Sony a7R IV Gets Gold Award at DPReview (91% Overall Score)

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DPReview has completed their full in-depth review for the Sony a7R IV mirrorless camera, and the new Sony a7R IV achieved an impressive 91% overall score and Gold Award from the experts at DPReview.

Sony a7R IV Key Features:

  • Back-illuminated 61MP full-frame Exmor R sensor
  • High-speed BIONZ X image processor
  • Up to 10 fps with AF/AE tracking
  • High-resolution 4K HDR
  • 3-inch LCD touch screen with 1.44 million dots
  • 5.76-million dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
  • High-speed Wi-Fi / FTP transfer and wireless PC remote
  • In-body 5-axis image stabilization
  • AF-On button and multi-selector
  • Robust, dust- and moisture-resistant magnesium alloy body

What we like:

  • Plenty of resolution, good dynamic range and noise performance
  • Excellent autofocus tracking implementation
  • Generous grip, very good button-and-dial feel
  • Large, high-res electronic viewfinder
  • 10 fps max burst shooting with AF
  • Class-leading detail in 4K video
  • Excellent AF tracking in video
  • Updated weather-sealing measures
  • Dual UHS-II card slots
  • Great battery life
  • Users can now choose their AF area display color, making it easier to see
  • ‘Focus Priority’ option to focus at wider apertures in low light is welcome
  • Good JPEG sharpening, noise reduction and color
  • Incredible customization options
  • Ports galore
  • Pixel Shift yields up to 240MP images
  • Robust wireless connectivity
  • In-camera charging + power

What we don’t:

  • Large file sizes mean lengthy card write times, even with very fast cards
  • General interface lagginess persists
  • Burst shooting hurts AF accuracy
  • Slightly noisier files than predecessor
  • Touchscreen is under-utilized
  • Exposure settings carry over between stills and video; they shouldn’t
  • 4K video maxes out at 8-bit files
  • 10 fps only gives 12-bit Raws with compression applied
  • Clumsy Raw compression
  • No in-camera Raw conversion
  • Touch-to-track implementation should recall setting between stills and video
  • Can’t switch to video until buffer clears
  • High resolution increases visibility of camera shake and AF misses
  • No Pixel Shift motion compensation
  • Pixel Shift workflow is cumbersome
  • No flash AF assist grid

Conclusion from DPReview:

The Sony a7R IV is among the most capable cameras we’ve tested. It makes a compelling case that the days of choosing between speed-oriented cameras and resolution-oriented cameras are coming to an end. It wouldn’t be our top choice for sports and action purists (all those megapixels result in many megabytes of storage), but for those users that need this resolution on a regular basis and want to be able to photograph fast-moving subjects when necessary, the Sony a7R IV is the best option on the market right now.

Sony a7R IV body: $3,498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.