Gear
Now in its fifth iteration, the new Sony a7R V maintains the series’ dedication to high resolution with its 61MP sensor, the same sensor of its predecessor. While there are similarities between the a7R V and the a7R IV—enough so that current a7R IV users will feel comfortable when upgrading—the new model offers features and performance enhancements that set the two noticeably apart.
Perhaps the most notable, and potentially most useful, is the camera’s new AF Real-time Recognition AF. Thanks to a new AI, deep learning processing unit, the a7R V promises not only more accurate tracking but expanded subject recognition. In addition to updated face and eye detection, the a7R V is capable to identifying and tracking animals, vehicles and insects. The camera also incorporates information about “the human form and pose estimation” to achieve its advanced autofocus performance—even when the subject facing away from the camera. And, the camera features 693 phase detection focus points that provide coverage for almost the entire frame. As a side benefit, the AI processing unit also improves the accuracy of auto white balance.
[Read: The Sony Alpha 7 IV Review: Leader of the Pack]
Although the a7R V can’t match the shooting speed of Sony’s A1 (at up to 30fps), the new model can capture up to 10fps with AF/AE. Two new lossless RAW compression modes (26MP and 15MP) are available in case you need to adjust your workflow for speed or storage purposes. The lossless RAW sizes also provide the ability to capture up to 583 compressed RAW files in continuous shooting (or more than 1,000JPEGs).
Working in low light? Sony has improved the a7R V’s image stabilization compensation to 8.0 steps. And, importantly, low light AF performance is capable of working at EV-4.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting has been upgraded, too, for those times you need to up the resolution to as much as 240.8MP. Thanks to an update to Sony’s Image Edge Desktop software, users can combine up to 16 images and take advantage of the application’s ability to compensate for small movements that may occur during the shot (people, leaves, etc.).
Other updates include focus bracketing and 8K/24p and 4K/60p video. The latter benefits from features such as breathing compensation and options such as S-Log3 gamma curve and ten creative look presets. Real-time tracking AF subject recognition is also available in movie mode.

Not surprisingly, the a7R V’s body is weather- and dust-resistant but more notable is the new, high- resolution (2.1 million dots), 3.2-inch, 4-axis multi-angle LCD. While its predecessor offered a tiltable LCD, the a7R V’s LCD provides much more flexibility when shooting at various angles.
There’s much more to learn about this $3,900 camera, which should be shipping at the end of October. Dig into more details about the new Sony a7R V camera here.