Sony A7 IV + Samyang 24-70mm f2.8

Sony A7 IV + Samyang 24-70mm

Features of the SONY A7 IV camera

An all-rounder that goes beyond the basics, the SONY Alpha a7 IV does double duty with solid stills and video performance. An advanced hybrid mirrorless camera, the a7 IV has the resolution and AF performance that appeal to photographers along with solid 4K 60p video recording for filmmakers and content creators.

The newly developed 33 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor combines with Alpha 1's BIONZ XR processor for fast shots at up to 10fps and 4K 60p video recording, along with wide sensitivity up to ISO 51200 and wide dynamic range of over 15 stops. Beyond image quality, the sensor and processor also contribute to an advanced AI-based AF system that supports Real-Time Eye AF and Real-Time Tracking for intuitive AF control and subject tracking.

This fourth-generation a7 camera also has an updated body design that houses a higher-resolution 3.68m-dot EVF, vari-angle LCD touchscreen, and dual memory card slots, including a dual CFexpress Type A/SD UHS-II slot. Connectivity and streaming are also a key attribute of this camera, and it supports a simple plug-and-play design for live streaming directly from the camera when connected to a computer via USB.

• 33MP EXMOR R BSI CMOS sensor 

The newly developed 33MP Exmor R full-frame sensor features a backlit design that promotes high clarity, low noise, and vivid color reproduction. This design benefits working in low-light conditions and works in tandem with a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200. The sensor design also achieves an impressive dynamic range of approximately 15 stops and files can be recorded in 10-bit RAW, JPEG or HEIF format.

• BIONZ XR Processor

With the flagship BIONZ XR engine, high-speed image processing capabilities are available for fast continuous shooting, 4K video recording, and advanced AF tracking performance. Fast processing also helps reduce roller shutters and other motion distortions for clean reproduction of moving subjects.

In terms of shooting speeds, the sensor and processor allow shooting at up to 10fps, using the mechanical or electronic shutter and with AF/AE enabled. In addition, the buffer allows you to record up to 828 consecutive uncompressed RAW + JPEG frames when using a CFexpress Type A card.

• Advanced External Flash Control

Suitable for working with flash while shooting fast-moving subjects, P-TTL flash metering is possible between each exposure when working with low, medium, or even high-speed continuous shooting modes. This helps maintain stable lighting if bursts in low light and greatly benefits working in changing light or low-light conditions. The updated flash control system also helps reduce flash trigger lag, uses the camera's AWB information for natural color reproduction, and supports adjusting selected flash and transmitter units directly from the camera interface.

• 4K 60p video recording in 10-bit

1. Taking full advantage of the high-resolution 33MP sensor and fast processing capabilities, UHD 4K 30p XAVC HS 10-bit recording is possible using the sensor's full width, which offers 7K oversampling for stunning sharpness and realism.
2. There's also oversampled 4K recording, via a 4.6K capture area, with Super 35 cropping, offering 4K UHD output up to 60p in 10-bit.
3. No recording time limit allows for unlimited clip lengths and the camera's physical design features an improved heat dissipation structure to promote longer recording times; more than an hour of continuous 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, for example.
4. The a7 IV employs a pair of codecs to accommodate different workflows: XAVC HS, which uses HEVC/H.265 encoding to retain more detail at smaller bitrates, and XAVC SI, which is an intra-frame codec for consistent performance and quality at bitrates up to 600 Mb/s.

• S-Cinetone, S-Log3, and other color and gamma controls

1. S-Cinetone can be used to deliver distinct colors and healthy-looking skin tone reproduction to match the FX9 and FX6 cameras, along with the a1 and a7S III cameras, and is based on the technology of Cinema Line professional cameras, such as VENICE. This color profile offers natural midtones, soft colors, and particularly well-controlled reflections.
2. HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) support allows you to record within a wide color gamut to produce HDR-ready content directly from the camera.
3. S-Log3 is also available to produce a dynamic range of more than 15 stops with greater gradient control in the shadow-to-mid-tone regions of the image.

• AI-based autofocus

Covering approximately 94% of the image area, a fast hybrid AF system incorporates 759 phase-detection points for fast and accurate focusing in a variety of lighting conditions with sensitivity down to -4 EV. This focusing system is available for use in all recording modes, to benefit both video and still image applications.

Real-Time Tracking and Real-Time Eye AF

Borrowing from the flagship AF system, the a7 IV has tuned tracking and subject detection capabilities that lock onto subjects quickly and refine focus precisely on subjects' recognisable eyes and faces:

Real-time tracking is an AI-based subject recognition system that recognizes the subject's color, pattern, and distance information to achieve high focusing accuracy and speed.

Beyond simply tracking subjects, real-time Eye AF adjusts focus accuracy and recognises the eyes of humans, animals and birds for critical sharpness. Real-time Eye AF even keeps focus on a subject's eye as they exit and re-enter the frame, allowing you to work in more spontaneous shooting situations.

• AF during movie recording and additional focus modes

Real-time Eye AF is fully supported during video recording, for subject detection and tracking the eyes of humans, animals and birds while shooting.

For more control over how focus shifts appear during recording, seven-stop AF transition speeds and five-stop AF subject-shift sensitivity controls let you refine how quickly focus changes from point to point and how smoothly focus shifts occur.

A unique solution to compensate for the performance of certain lenses when focusing, focus breath compensation will automatically smooth focus transitions and maintain a constant field of view when changing the focus position during a shot. This mode slightly crops the image and corrects any detected changes in the composition when it is being focused.

Focus Map is a unique way to visualize depth of field and works similarly to peak with a scene color overlay that indicates which parts of the scene are in front of and behind the focus point based on your chosen aperture.

A function transferred from the FX6 digital cinema camera, AF Assist allows you to intuitively switch to manual focus control to adjust the focus position when working with AF. This is a quick way to switch selective focus between multiple subjects in a scene during recording.

• Viewfinder and LCD display

An upgraded EVF Tru-Finder OLED QVGA features a 3.68-million-dot resolution that is about 1.6 times higher in resolution than its predecessor for sharper, clearer viewing. This viewfinder supports standard frame rates of 60fps and 120fps for smooth motion playback and its physical design has a 23mm long eye point, 0.78x magnification, and a 37.3° field of view.

Perfect for vlogging or other self-recording needs, the 3.0" 1.03m dot side-opening vari-angle articulating display can be used in a front orientation or can be tilted up or down to suit work from high or low shooting angles This LCD is also a touchscreen for intuitive shooting control and menu navigation.

• Hybrid body design

New to the Alpha line, there's a convenient stills/movies/S&Q dial, below the shooting mode dial, which allows for quick switching between different recording modes. When switching between still and movie recording modes, the menu system and custom buttons will change for more intuitive and convenient use.

The customizable interface allows you to assign 169 functions via 18 different buttons and the new R rear dial.

Dual memory card slots allow for flexible storage and handling of files and can be configured to partition file types or can be used for overflow recording. One slot is a dual CFexpress Type A and SD slot and the other is just an SD card slot; both are rated to support UHS-II memory cards.

The updated menu structure is more intuitive and complements having different workflows and settings selections for movie recording and still taking. The menu system also works in conjunction with the touchscreen design of the rear LCD screen.

It accepts the NP-FZ100 high-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides approximately 520 shots per charge when working with the viewfinder or 580 shots when working with the rear LCD screen.

• Ports & Interface

The full-size HDMI A port offers a more reliable connection when working with external recorders.

A USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port has been added, in addition to a micro-USB port, for faster and more reliable anchoring support. The USB Type-C connection allows the camera to be charged or powered from the host's power source while connected.

Both the 3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports provide greater control over audio recording.

The Multi-Interface Shoe supports working with the optional ECM-B1M shotgun microphone or XLR-K3M XLR adapter kit, which provide clear, enhanced audio recording sound by sending a digital audio signal to the camera, as opposed to an analog signal.

The USB Type-C port can be paired with an optional Ethernet wired LAN adapter to provide 1000BASE-T connectivity, wired remote triggering, or FTP transfer.

• 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization

The improved effective 5-axis 5-step SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system compensates for the five different types of camera shake encountered during manual shooting of stills and videos and allows users to confidently use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical shots without encountering camera blur shake.

For long focal lengths, the system will correct the pitch and yaw settings. Macro and high-magnification images, on the other hand, will benefit from the inclusion of horizontal and vertical scroll compensation. All shooting styles will take advantage of roll compensation. The 5-axis stabilization will work at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization.

Plus, specifically for video, there's also an active IS mode that adds even more precise stabilization methods for even smoother images straight from the camera.

• Streaming & Wireless Connectivity

Built-in Wi-Fi allows for remote camera control and instant image sharing to mobile devices for sharing directly online, and support for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands also allows for wireless shooting support. This connectivity also provides remote control of the camera.

Using the Imaging Edge mobile app benefits from Bluetooth to maintain a reliable connection between the camera and the mobile device.

Live streaming is possible directly from the camera by simply connecting the camera to a compatible computer or mobile device via USB, allowing the camera's video and audio capabilities to be used for live social media and video conferencing.

4K 15p, FHD 60p/30p and HD 30p recording settings are available and there are also internal Creative Look and Soft Skin effects for refined image quality straight from the camera.

Internal recording is supported by a memory card during live streaming.

UVC and UAC standards are supported to improve picture and sound quality during transmission.

It supports Visual Story for easy delivery of cloud-based photos and videos immediately after shooting.

Highlights of the 24-70mm f2.8 AF Samyang  Lens

The main features of the 24-70mm f2.8 AF FE Samyang Lens

• Excellent resolution in all areas of the image

The lens covers a focal length range of 24 to 70mm and has a fixed and bright aperture of F2.8 throughout its travel, making it a favorite of users using full-frame SONY-mount cameras. In particular, the high resolution of the lens, obtained by designing 17 elements in 14 groups (ASP 2, HB 1, HR 3, ED 3), combines with the full-frame sensor of SONY to provide the highest sharpness and contrast from corner to corner.

• Stunning background blur and exceptional bokeh with an aperture of F2.8

The AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE is capable of providing smooth background blur when working at F2.8 apertures. The extreme depth of field allows the subject to be effectively highlighted from the background, which makes it possible to capture unique images in which we are able to generate a compression of the background. The 9 blades of the diaphragm create a smooth and natural bokeh effect.

• Improved Ease of Use with Custom Switch

The AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE lens has a custom switch so that the aperture can be adjusted using the focus ring of the lens itself. In addition, the lens station allows you to configure the lens mode in order to adapt it to the conditions of the environment in which it is located.

*More features will be added through firmware updates in the future.

• Fast and quiet AF performance

The autofocus operates smoothly and quietly, satisfying both photographers and videographers in capturing and recording video, and allowing you to follow your subject accurately and quickly.

• Improved Minimum Focusing Distance

The minimum focusing distance is 0.35m, which is extremely versatile, and allows you to capture scenes close to the photographer. In addition, it is ideal for shooting portraits from the perspective of an extreme angle, food photography, and photography of narrow interior spaces.

• Special sealing protects against light rain, snow and dust

The versatility of the AF 24-70 F2.8 FE has been reinforced by taking into account not only the design of the lens, but also the shooting environment in which the user finds himself. It has a micro-stamped rubber focus ring. Its watertight finish protects the lens from harsh weather conditions, such as light rain, snow and dust.

• Features optimized for video shooting:

Par-Focal: This feature keeps the focus constant on the subject when zooming in or out of it. It is equipped with a function optimized for video recording based on cinema zoom lenses.

Cinematic Video AF: allows proper control of the autofocus speed during video capture, reduces camera shake and stabilizes the recording by reducing the impact of possible vibrations.

Linear Manual Focus Control: When recording video using the manual focus mode, this function gives us greater comfort over the friction of the movement that we emit in the focus ring.

Cine Kit: Available Samyang Cine Kit, which is comprised of a serrated focus ring, a follow focus device, and a tripod mount, which allows for quick system switching. This kit makes the AF 24-70 F2.8 a particularly versatile lens when it comes to professional video recording.