Blurring the line of what's possible in an R-series camera, the Sony a7R VI pairs the highest resolution sensor yet in an a7 body with incredible 30 fps speed, impressive 8K video capabilities, more intelligent AI-aided autofocus, and improved handling and battery life. This hybrid camera is positioned as a single camera solution for those working in a variety of genres and mediums, ranging from professional portrait and landscape shooters to event videographers to editorial, advertising, and commercial professionals to even wildlife and sports photographers.
Featured for the first time in an a7R-series body, these action-specific shooting modes greatly benefit wildlife and sports shooting situations:
- Pre-Capture: The a7R VI can be configured to begin recording images at 30 fps with AF/AE to the buffer when the shutter button is half-pressed. Users can set this between 0.03-1.0 second. Upon pressing the shutter these images will be saved to the memory card.
- Speed Boost: With Speed Boost and an assigned custom button, users can instantly switch their camera from their usual continuous shooting frame rate to a faster one to make sure their next shot is just right. Photographers will be able to select various frame rates up to 30 fps.
This unique compositing mode allows you to achieve even greater resolution than the 66.8MP sensor affords. Working in conjunction with the sensor-shift image stabilization, this mode shifts the sensor while making 4 or 16 consecutive exposures in order to acquire approximately 265.8MP of information for greater color accuracy and detail than possible with a single exposure. These files can then be merged together during post-production by using the Sony Imaging software suite.
Additionally, multi-image HDR and Noise Reduction modes can also composite between 4-32 raw images into a single frame that exhibits a wider dynamic range or reduced apparent noise, respectively.
- Improved auto-exposure algorithm can detect skin area in faces in order to more accurately balance exposures for portraits. This AE method is approximately 20% more reliable, even in backlit or direct sunlight situations, or even when the subject is not directly facing the camera.
- Deep learning technology, along with external visible light and IR sensors, also contributes to more accurate color reproduction and auto white balance processing.
- Real-time Eye AF is fully supported during video recording, for subject detection and tracking of human, animal, and bird eyes while shooting.
- Focus Map is a unique way of visualizing depth of field and functions in a similar way to peaking with a colorful overlay of the scene that indicates which parts of the scene are in front of and behind the focus point depending on the chosen aperture.
- A feature carried over from the FX6 digital cine camera, AF Assist lets you intuitively switch over to manual focus control for adjusting focus position when working with AF. This is a quick way to shift selective focus between various subjects in a scene while recording.
- A unique solution to compensate for how certain lenses perform when racking focus, Focus Breathing compensation will automatically smooth focus transitions and maintain a consistent field of view when changing the focus position during a shot. This mode crops into the image slightly and corrects for any detected shifts in composition when focusing is happening. This function is compatible with select E-mount lenses, check Breathing Compensation lens compatibility here.
Taking a leap forward in the video realm, the a7R VI's filmmaking capabilities have been improved, making this camera even more of an all-around hybrid workhorse.
- Recording formats include 10-bit, full-frame 8K 30/24p via 8.2K oversampling and 4K 120p via 5K oversampling with full pixel readout. When using a Super 35 recording area, 4K 60p footage can use 6.3K oversampling for improved detail or 4K 120 high-speed recording is possible when using 4.6K oversampling.
- AI subject recognition, gained from the AI Processing Unit, benefits the Framing Stabilizer mode, which can be used to automatically crop and recompose so the subject remains centered in the image.
A new Dual Gain function has been added that specifically works to minimize noise without affecting shadow detail, resulting in videos with the smoothest tonal gradation and a wider perceived dynamic range. This mode limits the frame rate to 30p, the resolution to 4K, and the ISO to 400, unless using S-Log3 where an ISO range of 200-3200 is available. Also, since the readout speed is reduced in this mode, it's best suited for landscapes, interiors, or other more static subject types.
- When using the optional XLR-A4 XLR adapter, 4-channel audio with 32-bit float and a 96 kHz sampling rate can be recorded alongside video. A separate WAV file can also be saved in-camera.
- An integrated noise reference mic has been added to aid background noise reduction when using either the on-board mic or an external microphone.
- The Multi Interface Shoe features a digital audio interface that supports recording 4-channel 24-bit audio with attached mics.
* Full-size HDMI A port offers a more reliable connection when working with external recorders. * Dual USB-C ports offer greater versatility and the ability to simultaneously power the camera or charge the battery while also transferring data to an external storage device. Port 1 is a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port intended for data transfer at up to 10 Gbps and Port 2 is a USB-C 2.0 port intended for power delivery and in-camera battery charging.
- PC sync terminal for wired flash sync with strobe packs or wireless radio remotes.
- Both 3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports facilitate greater control over audio recording.
- Multi Interface Shoe supports working with the new, optional XLR-A4 XLR Adapter for 32-bit float/96 kHz audio recording. This shoe also supports other external mics, like the ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone, or external flashes, like the HVL-F60RM2 Flash.
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6 enables the a7R VI to instantly share imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing online. This wireless connectivity supports both 5 and 6 GHz bands, along with 2x2 MIMO, for a strong, reliable connection to enable rapid transfers, remote control, and wireless tethered shooting.
- Bluetooth connectivity allows for location data acquisition.
- Supports wired or wireless 4K livestreaming use and is UVC/UAC compliant for simple operation. Internal recording is also supported while livestreaming.
- USB-C port, when used in conjunction with an optional USB-Ethernet adapter, offers up to 1000BASE-T speeds for quick wired LAN sharing and remote operation.
- Imaging Edge Remote for desktop supports PC Remote shooting via the Wi-Fi connection or tethered by the wired USB-C port. An updated data transfer control also makes it possible to transfer files from a memory card over Wi-Fi using the Imaging Edge Mobile app even when the camera is powered off.
The NP-SA100 battery system also introduces a series of updated power-based accessories to accept the new battery design:
- BC-SAD1 Battery Charger is a dual charger that is capable of charging two NP-SA100 batteries in approximately 115 minutes; up to 26% faster than the previous generation battery-charger system. If only charging one battery, an 80% charge can be achieved in under 1 hour. Additionally, the charger supports battery health checks.
- VG-C6 Vertical Grip has been updated to accommodate two NP-SA100 batteries for longer shooting times and more comfortable handling when working in the vertical orientation. Like its predecessor, this grip supports parallel power supply to provide even longer effective operation times, and the remaining battery life for both bat
