Sony a7R V mirrorless camera with 61 MP, 8K, and AI autofocus announced

Sony has introduced a new advanced full-frame mirrorless camera Sony a7R V. The new Sony camera received several advanced features (including video recording), an updated display, and a completely innovative autofocus system that uses a special Sony chip for artificial intelligence.

The Sony a7RV camera received a 61-megapixel sensor, 5-axis matrix image stabilization (8 stops efficiency), support for 8K and 4K video recording, and a new display with different tilt angles.

Sony a7R V received a Bionz XR processor, responsible for processing data from a 61MP sensor. And the new chip, which is Sony’s first in this camera, analyzes people’s postures, movements, and positions in space – and due to this data, more accurate, smooth autofocus is achieved. Algorithms allow you to track and keep the focus on a person, even if he turned away or his face is not visible in the frame.

Sony claims that the new AI-based system keeps the camera from losing focus even if the subject is completely blocked by another person in the frame at some point.

Animal tracking AF has been improved. Sony claims that the increase in efficiency was 40% compared to the Sony A7R IV. At the same time, even if the animal is turned away from the camera, the new autofocus system will be able to track it.

In addition to people and animals, the Sony a7R V’s AI AF system recognizes cars, trains and planes, and even insects. The autofocus system itself has 693 phase-detect points that virtually cover the entire frame.

The Sony a7R V has received an update to its Pixel Shift shooting function. It allows you to get an image with a resolution of 240 megapixels.

The new Sony camera turned out to be advanced in terms of shooting video. When recording 4K, the camera uses the original resolution of 6.2K (without binning) and then compresses it. S-Cinetone mode is available. At the same time, the intelligent autofocus system works in photos and when recording videos.

When recording in S-log3, a dynamic range of 14+ steps is promised. Together with monitor recorders, the camera supports 16-bit RAW video output. However, you will have to wait for the corresponding firmware update in Atomos Ninja monitor recorders.

The maximum bitrate with which the camera writes video directly to a memory card is 400 Mbps (at 8K resolution and a frame rate of 24 fps, 10 bit, 4:2:0 – at 1.2X crop factor).

The camera display is not only swiveled but also tilted. It has a diagonal of 3.2 inches. There is also a high-quality electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 9.44 million dots.

The camera received a double slot for CFexpress type A memory cards. It is designed to be dust and dirt-resistant. However, the company does not give a 100% guarantee for such cases.

Also, the case design is designed to protect against overheating (especially when recording 8K video). The cooling system allows it to shoot in 8K for up to 30 minutes without interruption.

Price and availability

The Sony a7R V full-frame mirrorless camera has been priced at $3,898 and will be available to pre-order on the Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com websites.

Sony a7R V specifications

• Lens Mount: Sony E
• Sensor Resolution Actual: 62.5 Megapixel
• Effective Resolution: 61 Megapixel (9504 x 6336)
• Sensor Type: 35.7 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) MOS
• Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
• Built-In ND Filter: None
• Capture Type: Stills & Video
• Shutter Type: Electronic Shutter, Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter
• Shutter Speed: Mechanical Shutter (1/8000 to 30 Seconds; 1/8000 to 1/4 Second in Movie Mode)
• Bulb/Time Mode: Bulb Mode
• ISO Sensitivity: Photo – 100 to 32,000 in Manual, Auto Mode (Extended: 50 to 102,400); Video – 100 to 12,800 in Auto Mode; 100 to 32,000 in Manual Mode
• Metering Method: Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multiple, Spot
• Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
• Exposure Compensation: -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)
• Metering Range: -3 to 20 EV
• White Balance: 2500 to 9900K
• Continuous Shooting: Mechanical Shutter – Up to 10 fps at 61 MP for up to 583 Frames (Raw) / 1000 Frames (JPEG); Electronic Shutter – Up to 7 fps at 61 MP
• Interval Recording: Yes
• Self-Timer: 2/5/10-Second Delay
• Image Sizes: 60 MP (9504 x 6336) JPEG / Raw
• Aspect Ratio: 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9
• Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
• Bit Depth: 14-Bit
• Video Capture: H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:2 10-Bit – UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/50/59.94 fps [50 to 200 Mb/s]; H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:0 10-Bit – UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) at 23.98/25 fps [200 to 400 Mb/s]
• External Recording Modes: Raw 16-Bit via HDMI – UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/29.97/59.94 fps
• Sensor Crop Modes: Super35 / APS-C – 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Fast-/Slow-Motion Support: Yes
• Gamma Curve: HDR-HLG, S Cinetone, Sony S-Log 2, Sony S-Log 3
• Recording Limit: None
• Broadcast Output NTSC/PAL
• IP Streaming: Yes
• Built-In Microphone Type: Stereo
• Audio Recording: 2-Channel 16-Bit 48 kHz LPCM Audio; 2/4-Channel 24-Bit 48 kHz LPCM Audio; 2-Channel AAC LC Audio
• Interface: Media/Memory Card Slot – Dual Slot: CFexpress Type A / SD (UHS-II)
• Ports: 1 x HDMI Output; Audio I/O- 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output, 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input, 1 x USB-C Input, 1 x USB-C (USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 2) Data Output (Shared with Power Input), 1 x PC Sync Socket Output, 1 x Sony Multi/Micro-USB (USB 2.0) Control Input/Output
• Connectivity: Wireless 2.4 / 5 GHz MIMO Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth
• Global Positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.)
• Display: 3.2-inch 2,095,000 Dot, 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD
• Viewfinder: Built-In Electronic (OLED) 0.64″, 9,437,184 Dot
• Magnification Approx.: 0.9x
• Diopter Adjustment: -4 to +3
• Focus: Auto and Manual Focus
• Focus Mode: Continuous-Servo AF, Manual Focus, Single-Servo AF
• Phase Detection: 693
• Autofocus Sensitivity: -4 to +20 EV
• Built-In Flash: No
• Battery: 1 x NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh (Approx. 440 Shots)
• Dimensions: 131.3 x 96.9 x 82.4 mm
• Weight: 1.6 lb / 723 g