subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 12 October 2019 59
to 7 seconds (or up to 8fps in
live-view continuous shooting
mode) with full AF/AE tracking
using its refined, low-vibration
mechanical shutter or silent
electronic shutter. Sony claims
68 images (Extra Fine JPEGs or
compressed raw files) can be shot
in a single burst at 10fps, which
increases to 200 when the A7R
IV’s APS-C crop mode is used.
Having a crop mode isn’t new
on an A7-series camera, but the
increase in resolution means you
get a very useful 26.2MP output
after cropping a full-frame image
down to APS-C size. What’s more,
the autofocus points remain in the
same position as they are for full
frame, resulting in 99% coverage
across virtually the entire frame.
Out of APS-C crop mode there
are 567 phase-detection AF
points covering 99.7% height
and 74% width of the image
area. These are assisted by 425
contrast-detection AF points – the
same number as you get on the
A7R III. Sony’s 4D Focus
technology is included for sports
and action photographers who
don’t want to lose sight of erratic
subjects. It uses special algorithms
to detect fast action and predict
your subject’s next move without
getting distracted by obstacles
in the frame. Sony’s Artificial
Intelligence (AI) subject
recognition technology also carries
over, and for the first time on an
A7-series model, it can be used
whilst recording video. You can
select between animal or human
Eye AF mode depending on your
shooting situation, with precise
focusing in poor-lighting
environments down to -3EV.
Another first is the A7R IV’s
wireless PC remote connectivity,
which now supports wireless
tethering for better freedom in the
studio or out on location. Transfer
of large uncompressed raw
images is made faster too with
a new algorithm for wired PC
remote shooting. On the topic ofprofessional features, pros who
need to promptly deliver their
images will also value the support
of FTP background transfer during
and after shooting. In total up to
nine FTP servers can be assigned.
Another feature the camera
inherits from the A7R III is its
5-axis in-body image stabilisation.
As well as compensating for
pitch-and-yaw movements, it adds
corrections for movements of the
camera vertically and sideways,
with the fifth axis corresponding
the rotational correction around
the lens axis – crucial for movie
shooting and ensuring that
high-resolution handheld images
remain pin-sharp. The great
thing about it is that it works with
practically any lens and effectively
allows users to shoot up to 5.5
stops slower than would otherwise
be possible. Those who want to
avoid shake caused by pressing
the shutter button can trigger the
camera wirelessly using a mobile
device running Sony’s ImagingEdge mobile app or purchase
Sony’s RMT-P1BT wireless remote
controller for £65.
In addition to its impressive
still-image capabilities, there’s a
good video spec. It provides 4K
30/24p video recording and full
pixel readout without pixel binning
in Super 35mm mode as well
as S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 to
maximise dynamic range and give
videographers the control they
need when colour grading during
post-processing. Full HD video
at up to 120p is available too,
although HDMI output is in 8-bit
and there is no internal 10-bit
support. Touch tracking AF during
video capture gives users the
opportunity to pinpoint the subject
they’d like the camera to focus
on by simply tapping the screen.
Audio quality hasn’t been
overlooked either. As well as
providing microphone and
headphone inputs, which are
now found behind the same
cover, Sony has developed aFor this tricky exposure scene, I metered for the
sky and pulled detail back in the shadows of the
raw file using Lightroom. The A7R IV’s dynamic
range performance is something to behold
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, 1/2000sec at f/5.6, ISO 400