Sony Alpha ILCE-7R IVA + Samyang AF 85mm f1.4

Sony Alpha ILCE-7R IVA

The highly versatile and powerful Alpha 7R IVA is Sony's highest resolution camera to date. It offers impressive image quality with high resolution and wide dynamic range with consistently outstanding focus performance, high-speed continuous shooting, and many other features.

These include the world's first rear-exposed Exmor R CMOS 35mm full-frame image sensor with 61 MP and latest-generation BIONZ X image processor, real-time focus with eye detection for movie shooting, and advanced real-time tracking plus real-time AF with eye detection for still photography and APS-C cropped mode at an impressive 26.2 MP resolution. The camera supports advanced networking and operability for high-speed WiFi, remote wireless PC networking, wireless FTP transfer, or faster USB data transfer. The Alpha 7R IV allows professional 4K movie shooting with full pixel display without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode. At the same time, it features S-Log 3 and support for HDR workflows. When used with Sony's new microphones with XLR adapters, the Multi Interface Shoe with digital audio interface delivers high sound quality recordings

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A new dimension in image quality

The Alpha 7R IVA is equipped with a newly developed rear-exposed 35 mm full-frame CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 61 MP - the first of its kind in the world. The new sensor's backside-exposed design and effective noise reduction ensure ultra-low noise and high sensitivity for maximum image quality. In addition, the camera offers an impressive 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity for seamless, natural gradations from dark shadows to bright highlights. Algorithms adopted from the latest Alpha cameras also ensure outstanding color reproduction, and

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new full-frame model incorporates an innovative 5-axis image stabilization system optimized for this camera's high-resolution shooting capabilities, enabling a shutter speed advantage of 5.5 stops

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shutter has also been adapted to reduce even small movements that might otherwise cause camera shake, and the

Alpha 7R IVA's viewfinder also features the highest resolution of any Sony camera: a 5.76 million-pixel UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder. That's about 1.6 times the resolution of the Alpha 7R III's electronic viewfinder, so this new viewfinder renders every subject ultra-accurately and faithfully. Standard or high display quality and a frame rate of 60 or 120 frames per second can be set for optimal adaptation to the subject and shooting conditions. In

addition, Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode has been further developed for the new camera, which composites up to 16 images in full resolution. In this mode, the camera precisely shifts the sensor in 1- or 0.5-pixel increments to create 16 individual shots in varying pixel counts totaling 963.2 million pixels. These are then stitched together in the [Imaging Edge] desktop application to create a 240.8 million pixel image (19,008 x 12,672 pixels). This optimized mode is ideal for architectural photography, fine art photography, and all other static shooting subjects, producing images with highly impressive detail and color accuracy

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Shooting and focusing speed

The innovative new Alpha 7R IVA full-frame mirrorless camera can shoot at up to 10 frames per second with consistently accurate AF/AE tracking for approximately 7 seconds - each at full resolution - in full-frame 61 MP (JPEG/RAW) or approximately 3x as long in APS-C sized 26.2 MP cropped mode. These high-speed capabilities capture even fast-moving subjects with ultra-accuracy and impressive detail.

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Alpha 7R IVA's advanced focusing system includes 567 AF phase-detection points covering approximately 74% of the image area, plus 425 AF contrast points for added accuracy and reliability in low-light and other shooting situations for which contrast AF is ideal. The new camera's higher AF sensor density and revised tracking algorithms significantly improve tracking performance, so even complex or sudden subject movements are now tracked reliably and more accurately than ever before.

The Alpha 7R IVA also supports real-time AF with Eye Detection, which uses artificial intelligence to detect and process eye position in real time, enabling ultra-accurate focusing of the subject's eye throughout. This function is available for people and animals. Depending on the shooting situation, you can choose between AF with animal or human eye detection. In addition, a real-time tracking function is available that uses a newly developed subject detection algorithm to provide even more precise subject tracking and continuous focus system tracking. Anti-flicker shooting mode automatically detects fluorescent and artificial lighting and minimizes corresponding effects on the final image

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Optimized networking for professional workflows

The new Sony Alpha 7R IVA full-frame camera is equipped with a range of advanced networking features for professional workflows. The new model offers WLAN with support for the usual 2.4 GHz band, as well as the 5 GHz high-speed band, for faster and more stable data transfer. A wireless PC remote networking function (wireless tethering shooting) is also available with the Alpha 7R IVA - a first for Sony cameras. This feature, requested by many professionals, opens up new freedoms for studio and on-location shooting - photographers can now move around unhindered.

In addition to high-speed WiFi and wireless PC networking, the full-frame camera is also equipped with a SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.2 Gen 1) USB Type-C port that supports ultra-fast data transfer, nearly doubling the data transfer rate over the Alpha 7R III when combined with Imaging Edge software. The camera also features FTP data transfer, which sends images to a specified remote FTP server while images are still being captured or viewed.

To support efficient, networked high-speed workflows for professionals, Sony announced version 2.0 of the Imaging Edge desktop applications (Remote/Viewer/Edit). "Remote" allows users to control cameras and monitor live footage from their PC screen. "Viewer" lets users quickly preview, rate and select photos, even in large libraries. "Edit" lets users create high-quality images from RAW data, and

for the most straightforward image transfer possible, the latest version of the Imaging Edge Mobile application from Sony Images can now be transferred to a connected smartphone even when disconnected from power

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High-resolution 4K and pro movie features

In addition to its impressive photo shooting capabilities, the Alpha 7R IVA is also an excellent movie camera, with 4K video recording (3840 x 2160 pixels) and full pixel display without pixel binning in Super 35mm mode, delivering 4K content with high detail and outstanding depth. S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 also provide highly flexible color shaping, and S-Log 3 offers up to 14 levels of dynamic range. HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is also available with the Alpha 7R IVA to support direct HDR workflows, and

for video autofocus, this versatile new full-frame camera uses an optimized fast hybrid autofocus system that speeds up autofocus while filming and makes it more seamless and stable - even when an object temporarily moves in front of the subject. The Touch Tracking function for movie shooting also locks onto the desired subject with just a touch of the display, and

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Alpha 7R IVA is the first Sony camera to feature real-time AF with eye detection for movie shooting. When this function is activated, the eye of the subject in question is automatically tracked ultra-precisely and ultra-reliably, allowing the filmmaker to focus entirely on the subject instead of having to worry about focusing. The Touch Tracking function also automatically starts eye-tracking AF when a person is selected as the subject.

Another noteworthy feature for video recording is the new digital audio interface on the camera's Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe), which allows direct connection of the optional ECM-B1M shotgun microphone for high-quality low-noise audio recording or the optional XLR-K3M XLR adapter kit. In addition, interval recording is available for time-lapse video, as well as full HD recording at up to 120 frames per second, slow motion and fast motion, and many other features

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Optimized construction, design and customization options

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design and operating options of the new Alpha 7R IVA have been revised. Many wishes of the Sony The

Alpha 7R IVA has been further optimized for maximum resistance to dust and splash water. For this purpose, all connection points on the housing, the battery compartment cover and the media slots have been additionally sealed. In addition, the camera is made of an ultra-lightweight and ultra-durable magnesium alloy and features a redesigned extra-firm lens mount with six screws.

Other improvements to the body design include a redesigned grip that fits better and more securely in the hand, larger diameter and optimized feedback for the AF ON button, redesigned multi-select joystick for spontaneous control, a lock button for the exposure compensation dial, and a new shape and position for the rear dial. In response to requests from many professional photographers, the new camera is also equipped with two UHS-II compatible media slots that expand the overall feature set and enable faster read/write operations.

For greater ease of use, the options for saving settings have been expanded

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Almost all camera settings can now be saved to and loaded from a memory card. Up to 10 combinations can be stored on one card and loaded into any camera body of the same type.

Despite the 1.5 times the number of pixels, battery life has also been improved - with a CIPA measurement of up to 670 shots (via LCD, 530 shots via electronic viewfinder) per charge. To further extend operating time, the optional VG-C4EM vertical grip houses two NP-FZ100 batteries, and the optional multi-battery adapter (NPA-MQZ1K) can accommodate up to four Z batteries. In addition, the body can be powered via the USB port

Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 Sony E-mount

A small telephoto ideal for portraits, wildlife and travel.

The 85mm focal length is ideal for subjects you want to bring in or highlight without getting too close. The 28.9° angle of view is also particularly well suited for portraits or small groups, as people appear naturally proportioned at this focal length range. Lenses with focal lengths between 80 and 105 millimeters are therefore also called portrait lenses. The AF 85mm F1.4 also cuts a good figure as an all-rounder when traveling. A lens like this is predestined for stitching panoramas with very high resolution, and this focal length also provides a good introduction to night sky photography, for example for parts of the Milky Way. In the zoo, the lens cuts just as good a figure as on the photo safari, and you will be rewarded with enviable shots

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Designed for best performance

For the best possible optical performance of the lens, the light flow has been specifically optimized based on the ratio of the lens glass to the position of the sensor of Sony cameras. At the same time, the high-quality processed lens has a compact design despite its solid metal housing. Screw filters can be attached to the 77 mm thread, opening up further creative possibilities. The fast and precise autofocus is a great help even with moving subjects

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High-quality optics for sharp images

The inner workings of this lens consist of 11 glass elements arranged in 8 groups. This makes a low closest focusing distance of only 90 cm possible. 4 high refractive index (HR) lenses and one extra low dispersion (ED) lens reduce chromatic aberration and aberrations, and provide high imaging performance. This is reflected in sharp images with crisp contrasts and natural colors. Rounding out the optical design is Samyang's proprietary Ultra Multi Coating (UMC), which eliminates reflections and ghosting

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Advantages of a full-frame lens on a camera with an APS-C sensor

A large number of lens aberrations such as distortion, edge blur or vignetting occur at the outer areas of the image. If you use a lens calculated for full frame on a camera with APS-C sensor, these areas are not used. Thus, you get the maximum quality. Additional post-processing time to correct lens errors is therefore unnecessary. The angle of view for APS-C is 19.1° (crop factor 1.6)

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Compact dimensions

Despite its strong performance features, the lens, which is housed in a sturdy aluminum body, is small and compact: weighing only 568 g, with a length of just under 10 cm and a diameter of 8.8 cm, it fits easily into almost any camera bag and will not cause back pain or sweating, even on longer trips or tours. Thanks to Samyang's own Weather-Sealing-Protection, it is immune to light rain or snow showers

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