• Categories
• Tips & Inspiration
• Reviews
• News
• Events
• Features
• Buying Guides
• Competitions

Sony a7R V Review

The Sony a7R V is the imaging giant’s fifth generation, high-resolution full-frame mirrorless alpha camera, designed around a 61 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor. This is the highest resolution model in Sony’s line-up and the new generation introduces 8K 24p video, along with a host of other upgrades and improvements.

Gareth's Hands-on video review

Watch the video where Gareth explores the latest high res mode from Sony in this videol.

Our Sony a7R V review explores new camera features, updated technology and considers who this ultra-high resolution body is for, and whether owners of previous generation owners should upgrade.

When this brand releases a full-frame camera, everyone sits up and takes note and the launch of the a7R V follows this trend, arriving with the pinnacle of  the brand's high resolution technology. This is crammed into a strong aluminium body with a shutter taken from the Alpha 1 for advanced enthusiast and professional photographers.

Read more to discover all there is to know about the world’s highest resolution full-frame digital camera and how it can help you capture your best ever images.

Training video

Sam Pilling from Sony UK and Ireland has created a short training video on Youtube, which includes a summary of the camera, discusses the Ai processing chip and more.

Price

When the Sony a1 launched at £6,500 it positioned itself as the flagship hybrid with 50MP, 30fps and 8K video. This generation R-series body offers even higher resolution, yet the Sony a7R V price is £3999.00, which compares favourably with the flagship and other full-frame cameras in Sony’s range.

When did it come out?

This model launched 26 October 2022 as the successor to the a7R iV, which came out three years earlier in July 2019, after which it was awarded 2020 Camera of the Year. This means the new generation mark V has big boots to fill.

Where does it fit within the range?

In the lineup's nomenclature, ‘R’ stands for resolution, where ’S’ stands for sensitivity. This indicates it is the high resolution body within the range, designed to deliver impeccable stills and video quality, rather than the fastest speeds or the highest ISO capabilities.

The table below highlights a couple of key feature comparisons between full-frame cameras, any of which could be considered advanced enthusiast / professional cameras, with varying degrees of hybrid functionality.

There are many more comparisons which can be made, however for the purposes of this review it demonstrates the position within the range and the ability to capture 61 megapixels at 10fps as well as recording 8K.

Most notable new features

The previous model was such a highly regarded camera that its successor needs some special upgrades to impress an already committed user-base. Thankfully Sony has delivered, seeking to improve virtually every aspect of the camera, which arrives with plenty to talk about, albeit at the same 61MP resolution.

The introduction of AI-powered subject recognition brings more accurate real-time autofocus, with improved detection of people, animals, birds, insects, vehicles and aircraft. Human pose estimation recognises body parts and movement, while 693 phase-detection points provide reliable tracking, even when subjects appear small in the frame.

An upgraded BIONZ XR processor supports bursts of up to 10 fps, with a buffer accommodating 88 uncompressed or 184 compressed RAW files. Video capabilities include 8K/24p with full pixel readout and 4K/60p, alongside internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, Active stabilisation and breathing compensation.

Five-axis IBIS now provides up to 8 stops of compensation, while improvements to colour reproduction, skin tones and AI-assisted Auto White Balance enhance image quality. Pixel Shift Multi Shooting produces 240 MP composites, with updated desktop software helping correct movement between exposures.

Handling improvements include a 9.44-million-dot EVF with 0.90x magnification, a 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen and dual CFexpress Type A/SD UHS-II slots. Lossless compressed RAW reduces storage requirements while preserving image quality.

This comprehensive list of updated and new features highlights significant improvements in auto focusing, ergonomics, image and video quality, as well as overall speed and usability.

The new mirrorless body measures 131.3 x 96.9 x 82.4 mm and weighs 638 g (body only) and 723 g (with battery and memory card). In comparison, the a7R iV measures 128.9mm x 96.4mm x 77.5mm and weighs 665 g (with battery and memory card). The overall size and weight gain is in part due to the new cooling system, which allows the camera to capture high resolution and high-speed movies internally.

In the hand, the brand new model with Albert Dross

Specs Comparison

The sheer number of improvements highlighted in this table go some way to show the upgrade in performance the A7R V offers over its predecessor. However specs alone don’t tell the whole story and if you’re thinking of upgrading there are some benefits which include:

• Better video AF with Real-time Tracking and improved video stabilisation
• More accurate colours, including AI-driven auto white balance
• Significantly better performance for wildlife photography (although the Alpha 1 series is still king)
• Significant improvements for multi-shot making it useful in the real world for landscape photographers, even when there’s some moment in the frame
• Improvements to the menu system
• More accurate exposure and colour overall
• More accurate low light AF (-4EV)

The list of reasons to upgrade just keeps giving with an all-round better performing, better handling and more intuitive camera

Video capabilities

Although the majority of users considering the a7R V will be primarily interested in photo capabilities, many are finding themselves shooting video ever more frequently. To ensure the new generation camera is at the forefront of all types of image quality, Sony has introduced 8K video, with full pixel readout without pixel binning.

This allows you to capture 8K 24fps movies without the camera combining data from multiple pixels, which is the best video quality, which can be captured by the full-frame sensor. You also have the option of shooting 4K 60p in-camera for slow motion effects, as well as recording 4K 30fps in Super35 mode (APS-C), also with full pixel readout without pixel binning, from 6.2K oversampled footage.

Compatible E-mount lenses

If you’re new to Sony’s mirrorless system, the sheer number of E-mount lenses can be a minor revelation. The E-mount has been around since 2013 and we’re seeing the release of second generation G Master lenses, as well as the arrival of more third party options.

This ensures you’ll find every conceivable lens for any subject, whether you want a versatile zoom for general purpose shooting, or wide aperture professional lens for portraits.

Set-up for landscapes via Albert Dross

Who is it best for?

With its £3999.00 price tag and extensive feature list, this is a compelling choice for enthusiasts and professionals who are upgrading from any previous generation camera. Likewise, anyone considering moving from another system to join the ecosystem could find this tempting, even as a second body.

Users gain a completely overhauled AF system, significantly better optical stabilisation, improved high resolution image quality, more accurate colours and updated hardware. These combine to appeal to users including:

1. Professional or enthusiast wildlife and landscape photographers.
2. Professional wedding, events, portrait and studio photographers such as commercial, fashion, architectural, concert, corporate and hybrid content creators.
3. Professionals or enthusiasts who shoot aviation photography, or specialise in fine art and still life.

Instead, Sony’s goal has been to design a tool which helps creators capture the highest image quality possible. 61 megapixels has proven ample for client prints, or for heavy cropping and delivers beautifully detailed images, particularly when combined with a high-resolving lens.

Reserve your Sony a7R V today and browse through our extensive range of Sony mirrorless lenses to head out and capture some of the best content ever possible.

Share this post:

By Nick Dautlich on 26/10/2022

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.