Sony α7

For the similarly named Sony APS-C format camera, see Sony NEX-7.

The Sony α7, α7R, α7S and α7C (the α is sometimes spelled out as Alpha) are four closely related families of full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. The first two were announced in October 2013,^[2] the third in April 2014 and the fourth in September 2020. They are Sony's first full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and share the E-mount with the company's smaller sensor NEX series.

Sony α7

Overview
Type	Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
Released	October 2013
Lens
Lens	Sony E-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor	35.8×23.9 mm Exmor full-frame HD CMOS Sensor
Maximum resolution	6000×4000 (3:2) (24 megapixels)[1]
Film speed	Auto, 100–25600
Storage media	Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC (α7R IV supports only SD family)
Focusing
Focus modes	Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View
Exposure/metering
Exposure metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Shutter
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/8000 – 30 sec, BULB
Continuous shooting	5 frame/s
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Built-in 2.4 million dots OLED Electronic viewfinder
General
Video recording	1920×1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440×1080 (30p), 640×480 (30p)
LCD screen	3.0 in (76 mm) Tilting XtraFine LCD, 921,600 pixels
Battery	NP-FW50, InfoLITHIUM, 7.2 V, 1080 mAh, 7.7 Wh, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions	127×94×48 mm
Weight	Approx. 474 g (16.7 oz) (camera body, card and battery)
Chronology
Successor	Sony α7R II

The α7 II was announced in November 2014, and is the first in the family to revise the original body and ergonomics. The α7C introduced an even more compact form factor, being the smallest full-frame camera with in-body image stabilization.^[3] The α7 series is targeted at experienced users, enthusiasts and professionals.^[4]

The Sony α7 and α7R have the model numbers ILCE-7 and ILCE-7R respectively. In addition, the α7S, the α7 II, and the α7R II have the model numbers ILCE-7S, ILCE-7M2, and ILCE-7RM2. Sony's new model naming prefix strives to unify model names. "ILC" stands for Interchangeable Lens Camera, followed by an indicator of A-mount "A" or E-mount "E".^[5]

Pre-announcement rumours speculated that the new camera would be named "Sony NEX-9".^[6]

Variations

• 
  Sony A7 Rear
• 
  All three cameras of the first A7 generation: A7, A7R, A7S side by side

In 2014/2015, three new models became available forming the second generation of α7 series. They are the α7 II (ILCE-7M2), α7R II (ILCE-7RM2) and α7S II (ILCE-7SM2). Sony continues to produce the first generation models α7 and α7S, even three years after the launch, only the α7 has been discontinued in April 2019.^{[citation needed]}

The basic α7 II model has 24 MP and has manual focus and hybrid autofocus.^{[citation needed]}

The second generation common ground is the newer and improved body design as well as the world's first five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization system for a full-frame ILC. Sony claims that this can compensate a 4.5-stop equivalent of camera shake. In-body stabilization requires no special lens features, and mirrorless system cameras can typically accommodate lenses from any SLR system.^[7][8] As an upgrade of the α7, the α7 II has the same 50 Mbit XAVC-S codec as the α7S but lacks 4K video, and the five-axis stabilization is less effective in video mode than that used in the Olympus OM-D E-M1.^[9] However, the crop mode used in the α7 II does not incur "very much loss in image quality", unlike that of the Nikon D750.^[9]

On 14 June 2015, Hasselblad announced the Lusso, a variant of the Sony α7R marketed by Hasselblad.^{[citation needed]}

The third generation started in 2017, and the fourth was announced in July 2019.^{[citation needed]}

Model differences

Model	α7	α7R	α7S	α7 II	α7R II	α7S II	α7R III (A)	α7 III	α7R IV (A)	α7S III	α7C	α7 IV	α7R V	α7C II	α7CR
Product standing	Basic	High Resolution	High Sensitivity	Basic Mark II	High Resolution Mark II	High Sensitivity Mark II	High Resolution Mark III	Basic[10] Mark III	High Resolution Mark IV	High Sensitivity Mark III	Compact	Basic Mark IV	High Resolution Mark V	Compact Mark II	High Resolution Compact
Announced	16 Oct 2013		6 Apr 2014	20 Nov 2014	10 June 2015	11 Sept 2015	25 Oct 2017	26 Feb 2018	16 Jul 2019	28 Jul 2020	15 Sep 2020	21 Oct 2021	26 Oct 2022	29 Aug 2023[11]
Sensor resolution at Full Format	24.3 MP Exmor CMOS 6000 × 4000 pixels	36.4 MP Exmor CMOS 7360 × 4912 pixels	12.2 MP Exmor CMOS 4240 × 2832 pixels	24.3 MP Exmor CMOS 6000 × 4000 pixels	42.4 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS[12] 7952 × 5304 pixels	12.2 MP Exmor CMOS 4240 × 2832 pixels	42.4 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS[13] 7952 × 5304 pixels	24.2 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[14] 6000 × 4000 pixels	61.0 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[15] 9504 × 6336 pixels	12.1 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[16] 4240 × 2832 pixels	24.2 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[3] 6000 × 4000 pixels	33.0 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[17] 7008 × 4672 pixels	61.0 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[18] 9504 × 6336 pixels	33.0 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[19] 7008 × 4672 pixels	61.0 MP Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[20] 9504 × 6336 pixels
Processor	BIONZ X									BIONZ XR	BIONZ X	BIONZ XR
ISO range	Expanded ISO 50-25600 Multi frame NR 100-51200	Expanded ISO 50-25600 Multi frame NR 100-51200	Native ISO 100-102400 Expanded ISO 50-409600	Expanded ISO 50-25600 Multi frame NR 100-51200	Native ISO 100-25600 Expanded ISO 50-102400	Native ISO 100-102400 Expanded ISO 50-409600	Native ISO 100-32000 Expanded ISO 50-102400[21]	Native ISO 100-51200 Expanded ISO 50-204800 [22]	Native ISO 100-32000 Expanded ISO 50-102400[15]	Native ISO 80-102400 Expanded ISO 40-409600[16]	Native ISO 100-51200 Expanded ISO 50-204800[3][17]		Native ISO 100-32000 Expanded ISO 50-102400	Native ISO 100-51200 Expanded ISO 50-204800 (Stills), 100-102400 (Video)	Native ISO 100-32000 Expanded ISO 50-102400 (Stills), None (Video)
Autofocus	25 points CD-AF w/ 117 points PD-AF	25 points CD-AF		25 points CD-AF w/ 117 points PD-AF	25 points CD-AF w/ 399 points PD-AF	169 points CD-AF	425 points CD-AF w/ 399 points PD-AF[21]	425 points CD-AF w/ 693 points PD-AF[22]	425 points CD-AF w/ 567 points PD-AF[15]	425 points CD-AF w/ 759 points PD-AF[16]	425 points CD-AF w/ 693 points PD-AF[23]	425 points CD-AF w/ 759 points PD-AF[17]	425 points CD-AF w/ 693 points PD-AF[23]	Stills: 759 points hybrid Video: 627 points hybrid	Stills & Video: 693 points hybrid
Maximum flash sync speed	1/250	1/160	1/250								1/160	1/250		1/160 (full frame) 1/200 (APS-C)
Max Continuous Shooting	5 frame/s	4 frame/s	5 frame/s				10 frame/s								8 frame/s[20]
In-body image stabilization	No			5-axis
Flash Exposure Lock	No		Yes
Shutter Speed	1/8000 – 30s										1/4000 – 30 s e-Front Curtain only (1/8000 electronic)	1/8000 – 30 s		1/4000 – 30 s e-Front Curtain only (1/8000 electronic)[19]
Electronic shutter mode	First-curtain only	No	First-curtain, Silent shutter	First-curtain only	First-curtain, Silent shutter
Gapless on-chip lens	No	Yes		No	Yes
Live-view Tethered Capture	No		Yes						Yes (wired and wireless)
Custom minimum shutter speed at Auto ISO	No				Yes
Flexible Spot with Lock on AF
Continuous Eye-AF					Yes				Yes (real-time tracking)
AF Sensitivity	0 ~ 20 EV		-4 ~ 20 EV	-1 ~ 20 EV	-2 ~ 20 EV	-4 ~ 20 EV	-3 ~ 20 EV			-6 ~ 20 EV[16]	-4 ~ 20 EV[23]
Metering Sensitivity			-3 ~ 20 EV		-3 ~ 20 EV
User Custom Buttons	3			4							1	4+Dial
Programmable settings	No			Yes
Monitor pixels	921.6 K			1,228.8 K[24]			1,444K[21] 2,359.2K(A7RM3A)[25]	921.6 K[22]	1,444 K 2,359.2K(A7RM4A)[26]	1,444K	921.6 K	1,036 K	2,095 K	1,036 K
Touch Panel	No						Yes			Yes (fully touch menu system)	Yes	Yes (fully touch menu system)		Yes
Viewfinder dots	2.4 M						3.68 M	2.4 M	5.76 M	9.43 M	2.4 M	3.68 M	9.43 M	2.4 M
Viewfinder Resolution	XGA (1024 × 768 pixels)						Quad-VGA (1280 × 960 pixels)[27]	XGA (1024 × 768 pixels)[28]	UXGA (1600 × 1200 pixels)[29]	Quad-XGA (2048 × 1536 pixels)	XGA (1024 × 768 pixels)	Quad-VGA (1527 × 678 pixels)	Quad-XGA (2048 × 1536 pixels)	XGA (1024 × 768 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification	0.71×				0.78×					0.90×	0.59×	0.78×	0.90×	0.70×
Memory card slot	1 (Memory Stick Duo/SD)						2 (slot 1: SD; slot 2: Memory Stick Duo/SD)			2 (both slots: SD/CFexpress Type A)	1 (SD only)	2 (slot 1: SD/CFexpress Type A; slot 2: SD)	2 (both slots: SD/CFexpress Type A)	1 (SD only)
Video record format	MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s) 1080p		MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (50 Mbit/s) 1080p		MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (100 Mbit/s) 4K video					MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.265 (280 Mbit/s), MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 (100 Mbit/s) 4K video[30]	MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (100 Mbit/s) 4K video	XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I
Video sampling	Line skipping		Full-pixel readout	Line skipping	Pixel-binning at Full Format Full-pixel readout at Super 35	Full-pixel readout
Slow motion video record	No		Yes (720p, 120fps)	No	Yes (720p, 120fps)	Yes (1080p, 120fps)				Yes (4K, 120fps)	Yes (1080p, 120fps)
HDMI Output	4K still and 1080p video		4K still and 4K video	4K still and 1080p video	8K still and 4K video	4K still and 4K video	8K still and 4K video			4K still and 4K video	8K still and 4K video
Video Light mode	No		Yes	No	Yes
Professional Video edit			Picture Profile w/CineGamma, Timecode, Userbit
Other features	Hybrid autofocus system	No optical Low-pass filter	Full-pixel readout video at Full Format	Hybrid autofocus system	Hybrid autofocus system, No optical Low-pass filter	Full-pixel readout video at Full Format
Lossless RAW	No (11+7 bit lossy RAW[31])			Yes, uncompressed (2.0 firmware update[32][33])		Yes, uncompressed
Star Eater[34][35]	Only in Bulb mode				Only at 4s and above after Fw2.10, upgraded algorithm after Fw4.0, not present in continuous shooting mode[36]		Only at 4s and above, upgraded algorithm[37]
PD-AF w/ adapted lens	Only A-mount lenses w/ LA-EA2 and LA-EA4			Yes (Firmware update)	Yes	Only w/ LA-EA2/4[38]	Yes
Operate while USB charging	No				Yes			Yes w/ Tethering
Battery Life (CIPA standards)	340 shots	340 shots	380 shots	350 shots	340 shots	370 shots	530 shots (EVF) / 650 shots (Monitor)[21] 640 shots (Monitor on A7RM3A)[25]	610 shots (EVF) / 710 shots (Monitor)[22]	530 shots (EVF) / 670 shots (Monitor)[15] 660 shots (Monitor on A7RM4A)[26]	510 shots (EVF) / 600 shots (Monitor)[16]	680 shots (EVF) / 740 shots (Monitor)[23]			Stills: 530 shots (EVF) / 560 shots (Monitor) Continuous video recording: 165 minutes (EVF or monitor)	Stills: 490 shots (EVF) / 530 shots (Monitor) Continuous video recording: 155 minutes (EVF or monitor)
Body material	Combi. of magnesium alloy and polycarbonate	Full magnesium alloy chassis and polycarb bayonet mount.	Full magnesium alloy chassis and stainless steel bayonet mount.								Magnesium alloy used for the top, front, and rear covers[23]
Weight (w/ battery and media)	416 g (474 g)	407 g (465 g)	446 g (489 g)	556 g (599 g)	582 g (625 g)	584 g (627 g)	572 g (657 g)	565 g (650 g)[22]	578 g (665 g)[15]	614 g (699 g)[16]	424 g (509 g)	573 g (658 g)	723 g	429 g (514 g)	430 g (515 g)
Dimension	126.9 × 94.4 × 54.8 mm			126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7 mm	126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3 mm		126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm[22]		128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5 mm	128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8 mm	124 × 71.1 × 59.7 mm	131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8 mm	131.3 x 96.9 x 82.4 mm	124.0 x 71.1 x 63.4 mm
Discontinued	Dec 2019[39]

BIONZ

BIONZ is a line of image processors used in Sony digital cameras. It is currently used in many Sony α DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Image processing in the camera converts the raw data from a CCD or CMOS image sensor into the format that is stored on the memory card. This processing is one of the bottlenecks in digital camera speed, so manufacturers put much effort into making, and marketing, the fastest processors for this step that they can.

Sony designs the circuitry of the processor in-house, and outsources the manufacturing to semiconductor foundries such as MegaChips and (mostly) GlobalFoundries, as they currently do not own any fabrication plant capable of producing a system on a chip (SoC).[1] Sony also sources DRAM chips from various manufacturers namely Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron Technology.

BIONZ utilizes two chips in its design. The first chip is an SoC that manages overall functionality of the camera such as SD card storage management, wired connection such as USB and HDMI, and wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi and NFC that are increasingly common on modern Sony α cameras. The BIONZ SoC can be identified by its part number "CXD900xx". The second chip is the ISP (image signal processor). It handles the data directly from the CMOS image sensor, and it is directly responsible for the camera's high-ISO noise characteristics in a low-light environment. The ISP can be identified by the part number "CXD4xxx".

Features (universal for α7-series)

• Exmor CMOS full-frame sensor (with different megapixels depending on camera version)
• TruBlack XtraFine LCD screen (3 inch/7.5 cm) with tilt functionality
• 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) electronic viewfinder
• 1200-zone evaluative light metering
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
• LED-auto focus illuminator
• Multi Interface Shoe (α7R IV adds digital audio interface)
• 9+1 customizable buttons (10+1 starting with second generation) / 45+ assignable functions

Critical reception and awards

The Sony α (Alpha) cameras, particularly the α7 and α7R models, garnered widespread acclaim from critics and industry experts. DxOMark, a reputable source for camera and lens evaluations, crowned the α7R as the highest ranking full-frame mirrorless camera, with a score of 95 (the same score as the Nikon D800, but one point behind the Nikon D800E). The α7 achieved a score of 90, higher than the Nikon Df and Nikon D4 professional DSLR cameras, and even Sony's own SLT-A99. The Verge rated the cameras 8.3 out of 10, commenting that "It might be a few years before we realize it, but when the DSLR is relegated to a niche status among specialty photographers and full-frame mirrorless cameras dominate the market, we'll have the α7's to thank as the cameras that started it all."^[40] EPhotozine which rated the α7 5 stars, meanwhile praised the α7 series' price point for making them "the cheapest full-frame digital cameras currently available" while being lighter and smaller than comparable cameras.^[41] It awarded the α7 "Camera of the Year".^[42] The α7R was awarded by Imaging Resource as the "Camera of the Year".^[43]

See also

• Sony α7II
• Sony α6000
• List of Sony E-mount cameras
• List of lightest mirrorless cameras

References

1. Jeff Keller (February 2014). "Sony α7R Review: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
2. Sony announces α7 and α7R: first full-frame mirrorless cameras: Digital Photography Review. Dpreview.com. Retrieved on 2013-10-30.
3. "Sony α7C Compact full-frame camera". Sony. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
4. Sony Global - Sony Global - Digital Imaging - α7. Sony.net (2013-10-16). Retrieved on 2013-10-30.
5. "Your α7 and α7R Questions Answered". blog.sony.com. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
6. DL Cade (3 October 2013). "Sony NEX Full-Frame Rumor Roundup". PetaPixel. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
7. William Browley. "Sony α7 II Review". Retrieved 14 January 2015.
8. "The New Sony α7 Mark II". 26 November 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
9. Andrew Reid. "Sony α7 II review – 5 axis stabilization in video mode". Retrieved 14 January 2015.
10. "Sony calls this the "basic full-frame model," but there's nothing basic about it". The Verge. 26 February 2018.
11. "Sony Electronics Releases Two New Alpha 7C Series Cameras". www.sony.com. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
12. Zimmerman, Steven (12 October 2016). "Sony IMX378: Comprehensive Breakdown of the Google Pixel's Sensor and its Features". XDA Developers. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
13. "Sony α7R III 35mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony.
14. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony.
15. "Sony introduces the a7R IV with 61 Megapixel full-frame sensor". Digital Photography Review. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
16. "Sony introduces the a7S III with 12.1 Megapixel full-frame sensor". Sony.
17. "Sony α7 IV Compact full-frame camera". Sony. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
18. "Sony a7RV (a7R5) Mirrorless Camera | ILCE7RM5". Sony Electronics. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
19. "Sony α7C II compact full-frame camera". Sony. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
20. "Sony α7CR 61.0 MP compact full-frame". Sony. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
21. "Sony α7R III 35mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony.
22. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony.
23. "Sony α7C Compact full-frame camera". Sony. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
24. "ILCE-7RM2 Specifications". Sony.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
25. "ILCE-7RM3A Specification". Sony.
26. "ILCE-7RM4A Specification". Sony.
27. "Sony α7R III 35 mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
28. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
29. "Sony α7R IV 35 mm full-frame camera with 61.0 MP". Sony. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
30. "Sony a7S III initial review". dpreview.
31. "diglloyd blog: Sony's 11+7-bit Delta Compression, Posterization in Some Situations". diglloyd.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
32. Ltd, Magezine Publishing. "Sony Alpha A7 II Uncompressed RAW Firmware Update v2.0". ePHOTOzine. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
33. "Sony a7R II uncompressed Raw firmware update available October 19". DPReview. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
34. Norman, Ian (3 May 2017). "Star Eater: Documentation of an Issue with the Sony Cameras for Astrophotography (and How to Fix It)". Lonely Speck. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
35. "Sony Star Eater". www.markshelley.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
36. "Sony a7RII star-eater workaround". blog.kasson.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
37. "The Sony a7RIII eats stars". blog.kasson.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
38. "Compatibility Information - ILCE-7SM2". support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
39. "The day has come: Sony A7 marked as discontinued at BHphoto and Adorama!". sonyalpharumors. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
40. Sony Alpha α7 and α7R review, The Verge, By Dan Seifert on 16 December 2013
41. Sony Alpha 7 ILCE-7 Full Review ePHOTOzine 3 Dec 2013 by Joshua Waller
42. ePHOTOzine's Best Cameras Of The Year Awards 2013 Posted: 6 Dec 2013 by ePHOTOzine
43. Top 13 for 2013: The Best Cameras, Lenses and Technologies of the Year by Dave Etchells, Imaging Resource posted 11 December 2013

External links