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I’m in the market for a new high end camera, so I was debating on buying the Sony A9 (used) and Sony A7 IV, as they were about the same price.
For non-Sony camera enthusiasts, let me break down Sony’s current camera offering in the Alpha (a) line. In the full frame mirrorless camera market, Sony offers basically two types of cameras: the A7 and A9 (and its successor the Alpha 1).
In the A7 line, there are four subcategories: A7, A7R, A7S, and the new A7C. The A7R series stands for Resolution, and aimed at still photography and high resolution images. The A7S series stands for Sensitivity, and aimed for video professionals. The A7C series, a new class that was introduced a year ago, stands for Compact, and aimed at traveling photographers. The standard A7 cameras are basically a Jack of all trades, master of none.
The A9 and Alpha 1 are a different class of camera, they are very expensive. For example, the retail price of the Alpha 1 is $6,500. That’s not in anyone’s budget… except professionals who swears by it.
Since I didn’t want to buy a used A9 (even though the price was right), this leave me one choice: Sony A7 IV.
After using the A7C for a year, I am starting to recognize some of its limitations. Since the camera is smaller, Sony had to remove some physical buttons, and other features (such as an extra card slot, no eye hood, and bad viewer). The camera wasn’t designed as a workhorse, but rather for those traveling and on the move. Which I knew what I was getting into when I bought it last year.
So, the A7IV improves on the popular A7III, by adding in a 33MP, 4k 30p (downsized from 7k), two card slots (one is CF Express Type A), improved auto-focusing technology, and best of all, the new BIONZ XR chip. This is the same chip found in Sony’s Alpha 1 cameras. The chip is eight times more powerful than its previous generations.
For many photographers who own the 7III, they said there’s not enough for them to upgrade. For early adopters or photographers with pre-production models, they complained that the A7IV overheats. With the pandemic causing supply issues, not a lot of people seemed excited about the A7IV.
I’m excited about the A7IV, because I want the new BIONZ XR… and I’m interested in seeing how it performs in low light situations, especially at live concert events. For professionals who poo-pooed the Sony “flippy screen”, they are idiots.
Since I’ve been using it on the A7C, I found that it’s a million times better than the old “tilt screen”. I’ve used the so-called flippy screen when I need to take overhead shots, or if I need a low view, or even “selfie” mode … the screen does it all and at all angles!!! When I’m not using the screen, I simply put it in “armor mode”, which protects the screen. The flippy screen is simply the greatest advantage that the A7C has over any other Sony camera on the market right now… and I know I will make good use of it on the A7IV.
For video shooters, I would wait to see what if Sony will release the Sony A7S IV, because the S series is due for an update.
For new photographers, interested in Full Frame, I still highly recommend the A7C, as it is the cheapest option, and you’re not going to need extra features (at least for now). Perhaps, maybe you can wait for the A7CII, as I’m sure Sony will make many improvements on the original C camera.
Comparison chart of Full Frame Sony Mirrorless cameras in the last five years. Note: BSI stands for Back Side Illuminated.
For non-Sony camera enthusiasts, let me break down Sony’s current camera offering in the Alpha (a) line. In the full frame mirrorless camera market, Sony offers basically two types of cameras: the A7 and A9 (and its successor the Alpha 1).
In the A7 line, there are four subcategories: A7, A7R, A7S, and the new A7C. The A7R series stands for Resolution, and aimed at still photography and high resolution images. The A7S series stands for Sensitivity, and aimed for video professionals. The A7C series, a new class that was introduced a year ago, stands for Compact, and aimed at traveling photographers. The standard A7 cameras are basically a Jack of all trades, master of none.
The A9 and Alpha 1 are a different class of camera, they are very expensive. For example, the retail price of the Alpha 1 is $6,500. That’s not in anyone’s budget… except professionals who swears by it.
Since I didn’t want to buy a used A9 (even though the price was right), this leave me one choice: Sony A7 IV.
After using the A7C for a year, I am starting to recognize some of its limitations. Since the camera is smaller, Sony had to remove some physical buttons, and other features (such as an extra card slot, no eye hood, and bad viewer). The camera wasn’t designed as a workhorse, but rather for those traveling and on the move. Which I knew what I was getting into when I bought it last year.
So, the A7IV improves on the popular A7III, by adding in a 33MP, 4k 30p (downsized from 7k), two card slots (one is CF Express Type A), improved auto-focusing technology, and best of all, the new BIONZ XR chip. This is the same chip found in Sony’s Alpha 1 cameras. The chip is eight times more powerful than its previous generations.
For many photographers who own the 7III, they said there’s not enough for them to upgrade. For early adopters or photographers with pre-production models, they complained that the A7IV overheats. With the pandemic causing supply issues, not a lot of people seemed excited about the A7IV.
I’m excited about the A7IV, because I want the new BIONZ XR… and I’m interested in seeing how it performs in low light situations, especially at live concert events. For professionals who poo-pooed the Sony “flippy screen”, they are idiots.
Since I’ve been using it on the A7C, I found that it’s a million times better than the old “tilt screen”. I’ve used the so-called flippy screen when I need to take overhead shots, or if I need a low view, or even “selfie” mode … the screen does it all and at all angles!!! When I’m not using the screen, I simply put it in “armor mode”, which protects the screen. The flippy screen is simply the greatest advantage that the A7C has over any other Sony camera on the market right now… and I know I will make good use of it on the A7IV.
For video shooters, I would wait to see what if Sony will release the Sony A7S IV, because the S series is due for an update.
For new photographers, interested in Full Frame, I still highly recommend the A7C, as it is the cheapest option, and you’re not going to need extra features (at least for now). Perhaps, maybe you can wait for the A7CII, as I’m sure Sony will make many improvements on the original C camera.
Comparison chart of Full Frame Sony Mirrorless cameras in the last five years. Note: BSI stands for Back Side Illuminated.
|
Camera |
Chip |
Sensor |
Resolution |
Burst |
Price |
Release Date |
Sony α7 IV
|
BIONZ XR
|
CMOS, Exmor R
|
33MP
|
10fps
|
$2,498
|
2021-12
|
|
Sony α1
|
BIONZ XR
|
CMOS, Exmor RS
|
50MP
|
30fps
|
$6,498
|
2021-01
|
|
Sony α7c
|
BIONZ X
|
CMOS, Exmor R
|
24MP
|
10fps
|
$1,799
|
2020-10
|
|
Sony α7S III
|
BIONZ XR
|
CMOS, Exmor HD
|
12MP
|
10fps
|
$3,498
|
2020-09
|
Sony α9 II
|
BIONZ X
|
BSI Stacked CMOS, Exmor RS
|
24MP
|
20fps
|
$4,499
|
2019-10
|
Sony α7R IV
|
BIONZ X
|
BSI CMOS, Exmor R HD
|
61MP |
10fps
|
$3,499
|
2019-07
|
|
Sony α7 III
|
BIONZ X
|
BSI CMOS, Exmor R HD
|
24MP
|
10fps
|
$1,998
|
2018-04
|
|
Sony α7R III
|
BIONZ X
|
BSI CMOS, Exmor R HD
|
42MP
|
10fps
|
$2,798
|
2017-11
|
|
Sony α9
|
BIONZ X
|
CMOS, Exmor HD
|
24MP
|
20fps
|
$2,899
|
2017-05
|
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