Sony Alpha ILCE-7R IVA + VG-C4EM Handle

Sony Alpha ILCE-7R IVA Body

The highly versatile and capable Alpha 7R IVA 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-exposed Exmor R CMOS 35mm 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 still photography and APS-C cropped 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 IVA 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 back-illuminated 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 IVA'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 true to life. 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 IVA full-frame mirrorless camera can shoot 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 IVA'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 IVA 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 IVA 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 Alpha 7R IVA - 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 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 IVA 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) is also available with the Alpha 7R IVA 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, making 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 Alpha 7R IVA 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 optional ECM-B1M shotgun microphone for high-quality low-noise audio recording or the optional 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 IVA have been revised. Many wishes of the Sony professional community were taken into account.

The Alpha 7R IVA 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 case can be powered via the USB port.

Sony VG-C4EM Battery Handle

Easy operation in portrait mode

The VG-C4EM offers virtually the same controls as the camera body. The placement, size and shape of the buttons have been optimized. They are made of the same material used on the α7R IV body. As a result, the function, layout, and handling are similar to portrait mode operation via the camera body.

Firm and secure grip

The ingenious design of the grip allows the camera to sit securely in your hand. The vertical grip allows you to always comfortably take photos, whether in portrait or landscape mode. This allows you to fully concentrate on the subject and composition.

Effective runtime doubled

The VG-C4EM can accommodate up to two NP-FZ100 batteries. When two batteries are used instead of one, the camera runs about twice as long. The remaining battery power is shown in 1-% increments on the LCD. When one of the batteries is exhausted, the camera automatically uses the second one, ensuring uninterrupted operation.

Recharging the batteries or power supply via USB

The batteries in the vertical handle can be charged via the camera's USB port without removing the handle from the camera. If shooting ever takes longer, a portable battery or AC adapter can be connected via the camera's USB port to supply additional power.

Lightweight yet sturdy magnesium alloy body

The exterior of the VG-C4EM is made of the same rugged magnesium alloy as the body of the α7R IV. Weight and size thus remain low.

Reliable protection against dust and moisture

The camera grip is made of the same sealing material as the camera body to keep out dust and moisture. This increases the reliability of the entire camera system.