Sony A7RV vs Sony A7IV - Image Quality Review
Introduction
How much of an image quality difference is there between the Sony A7R V and Sony A7 IV?
To find out, I captured a series of RAW landscape images with both cameras and compared them side by side to evaluate ISO performance, dynamic range, detail, and overall image quality. While the Sony A7R V features a much higher resolution 61 megapixel sensor compared to the Sony A7 IV’s 33 megapixels, the key question is whether that extra resolution results in noticeably better real-world image quality.
For this comparison, all images were captured in RAW format and left unedited aside from minor exposure adjustments where necessary to match brightness between files. Multiple landscape scenes, ISO comparisons, and shadow recovery tests were used to compare overall image quality between the two cameras.
Watch the Full Comparison
Watch the full side-by-side comparison video below, including ISO testing, dynamic range examples, shadow recovery tests, and real-world landscape image comparisons.
Key Takeaways
ISO Performance: Across the ISO range, the Sony A7 IV generally appeared slightly cleaner than the Sony A7R V, especially in shadow regions and higher ISO images. The higher resolution A7R V sensor showed more visible grain, particularly at ISO 1600 and above, though both cameras remained highly capable overall.
Resolution and Detail: Despite the large megapixel difference, real-world perceived detail between the Sony A7R V and Sony A7 IV remained surprisingly close in many landscape images. The A7R V resolves more fine detail and provides additional resolution for cropping or printing, but the difference was often subtler than the megapixel numbers alone might suggest.
Dynamic Range and Shadow Recovery: Both cameras handled moderate shadow recovery well and remained highly usable when exposure was pushed. The Sony A7 IV generally looked a bit cleaner in shadow areas after heavy recovery, while the A7R V retained strong overall image quality despite slightly more visible noise.
Bottom Line: The Sony A7R V offers more resolution and flexibility for cropping, but the Sony A7 IV remains extremely competitive in real-world image quality and often appears slightly cleaner at higher ISO values. For many photographers, the decision may come down to whether maximum resolution is worth the higher cost and larger file sizes. Oh, and that screen on the A7R V might tilt the decision in favor of the higher resolution camera as well.
RAW Files
Download the original RAW files from this comparison to inspect the images yourself, test your own editing workflow, and inspect the files in Lightroom, Photoshop, or your preferred RAW editor.
Check Current Pricing
Check current pricing and availability below:
Sony A7R V
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Sony A7 IV
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Sony 100-400mm GM
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Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
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