I'm 2 days away from 2024 and I'm still shooting on a Nikon D3100 cause I can't afford anything else. Why do I want one A7IV? Because I need to step up to stay in the game, and also because I want to work with video.

Sir I switched from nikon to sony system after launching a7iv. it is an amazing piece of gear in term of many reasons good in af, lowlight videos and more customizable

It’s been my camera for most of the year and I love it. I don’t really have any complaints about it though. It delivers in basically every scenario I put it in. Sony if you’re reading this the only way I’m upgrading is 8 stops of IBIS and a global shutter lol. It would have to be immense because the A7IV keeps up with me.

Awesome!!! Enjoy it

Absolutely! Haha, that's rather unfortunate

Are you happy with it?

Dope how do you like it.?

Appreciate it! Same to you. So it used to be that Sony had a massive lead in this area and now the pack has narrowed to where Sony is still usually ahead, but others are close enough to not batter as much. Keep in mind that resolution has an adverse effect on low light so more pixels typically means worse low light performance especially if you aren't doing large format printing. If the sensor is a BSI sensor which stands for back side illuminated (like the A7IV), that usually allows you to push low light quality even a bit further. Full frame also makes a massive difference. So anything around 24mp with a BSI sensor is typically the sweet spot for really good low light. Are you mostly or exclusively shooting photos or is video important too?

Thank you so much, I know I never go wrong asking Dan! I mostly do photos, partly because I don’t have a good gear for video. If the camera is good enough, I would love to do some videos too. So if mainly photos, which body should I buy? If both photo and video, which body do you recommend? Thank you very very much again in advance.

@@Yunhaisongtao Absolutely! I'd say the Canon R6II is great as is the Sony A7IV. The only weakness of the A7IV is that it can't shoot full frame 4k60 but it doesn't sound like that will be an issue and Sony does have a great lens lineup so I'd probably lean towards the A7IV and there is a bundle with a bunch of free gear too: bhpho.to/3RTCnZM

That's awesome! Feel free to hit me up with any questions

Great camera for an enthusiast. Another one I'd consider is the Canon R6II. If you need 4k60, the Canon is better but if that doesn't mean much to you, go with the A7IV. Sony has more lens options too and it can shoot 4k60, it just does it with a crop

Thanks! Yes, you can record a clean HDMI out while recording video internally

Absolutely...lenses really depend on budget but some of my favorites that aren't crazy expensive are this Sigma lens for wide angle: bhpho.to/42qFn41 and here is another solid general zoom option that's also on sale: bhpho.to/3vI52JW Both of those are great quality and have a wide aperture which helps with indoors where it usually isn't as bright

It was the Sony 24-70 F2.8 GMII which isn't exactly budget friendly so I'd look at the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8: bhpho.to/3vI52JW or Sigma 16-28 F2.8 if you want a very wide lens: bhpho.to/42qFn41

Awesome!

Absolutely. Tamron is definitely the best bang for the buck. Sony cameras tend to be a bit sharper in the corners especially, can autofocus at faster speeds, and usually have more hardware features. I've used Tamron for years and been very happy with them and only the best of Sony's lenses actually improve quality in a noticeable way

@@learningcameras thanks for the input . useful for all Sony users

I highly doubt we will see an A7V this year. The A7IV is too new and the updates would be pretty minor. I think we are looking at another year at least so I wouldn't be waiting

If you're shooting 4k30 or 4k24, the A7IV does have a bit more detail since it's oversampled and you have an APSC crop mode. The issue is that it overheats more easily because of the oversampling and isn't quite as good in super low light as the A7SIII. For photos, definitely get the A7IV and for higher frame rates like 4k60+, definitely get the SIII

Hey! So the A7IV is a solid camera for travel and definitely smaller than the 5D lol but, the A7CII is essentially the exact same camera as the A7IV in an even more compact body so if travel is what your after, check this one out: bhpho.to/44LchNn The only downside to the smaller body of the A7CII is you lose things like dual card slots and the A7IV has a higher resolution and larger viewfinder

If you just want the camera for casual use...family vacation/memories, the A7CII is a solid option, especially if you want it to be as small as possible. But if you use the A7IV for anything semi professional, the build and features of the A7IV are well worth it

Hey! Are you capturing video or photo? The issue right now with Sony is most of their cameras are either more photo geared or video geared but if you need a hybrid camera, they tend to have limitations. The A7IV is one of the best for the price though and would be solid for photos especially. For video the only big weakness is you can't shoot slow motion 4k60 in full frame

This is going to be very dependent on budget. A good starting point is the 24-105: bhpho.to/3Pfa9Zb and a better long lens for soccer without being too expensive is the Tamron 70-180: bhpho.to/3wNoLbZ but if you want image stabilization, you need the Sony 70-200: bhpho.to/3tL5xlq

Anything that says "FE" in the lens title will work in full frame for photos and video with the exception of 4k60 which will be cropped. So yes, this will actually be a true 16mm in photo mode

Appreciate that!

Appreciate that!

Awesome! Yes, the A7IV is great with the exception of slow motion video which does have a crop factor. So if you think you might want to shoot more slow motion video, that's where the Canon R6II edges ahead. But either of those are amazing cameras that will serve you for the long run. Sony definitely has more lens options though and this would be a great first lens because it offers great image quality with a solid range for travel: bhpho.to/3QYC4wa

@@learningcameras 📸 thank you so much..

So just keep in mind that 1 super zoom lens is not going to give you the quality of 2-3 more specific lenses. My favorite general zoom lenses are the Sony 20-70: bhpho.to/3QYC4wa and the Sigma 24-70: bhpho.to/3ZDpN2S

@@learningcameras Ok, Thanks 👍🏻

Unfortunately everyone dropped the sale price last week. Right now the best deal is a kit with a bunch of extras for the same price as the A7IV body only: bhpho.to/3RTCnZM

Hahaha...that's awesome!

I love a 35mm focal length for studio in a small space. Pretty much all of my videos are shot with this lens: bhpho.to/428pO1L Sony makes a higher end GM lens as well which I have reviewed: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ob94qKmhnc-uZZc.html

I do have it but it's a lightroom preset only so not for video. But head to www.dan-sally.com/shop --- and use coupon code : dansfan20 for 20% off!

Awesome! Appreciate it

Haha...nice!

Natural light...the A7IV has tons of dynamic range so it's easy to make them look lit

Just a single edit! Most cameras these days have a ton of dynamic range and in my lightroom preset pack, there is a subject isolation preset that applies multiple masks automatically with a single clip to help level the exposure between the subject and background for a little extra pop

do you have more info about this lightroom preset?

@@basgestel Absolutely! And here's a coupon code for 20% OFF if you want to pick them up: dansfan20 www.dan-sally.com/product-page/phoenix-extended

i have the package, bur which filter can I use to get the result? @@learningcameras

​@@basgestel Awesome! So combine the "subject mask" filter or "portrait mask" for portraits with any of the other filters and you'll get the result I'm talking about. The Subject mask and Portrait mask filters automatically create AI masks on your image to lighten and enhance your subject while isolating the background and tuning the sky. You can edit these individually afterwords if the effect is too strong or not strong enough

Awesome! I think you would be fine with something like the Sony a6700: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mc13eJtlmKesfmQ.html and that should give you some leftovers for lenses. But if you start getting into more professional events where you need dual card slots and higher end hardware, the A7IV is your ticket

I appreciate it. Going to pick up the 6700 model. Any specific lens you recommend that is decent for both picks and video? Two lenses in the packages are the 16-50 or 18-135. Or go with something else? Cheers

@@MrPink-ui3mz Those are good general kit lenses but when you are ready to move up in quality, this is an amazing zoom lens: bhpho.to/3OeefQA and this is a great general prime lens: bhpho.to/3pSWJsv If you have a different budget let me know

Hey! So really the only weakness of this camera is the lack of full frame 4k60 so 4k60 (slow motion) will be at less quality and if you want to shoot wide angle slow motion, you will need an APSC wide angle lens. Other than that, this camera is perfect. If you do shoot 4k60 slow motion quite a bit, I'd get this instead: bhpho.to/3NpsSB1

Yes, this camera does heat up quickly mostly because it is oversampling from 7k which is insanely processor intense. There is a setting in the camera to shut down the camera when it starts to overheat to keep it from getting too hot or you can set it to let the camera heat up a bit more in order to keep it running which could be more risky. You shouldn't overheat the camera in 1080p but 4k gets hot fast

@@learningcameras Thanks for the reply! Yes, but I need the camera primarily for video with the prospect of future photo shooting and in high temperature mode it worked without problems for up to an hour of continuous video recording in 4K and that suits me quite well. But the fact that it is VERY hot is not very satisfying, will it fail with such use.

@@user-pj7jc8gn2m Sony unfortunately doesn't have a great option for that... you will want 2 separate bodies. For video, you can get the Sony FX3 or FX30 that won't overheat, and then use the A7IV for photos with the option of using it as a backup video camera. Hybrid cameras are a weak point for Sony at the moment, especially if you need the video to work in demanding use cases

@@learningcameras thanks a lot

So the overheating is because the A7IV is a 7k oversample without any active cooling like the FX30. Hopefully Sony does what Panasonic did with the S5II and put hidden active cooling in the camera. Not sure why Sony doesn't allow open gate yet...maybe to protect cinema cameras and I'm guessing the lack of waveforms is for a similar reason. But you can always use an external monitor to get waveforms. The FX30 is a great camera although I hear mixed feelings about the low light ability

​@@learningcameras Thanks, Dan. I was kind of ranting, so didn't really expect a reply, but appreciate your thoughts VERY MUCH!!! Yeah, it seems like Sony wants very much to keep their alpha lines and cinema lines separate. I mean, the a7S III lacks an external time code input (unless you dedicate an audio channel to time code), and no waveforms either :( And regarding the FX30,if only it had open gate... If the legendary Agent 86 Maxwell Smart were looking at Sony's lineup of cameras, he would hod up his fingers about two inches apart and say, "Missed it by THAT much." RIP Don Adams

So in my example...I'm saying that I use autofocus to record me in my studio videos for youtube...in that situation I literally don't think it has EVER missed. But that doesn't mean it can't miss in other situations. But I have used a variety of cameras over the years to record me in my studio and I think Sony is the only one I've never put to manual focus because I'm that confident it won't miss

The camera can record in XAVCS that should play back decently on a windows PC and XAVC HS which won't play back well on anything but the latest PC's with better h.265 acceleration. Processors struggled with h.265 (10bit XAVC HS). The first computer to deal with it well was Apples M1 chips but Intel is finally supporting it better in the latest versions. But with older chips...even heavy duty i9 chips, you may need to use 8bit instead of 10bit because hardware acceleration for 10bit is newer tech

Hahaha... awesome

The A7IV is significantly better for video so I would highly recommend getting the A7IV: bhpho.to/3RTCnZM

@@learningcameras i am thinking of getting a7siii instead of both of these actually

It's something I personally don't use so I tend not to notice but I know it can be important for macro/product so I need to check this more often

I currently use the A7IV as my personal photo camera and youtube studio camera...but that's personally. But I'm often using other cameras for testing, comparisons, lens tests, and sometimes just because that camera has a feature I like. The fact that I personally own a camera does not mean I can't recommend something else or that you shouldn't purchase something else. I did create a Panasonic video last week that was sponsored by Panasonic as it clearly said which is why that wasn't a "review"...just my favorite features from using it. I do have a Panasonic S5II REVIEW from last year that was not sponsored and is very unbiased. Any titled "REVIEW" will NOT be sponsored especially by a camera manufacture but occasionally (it's pretty rare actually) I will get a video sponsorship request by a manufacturer so I'll use those videos just to show off unique aspects that make that camera cool to use or just use them for a cool shoot. Although even in those sponsored videos I try to NEVER pass over any big negatives or promote anything I wouldn't and haven't personally used. I love affiliate links because they are the most unbiased way to still earn a couple dollars and create youtube content. You can use that same link and buy a Sony, Canon, or Panasonic camera...it makes absolutely no impact on me! So I will never have a favorite camera because of affiliate links. But just because I own an A7IV for example, doesn't mean I wish it didn't have open gate and 6k which are awesome features on a Panasonic! I also test cars professionally so I drive a TON of cars that I love and some I don't and then get back in the Tesla Model Y Performance I own personally and drive home. Because I personally own a Tesla doesn't mean I can't evaluate a Porsche or Mercedes. Same with a cameras. My wife actually personally shoots with Canon (she's a wedding/portrait photographer) but she'll also shoot Sony, Nikon, and Panasonic if there is a new Camera/Lens she wants to test or if there is a feature that works better for the shoot. I also personally use a PC but tend to edit on a mac and personally use an android as my daily phone but use an iPhone for most business work so I'm all over the place lol. Sorry for the long response but your comment deserved a proper explanation because I always to be trustworthy...even if a video is occasionally sponsored

Thanks for taking the time to give such and in-depth reply. I do like your videos and am interested in your opinions hence the reason for the frustration. I shoot both Panny and Sony BTW :P . You'll appreciate people are always looking for 'the best camera' and I just think it would be nice for you to say "this is the camera I use every day but today i'm testing this one" it would just help people a lot and help clarify things. @@learningcameras

"How can we trust you?" Brah, are you serious? Who hurt you? If this review doesn't help, watch another one and another one if that helps. Part of being an educated consumer is absorbing enough information to help you make an educated purchase. Or how about this . . . go do a local camera store and try the camera you're most interested in buying. Does it fit well in your hand, does it balance well with the lenses you intended to use it with, are the lenses of your choice readily available. Try the competitors and ask yourself the same questions. Better yet . . . the A7IV and its nearest competitors (e.g., Canon R6 mk II) have been around for a long while, you should be able to rent them and try them out in real life shooting scenarios. If you trust no one else, at least you can trust your own real world experience with the hardware.

@@learningcamerasDan, you don’t need to defend yourself. Your expressed views are subjective and should be regarded as such. The market is flooded with technical offerings so Sony does not have to be everyone’s preferred choice.

@@808islandlife_HI Thanks Brah, I already own both and are happy with them

The A7IV does oversample from 7k so it overheats faster than my A7SIII that's only 12mp, but indoors, I don't overheat in my studio and I shoot for around an hour (make sure to flip the screen away) although outdoors on a hot day I can absolutely overheat it in about 30-40 minutes or faster if it's direct sunlight. But I tend to use the A7IV mostly as a photo camera and for studio video/interviews which are usually temp controlled. The A7SIII is my goto outdoors when I'll typically be shooting 4k60. I do wish we could have a non oversampled mode (the Canon R5 does this) for those times you need well over an hour of 4k and don't mind sacrificing some detail

If you want 10fps in H+ yes, but 6-7 fps in a high burst is 14bit

If you want to shoot slow motion video, I'd say get the Canon R6II but if you're fine shooting the majority of video in 4k24 or 4k30, the A7IV has a few extra features

Thanks! Sony has definitely slowed down the pace of updates so I'll be surprised to see it this year. They tend to wait until the next sensor tech arrives and instead, bring out 2-3 different cameras using the same sensor first and I don't see them ready to change. They only just released the A7CII with the same sensor so my guess is 2025 would be more realistic

They are working for me but they to use a redirect which could be blocked if you are using an ad blocker or something similar

Nope!

@@learningcameras damn…