The Sony A7 V and the A7 IV both use a 33 megapixel full-frame sensor and the same E-mount, so the question most buyers in India ask is simple: is the newer body worth the extra money? This guide compares the two on the points that change how you shoot, using Sony India's published specifications.
Quick verdict
Buy the Sony A7 V if you shoot sport, wildlife, events or a lot of video. It is three times faster in bursts, records 4K 60p from the full width of the sensor, adds 4K 120p, and reads the sensor far more quickly, which cuts rolling shutter.
Buy the Sony A7 IV if you mostly shoot portraits, landscapes, travel or weddings at a steady pace and want to spend the difference on a better lens. Its image quality at base ISO and its autofocus are still more than enough for that work.
Sony A7 V vs A7 IV: specifications
| Specification | Sony A7 V | Sony A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 33.0MP full-frame partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS | 33.0MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS |
| Processor | BIONZ XR2 with AI processing unit | BIONZ XR |
| ISO (stills) | 100 to 51,200 (expandable 50 to 204,800) | 100 to 51,200 (expandable 50 to 204,800) |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 30fps (electronic shutter), 10fps (mechanical) | Up to 10fps |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/16000 s electronic, 1/8000 s mechanical | 1/8000 s |
| Autofocus | 759 phase-detection points, down to EV -4 | 759 phase-detection points, down to EV -4 |
| Subject recognition | Human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, aeroplane | Human, animal, bird |
| In-body stabilisation | 5-axis, 7.5 stops centre / 6.5 stops edges (CIPA) | 5-axis, 5.5 stops (CIPA) |
| 4K video | 4K 60p full width, oversampled from 7K; 4K 120p (1.5x crop); 10-bit 4:2:2 | 4K 30p full width, oversampled; 4K 60p in Super 35 (crop) only |
| Viewfinder | 3.69 million dots, 0.78x, up to 120fps | 3.69 million dots, 0.78x, up to 120fps |
| Rear screen | 3.2 inch, 2.1 million dots, 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen | 3.0 inch, 1.04 million dots, fully articulating touchscreen |
| Card slots | CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II + SD UHS-II | CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II + SD UHS-II |
| Battery (CIPA, viewfinder / LCD) | NP-FZ100: about 630 / 750 shots | NP-FZ100: about 520 / 580 shots |
| USB | Two USB-C ports (10 Gbps + USB 2.0), USB PD | USB-C, 10 Gbps, USB PD |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 5.3 | 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Weight (with battery and card) | About 695 g | About 658 g |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | About 130.3 x 96.4 x 82.4 mm | About 131.3 x 96.4 x 79.8 mm |
Stills
Resolution is the same on paper, 33 megapixels, so a landscape or portrait from either camera prints at the same size. The change is in how the A7 V's sensor is built. It is partially stacked, and Sony says it reads out about 4.5 times faster than the A7 IV's sensor. That speed allows 30fps bursts with no viewfinder blackout and full AF and exposure tracking, plus a 1/16000 s electronic shutter for bright light with fast lenses.
Sony rates the A7 V at up to 16 stops of dynamic range, and DPReview's testing found the improvement mainly at lower ISO settings. The A7 V also keeps 14-bit Raw at 30fps, while DPReview notes the A7 IV needed lossy compressed Raw for its fastest bursts. Pre-Capture on the A7 V saves frames from up to one second before you fully press the shutter, which helps with birds taking off or a batsman's stroke.
One catch from DPReview's review: with some third-party lenses the A7 V's continuous autofocus bursts are limited to 15fps. If you own Sigma or Tamron glass and want the full 30fps, check your lens before you buy.
Video
This is where the two cameras differ most. The A7 IV records 4K 30p from the full width of the sensor, but 4K 60p needs the Super 35 crop, which narrows your wide-angle lenses. The A7 V records 4K 60p from the full width, oversampled from 7K with no pixel binning, and adds 4K 120p for slow motion at a 1.5x crop.
Rolling shutter also drops sharply. DPReview measured about 14.7 ms on the A7 V in 4K 60p against about 67.6 ms on the A7 IV, so fast pans and handheld walking shots show far less skew. Sony quotes about 90 minutes of continuous 4K 60p (4:2:0 8-bit) recording thanks to a new heat-dissipation design, which matters for long functions and stage events in Indian summers.
Both cameras take a mic and headphones through 3.5 mm jacks. The A7 V records 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, supports S-Log3 with imported LUTs, and adds Auto Framing for fixed-camera interviews and a Dynamic active stabilisation mode that Sony says is about 30% steadier than Active mode.
Autofocus
Both bodies have 759 phase-detection points and focus down to EV -4, so in a dim sangeet hall they start from the same place. The A7 V's AI processing recognises more subjects: insects, cars, trains and aeroplanes on top of people, animals and birds. Sony says human recognition is about 30% better than the A7 IV, using pose estimation to hold on to a person whose face turns away. For weddings and street work the A7 IV still tracks eyes reliably. The A7 V is the safer choice when subjects move erratically or keep turning away from you.
Handling and battery
Both cameras use the NP-FZ100 battery, so spares you already own carry over. The A7 V gets more from it: about 630 shots through the viewfinder and 750 on the screen, against about 520 and 580 on the A7 IV. Both charge over USB-C, and the A7 V adds a second USB-C port.
The A7 V's rear screen is larger at 3.2 inches with twice the resolution, and its 4-axis hinge tilts up and down for waist-level stills while still swinging out for vlogging. The A7 IV's screen only flips out to the side. The A7 V is about 37 g heavier. Its grip was reshaped, and DPReview's reviewers found it dug into their fingers, so try it in hand if you can.
Who should buy which
- Choose the A7 V for sport, wildlife and bird photography, wedding films, YouTube channels that shoot slow motion, and anyone who needs full-width 4K 60p.
- Choose the A7 IV for portraits, landscapes, travel and product photography, or as a first full-frame body where the saving goes into a prime lens.
- New to full frame? The A7 V with the 28-70mm II kit lens gives you a complete starting setup in one box.
Prices on both bodies move often, so check the current price on the product page. You can also compare them with other bodies in our mirrorless cameras range or browse all Sony gear.
FAQ
Is the Sony A7 V worth upgrading to from the A7 IV?
For video and action, yes. You gain full-width 4K 60p, 4K 120p, 30fps bursts and much lower rolling shutter. For slower stills work at the same 33 megapixels, the gain is smaller.
Do the Sony A7 V and A7 IV use the same battery?
Yes. Both use the NP-FZ100. The A7 V is rated for about 630 shots through the viewfinder, against about 520 on the A7 IV.
Does the Sony A7 IV crop 4K 60p video?
Yes. The A7 IV records 4K 60p only in Super 35 mode. The A7 V records 4K 60p from the full width of the sensor.
Do both cameras use the same memory cards?
Yes. Each has one slot for CFexpress Type A or SD UHS-II cards and a second slot for SD UHS-II cards.
Which camera has better autofocus?
The A7 V. Both have 759 phase-detection points, but the A7 V recognises more subject types, and Sony says its human recognition is about 30% better than the A7 IV's.
