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Sony Introduces a7R IV

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:14 am

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61mp full frame BSI sensor
Claimed 15 stops engineering dynamic range (translates to about 13 stops of real world)
240mp pixel shift mode
26mp APS-C mode
567 phase AF points in FF, 325 phase AF points in APS-C
10 FPS in FF 61mp mode
68 frame buffer at 10FPS with AF tracking
Real time tracking Eye AF similar to new a9 AF system for humans and pets
6K oversampling to make 4K video, SLOG, HLG
Digital audio interface
Real time eye-AF for video.
Dual UHS II slots
5.76m dot EVF
Improved weather sealing
wireless tethering capability
5.5 stop IBIS
Built-in intervalometer
$3500 USD

Accessories
New vertical grip - $400 USD
Digital audio out microphone with 8 pick-ups - $350 USD
Wireless remote control

https://alphauniverse.com/stories/sony-announces-a7r4/?fbclid=IwAR3ntHn3Y9MStbsq1W3nG3OtmkJelLutRvGoHdUtdcyM_zIDKcLwj69qT_w

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by rene on Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:36 am

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Not a bad price considering but I do not see for now the need for a camera with 61mio pixels for wildlife photography. Besides the camera investment, you will also need significant investments in computer hardware to deal with the files.
Rene

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by Scott B on Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:39 am

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Just finished watching the announcement event. I have never seen that much innovation included in a new camera. Cannon and Nikon will need to really wow with their new announcements and will need to step up their timeline if current rumors are true. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the next 6-12 months. We will either see a major advance in camera technology or the beginning of the end for some major players. I think it will be a major advance across the board to some degree.

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by Scott Fairbairn on Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:54 am

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Is the viewfinder blackout free? I don't see it mentioned.

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by DChan on Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:27 am

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Scott B wrote:Just finished watching the announcement event. I have never seen that much innovation included in a new camera. [snip]

Olympus.

Cannon and Nikon will need to really wow with their new announcements and will need to step up their timeline if current rumors are true. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the next 6-12 months. We will either see a major advance in camera technology or the beginning of the end for some major players. [snip]

It's a USD3500 camera. Not something most people use.

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:36 am

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Scott Fairbairn wrote:Is the viewfinder blackout free? I don't see it mentioned.

I had the same question. We should know soon - they are touting it's APS-C capabilities for action though so there's a decent chance

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by Scott B on Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:50 am

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DChan wrote:
Scott B wrote:Just finished watching the announcement event. I have never seen that much innovation included in a new camera. [snip]
Olympus.

Cannon and Nikon will need to really wow with their new announcements and will need to step up their timeline if current rumors are true. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the next 6-12 months. We will either see a major advance in camera technology or the beginning of the end for some major players. [snip]
It's a USD3500 camera. Not something most people use.

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by Primus on Tue Jul 16, 2019 11:54 am

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Sony has just upped the ante, also answered my own request from my post a few days ago. Now there is no need for an APS-C only body and no need (for me) for TCs routinely. The 100-400 GM can be a great lens with this body as of course can the 400 2.8 or the 600 f4.

Yes, it is pricey, but the Nikon D850 retails for $2995, and I think the Sony packs more punch.

The only question for me would be is the AF as good as the a9 (or could we hope even better). Given that the sensor is a new development by Sony, there is a possibility of improvement there too. All in all, a good thing for us Sony users and I believe for the mirrorless community in general.

Pradeep

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by signgrap on Tue Jul 16, 2019 1:36 pm

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For me the question is: Will the a7R IV have auto "Focus Stacking" as a menu option?
I would guess DLA for a 61mp sensor would be around f/5.5 - 6 (those in the know please correct me). When doing landscape photography you'll surely need a smaller aperture to get decent DOF. Right now when using my a7R III, I often feel the need to do focus stacking on a 42mp sensor.

Dick Ludwig

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:18 pm

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From DPReview:
https://www.dpreview.com/news/774750199 ... ces-a7r-iv

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:33 pm

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Unanswered questions so far:
- blackout free continuous shooting (like the a9)?
- focus stacking?
- lossless compressed RAW files?
- is this a 16 bit out sensor? (hard to believe the 15 stops claimed engineering dynamic range if it's 14 bit)

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by Primus on Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:47 pm

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Dick, I am thinking purely for wildlife, this would be a great camera if the AF turns out to be better than the a7r3 which despite all the claims is not good enough for me.

I have found the APS-C cameras to be disappointing in real life use for many reasons. I can imagine using this sensor and getting to 600mm at f2.8 or f5.6 depending upon the lens. That is a big advantage. Most of my images end up cropped to some extent any way and with the a7r4 I would still have plenty of resolution left. I can certainly see myself using this one.

Wonder what Sony has in mind for the a9 MkII.....

Pradeep

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:57 pm

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Pradeep, there is no question that it will be dramatically better than the a7R3. It basically has the a9 AF system which is the best on the planet at the moment.

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by Primus on Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:54 pm

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E.J. Peiker wrote:Pradeep, there is no question that it will be dramatically better than the a7R3. It basically has the a9 AF system which is the best on the planet at the moment.

Didn't realize that.

Thanks EJ, that simply makes my day. All the more reason to get one, GAS aside

Pradeep

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by Bill Chambers on Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:00 pm

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E.J. Peiker wrote:Unanswered questions so far:
- blackout free continuous shooting (like the a9)?
- focus stacking?
- lossless compressed RAW files?
- is this a 16 bit out sensor? (hard to believe the 15 stops claimed engineering dynamic range if it's 14 bit)

I would also like to know real-world battery life experience.
Also, will FPS speed increase when using in the APS-C mode?

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by DOglesby on Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:02 pm

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Looks like an upgraded AF system. Anyone know if this should be on par with the A9 in speed/accuracy?

Cheers,
Doug

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by DOglesby on Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:18 pm

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DOglesby wrote:Looks like an upgraded AF system. Anyone know if this should be on par with the A9 in speed/accuracy?

Nevermind...I see EJ's reply above. Cool.

Cheers,
Doug

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by SantaFeJoe on Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:21 pm

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rene wrote:Not a bad price considering but I do not see for now the need for a camera with 61mio pixels for wildlife photography. Besides the camera investment, you will also need significant investments in computer hardware to deal with the files.
Rene

And for serious detail, it can combine 16 images with pixel shifting for a 240mp image! That certainly calls for a special image to use all that storage. Review here:

https://petapixel.com/2019/07/16/sony-a7r-iv-first-impressions-and-real-world-photos/

Joe

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:48 pm

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Size comparison to a7R3, the big difference is a 4mm deeper and recontoured hand grip. The other main difference is moving the rear command dial to the top plate rather than integrated into the body.
https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-fir ... omparison/

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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:16 pm

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If I can get one of these in time for my October/November trip to Tasmania, I will conduct a thorough field test of 20 days of shooting everyday in all sorts of conditions and including landscapes, wildlife/birds, and culture. Crossing my fingers!

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