Sony a7 IV really is a beast, even in 2025

[Andrew Reid]

I have been getting back into the Sony A7 IV recently.

The more I think about it, the more I think this (along with 2018's a7r III) is where Sony finally got things right and properly came of age. It's really very good and current used prices make it one of the best bang for buck full frame cameras.

Constantly surprised at how good the EVF is for the price.

The IBIS is much improved from previous gen.

As is the colour science.

The menus are still complex, but they're much snappier and faster.

And the grip, all buttons, really have much more feel.

The fact they kept the build quality and ergonomics the same as some of their most expensive cameras, i.e. a9 II or original a1, is the opposite of what Panasonic did with the S1R II being in a mid-range S5 body.

And although the sensor is slow compared to an a1 or stacked sensor camera, the price is low, the image is fantastic, the 4K is oversampled from 7K and you still have the option of faster frame rates in the Super 35mm crop modes.

Also although the H.265 bitrates are quite low by 2025 standards, the codec holds up magnificently. And small files are what I like.

Autofocus is not up to the high-bar of a 2025 flagship Sony like the a1 II of course.

But it's pretty damned good.

£1600 is a steal (used).

Bring on the a7 V...

Rumours have us expecting the same 33 mp sensor but partially stacked, but I don't they put a 7K or 8K mode in there. 4K/60p without a crop, maybe 120p in the S35 mode more likely.