Sony Alpha A7R VI Review

The new Sony Alpha A7R VI, reviewed right here, introduces a completely new 67 Megapixels Stacked BSI-CMOS Full-Frame sensor. This sensor raises the maximum resolution of Full-Frame for the first time in 7 years. While a 10% increase in resolution is not revolutionary, the new stacked implementation provides numerous significant advantages over previous sensors, particularly in terms of speed and dynamic-range.

Sony packed features into the Alpha A7R VI unlike any of they previously had. Its key specifications are class-leading or not far behind. This starts with the headline 67 MP resolution, plus 30 FPS continuous drive and 8K video capabilities, plus an 8½-stops 5-axis built-in image stabilization system. This is the second most-effective IBIS system and the best available among Full-Frame Digital Cameras. Add to that a huge EVF with the maximum resolution every made and incredible contrast that allows HDR preview.

This professional Mirrorless Digital Camera features a 759-Point Phase-Detection AF system that is sensitive to -11 EV, an unprecedented level of darkness. For the first time, Sony added illumination to all back buttons to emphasize the low-light capabilities of this camera. The Sony Alpha A7R VI offers refined controls, including four customizable control-dials and a large number of configurable buttons. As expected by this level of camera, this model is fully weatherproof, when combined with a compatible weatherproof lens.

Sony now has four main series of A7 cameras. The A7-series balances speed and resolution, the A7C series pares down features in favor of size and A7S prioritizes sensitivity, plus the A7R that leads in terms of resolution. The new A7R IV though exceeds all capabilities, except for the ultra-high sensitivity of the 12 megapixels A7S III. The flagship Sony camera is the Sony Alpha A1 II
Sony Alpha A1 II which combines a 50 MP sensor and a 30 FPS drive, which are matched by the new A7R VI. The lead that the A1 II keeps is faster sensor read-out and deeper buffers. Still, the A7R VI holds its own with a buffer that can capture 215 JPEG or 159 RAW files at 30 FPS. There is now a 30 frame pre-capture butter too. Professional action photographers are also served by the ultimate speed of the Sony Alpha A9 II
Sony Alpha A9 II that can capture 120 FPS at 24 MP.

There is so much to unpack with this camera that Neocamera extended the in-depth review format to four pages for the first time. Indeed, not only does the Alpha A7R VI have one of the most extensive feature-set on the market, it is also among the most customizable.

This digital camera review covers the performance and image quality of the Sony Alpha A7R VI.

Sony A7R VI Key Features

In the simplest terms, the Sony Alpha A7R VI is suitable for all types of photography. Most high end digital cameras designed for professionals are. So this part of the review covers what it is best suited for and the few cases where a different camera would be an even better match. For those looking into a camera for general photography, the A6R VI is more than enough. In this case, you may advance to the next page or skip straight to Usability, if you are not looking for a particular uncommon feature.

Given its 67 megapixels sensor, images from the A7R VI can be used to make enormous prints. The exact size depends on the ISO used, which is covered in the Performance page of this review. Only a handful of Medium-Format Cameras offer a higher-resolution. Those are more expensive and often bulkier than the Sony A7R VI.

The Sony Alpha A7R VI boasts a higher resolution sensor than any Full-Frame or Cropped-Sensor Digital Camera.

The exposure range of this Full-Frame Digital Camera is great. Its standard ISO 100-32000 sensitivity range can be extended to ISO 50-102400, allowing it to capture images in bright and low light. For night time photography, low ISO are typically used, combined with a long exposure. When capturing moving subjects in a dimly lit environment, high ISO are required. With several stops of sensitivity above ISO 12800, the A7R VI is certainly capable. However, for photographers who work primarily under those conditions, there are cameras that are much more sensitive to light. The Sony A7S III reaches a maximum sensitivity of ISO 4096000!

For some subjects, shutter-speed is critical. In this regards, the A7R VI offers a very typical 1/8000-30s shutter-speed range, plus Bulb mode. On the fast side, 1/8000s can freeze most subjects, including action and sports. Animals, particularly insects and hummingbirds move so quickly that they still appear blurry at 1/8000s, unless at rest, of course. Most photographs of hummingbirds used on prints are made in captivity using a flash, which is quite intrusive to the birds. There exits some cameras that offer 1/32000s and even up to 1/180000, for the Fujifilm X-T5
Fujifilm X-T5. Those speeds are sufficient to freeze hummingbird wings flapping.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are light and star trails. Those require very long exposures over minutes or hours. While the Bulb limit of the A7R VI is unspecified, it can handle several minutes but those have to be timed manually. Technically it allows up to 15 minutes of preset exposure time which is more reliable, but setting that duration is buried deeply in the menu system. One difficultly in such exposures is that they are impossible to meter for. Only OM Systems produces cameras that can show an exposure in progress. This is immensely useful when capturing fireworks. One example that can do this is the OMS OM-5 Mark II
Olympus OMS OM-5 Mark II.

With a maximum 30 FPS Continuous Drive speed, the Sony Alpha A7R VI is one of the rare cameras that can capture high-resolution images at action speeds. Similarly to with shutter-speeds, it is possible to capture even more precise moments for a camera that with a faster frame-rate. All such cameras capture fewer pixels, so consider which is more important to you.

8K video is overrated but the A7R VI can record it for those that want to.

Video capabilities of this camera are particularly strong. While the 8K mode grabs headlines, the A7R VI is truly interesting for its 4K video features. This camera captures 4K video using the full-width of the sensor, allows up to 120 FPS recording and offers a data-rich 600 MB/s maximum bit-rate. Additionally, it can record 4-channel digital audio using a compatible microphone attached to its Multi-Interface Hot-Shoe. The 8K video support may be nice to have but less than ideal for serious work. It is captured from a cropped-region of the sensor, limiting the field-of-view, but its bit-rate tops at 520 MB/s, despite having 4X the resolution. For this reason, it would only store more details for relatively static scenes.

People reading this review probably know they are looking for a Full-Frame Digital Camera for its high image-quality and low-light performance. It is worth noting that those come at a price. Not only are such cameras more expensive and generally bulkier than cropped sensor models, every lens is bigger and heavier than its APS-C or Micro Four-Thirds equivalent. This is an important consideration for travel and street photography.