When it comes to professional-level mirrorless cameras, Sony has been leading the market for several years. Two of their latest offerings, the Sony A9 II and the Sony A7R IV, have created a lot of buzz among photographers and videographers alike.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What is Full Frame Sensor on Camera
- What are Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- How are the Design of Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- How are the Autofocus of Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- How are the Video Quality of Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- How are the Image Quality of Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- How are the Battery Life of Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
- Sony A9 II Vs Sony A7R IV
Full Frame Sensor
A full-frame sensor, also known as a 35mm sensor, is a digital camera sensor that has the same dimensions as a 35mm film frame. These sensors are typically larger than APS-C and micro four-thirds sensors, which are commonly found in entry-level and mid-range cameras.
The size of the sensor directly affects the angle of view and the field of view of the lens. Since full-frame sensors are larger than APS-C and micro four-thirds sensors, they offer a wider angle of view and a shallower depth of field, making them ideal for portrait, landscape, and low-light photography. Read Also: Canon XA30 vs. Sony PXW-X70
Advantages of Full-Frame Sensors
- Image Quality: One of the most significant advantages of full-frame sensors is the image quality they offer. Due to their larger size, full-frame sensors can capture more light, resulting in images with less noise, more detail, and better color reproduction.
- Low-Light Performance: Full-frame sensors also perform better in low-light situations than their smaller counterparts. The larger sensor size allows for larger pixels, which can capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance.
- Depth of Field Control: Full-frame sensors offer a shallower depth of field than APS-C and micro four-thirds sensors, making it easier to achieve that coveted blurred background effect. This is especially useful in portrait photography, where the subject is the main focus of the image.
- Wide Angle of View: Full-frame sensors also offer a wider angle of view than APS-C and micro four-thirds sensors. This makes them ideal for landscape and architectural photography, where the photographer wants to capture as much of the scene as possible.
About Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV
Introducing the Sony Alpha a9 II, a top-of-the-line full-frame mirrorless camera designed for sports enthusiasts. Boasting a remarkable 24MP stacked CMOS sensor, this camera enables rapid-fire bursts of 20 frames per second without the frustrating ‘blackout’ effect commonly seen in traditional DSLRs, thanks to its electronic shutter. Even with its mechanical shutter, it can capture at a speedy 10 frames per second. Additionally, the camera’s 693-point phase-detect technology provides outstanding coverage, encompassing 93% of the image area, and features Sony’s most up-to-date Real-Time Tracking system.
In contrast, Sony a7R IV, the latest addition to the company’s high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera series. This fourth-generation camera features a remarkable BSI-CMOS sensor that produces 60.2MP images of unparalleled quality. While it delivers exceptional resolution, the camera is also capable of capturing rapid-fire shots at up to 10 frames per second, with full autofocus functionality. Additionally, it has the ability to record 4K video, either from the full width of its sensor or from an APS-C/Super 35 crop.
Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV Design
Both cameras feature a robust build quality with a magnesium alloy body, weather-sealing, and a comfortable grip. The Sony A9 II is slightly bigger and heavier than the A7R IV, with 129 x 96 x 76 mm and 678 gram for Sony A9 II, while 129 x 96 x 78 mm and 665 for A7R IV. But both cameras offer excellent ergonomics and button layout. The Sony A7R IV has a higher resolution 5.76M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) compared to the 3.69M-dot EVF on the A9 II. The A7R IV also has a higher resolution 61 MP full-frame sensor, which makes it ideal for high-resolution still photography.
Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV Autofocus
Both cameras feature Sony’s advanced autofocus system, but the A9 II takes it to a whole new level. The A9 II has a 693-point phase-detection autofocus (AF) system that covers 93% of the frame, making it ideal for fast-moving subjects like sports and wildlife. The A9 II also has a faster burst rate of 20 frames per second (fps) compared to the A7R IV’s 10 fps. Read Also: Panasonic HC-WXF991K vs. Sony FDR-AX53
The Sony A7R IV has a 567-point phase-detection autofocus system that covers 74% of the frame, which is still impressive. The A7R IV is also capable of shooting high-resolution images at 61MP, which is useful for landscape and architectural photography.
Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV Video Quality
Both cameras are capable of shooting 4K video, but the A9 II has some advantages over the A7R IV. The A9 II can shoot 4K video at 60 fps with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, which means that it can produce high-quality footage with no artifacts or cropping. The A9 II also has a 3.5mm microphone jack, headphone jack, and a dedicated video record button. The A7R IV can shoot 4K video at 30 fps with full pixel readout, but it uses pixel binning to achieve this, which can result in some artifacts and loss of detail.
Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV Image Quality
The Sony A7R IV has a higher resolution 61 MP full-frame sensor, which makes it ideal for high-resolution still photography. The A7R IV produces images with excellent detail and dynamic range, making it a popular choice among landscape and architecture photographers. The Sony A9 II has a lower resolution 24.2MP full-frame sensor, but it excels in low-light performance and autofocus speed. The A9 II produces images with excellent high-ISO performance, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, and event photography.
Sony A9 II and Sony A7R IV Battery Life
The Sony A9 II uses the NP-FZ100 battery, which provides a rated battery life of up to approximately 690 shots per charge when using the viewfinder, or approximately 780 shots per charge when using the rear LCD. The Sony A7R IV uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as the A9 II, but due to its high-resolution sensor, it consumes more power, resulting in a lower rated battery life of up to approximately 530 shots per charge when using the viewfinder, or approximately 670 shots per charge when using the rear LCD. However, the actual battery life can vary depending on factors such as shooting conditions, temperature, and usage patterns.
Which is Good: Sony A9 II Vs Sony A7R IV
Overall, the Sony A9 II is an excellent camera for sports, wildlife, and event photography, thanks to its advanced autofocus system, fast burst rate, and excellent low-light performance. The Sony A7R IV, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for landscape and architectural photography, thanks to its high-resolution sensor and excellent detail.
Whichever camera you choose, both the Sony A9 II and A7R IV offer exceptional performance and image quality, making them some of the best mirrorless cameras on the market today. With their advanced features and capabilities, these cameras are sure to help photographers and videographers capture stunning images and videos that are sure to impress.
