Last week, Sony sent a shot across the mirrorless bow by announcing the 61 MP Sony A7R IV, which can not only shoot in 6K, but also has some pretty slick eye focus tracking options to keep your subject in focus. But there's 10 other new features and tweaks that fine-tune the interface and workflow that make it easier for shooters to get the shot.
YouTuber Jason Vong breaks down each one of them in this video, so let's check it out.
A Redesigned Body to Make it More Ergonomic
The Sony A7R IV is just a bit larger, making it easier to hold in the hand. But there are also some fixes in the buttons including a redesigned aperture dial, a lock on the exposure compensation dial, ribs on the joystick to make focus points easier to control, and sturdier doors to cover all the port connections, rather than a cheap rubber covering.
Image Credit - Jason Vong
Dual UHS II SD Card Slots
The Sony A7R IV also has dual UHS II SD card slots for redundant recording and image writing, with the card one now placed on top. There is also a sturdier door to open and close in accessing them. This is a feature that everyone wants and complained about when Canon went with a single UHS II slot on the EOS- R and Nikon went with a single XQD slot on the Z6 & Z7. These days, it just makes sense to double up, so here's hoping that Canon and Nikon get the hint for next time. Although I doubt that Nikon will move away from XQD now that it plans to support CFExpress.
Focus Frame Color
This isn't really a major update, so much as it just makes it easier for shooters to pick up the focusing reticle by making it easier to see. Users can now change the focus frame color from white to red.
Sharpness Settings Increased
The sharpness setting in your custom menu can now go to +5 instead of +3, giving users the option to dial it in even further. That's what a larger sensor buys you.
Easier access to My Menu Settings
One complaint that all users have with cameras, is that they have to jump through several menu hoops to get to your custom menu settings. But with the Sony A7 R IV, users can actually place the My Menu Setting tab on top, for instant access. The shooter just has to go into My Menu Setting and enable the Display from My Menu option. Now My Menu Settings appear on top.
Image Credit - Jason Vong
Separate Video Quick Function Menu Options
Sony has now broken out Video Quick Function Menus into its own dedicated menu, so you don't have to wade through unneeded still image options. And vice versa.
Custom Image File Options
To help organize your images as they are written on your SD cards, users can now create a custom name format for their image files. And when you change to the second media card, the A7R IV keeps track, going to the next in the series.
Image Credit - Jason Vong
Eye Focus Tracking Comes to Video
Sony has now added Eye Focus Tracking for Video, making it easier to keep your subject in focus while they are on the move. Only time will tell just how accurate this feature will be in real-world settings. I don't think focus pullers will be extinct any time soon, but it's a great feature to have for one-man crew at a wedding.
Face Detection Supported Through 4K External Monitors
The screen now won't blackout when you hit record with face detection. The issue was that users had to disable internal recording to the SD card in order for it to work with an external monitor-recorder. Now you can leave it on and have an archival backup on your SD card. Nice.
Transfer Custom Settings to Another Camera
Finally, the Sony A7R IV lets you take all your custom settings and save them to transfer to another camera to save setup time. The option is accomplished by using Sony's Image Edge app, which can save the settings via WiFi and install on a second camera. Nice for a backup or when you're working on a crew or team.
Like I said, these aren't game-changing features, but they sure are welcome tweaks that Sony users will welcome.
What updates and tweaks do you want to see come to the A7R IV? Let us know down in the comments.
Source: Jason Vong
