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Sony a7 VvsSony a7 IV: Which Should You Buy?
The Sony a7 V and the Sony a7 IV share a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor and the versatile E-mount. Choosing between them comes down to electronic shooting speed, video frame rates, and stabilization performance.
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- MOST WINS
SonyBest for Action, wildlife, and high-framerate 4K video
10of 13 specs better
SonyBest for Budget-conscious full-frame photography
3of 13 specs better
Biggest differences
Continuous shooting (electronic)
Sony a7 V leads
3×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V30 fps
- Sony a7 IV10 fps
Rear screen resolution
Sony a7 V leads
2.02×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V2.1 M dots
- Sony a7 IV1.04 M dots
4K max frame rate (full width)
Sony a7 V leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V60 fps
- Sony a7 IV30 fps
4K max frame rate
Sony a7 V leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V119.88 fps
- Sony a7 IV60 fps
Where each one wins
Sony a7 V
- In-body image stabilization
- Sensor type
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- 4K max frame rate
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Screen size
- Screen articulation
- Rear screen resolution
- Battery life
- Width
Sony a7 IV
- Launch price
- Weight
- Depth
What both have
- Lens mountSony E
- Effective pixels33 MP
- Sensor formatFull-frame
- Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO
- Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps
- Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s
- Max video resolution4K
- Video codecsH.264, HEVC
- Raw video recordingNone
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Log profile support✓
- Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots
- Viewfinder magnification0.78 x
- Memory card slots2 slots
- Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
- Height96.4 mm
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Minimum operating temperature0 °C
- Headphone port✓
- HDMI port typeFull-size
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Sony a7 V | Sony a7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2025-12 | 2021-10 |
| Launch price | 2,899 USD | 2,499.99 USD |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | No1 | No |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 33 MP | 33 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | Full-frame |
| Native ISO maximum | 51,200 ISO2 | 51,200 ISO3 |
| In-body image stabilization | 7.5 stops4 | 5.5 stops5 |
| Sensor readout speed | 15 ms | Not published |
| Sensor type | Partially-stacked CMOS | CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps6 | 10 fps7 |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 30 fps8 | 10 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | 8,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 1 s | Not published |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplane | Human, animal, bird |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 4K max frame rate | 119.88 fps9 | 60 fps10 |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC | H.264, HEVC |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 60 fps11 | 30 fps12 |
| Raw video recording | None | None13 |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit |
| Log profile support | Yes | Yes |
| Video dynamic range (log) | Not published | 15 stops14 |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 3.69 M dots | 3.69 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78 x15 | 0.78 x |
| Screen size | 3.2 in | 2.95 in16 |
| Screen articulation | Multi-angle | Fully articulated |
| Rear screen resolution | 2.1 M dots | 1.04 M dots17 |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 750 shots18 | 580 shots19 |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant | Dust and drip resistant20 |
| Weight | 695 g | 658 g |
| Width | 130.3 mm | 131.3 mm |
| Height | 96.4 mm | 96.4 mm |
| Depth | 72.3 mm21 | 69.7 mm22 |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes23 |
| Minimum operating temperature | 0 °C | 0 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Full-size |
Notes on 23 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Sony a7 V, High resolution pixel-shift mode: No in-camera pixel shift; Sony's Extended Hi-Res merges burst frames later in its desktop software.
- 2Sony a7 V, Native ISO maximum: Refers to standard still image shooting prior to ISO expansion.
- 3Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
- 4Sony a7 V, In-body image stabilization: Measured at the center with an FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens mounted per CIPA 2024 standards with long exposure NR off.
- 5Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
- 6Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (mechanical): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using mechanical shutter in Hi+ mode.
- 7Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
- 8Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (electronic): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using electronic shutter in Hi+ mode.
- 9Sony a7 V, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 4K frame rate is available in XAVC HS 4K 4:2:0 10-bit mode.
- 10Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
- 11Sony a7 V, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 120p needs an APS-C/Super 35 crop; the full sensor width tops out at 4K 60p.
- 12Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
- 13Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
- 14Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
- 15Sony a7 V, Viewfinder magnification: Measured with a 50mm lens focused at infinity at -1 m⁻¹.
- 16Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
- 17Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
- 18Sony a7 V, Battery life: Measured using the LCD monitor under standard CIPA test conditions.
- 19Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
- 20Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
- 21Sony a7 V, Depth: Overall maximum depth including the viewfinder eyepiece is 82.4 mm.
- 22Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
- 23Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.
Speed and Action
The Sony a7 V brings a partially-stacked CMOS sensor that drastically improves electronic shutter speeds to 30 fps, compared to the 10 fps limit on the Sony a7 IV. It also adds a 1-second pre-burst capture duration and a much wider subject detection list including insects, cars, trains, and airplanes.
This faster readout and expanded autofocus tracking make the newer model much more reliable for capturing fast-moving wildlife and sports without missing key moments.
Video Capabilities
Both cameras record in 4K resolution using H.264 and HEVC codecs with 10-bit color and log profile support. However, the Sony a7 V supports 4K at 119.88 fps in XAVC HS 4K 4:2:0 10-bit mode, and reaches 4K at 60 fps across the full sensor width.
The older Sony a7 IV forces a Super35mm crop when shooting 4K at 60 fps and tops out its full-width 4K recording at 30 fps.
Handling and Stabilization
The Sony a7 V features in-body image stabilization rated at 7.5 stops, giving it a clear advantage over the 5.5 stops found on the Sony a7 IV. The newer body also swaps in a sharper 2.1 million-dot multi-angle screen that is slightly larger at 3.2 inches.
Battery life improves significantly on the newer model, jumping to 750 shots per charge when using the LCD monitor compared to 580 shots on its predecessor.
The Verdict
Buy the Sony a7 V if you need advanced autofocus subject detection, 4K video at 120p, and superior in-body stabilization. Buy the Sony a7 IV if you want a capable 33-megapixel full-frame camera at a lower launch price of $2,499.99.
Where to buy
Sony a7 V
Best for Action, wildlife, and high-framerate 4K video
Sony a7 IV
Best for Budget-conscious full-frame photography
FAQ
Do both cameras use the same lens mount?
Yes, both cameras use the Sony E lens mount.
Can either camera record raw video internally?
No, neither camera supports internal or external raw video recording.
What is the native maximum ISO for both models?
Both models feature a native maximum ISO of 51,200 for still images.
Spotted something wrong? Tap the next to any section or spec group to let us know. Every report is read.





