Sony A9 vs Sony A7R IV

Cameras
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Sony A9 vs Sony A7R IV

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35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

35mm 849.7mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R IV.
Compare Sony A7R IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II

Succeeded by the Sony A7R V

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Sony A7R IV

Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 70 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 32 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7R IV advantages over Sony A9

High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7R IV test data on DxO Mark A9 test data on DxO Mark

14.8 vs 13.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Newer
5 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
61.0 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R IV User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A9

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Buy the Sony A7R IV

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Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.
Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7R IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3807
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7R IV

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3807
35mm

Bigger pixels
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2066
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Sony A7R IV

Sony A7R III

$3120
35mm

Fast startup
More pixels

$2066
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2997
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Sony A7R IV

Sony A9 II

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$4498
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Sony A9 II

Compared to Canon R5

Sony A9

Canon R5

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Canon R5

Sony A7R IV

Canon R5

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A9

Nikon Z7 II

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
NFC

$2330
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R IV

Nikon Z7 II

$3120
35mm

High resolution composite
NFC

$2330
35mm

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon Z7 II

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