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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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Intro

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Best for

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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.

SpecSony a7 VSony a7 IV
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2025-122021-10
Launch price2,899 USD2,499.99 USD
Lens mountSony ESony E
High resolution pixel-shift modeNo1No
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels33 MP33 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameFull-frame
Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO251,200 ISO3
In-body image stabilization7.5 stops45.5 stops5
Sensor readout speed15 msNot published
Sensor typePartially-stacked CMOSCMOS
Aspect ratios3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:93:2
Lens & Autofocus

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Lens & Autofocus specs

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Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps610 fps7
Continuous shooting (electronic)30 fps810 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s8,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture duration1 sNot published
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplaneHuman, animal, bird
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution4K4K
4K max frame rate119.88 fps960 fps10
Video codecsH.264, HEVCH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)60 fps1130 fps12
Raw video recordingNoneNone13
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit
Log profile supportYesYes
Video dynamic range (log)Not published15 stops14
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots3.69 M dots
Viewfinder magnification0.78 x150.78 x
Screen size3.2 in2.95 in16
Screen articulationMulti-angleFully articulated
Rear screen resolution2.1 M dots1.04 M dots17
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery life750 shots18580 shots19
Memory card slots2 slots2 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistantDust and drip resistant20
Weight695 g658 g
Width130.3 mm131.3 mm
Height96.4 mm96.4 mm
Depth72.3 mm2169.7 mm22
USB charging & power deliveryYesYes23
Minimum operating temperature0 °C0 °C
Headphone portYesYes
HDMI port typeFull-sizeFull-size
Notes on 23 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 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.
  2. 2Sony a7 V, Native ISO maximum: Refers to standard still image shooting prior to ISO expansion.
  3. 3Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
  4. 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.
  5. 5Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
  6. 6Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (mechanical): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using mechanical shutter in Hi+ mode.
  7. 7Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
  8. 8Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (electronic): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using electronic shutter in Hi+ mode.
  9. 9Sony a7 V, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 4K frame rate is available in XAVC HS 4K 4:2:0 10-bit mode.
  10. 10Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
  11. 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.
  12. 12Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
  13. 13Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
  14. 14Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
  15. 15Sony a7 V, Viewfinder magnification: Measured with a 50mm lens focused at infinity at -1 m⁻¹.
  16. 16Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
  17. 17Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
  18. 18Sony a7 V, Battery life: Measured using the LCD monitor under standard CIPA test conditions.
  19. 19Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
  20. 20Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
  21. 21Sony a7 V, Depth: Overall maximum depth including the viewfinder eyepiece is 82.4 mm.
  22. 22Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
  23. 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.

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Speed and Action

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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.

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Video Capabilities

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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.

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Handling and Stabilization

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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.

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Verdict

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Where to buy

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.

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FAQ

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