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Sony A7R V has the same 61MP sensor but insane leap in AI autofocus

Sony's new full-frame mirrorless camera has the same 61-megapixel sensor as A7R IV, but a new AI autofocus system and subject-tracking modes

Sony A7RV Body Front View bright
(Image: © Sony)

The Sony A7R V was launched in October and announced via a live stream on the Sony Alpha YouTube channel. The camera sports a 61MP sensor and 8K video capabilities, and is undoubtedly one of the best Sony cameras, with its cutting-edge AI autofocus technology, and improved handling over the Sony A7R IV.

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Lauren Scott using Sony A7 III camera
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Lauren Scott

As Digital Camera World's Managing Editor, and the previous Editor of the global magazine Digital Photographer, Lauren has been covering the photography and tech industry, including the latest cameras, for over ten years. She's a Sony fan – having used the Sony A7 III for the past few years – and is currently reviewing the Sony Xperia 5 IV smartphone.

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Sony Creative Space 2022

(Image credit: Sony)

Potential leaked image of Sony A7R V

It's Sony Alpha launch day!

Another last-minute image has leaked on Sony Alpha Rumors, showing what is purportedly the mode dial of the Sony A7R V. From this, the website infers that the new camera has the same controls as the Sony A7 IV and that the C1 button sits higher to accommodate what is said to be a new 4-axis tilt / flip screen (similar to the Panasonic S1H).

Early rumblings are that the Sony A7R V will cost £3,999 in the UK, which is approximately $4,630 / AU$7,140. What do you think, does that sound fair? 

Lots of wild guesses (and daft guesses) on the video chat and comments section about what this announcement will be. 

The live chat is just going bananas with silliness.

We're at the UK camera launch

Spoiler alert: our Sony A7R V review is right here

Aaaaaaaaaaand we're live!

Ooh, "a new AI processing unit" where "the resolution of R meets new imaging intelligence"

Sony A7R V

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

61MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, combined with Bionz XR processor. 

The AF now recognizes challenging subjects that are small, or facing backwards; faces that are in profile, facing down, or backlit.

60% improvement in human eye recognition

40% improvement in animal recognition, including animals facing backwards

Car AF, train AF, airplane AF, and WORLD FIRST insect AF head and body recognition

Up to 10fps burst shooting with full AF/AE

Visible light + IR sensor now powers AI white balance

Sony is teasing deep learning and cloud computation in a rather nebulous way

Now boasting 8 stops of image stabilization. Which seems… optimistic, given Sony's IBIS system

Pixel shift 240.8MP images now offers correction for leaves and people movement

Wahay! Full readout 8K 24/25p video

Quick switching to 26MP APS-C crop images

6.2K binning-free 4K 60p with S-Cinetone

AI real-time recognition applies to video shooting, too

14 stops of "latitude" 

Focus Map is back, in case it didn't give you a headache before

Hooray, focus breathing correction!

Oooh, the 9.44 million-dot EVF is back as well

Dual SD / CFexpress A memory card slots

THE MENUS FINALLY SUPPORT TOUCH CONTROL! HALLELUJAH!

Shoot in "severe professional situations with confidence" thanks to the weather sealing

8K shooting seems limited to 30 minutes due to overheating

Sony A7R V launch

Plenty of hands-on time was had with the Sony A7R V at the UK launch today. Sample shots coming soon, with amaaazing autofocus tracking (Image credit: Lauren Scott)