Sony released the A7 III way back in 2018, and it’s about time it had a successor. However, the company needs to go above and beyond to make it a compelling upgrade for existing A7 III users. So, here’s a look at the top five features we want from the Sony A7 IV.
1. Higher Sensor Resolution
Sony’s A7 III mirrorless camera sports a 24.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, which was good enough for its time. However, the sensor resolution needs to go up this time around.
Let’s take a look at Sony’s current lineup for a deeper understanding. Sony uses different sensors for different audiences. For instance, the photography-oriented A7R IV features a 61MP sensor, whereas the newer videography-oriented A7S III packs a 12.1MP sensor.
Now, the A7 IV will most likely be a hybrid camera, just like its predecessor. It needs to do a great job at photos, which is why we think it’ll pack a 36MP sensor at the bare minimum. This will put it right between the A7R IV and the A7S III, and make it more appealing to the prosumers who want that extra bit of detail in their shots.
2. 4K/60FPS Video Recording
Now, let’s talk about video quality. Currently, the Sony A7 III can shoot up to 4K at 29.97FPS, to be precise. This is decent, by all means, but it isn’t something that woos the prosumers anymore.
Videographers would rather buy the A7S III that shoots up to 4K at a whopping 120FPS. While we don’t expect these numbers from a hybrid camera like the A7 IV, Sony needs to find the right balance with its higher resolution sensor.
We think 4K at 60FPS is the sweet spot for video recording on the upcoming A7 IV. Twice the frame rate would make the A7 IV a justifiable upgrade for existing A7 III owners.
3. Articulated Screen for Vloggers
Vlogging has become extremely popular in recent years, all thanks to social media. Vloggers like to look at what they’re shooting for better control over the shot.
While the Sony A7 III has a tilting screen, it offers limited movement, and users have to rely on third-party mounts just to see themselves. This time around, we think Sony will bring the same fully articulated LCD screen from the A7S III and make it much more suitable for vlogging.
4. Improved Electronic Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the Sony A7 III has a resolution of 2.3 million dots, which is average by today’s standards. It’s not only lower than the recently released A7S III’s 9.4 million-dot OLED viewfinder, but it’s also lower than the A7R IV’s 5.76 million-dot EVF from 2019. Even the Nikon Z6 II, which competes in a similar price range, has a 3.6 million-dot viewfinder.
Therefore, we think Sony will bump the resolution of the A7 IV’s viewfinder by at least twice as much to keep the competition on its toes. This will help users notice the finer details of what they’re shooting.
5. Pricing
Sony must offer the A7 IV at a competitive price. The current A7 III launched back in 2018 at $1999, but we don’t expect Sony to bring all these new features at the same price, especially taking inflation into account.
However, if the camera maker sets the A7 IV’s price tag around the $2200 mark, we think it could give the Canon EOS R6 a run for its money since it currently goes for $2499.
Sony A7 IV Has to Be a Worthy Successor to the A7 III
Sony’s A7 IV must bring enough features to the table to justify an upgrade from the current A7 III.
Even if Sony misses any significant points that we covered here, the A7 IV will be hard to recommend as your next hybrid mirrorless camera. Regardless, we’ll see if Sony has any tricks up its sleeve when it launches the highly anticipated successor in the coming months.
