Sony A7 V speculation revives - here's what I fervently hope to see in the refresh of Sony's all-around excellent camera
The photography world is abuzz with rumours about the upcoming Sony A7 V, a potential successor to the Sony A7 IV. If these rumours hold true, the A7 V is set to be a significant upgrade in terms of performance and features.
Hillary K. Grigonis, the lead of US coverage for Digital Camera World, has been closely following the developments surrounding the A7 V. Grigonis, a former Nikon shooter and a current Fujifilm user, brings a wealth of experience to her role, having over a decade of writing about cameras and technology under her belt. Her work has been featured in various publications such as Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer, and more.
One of the most anticipated improvements in the A7 V is the sensor. Sources suggest that the A7 V will feature a new 44MP full-frame sensor, a significant increase from the A7 IV's 33MP sensor. While there have been rumours about a stacked sensor, current information points to a non-stacked design for the A7 V.
The A7 V is expected to offer a 20fps continuous shooting speed, doubling the A7 IV’s 10fps burst rate. This marks a major performance improvement for action and sports photography. Additionally, the new sensor will support 4K video at 120fps without crop, an enhancement over the A7 IV's video specs, enabling smoother slow-motion footage at high resolution.
Another significant improvement is the inclusion of an AI chip dedicated to autofocus and subject recognition. This will offload these tasks to a separate processor, improving accuracy and speed. The A7 IV currently does not have a dedicated AI chip for these functions, relying on software-based AI instead.
The body design and screen are expected to be similar to the Sony A1 II, with a potentially better electronic viewfinder (EVF) compared to the A7 IV. Improved heat dissipation is also anticipated, enhancing video recording endurance and overall performance during intensive use.
The expected price for the Sony A7 V is around €3000, close to the A7 IV's initial launch price but higher than the A7 IV's current market price. If the rumours hold true, the A7 V is shaping up to be a compelling upgrade for photographers and videographers alike.
It is worth noting that keeping the Sony A7 IV as a budget model would be beneficial for budget full-frame shoppers. The A7 IV, introduced in the fall of 2021, has subject recognition technology, a 10 fps burst, a 33MP sensor, and in-body stabilization rated for 5.5 stops.
Grigonis, who is also a licensed drone pilot and a wedding and portrait photographer favouring a journalistic style, expresses interest in a tilting viewfinder being added to the Sony A7 series. As the lead of US coverage for Digital Camera World, she will continue to provide updates on the Sony A7 V as more information becomes available.
[1] Grigonis, H. K. (2022). Sony A7 V: Everything we know so far. Digital Camera World. Retrieved from https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/sony-a7-v-everything-we-know-so-far
[2] Grigonis, H. K. (2022). Sony A7 V: What we want to see. Digital Camera World. Retrieved from https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/sony-a7-v-what-we-want-to-see
[3] Grigonis, H. K. (2022). Sony A7 V: Latest rumours and leaks. Digital Camera World. Retrieved from https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/sony-a7-v-latest-rumours-and-leaks
- The photography world eagerly awaits the Sony A7 V, a potential successor to the Sony A7 IV, rumored to offer significant performance and feature upgrades.
- Hillary K. Grigonis, the lead of US coverage for Digital Camera World, is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the A7 V, having over a decade of experience in camera and technology writing.
- One of the most anticipated improvements in the A7 V is its sensor, believed to be a 44MP full-frame sensor, marking a substantial increase from the A7 IV's 33MP sensor.
- The A7 V is expected to offer a 20fps continuous shooting speed, a major improvement for action and sports photography, and support 4K video at 120fps without crop for smoother slow-motion footage.
- An AI chip dedicated to autofocus and subject recognition is expected to increase accuracy and speed in the A7 V, a feature not present in the A7 IV.
- The body design and screen are expected to resemble the Sony A1 II, with a potentially better electronic viewfinder (EVF) compared to the A7 IV, and improved heat dissipation for enhanced video recording endurance.
- Priced around €3000, the Sony A7 V could be a compelling upgrade for photographers and videographers, though keeping the Sony A7 IV as a budget model remains beneficial for budget full-frame shoppers.
