pixel increments to create 16 individual shots in varying pixel counts totaling 963.2 million pixels. These are then stitched together in the [Imaging Edge] desktop application to create a 240.8 million pixel image (19,008 x 12,672 pixels). This optimized mode is ideal for architectural photography, fine art photography, and all other static shooting subjects, producing images with highly impressive detail and color accuracy.

Shooting and focusing speed

The innovative new Alpha 7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera can capture images at up to 10 frames per second with consistently accurate AF/AE tracking for approximately 7 seconds - each at full resolution - in full-frame 61 MP (JPEG/RAW) or approximately 3x as long in APS-C sized 26.2 MP cropped mode. These high-speed capabilities capture even fast-moving subjects with ultra-accuracy and impressive detail.

The Alpha 7R IV's advanced focusing system includes 567 AF phase detection points covering approximately 74% of the image area, plus 425 AF contrast points for added accuracy and reliability in low-light and other shooting situations for which contrast AF is ideal. The new camera's higher AF sensor density and revised tracking algorithms significantly improve tracking performance, so even complex or sudden subject movements are now tracked reliably and more accurately than ever before.

The Alpha 7R IV also supports real-time AF with Eye Detection, which uses artificial intelligence to detect and process eye position in real time, enabling ultra-accurate focusing of the subject's eye throughout. This function is available for people and animals. Depending on the shooting situation, you can choose between AF with animal or human eye detection. In addition, a real-time tracking function is available that uses a newly developed subject detection algorithm to provide even more precise subject tracking and continuous focus system tracking. Anti-flicker shooting mode automatically detects fluorescent and artificial lighting and minimizes corresponding effects on the final image.

Optimized networking for professional workflows

The new Sony Alpha 7R IV full-frame camera is equipped with a range of advanced networking features for professional workflows. The new model offers WLAN with support for the usual 2.4 GHz band, as well as the 5 GHz high-speed band, for faster and more stable data transfer. A wireless PC remote networking function (wireless tethering shooting) is also available with the new Alpha 7R IV - a first for Sony cameras. This feature, requested by many professionals, opens up new freedoms for studio and on-location shooting - photographers can now move around unhindered.

In addition to high-speed WiFi and wireless PC networking, the new full-frame camera is also equipped with a SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.2 Gen 1) USB Type-C port that supports ultra-fast data transfer, nearly doubling the data transfer rate over the Alpha 7R III when combined with Imaging Edge software. The camera also features FTP data transfer, which sends images to a specified FTP remote server while images are still being captured or viewed.

To support efficient, networked high-speed workflows for professionals, Sony announced version 2.0 of the Imaging Edge desktop applications (Remote/Viewer/Edit). "Remote" allows users to control cameras and monitor live footage from their PC screen. "Viewer" lets users quickly preview, rate and select photos, even in large libraries. With "Edit", high-quality images can be created from RAW data.

For the most straightforward image transfer possible, with the latest version of the Imaging Edge Mobile application from Sony Images can now be transferred to a connected smartphone even when disconnected from power.

High-resolution 4K and pro movie features

In addition to its impressive photo shooting capabilities, the Alpha 7R IV is also an excellent movie camera, with 4K video recording (3840 x 2160 pixels) and full pixel display without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode, delivering 4K content with high detail and outstanding depth. S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 also provide highly flexible color shaping, and S-Log 3 offers up to 14 levels of dynamic range. HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)[xiv] is also available with the Alpha 7R IV to support direct HDR workflows.

For video autofocus, this versatile new full-frame camera uses an optimized fast hybrid autofocus system that speeds up autofocus while filming and makes it more seamless and stable - even when an object temporarily moves in front of the subject. The Touch Tracking function for movie shooting also captures the desired subject with just a touch of the display.

The new Alpha 7R IV is the first Sony camera to feature real-time AF with eye detection for movie shooting. When this function is activated, the eye of the subject in question is automatically tracked ultra-precisely and ultra-reliably, allowing the filmmaker to focus entirely on the subject instead of having to worry about focusing. The Touch Tracking function also automatically starts AF with eye detection when a person is selected as the subject.

Another noteworthy feature for video recording is the new digital audio interface on the camera's Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe), which allows direct connection of the new ECM-B1M shotgun microphone for high-quality low-noise audio recording or the XLR-K3M XLR adapter kit. In addition, interval recording is available for time-lapse video, as well as full HD recording at up to 120 frames per second, slow motion and fast motion, and many other features.

Optimized construction, design and customization options

The design and operating options of the new Alpha 7R IV have been revised. Many wishes of the Sony professional community have been taken into account.

The Alpha 7R IV has been further optimized for maximum resistance to dust and splash water. For this purpose, all connection points on the housing, the battery compartment cover and the media slots have been additionally sealed. In addition, the camera is made of an ultra-lightweight and ultra-durable magnesium alloy and features a redesigned extra-firm lens mount with six screws.

Other improvements to the body design include a redesigned grip that fits better and more securely in the hand, larger diameter and optimized feedback for the AF ON button, redesigned multi-select joystick for spontaneous control, a lock button for the exposure compensation dial, and a new shape and position for the rear dial. In response to requests from many professional photographers, the new camera is also equipped with two UHS-II compatible media slots that expand the overall feature set and enable faster read/write operations.

For greater ease of use, the options for saving settings have been expanded. Almost all camera settings can now be saved to and loaded from a memory card. Up to 10 combinations can be stored on one card and loaded into any camera body of the same type.

Despite the 1.5 times the number of pixels, battery life has also been improved - with a CIPA measurement of up to 670 shots (via LCD, 530 shots via electronic viewfinder) per charge. To further extend operating time, the optional VG-C4EM vertical grip houses two NP-FZ100 batteries, and the optional multi-battery adapter (NPA-MQZ1K) can accommodate up to four Z batteries. In addition, the body can be powered via the USB port.

• World's first full-frame 61 MP back-illuminated Exmor RTM CMOS sensor with latest-generation BIONZ X image processor delivers impressive 15-stop dynamic range
• Up to 240 MP thanks to Pixel Shift Multi Shooting function
• First UXGA OLED Tru-Finder with 5.76 million pixels (highest viewfinder resolution of all Sony cameras)
• 10 frames/second with continuous AF/ AE tracking & 567 phase AF points
• 5-axis image stabilizer
• Real-time AF with eye detection for photography & for the first time also for movie shooting
• Mode for APSC cropping at high resolution of 26.2 MP
• Advanced networking and operation: dual UHS-II slot, support for high speed WiFi (up to 5GHz), wireless PC remote networking (wireless tethering), wireless background FTP transfer
• Professional 4K video recording thanks to full pixel display without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode, S-Log3, HDR.
• Multi-interface shoe with digital audio interface for high quality sound recording
• Improved dust and splash protection with additional sealing and revised extra-firm lens mount

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN (A) Sony-E

Superior optical performance and handling improvements bring one of the most popular focal lengths up to date.

With the 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art, Sigma has reinterpreted a popular theme and modernized it with a design calculated for mirrorless systems and all the latest Sigma technologies.

Although the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art remains significantly smaller and lighter than the existing 35mm F1.4, on the one hand it draws sharply to the corners of the image even at open aperture, and on the other hand it produces a creamy background bokeh; all aberrations are well corrected. The 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art is light enough to make a well-balanced combination with a compact mirrorless camera. Still, it brings a lot of professional features, such as an extremely fast autofocus, an aperture ring with disengageable detent and a possibility of locking in automatic or manual mode, as well as a configurable AFL button. This makes it just as suitable for professional use as it is as an always-on lens for occasional outings, and it lends itself to video recording as well as photography.

Outstanding imaging performance in a compact package

The most important design goal in the development of the 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art, as with all lenses in the Art series, was outstanding imaging performance. Fifteen optical elements in 11 groups are responsible for this performance. The correction of color errors caused by the different refraction of light depending on the wavelength (the so-called dispersion) is achieved by two lenses with special low dispersion (SLD), one lens with extremely low dispersion (ELD), one lens with fluorite glass-like dispersion (FLD) and two aspheres.

The combined effect of the optical design and the special types of glass results in an effective reduction of all aberrations, including chromatic aberration, which cannot be corrected in the camera after the fact. Despite the high F1.4 speed, the coma itself remains low at open aperture, which recommends the lens for astrophotographers - this tail-like distortion of bright points of light would be particularly distracting in photographs of the starry sky. Due to the 11 rounded aperture blades, which ensure rounded out-of-focus circles even when stopped down, the bokeh always remains pleasantly soft and makes the sharply imaged subject plane stand out all the better. In backlit situations, Sigma's stray light and ghosting prevention technologies prevent misdirected light rays from affecting contrast in low-light conditions.

Fast and quiet autofocus

To focus the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art, only a single lens element is moved by a stepper motor. The low mass of the focusing element makes it respond quickly, quietly, and without delay to any desired change in focus, allowing smooth tracking of focus on moving subjects. Manual focus is precise, but the focus ring also exhibits the resistance needed for smooth, jerk-free focus shifts when shooting video. Of course, the focus mode can be switched directly with a slider on the lens.

Professional features

The aperture of the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art is controlled by an aperture ring - or by the camera's automatic system if the aperture ring is set to the "A" automatic setting. Either way, a lock prevents you from inadvertently switching between automatic and manual modes. Especially for videographers, there is an option to turn off the aperture lock, which allows for continuous exposure control via aperture. The AFL button can be configured in its function via the camera menu, provided that the camera model used supports this. The AFL button, like the slider for selecting the focus mode, is ergonomically positioned for easy thumb operation.

In use, the 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art proves to be exceptionally robust, so that it can easily withstand professional use. The splash-proof and dust-proof design with seals on all controls and the interfaces of moving parts as well as a sealing lip on the bayonet protects the lens against the elements, and the water- and oil-repellent coating on the front lens ensures that imaging performance remains undiminished even under adverse conditions.