Sony A7iv vs A7iii: Which Full-Frame Camera Reigns?
Choosing the right full-frame mirrorless camera can be a daunting task, especially with so many excellent options available. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which camera is the perfect fit for your needs and budget. We’ll be pitting the Sony a7 IV against its predecessor, the Sony a7 III.
The Sony a7 III has long been a favorite among photographers and videographers, praised for its excellent image quality, impressive autofocus, and robust features. But does the newer a7 IV offer enough upgrades to justify the investment? We’ll explore the key differences and similarities between these two popular Sony cameras.
From sensor technology and video capabilities to ergonomics and overall performance, we’ll break down everything you need to know. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, this comparison of the sony a7iv vs a7iii will provide valuable insights to inform your decision. Let’s find out which camera comes out on top!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Sony a7 IV | Sony a7 III |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 33MP | 24.2MP |
| ISO Range | 100-51200 (Expandable to 50-204800) | 100-51200 (Expandable to 50-204800) |
| Autofocus System | Fast Hybrid AF (Real-time Tracking) | Fast Hybrid AF |
| Video Resolution | 4K 60p | 4K 30p |
| Viewfinder | 3.69 million dot EVF | 2.36 million dot EVF |
| LCD Screen | 3.0-inch Vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0-inch Tilting touchscreen |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 fps | 10 fps |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR | BIONZ X |
| Memory Card Slots | 2 x CFexpress Type A / SD | 2 x SD |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Weight (Body Only) | 658g | 650g |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 580 shots (Viewfinder) / 670 shots (LCD) | 610 shots (Viewfinder) / 710 shots (LCD) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Sensor & Image Quality
- Sony A7iv: Features a 33MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, offering significantly higher resolution than its predecessor. This results in more detailed images and greater cropping flexibility. However, the higher resolution can lead to slightly larger file sizes and potentially more noise in low-light situations compared to the a7iii.
- A7iii: Equipped with a 24.2MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, providing excellent image quality and dynamic range. It’s known for its strong low-light performance and balanced file sizes. While the resolution is lower, it still delivers sharp images suitable for most applications.
- Winner: a7iv
Autofocus System
- Sony A7iv: Boasts a more advanced autofocus system with 759 phase-detection points covering approximately 92% of the image area, along with real-time tracking for humans, animals, and birds. This results in faster and more accurate subject acquisition and tracking. The autofocus system is a significant upgrade over the a7iii, particularly for video.
- A7iii: Features a 693-point phase-detection autofocus system, also covering a large portion of the frame, with real-time eye AF for humans and animals. It’s a very capable system, but its performance lags behind the a7iv, especially in more challenging tracking scenarios.
- Winner: a7iv
Video Capabilities
- Sony A7iv: Shoots 4K video up to 60fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, offering more flexibility in post-production. It also includes features like S-Cinetone for cinematic color grading and improved video autofocus performance. The a7iv is a significant step up for video shooters.
- A7iii: Records 4K video up to 30fps with 8-bit 4:2:0 internal recording. While it delivers good video quality, it lacks the advanced features and higher bit depth of the a7iv, limiting its flexibility in post.
- Winner: a7iv
Viewfinder & LCD Screen
- Sony A7iv: Features a higher-resolution 3.69 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a fully articulating touchscreen LCD. The articulating screen offers greater versatility for video recording and shooting at unconventional angles. The EVF also offers a clearer view.
- A7iii: Has a 2.36 million-dot EVF and a tilting touchscreen LCD. While functional, the viewfinder resolution is lower, and the tilting screen is less versatile than the a7iv’s fully articulating design.
- Winner: a7iv
Burst Shooting & Buffer
- Sony A7iv: Offers burst shooting up to 10fps with both mechanical and electronic shutters, with a larger buffer for more sustained shooting. The improved buffer allows for capturing longer bursts of images before the camera needs to process them.
- A7iii: Shoots up to 10fps with continuous autofocus and autoexposure, but the buffer can fill up faster than the a7iv, particularly when shooting RAW files.
- Winner: a7iv
Ergonomics & Design
- Sony A7iv: Has a redesigned body with a more comfortable grip and improved button layout, including a dedicated photo/video/S&Q dial. This improves the overall user experience.
- A7iii: Maintains the familiar Sony a7 series design, which is comfortable but lacks some of the ergonomic refinements found in the a7iv.
- Winner: a7iv
Battery Life
- Sony A7iv: Utilizes the newer NP-FZ100 battery, which provides excellent battery life, especially when combined with the camera’s power-saving features.
- A7iii: Also uses the NP-FZ100 battery, offering good battery life, though it may be slightly less efficient compared to the a7iv in certain scenarios.
- Winner: Tie
Connectivity & Features
- Sony A7iv: Offers advanced connectivity options, including a full-size HDMI port, USB-C (for faster data transfer and charging), and improved Wi-Fi capabilities. It also features a new menu system.
- A7iii: Includes a micro-USB port and standard HDMI. While capable, the connectivity options are not as modern or versatile as those offered by the a7iv.
- Winner: a7iv
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Image Quality (Stills) | Sony a7 IV |
| Video Quality | Sony a7 IV |
| Autofocus | Sony a7 IV |
| Ergonomics & Features | Sony a7 IV |
| Value | Sony a7 III |
What They Have in Common
- Full-Frame Sensor: Both cameras utilize a full-frame sensor, providing excellent image quality, low-light performance, and shallow depth of field capabilities for professional-looking results.
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus: Both cameras feature Sony’s Fast Hybrid autofocus system, which combines phase-detection and contrast-detection AF for quick and accurate focusing in various shooting situations.
- In-Body Image Stabilization: Both the a7 IV and a7 III incorporate 5-axis in-body image stabilization, helping to reduce camera shake and allowing for sharper images and smoother videos.
- Durable Build: Both cameras are constructed with a robust magnesium alloy body, offering weather sealing and protection against dust and moisture, ensuring reliability in challenging environments.
- High-Resolution Video Recording: Both cameras offer impressive video capabilities, allowing users to capture high-quality footage for various creative projects.
Sony A7IV vs A7III Buying Guide
Image Quality and Performance
The Sony a7 IV boasts a significantly improved image sensor, offering a higher resolution of 33 megapixels compared to the a7 III’s 24 megapixels. This translates to greater detail and flexibility in post-processing. The a7 IV also features a more advanced autofocus system with real-time tracking for both humans and animals, making it superior for capturing moving subjects. Furthermore, the a7 IV’s updated processor delivers faster processing speeds, resulting in reduced buffer times and improved overall performance, especially during burst shooting and video recording.
Video Capabilities
The a7 IV excels in video recording, offering 4K 60p recording with 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, providing significantly more flexibility in color grading and editing. The a7 III is capable of 4K 30p recording. The a7 IV also incorporates features like S-Cinetone, which delivers cinematic color science directly from the camera. The a7 IV’s improved autofocus system also benefits video recording, ensuring accurate and reliable focus even in challenging shooting conditions.
Autofocus Performance
The autofocus capabilities are a key differentiator. The a7 IV’s advanced autofocus system with real-time tracking for both humans and animals is far superior. This enables the camera to lock onto and track subjects with greater accuracy and speed, making it much easier to capture sharp images and videos of moving subjects. The a7 III’s autofocus is still capable but less sophisticated, and struggles in low light and with fast-moving subjects compared to the a7 IV.
Ergonomics and Design
The a7 IV features a more modern design with a fully articulating touchscreen LCD, making it easier to compose shots from various angles and record video. The a7 IV also incorporates a larger, higher-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a more intuitive menu system. The a7 III has a tilting screen, a smaller EVF, and a slightly older menu system. The updated ergonomics of the a7 IV make it more comfortable and user-friendly for extended shooting sessions.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Both cameras offer respectable battery life, but the a7 IV features a slightly improved battery life. The a7 IV also offers more advanced connectivity options, including faster Wi-Fi and USB-C for faster file transfer and charging. The a7 III offers Wi-Fi, but the a7 IV offers improved speed and reliability. The a7 IV supports USB Power Delivery, allowing it to charge while in use, which is a major advantage for video shooters.
Price and Value
The a7 IV is more expensive than the a7 III, reflecting its advanced features and performance. However, the a7 IV offers significantly improved value for its price, considering the superior image quality, video capabilities, and autofocus performance. The a7 III remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget, but the a7 IV provides a better overall experience for most users, particularly those interested in video or advanced photography.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Sony a7 IV If…
- You prioritize higher resolution stills and more detailed images.
- You require 4K 60p video recording capabilities.
- You need a more advanced autofocus system with real-time tracking.
- You value a fully articulating touchscreen for versatile shooting angles.
Buy a7 III If…
- You are on a tighter budget.
- You primarily shoot stills and don’t need the advanced video features of the a7 IV.
- You prefer a slightly longer battery life.
- You don’t need the latest features and are satisfied with excellent performance at a lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between the Sony a7 IV and the a7 III?
The a7 IV boasts a higher resolution sensor, improved autofocus with real-time tracking, enhanced video capabilities including 4K 60p, a fully articulating screen, and a more modern design with improved ergonomics. The a7 III offers solid performance at a lower price point, but it lacks the advanced features and processing power of the a7 IV.
Which camera is better for video recording?
The Sony a7 IV is significantly better for video recording. It offers 4K 60p recording, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, and S-Cinetone color profiles. The a7 III is capable of 4K 30p, but it lacks the advanced features and video quality of the a7 IV, making it the superior choice for video enthusiasts.
Does the a7 IV have a better autofocus system than the a7 III?
Yes, the a7 IV has a substantially improved autofocus system. It features real-time tracking for both humans and animals, enabling it to lock onto and track subjects with greater accuracy and speed. The a7 III’s autofocus is still competent, but the a7 IV’s system is far more advanced and reliable, especially for moving subjects.
Is the Sony a7 IV worth the extra cost?
For most users, the Sony a7 IV is worth the extra cost. It offers significant improvements in image quality, video capabilities, autofocus performance, and overall user experience. While the a7 III remains a good camera, the a7 IV provides a better overall package and is a more future-proof investment.
What are the advantages of the a7 IV’s fully articulating screen?
The fully articulating screen on the a7 IV allows for greater flexibility in composing shots from various angles, especially when recording video. It makes it easier to film yourself, shoot over crowds, or capture low-angle shots. The tilting screen on the a7 III is more restrictive in comparison.
Does the a7 IV have better battery life than the a7 III?
The a7 IV has slightly better battery life than the a7 III. Both cameras offer respectable battery performance, but the a7 IV’s improved efficiency and battery management contribute to longer shooting times. The a7 IV also supports USB Power Delivery, enabling charging while in use.
Which camera is better for beginners?
Both cameras can be used by beginners. However, the a7 IV’s more intuitive menu system and improved autofocus make it slightly easier to learn and use. The a7 III is still a great option for beginners who are looking to save money. Both are powerful tools, but the a7 IV has an edge in ease of use.
Final Verdict
The Sony a7 IV emerges as the clear winner, offering superior image quality, advanced video features, and a more sophisticated autofocus system. While the a7 III remains a capable camera, the a7 IV’s performance improvements and enhanced feature set justify its higher price point for most users. It provides a more comprehensive and future-proof experience.
Winner: Sony a7 IV