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Home → Comparison

Sony a7CR vs Sony a7R V: What Should You Get?

By Jason Polak 1 Comment
Last Updated On September 27, 2024

If your photography demands high resolution and impeccable image quality, two of Sony’s cameras that you may be considering are the a7CR and the a7R V. Both cameras share a 61-megapixel sensor and can even shoot 240 megapixel images with their high-resolution sensor shift modes. Considering that you’ll get the same image quality from both, why is the a7R V more expensive? It has to do with some of the camera’s other features, as detailed below.

Sonya7CR_vs_Sonya7RV_comparison_front

Sony a7CR vs Sony a7R V Specifications Comparison

Camera FeatureSony a7CRSony a7R V
AnnouncedAugust 2023October 2022
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSBSI CMOS
Image ProcessorBIONZ XRBIONZ XR
Resolution61.0 MP61.0 MP
Pixel Dimensions9504×63369504×6336
Sensor Dimensions35.7 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame)35.7 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size3.76µ3.76µ
Low Pass FilterNoNo
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)YesYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 32,000ISO 32,000
Extended ISOsISO 50-102,400ISO 50-102,400
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftYesYes
Focus Stack BracketingYesYes
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/8000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)8 FPS10 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)7 FPS10 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingCompressed 12-bit raw at 8 FPS (uncompressed 14-bit raw is available at 7 FPS)Compressed raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed and lossless compressed raw at 7 FPS)
Buffer Size (Raw)36 frames (8 FPS)583 frames (10 FPS)
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognitionHybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition
Autofocus Points693693
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4 EV-4 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/1601/250
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoYes
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)10 bits10 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)10 bits16 bits
Raw VideoNoYes, externally
8K Maximum FramerateN/A25 FPS
4K Maximum Framerate60 FPS60 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate120 FPS120 FPS
Additional Video Crop Factor1.24x crop at 4K 60p (otherwise no additional crop)1.24x crop at 8K and 4K 60p (otherwise no additional crop)
Chroma Subsampling4:2:24:2:2
Video Recording Limit780 minNo limit (4K); 30 minutes (8K)
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots12
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-II)CFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II)
Slot 2 TypeN/ACFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.2 in
Rear LCD Resolution1.04 million dots2.1 million dots
Articulating LCDFully ArticulatingFully Articulating
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.70x0.90x
Viewfinder Resolution2.36 million dots9.44 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 3.2 Gen 1Type C 3.2 Gen 2
Battery TypeNP-FZ100NP-FZ100
Battery Life (Viewfinder)490 frames440 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)530 frames530 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)515 g (1.14 lbs.)723 g (1.59 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)124 x 71 x 63 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 2.5″)131 x 97 x 82 mm (5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2″)
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$3000 (Check Current Price)$3900 (Check Current Price)
Used PricesSony a7CR Used PricesSony a7R V Used Prices

You can see from this comparison that there are plenty of differences between the a7CR and the a7R V despite using the same camera sensor – and aside from size, weight, and price, those differences definitely favor the Sony a7R V.

Starting with the biggest differences, the a7R V has a more pro-oriented design, with dual memory card slots, a larger rear LCD, and a much larger electronic viewfinder. All of these are welcome improvements, especially the dual memory cards, since it allows you to keep two copies of every photo that you take – critical for a temporary backup in the field.

Sonya7CR_vs_Sonya7RV_comparison_back

The video features of the Sony a7R V are also more advanced and pro-oriented. It’s not that the a7CR is a slouch for videography, but if you need high-octane features like 8K 16-bit RAW video, the a7R V can get it done (at least, when paired with an external HDMI recorder).

Finally, the Sony a7R V makes for a better sports and wildlife photography camera thanks to its larger buffer. The limited 44-shot buffer of the a7CR is one of my two major complaints with that camera, alongside the single memory card slot. If you expect to be do intensive wildlife photography with frequent high-FPS bursts, the a7R V’s larger buffer will be very welcome. It also shoots at a higher rate of 10 FPS rather than 8 FPS in the first place.

Sony-24mm-f2.8-G-Review-Photo-00001
Sony a7R V+ FE 24mm F2.8 G @ 24mm, ISO 100, 1/15, f/16.0

To sum everything up, the Sony a7R V is definitely the more advanced camera – as you would expect from the higher price. Basically, the question is whether you’re willing to spend the extra money to get dual card slots, a bigger buffer, a larger viewfinder, and niche top-quality video features.

At the end of the day, for still photography, the two cameras will give you the same image quality. The a7CR will also do it in a smaller, lighter package, which is ideal for something like hiking long distances for landscape photography. I can’t make a direct recommendation because it depends on your situation, but at least now you know the tradeoffs between the two!


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Tagged With: Choosing a Camera, Sony A7CR, Sony A7R V

About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

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k k
k k
October 7, 2024 12:00 am

Max flash sync of 1/160s and no mechanical shutter is a deal breaker for serious photography.

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