Sony a7R V Review: Power and Performance

If you’re looking for a thorough review of the Sony a7R V, this is the article for you. I’ll be covering all the cool features packed into this compact body, as well as a few complaints I have.

With its 61-megapixel sensor, I primarily use this camera on commercial projects where the highest resolution is essential.

Having tested this camera in a wide variety of environments on commercial photoshoots, I hope you can learn from my insight.

Sony a7R V Specs

• Sensor: 61MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS
• Processor: BIONZ XR
• ISO Range: 100-32,000 (Expandable to 50-102,400)
• Autofocus: AI-Based Real-Time Tracking with 693 Phase-Detection Points
• In-Body Stabilization: 8-Stop 5-Axis IBIS
• Video Recording: 8K 24p, 4K 60p (10-bit 4:2:2), Full HD 120p
• Viewfinder: 9.44M-Dot OLED EVF
• LCD Screen: 3.2″ 4-Axis Multi-Angle Touchscreen (2.1M-Dot)
• Continuous Shooting: Up to 10 fps (Compressed RAW)
• Dual Card Slots: CFexpress Type A & SD UHS-II Compatible
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, USB-C, Micro HDMI
• Battery Life: Approx. 530 shots (CIPA)
• Weight: 723g (Body Only)

Build & Appearance

Sony a7R V with the Sony 70-200 f/4 G lens attached.

The Sony a7R V retains the solid build quality of the Sony mirrorless camera series while incorporating subtle yet impactful design updates. Better put, this 5th generation mirrorless camera is highly evolved.

It’s a powerhouse of a camera packing 61 megapixels into a 723-gram (1.6lb) body. Each camera in the Sony a7R series seems to have grown slightly, but only as much as needed to accommodate the wide array of new features.

The slight increase in size and weight from the previous Sony a7R IV is insignificant and also provides enhanced ergonomics.

With weather-sealing and a durable magnesium alloy body, the a7R V is designed to handle the rough conditions I put it through. From frozen sides of mountains to sandy beaches, this camera hasn’t missed a beat.

After several months of testing, it looks almost new. While the Sony a7 series cameras may not look rugged, they are designed to endure.

The biggest change you’ll notice on the a7R V is the inclusion of the flip and tilt screen. This has become the standard for Sony mirrorless cameras because it functions well in both styles that photographers prefer. More on that in the next section.

Although it uses the same sensor as the Sony a7R IV, one significant upgrade in the a7R V is the inclusion of dual CFExpress Type A/UHS-II SD card slots. You can use faster CF Express Type A cards or your old SD cards.

The faster data transfer speeds provided by CFExpress Type A cards (nearly three times faster than SD cards) enable much quicker buffer clearing. This improvement has allowed me to use this camera for action sports, while the previous version sometimes slowed me down.

One pro tip is to utilize a setup where RAW files are written to a CFExpress card in Slot 1 while JPEGs are stored on an SD card in Slot 2 to optimize cost and performance. Speed where you need it, but save money, too.

Overall, the build and appearance of this camera isn’t super exciting, but it is an upgrade from the previous version. More on my favorite upgrades below.

Ergonomics & Handling

The Sony a7R V has awesome build quality, whether using the viewfinder or the tilt/flip screen.

The Sony a7R V builds on the ergonomic strengths of its predecessor while introducing several welcome changes.

Most obvious when you pick up the a7R V is the new tilt/flip screen. Sony created a way to please both the tilt and flip screen fans by making a screen that can be used both ways.

Whether you’re shooting low angle and just want a simple tilt screen or you’re shooting high angle verticals, you’ll find a way to use the screen to its fullest.

Additionally, Sony increased the depth of the camera’s grip, providing a more secure way to hold the camera. It’s not a huge change but it brings me back to the DSLR days when the heft of cameras forced them to have solid grips.

While I don’t miss the clunky DSLR days, I do appreciate when the camera fits my hand nicely. The a7R V delivers in this sense.

For those wanting a little more grip and power and who like to shoot vertically, the a7R V is compatible with the VG-C4EM vertical battery grip, which accommodates two NP-FZ100 batteries and is also compatible with models like the Alpha 1, a7 IV, and a7S III.

One thing to note about upgrading from the a7R IV to the a7R V is that the improved LCD and EVF take more power and reduce the number of expected images from this camera. The specs say 500 images per charge (down from 600+), but I often get many more than that.

Lastly, you might notice the improvements in the button layout that allow for more customization. You can set up the buttons and dials to suit your needs without the distraction of extra labeling.

It may take time to get the custom setup exactly how you like it, but once you do, it really feels intuitive. I love having all my Sony camera models with synchronized setups!

Overall, the ergonomics and handling of the Sony a7R V are awesome and I really like the improvements.

Focus Performance

The fast-tracking worked flawlessly on the Sony a7R V even with at f/1.8 on a 135mm lens.

Sony has retained its dominance of the market with an impressive autofocus system on the Sony a7R V.

This camera has a 22 percent increase in the number of phase detection autofocus points, in addition to the integration of AI-driven tracking. It easily covers a wide variety of eye-tracking scenarios and stays locked even during brief visibility interruptions.

The a7R V can now detect and track people’s eyes, pets, birds, animals, insects, cars, airplanes, and trains. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to test all of these new subjects, I found that the AI tracking improvements in the traditional subjects were significant.

I also tested the autofocus with non-Sony lenses, and it performed exceptionally well. Naturally, Sony wants you to buy their lenses but I appreciate that they don’t hinder the performance even when using alternatives.

In terms of practical performance, the autofocus system feels intuitive and sophisticated. The autofocus covers roughly 80% of the frame and is highly effective, with no issues in all the different scenarios I tested.

For low-light shooting, the a7R V shines brightly

I’ll discuss high ISO shooting more below, but you can rest assured that the autofocus will keep up even in low light!

Low Light Performance

A low light landscape image shot on the Sony a7R V.

While the marketing might say that the Sony a7S III is the low-light king, my real-world testing shows that the a7R V is my preferred camera.

In the past, I took issue with the Sony a7R III for its grainy images at 6400, but these issues have been resolved with the a7R V. It now has a native ISO range from 100-32,000 (expandable from 50-102,400).

To give you some parameters, going above ISO 25,600 results in noticeable noise. For practical use, ISO 12,800 is a better limit. I find that if you have fast lenses (f/2.8 or faster), it’s rare that you’ll need to go to 12,800.

Up the ISO 3200, the Sony a7R V gives great image quality. The colors are true and the noise is minimal.

As a high-resolution camera, low-light performance is impressive. Especially when you consider how far we’ve come (I’m looking at you, Canon 5DsR).

Another welcome feature I appreciate is the smaller compressed RAW formats when you don’t need all the resolution.

Overall, the Sony a7R V combines high resolution with excellent low-light performance. This makes it versatile for shooting everything from action sports to events.

I love that with this camera, you don’t have to sacrifice low-light performance when you want a high-resolution sensor.

Image Quality

Sony a7R V + Sony 70-200 f/4 G | 1/1000 f/4 ISO 100

The image quality of the Sony a7R V is the main reason to consider this camera. It delivers tremendous performance, given its compact size.

With a compact mirrorless body, you’re getting images that were once reserved for much larger cameras. You also get the compact size of a modern mirrorless camera without sacrificing speed, ease, or performance!

Additionally, the a7R V has a class-leading dynamic range. According to some internet specs, it’s in the top 1% of available sensors.

When shooting in RAW, you can recover an impressive range of colors both in the shadows and the highlights. This flexibility is encouraging since nailing exposure can be tricky in difficult lighting scenarios.

Combine the image quality and dynamic range with 8-stop in-body-image stabilization for an impressively flexible camera!

Sony a7R V Sample Images

Here are some sample images I took using the Sony a7R V and various lenses (Sony 16-35mm f/2.8, Sony 70-200mm f/4, etc).

Sony a7R V + Sony 55mm f/1.8 | 1/200 f/1.8 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/10 f/22 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/100 f/2.8 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/500 f/4 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/500 f/4 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/500 f/4 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM | 1/1000 f/4 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Samyang 135mm f/1.8 | 1/1000 f/1.8 ISO 200

Sony a7R V + Samyang 135mm f/1.8 | 1/1000 f/1.8 ISO 100

Sony a7R V + Sony 55mm f/1.8 | 1/500 f/2 ISO 200

Overall Performance

The Sony a7R V delivers outstanding performance. Whether you need super high-resolution stills for big prints or 8k video for a commercial production, this camera is a top choice for professional creators for a reason.

As I described above, the image quality, low light performance, and autofocus are all best in class. While some of the other Sony cameras may have some features that edge the a7R V out in small ways, I believe this camera is top in its class.

The 9.4M dot EVF and 4-axis articulating screen round out this camera’s place as a top performer.

While some projects may not need 61 MP resolution, the a7R V is the current high-resolution king.

Other Useful Features

A few other features that are not as prominently marketed on the Sony a7R V include its pixel shift multi-shooting mode and the intervalometer.

Pixel shift technology allows the creation of mind-blowing 241 MP stills! The technology does require a tripod and special software from Sony (as well as some time) but the end result is quite impressive!

Another feature I use regularly is the built-in intervalometer. Using this software allows you to easily shoot timelapse-style video (created in post) of a changing scene.

Previously, I had to have a special tool to shoot time-lapses, but having the software in the camera is very handy.

The other function I use the intervalometer for is shooting self-portraits. I can set the exposure, framing, and focus and walk into the frame. Getting a good family picture no longer requires running back and forth to press the self-timer.

I just set the camera to take a picture every second, and we’re bound to get one with everyone smiling.

How I Tested the Sony a7R V

Sony a7R V with the new tilt/flip screen.

While working on this review, I put the Sony a7R V through its paces on a number of commercial and personal projects.

I didn’t hesitate to bring it since I know the quality of my other Sony cameras is more than sufficient for most projects. The added resolution was a bonus in most cases.

I used it to shoot photos, videos, and a number of different styles of photography, from landscapes to fast-moving action sports.

Throughout the testing, it performed beautifully! The only problem I found was that the super high-resolution sensor tends to outperform some of my lenses.

Imperfections in cheap lenses become even more obvious when you have such great image quality!

Alternatives to Sony a7R V

Closeup view of the controls of the Sony a7R V.

In my opinion, the Sony a7R V is in a class of its own. The nearest competitor is likely the last version, the a7R IV.

Given that both recent versions of this camera utilize the same sensor, it may come down to some of the more detailed specs and ergonomics that sway your decision about which camera to get.

Beyond that, you might look at the 45MP Canon R5 or R5 Mark II. Both of these cameras offer great performance but at a ~25% reduction in resolution.

Nikon also offers the Z9, which is also 45MP and may be worth considering for those who don’t like Sony or Canon.

You may also look at the Fuji GFX100 if you need more resolution but you’ll be making significant sacrifices when it comes to speed. The Fuji is better suited to a slower process but does offer the advantages of a medium-format camera.

All these options make the Sony a7R V really stand apart from its competitors. Time will tell if other manufacturers emulate its successful combination of features.

Value for Money

Closeup view of the controls of the Sony a7R V.

At around US$3500, the Sony a7R V is a great deal! It has many of the features offered in less expensive and more expensive Sony cameras but retains the coveted high-resolution sensor.

If you want a highly capable mirrorless camera with best-in-class resolution, the Sony a7R V is the camera to get.

Sure, you could save some money and get two Sony a7 IV bodies for a similar price, but they have about half the resolution.

Bottom line—$3500 is a great price for such a feature-rich camera from Sony!

FAQ’s

How old is the Sony a7R V?

The Sony a7R V was released in 2023. The previous version, the a7R IV was released in 2021.

Is Sony going to release an A7 V?

The Sony A7 V is expected in 2025.

Is the Sony a7R V full-frame?

Yes. It has a full-frame sensor. Additionally, it can be used in APS-C mode, which crops your images by only utilizing a portion of the full sensor.

What does the R mean in Sony a7R?

The R stands for resolution and indicates the highest resolution lineup of full-frame Sony cameras. This is the 5th generation of the R model lineup.

Sony a7R V Review | Conclusion

If you’re not already convinced that the Sony a7R V is an amazing camera, I don’t know what else it will take.

The incredible combination of the high-resolution sensor with awesome mirrorless camera features is a real game changer for professional photographers and amateurs alike.

You can now access incredible image quality for a modest price and not have to sacrifice speed or have a bulky setup.

I can’t wait to see where cameras will go next when they are already this impressive!

If you have any questions about the Sony a7R V or anything else, leave a comment down below!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Sony a7R V

Pro-level mirrorless camera with a 61MP sensor, 8K video, and next-gen autofocus for stunning detail and speed.