The Sony Alpha a7R V hit stores in December 2022 and immediately became one of the most in-demand cameras for professional photographers. And if you want to learn more about this powerful camera, you’ve come to the right place!
In this Sony a7R V review, we’ll look at the camera's photo and video capabilities, recommend our favorite Sony FE Mount lenses, tell you who should shoot with this camera, and more. Furthermore, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used Sony a7R V has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
MPB is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. All their cameras and lenses are meticulously hand-inspected by skilled product specialists and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We have used MPB for years to buy, sell, and trade in camera equipment, and we would never have reached the level we are at today as photographers if it wasn’t for their one-of-a-kind platform. That’s why we can’t stop raving about them. Now, it’s time to discover whether the Sony a7R V is the perfect camera for you and your needs in 2023!
Check out the video above by Sony Camera Channel for a deeper look at the Sony Alpha a7R V and to see example photos shot with it.
Table of Contents
- Sony a7R V Review: Overview
- Sony a7R V Review: Imaging Capabilities
- Sony a7R V Review: Video Capabilities
- Recommended Lenses for the Sony a7R V
- Final Thoughts on the Sony a7R V
Sony a7R V Review: Overview
When it launched in 2022, the Sony Alpha a7R V replaced the a7R IV as the company’s flagship high-resolution camera for photographers. It’s the fifth iteration of Sony R cameras, and the “R” literally stands for “Resolution.” In contrast, the a7S III is a video-oriented camera, and the a7 IV is a hybrid.
The a7R V boasts a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor and a new BIONZ XR image processing engine. The pair works together to provide out-of-this-world image quality, lightning-fast performance, and AI-based autofocus (AF). The AF is one of the best we have ever tested, with face/eye detection, animal recognition, and subject-tracking technologies.
Other highlight-worthy features include a new color algorithm, a weather-sealed body, and a closeable shutter. The improved color algorithm provides more accurate colors, saving you time during editing. The environmentally-sealed body is resistant to water, moisture, dust, snow, etc. And the closeable shutter helps keep your sensor clean when the camera is off.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the Sony a7R V specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 61.0MP Full-Frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 10.0 fps
- Autofocus: 693 focus points
- Video: 8K/24p, 4K/60p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 131 x 97 x 82 mm / 723 grams
- Battery Life: 530 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Sony a7R V Price: $3,789
Sony a7R V Review: Imaging Capabilities
The signature feature of the Sony a7R V is its high-resolution 61MP sensor, which leads to an unreal max pixel count of 9504 x 6336 pixels. With so many pixels, you can blow up your images for printing (magazines, posters, billboards, etc.) without ever suffering even the tiniest dropoff in quality. This is essential for professional photographers.
While all photographers will see amazing results when working with this camera, outdoor, nature, and landscape photographers will see particularly impressive results. Whether you are shooting dramatic mountain landscapes or wildlife on an African safari, the a7R V delivers images with a wide dynamic range (15 stops) and excellent sharpness/detail retention.
Still photographers will also love the multi-shoot mode, fast burst shooting, and strong battery life. The multi-shoot mode uses pixel-shifting technology to generate 240.8MP images. Continuous shooting maxes out at ten frames per second. And the larger NP-FZ100 battery is rated at 530 shots.
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Sony a7R V Review: Video Capabilities
Thanks to its 8K video capabilities (yep, you read that right, 8K!), the Sony a7R V is also a very capable video camera. In addition to 8K/24p video, the a7R V also records 4K/60p video and 1080p/120p slow-motion video. You can also oversample your footage to boost the sharpness and overall video quality.
Another awesome feature useful during photo and video recording is the best-in-class in-body image stabilization (IBIS). It adds up to eight exposure stops to your content, increases low-light performance, and significantly reduces camera shake when shooting handheld. The IBIS makes the a7R V an ideal camera for on-the-go videographers like journalists and documentarians.
Before we go, we must also mention the dual SD card slots, unlimited recording time, and professional codecs. Since high-resolution video takes up tons of space, the two memory card slots are crucial for recording 8K video. Unlimited recording time gives you more flexibility behind the camera. And the camera has XAVC HS, HEVC H.265, and other codecs.
Best Lenses for the Sony a7R V
Here’s a quick list of some of the best Sony a7R V lenses. They are listed by price in descending order.
- Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
- Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
- Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
Final Thoughts on the Sony a7R V
In conclusion, the Sony a7R V is our favorite camera for professionals specializing in outdoor and landscape photography. It’s the highest-resolution mirrorless camera currently on the market, and only a handful of medium format cameras top its 61MPs.
We hope our Sony a7R V review has helped you in your camera search. Check out the list below to view a few more of the best cameras for professional photographers. All of them are in stock and on sale now at MPB.