The high fence in performance and cost: We tested the Sony A7R V camera with 61 MP resolution and 8K recording

NIUSGEEK tested the Full frame Sony A7R V camera , with double slot for SD memories and high resolution.

In the vast and complex audiovisual market, camera builders have wisely diversified their strategy. Some compete in the enthusiast segment of “action and adventure sports”, others seek quota in the casual amateur world and the most reputable bet on high specifications for image professionals.

Sony knows that it is the benchmark to beat, and its high standard has caused major filmmakers to leave brands like Canon and Nikon. After four A7R series, NIUSGEEK tests the fifth generation Is the Sony A7RV worth it?

Sony A7R V: technical specifications

sony

A7R V (ILCE7RM5)

DIMENSIONS 131 x 97 x 82mm | 723 grams
MOUNT SonyE
SENSOR Full Frame MOS 61MP | 5 axis shift sensor
EXPOSURE up to 1/8000 | Bulb mode | ISO 100-32000 (ex 50-102,400)
SHOOTING Mechanical at 10fps | Electronic 7fps | -5 to +5 EVs
RESOLUTION 3:2 60MP | 4:3 54MP | 16:9 51MP | 1:1 40MP | 14-bit
VIDEO H.265 & H.264 10-Bit | 8K 23fps | 4K 60fps | FHD 120fps
CONNECTIVITY IP Streaming | Wi-Fi 5 | Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2 | HDMI
VIEWING 0.64″ OLED electronic viewfinder | 3.2″ LCD 4-axis display
AUTONOMY NP-FZ100 2280mAh | P.S.

Sony A7R V: everything you need to know

An optimized design. In this case, we are dealing with a solid device with a firm grip and well-placed access points. Sony has already adjusted this saga A7S – based on sensitivity – and A7R – based on resolution – to the millimeter, but this fifth generation further outlines the leap between video, photos and recording at different speeds.

We are talking about a chassis made of aluminum alloy that is easy to navigate, with a screen that we can move in two ways: up or down like the previous versions of Sony, and rotate it on an axis to put the panel next to the equipment and record in selfie mode.

However, interesting additives come under the protective covers. On the one hand, we have two slots for SD or CFexpress type A that we can configure for redundant storage, save photos and videos separately or increase storage. This is very useful when you don’t want to work with different formats on a single support, as in my case.

The other addition, along with the microphone and headphone ports, is the full HDMI port. Unlike other models that add micro HDMI, here we have a standard port for signal output – with a capture device, it is the best webcam on the market -. To top off the inclusions, we have a USB-C 3.2 port for fast data transfers or for using this camera as a USB webcam, as well as charging the battery on the camera itself using a PowerBank.

The external controls of the Sony A7R V integrate a dedicated button for video recording, photo shooting, a two-level knob to switch between image modes and the type of format – photo, video or S&Q -, as well as customizable dials and the traditional pad to control the menu. The 0.9x OLED viewfinder is of good quality – 2048 x 1536 pixels -, and reproduces the configuration menu and shooting parameters without problems, in addition to having a great proximity sensor to activate it as soon as we place our face at eye level. the eyes.

A high measurement sensor. Its 61 MP in the 35.7 x 23.8mm Full Frame sensor are efficient in each format, delivering high quality and stabilized shots from the BSI-CMOS sensor that, in addition, receives support from the Bionz XR processor, the first team of the lineage R in receiving it.

In this case, we have 11 autofocus modes, detection assistance, artificial intelligence to recognize pets, vehicles, and objects as an anchor point for continuous focus, 2 and 4x digital zoom, 693 focus points, and a shooting speed of up to 10 frames every second.

For video, we have resolutions up to 8K at 25 fps (note that there is a 1.24x crop in the frame recording at that resolution -, increasing to 60 in 4K and 120 in Full HD. In the absence of an integrated ND Filter, we have a five-level exposure compensation.By the way, we have 10-bit HLG recording and H.254 or H.265 compression with several profiles to choose from.

New menu. The cutest to use. In this case we have a vertical arrangement divided by tabs that allow us to quickly access the opening and configuration parameters. With one of the dials we can quickly change pages and go to the focus, video or utility tabs without even taking our eyes off the viewfinder.

A very useful load. It was what surprised me the most. With the only battery I had, I was able to cover my 4 day image quota. Note that I limited the recording to 1080 and 60fps by transfer speed for slot 2, but I kept JPG+RAW in slot 1. Note that the format is ARW, so you must download a plugin on Windows and Mac to upload to Lightroom the photos. However, we can choose the recording level in the camera itself.

A weight not suitable for everyone. It is there where the “point and shoot” proposal of affordable ranges from Sony or Canon itself can gain more followers among less expert users. It’s not as big or heavy a set as my old trusty Canon 70D, but it outperforms compact ranges like Canon’s new R or Sony’s own RX or ZV lines. We are talking about 723 grams of weight, only in the body with the battery included, and of 1.3 constant kilos when we add the 16-35 2.8 lens that the brand lent me for the review.