Sony Alpha 7 IV
33 MP full-frame · 4K60 · Hybrid
Sony A7R III · Body only
full-frame · 2017
Sony Alpha 7 IV takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony Alpha 7 IV lands at 92 and Sony A7R III · Body only at 84. That puts Sony Alpha 7 IV ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony Alpha 7 IV if…
- ✓Great hybrid stills + video
- ✓Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- ✓Dual card slots
Pick Sony A7R III · Body only if…
- ✓Mature system, great used market
- ✓Proven lens lineup
- ✓Often on sale
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhoto
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the photo sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on photo (94 vs 84).
Autofocus
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the autofocus sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on autofocus (96 vs 80).
Ergonomics
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on ergonomics (88 vs 86).
Value for money
Sony Alpha 7 IVSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony Alpha 7 IV more score per dollar ($2,498 vs $3,199).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony Alpha 7 IV | Sony A7R III · Body only |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 33 MP Exmor R CMOS | — |
| Mount | Sony E | — |
| Video | 4K60 (Super35), 4K30 full-frame | — |
| Stabilization | 5-axis IBIS | — |
| Format | — | full-frame |
| Release year | — | 2017 |
Sony Alpha 7 IV
- +Great hybrid stills + video
- +Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- +Dual card slots
- −4K60 is Super 35 crop
- −Menus still dense
- −Heats with long 4K recording
Sony A7R III · Body only
- +Mature system, great used market
- +Proven lens lineup
- +Often on sale
- −Older AF system
- −Heavier than modern mirrorless
- −Firmware updates trailed off
FAQ: Sony Alpha 7 IV vs Sony A7R III · Body only
Which is better, Sony Alpha 7 IV or Sony A7R III · Body only? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony Alpha 7 IV worth the price? +
At $2,498, Sony Alpha 7 IV delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in autofocus.
Is Sony A7R III · Body only worth the price? +
At $3,199, Sony A7R III · Body only delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in ergonomics.
Does Sony Alpha 7 IV or Sony A7R III · Body only last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for photo, Sony Alpha 7 IV or Sony A7R III · Body only? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV — leads on photo (94 vs 84). Compared on the photo sub-score.
Which is better for autofocus, Sony Alpha 7 IV or Sony A7R III · Body only? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV — leads on autofocus (96 vs 80). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.