Sony announces A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera with 61MP sensor for $3500

Sony has launched the new A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera. It's the successor to the popular A7R III and while not quite the flagship (that's still the A9) it represents the highest image quality that you can currently get from a Sony digital camera.

The A7R IV bumps up the resolution from the A7R III's already impressive 42.4MP up to an incredible 61MP. According to Sony, this is the first 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with this resolution. The back-illuminated design will help reduce noise and increase sensitivity.

The sensor boasts 15-stops of dynamic range for smoother color gradation. There's also a 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization.

To go along with the new sensor is a new 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED EVF, which has a 1.6x the resolution of the EVF on the A7R III. It can be set to standard or high image quality mode with a choice of 60fps or 120fps refresh rate.

There's also an improved Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode available, which can stack 16 full-resolution images to create 963.2MP of data, which is then composited into a 240.8MP image using Sony's desktop application. This allows you to get even higher resolution of stationary subjects.

The A7R IV can shoot full resolution 61MP images at 10fps with continuous AF/AE tracking for up to 7 seconds and about three times as long in 26.2MP APS-C mode. There are 567 phase detection AF points that cover 74% of the image area along with additional 425 contrast AF points. The camera also features real time eye AF that keeps the focus locked even if the subject moves around or looks away.

For video production, the A7R IV supports 4K video recording that uses the full width of the sensor with full pixel readout without pixel binning in the Super 35mm mode. Sony's S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 modes are also available for color grading with 14-stops of dynamic range available in S-Log 3. HLG is supported for an HDR workflow.

The A7R IV also features eye tracking AF for video for the first time in a Sony camera. This allows the camera to track focus on the subject while the video is being recorded and always keep the eyes in focus.

Other features include improved weather sealing, a tilting touchscreen display, dual UHS-II memory slots, addition of digital audio interface to the camera's Multi Interface Shoe, dual-band Wi-Fi, and USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1.

The A7R IV has a CIPA rating of 670 still images on a single charge and an optional battery grip can hold two batteries at once.

The Sony A7R IV is priced at $3500 and will be available in the US starting September 2019. Availability in other markets will vary.