The Sony a7R V was launched more than two years ago. And in terms of technology, that’s a very long time ago. But I don't think this camera should be overlooked.
I recently spent a week teaching at a photography conference (WPPI), and I got a good amount of questions from students who were looking to make the move to Sony. One of the biggest questions was exactly which camera I’d recommend they look into. While I have my own preferences, I always try to base this type of feedback on what the specific user might need rather than what I need for my own uses. So after asking a handful of questions centered around the type of work they do and how they use their current kit, almost every time my answer was to look at the Sony a7R V.
This surprised me a bit. Since the camera is technically a bit "older," I would have never jumped to this camera as a recommendation. But I use "older" very lightly here since the camera was released in late 2022. But the fact is that this camera is still packed with the highest-end features available. In fact, almost all the recent Sony variations that have been released are simply other camera variations catching up to the technology that was released with the Sony a7R V.
The Best Screen On The Market
We have seen this screen on the recent launch of the Sony a1 II as well as the global shutter beast that is the Sony a9 III. But this tilting and flip screen combo made its first appearance on the Sony a7R V. And when I say I love this screen, I mean I really love this screen. So much so that it’s perplexing that no other camera brand has tried to make a similar offering. Because with almost any camera launch, there are people who wish they had a tilt screen over a flip screen and then vice versa. So why not give people the best of both worlds? Because that's what this screen is.
Insane AF Tracking With Dedicated AI Processing Chip
Almost every recent Sony camera has a dedicated AI processing unit that helps the camera perform some insane autofocus calculations. The tracking that Sony has developed has become so good that I don't actually think about focusing anymore. It’s no longer part of my thought process when I'm getting ready to take an image. Although most recent cameras have this feature, it made its first appearance on the Sony a7R V. The only thing that is missing from the a7R V is the ability for the camera to auto-detect the subject (human, animal, car, etc.). Instead, you have to manually select what type of subject you want to track. Even so, the only Sony camera (that I’m aware of) that can do this automatically is the newest offering, the Sony a1 II. So fingers crossed this feature makes its way to older cameras via firmware update.
My Favorite Sensor
While other cameras from Sony have similar feature sets, the standout ability of the a7R V can be found in the sensor. This 61 MP sensor, with top-tier dynamic range and fantastic high ISO ability, is (in my opinion) one of the best sensors on the market for photography. Even if you don't want the full 61 MP file size, you can always have the camera save files in a lower resolution when desired. But for me, I love being able to take images in crop mode while still retaining almost 24 MP of resolution. This gives any lens you own a second form of being with the click of a button. From here, the high dynamic range gives a ton of extra freedom in post-production.
Made For Profesionals
There is one camera on offer from Sony that will give you almost every standout feature found on the Sony a7R V and give it to you in a smaller package and at a smaller price tag. That camera is the Sony a7CR. And this camera is actually my everyday carry camera of choice. But unfortunately, there are some key elements missing from the Sony a7C R that make it less ideal for professional use. The first one is the lack of dual card slots. And I feel every professional job should be photographed with a camera that has dual card slots while simultaneously recording raw files to both cards. The other missing element is the fact that the Sony a7C R, because of its smaller size, doesn't have a shutter that can go above 1/4000 of a second. This makes it a little more difficult to take images in full daylight with shallow f/1.4 apertures. And both these elements (dual card slots and shutter speed) are not an issue on the a7R V. In addition, while the smaller size of the a7C R is nice for everyday carry, the larger and more ergonomic body of the a7R V is much more desirable for longer sessions where you need to hold the camera for prolonged periods.
Not For Everyone
While the Sony a7RV was the camera I recommended most, there were obviously people and scenarios where other cameras fit better. For example, if you didn't necessarily need the camera for professional use, then the a7CR would be a good option. Or for those that wanted a camera that was more video-centric and for that, something like a Sony FX3 or FX30 would be better suited. Then there were people that wanted a camera that could do both photo and video. For that, I recommended something like the Sony a7 IV. Lastly, there are people like me who need speed and silent shooting. And for them, the best option is the Sony a1 II or the Sony a9 III.
Conclusion
While the Sony a7R V may not be the best camera for everyone or every need, it is still a highly capable camera that shines in the world of photography (and isn't a slouch in the video world either). So don't overlook this camera simply based on the fact it was released more than two years ago. Because most current cameras are still simply trying to catch up to what was released with this camera.
There is one thing that ruins my day and that is saying that a camera/lens is too old just because a year or two has passed and yes advancements in electrons in just a month till the next everyday. I still use my film Canon Ftb and with Kodak doing 24/7 three shifts says plenty. I went Sony with the A7SM1 in 2014, I should of waited for the A7SM2 but like all things there was no info about things in the paper news then, but I did when I could. In 2017 I went A7RM2 the main thing learned was done by experimentation, I was on a tour of Antelope Canyon day tour where everybody was doing long exposures because of the very dim lighting and I forgot the plate for the tripod so I tried a capture and all was great but the experimenter in me tried the bracketing of 3 at +/- 2EV and again all images were great so a tour went great where my clicking bothered some but I was at others feet or on my back capturing the top of the canyon even that night for the night tour i did the same because the tour guide used a LED lantern nice and bright, nothing like showing a fellow photographer (tour guide) my results. My point is it can still do that and more and my A7SM1/M2 and A7RM2 also have on camera apps (many pros have no idea about).
Now let me add some A7RM5 that I got mainly for the eye AF. First the camera will do bracketing 5 at +/- 2EV hand held so goodbye to the tripod needed for sunsets/rises and even blue hour. Second it will also do Astro Milky Way's as good as the A7SM3 if you just look at PhotoPills Spot Stars for Shutter Speed of lens mm and f/# and camera, I always use accurate getting the fastest SS. One thing many astro photographers will never tell is the higher the MP the faster the SS and when you pair with a very wide f/# lens like a 1.4, 1.8 you get even a faster SS to use and you get the same image as a 12MP camera (I know because I checked). Where the faster SS comes in handy is for the coveted Milky Way Arch panorama and even with all the pros saying not use in camera NR and instead do multiple shots and in post denoise. While a doing a panorama on a rig you move to the next click on the degree selector while the camera is in NR mode yo get a faster panorama a 200 degree in less than 90 secs, so how would you do it? How many driftwood trees can you use for your main subject and how many different panoramas can you do.
There also are the ones after the grand MP camera how about doing one hand held 241 MP image!
Bird photographers mainly want a big MP camera for the ability to crop in post and still have great detail even after upsizing and image in post, this camera is great and mind blowing. I took up the genre and found my everyday carry lens the FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 f/4 OSS could do a in camera crop in APS-C mode of 36-360mm like capture and do enough images in HI+ eye AF that stopped action of inflight birds.
This camera will never get "OLD" just like saying the first A7M2 is "OLD" for when I went in a Post Exchange on a Army base that is still selling "NEW" in the box and still over $1k. Another note Sony has filled all lens types and now working on many updates and going into other areas.
The last image is with the very old A7SM1 and one of the first APS-C lenses E 10-18 (15-27mm in 35mm) F4 OSS in full frame mode at 12mm that I still use when doing Milky Way panorama's mainly it is a 12mm so small compared to the heavy and big 12-24mm f/4 and f/2.8 that require upfront filter holders and filters and difficult to put on a panorama rig unless you super tighten. The point is is it OLD if it still does a better job than "NEW"?
I never said the camera is too old. The argument I'm making is that people looking to upgrade or make the move to Sony could easily see the camera as being two years old and not consider it an option because of its age. For someone buying a new camera, they generally want the latest and greatest, and a two-year-old camera doesn't usually check that box. So the argument is that the Sony a7RV does check that bax despite its age.
What a weird question to even predicate an article on. It's still the latest Sony generation of the highest MP FF sensor available. The whole idea is ridiculous. Other things have the sensor, without any of the Sony tech around it. How can it not be relevant?
That's the argument I'm making in the article actually. But new consumers who don't understand the offerings from Sony can easily look at the A7RV as "old" because in terms of tech, a lot can happen in that time.
Everyone’s free to voice their opinion, but this article’s title is laughable. Calling a two-year-old camera irrelevant when it’s still a state-of-the-art beast? That’s absurd. It’s like some whiny teenager pitching a fit over getting an iPhone 15 instead of the 16. The A7R V’s 61MP sensor and AI autofocus are still top-tier in 2025
That's actually what I say in the article. But many consumers looking for a new camera could easily not consider the a7RV simply because, in terms of tech, two years is a long time.
I honestly don't get this article and the question it's asking. What does relevant even mean and how can a latest model camera not be relevant? No one gets to decide what is relevant for any individual. I know people who love the A7R V for it's high resolution, meaning they can use different ratios or crop quite heavily whilst still having enough resolution to print. And just because the smaller A7CR exists, doesn't make it more relevant. Some might hate the articulating screen and tiny, low res EVF and prefer the A7R V with better resolution and the dual tilting/articulating LCD. I still use my A7 III which I bought in 2019 and it is still more camera than I really need. Besides, there is no one size fits all and we are not all chasing the latest technology. Relevance is about what you actually need to be abler to do the photography or video you like doing.
relevant in terms of someone in the market for a NEW camera. because in terms of tech, a two-year-old camera is easy to mark as "old tech" and not worth considering when looking for a new purchase or upgrade.
The A7R V is STILL the current model, even at two years old and the tech is still more camera than a lot of people actually need. I've no idea where you are going with this 'NEW camera' and people thinking a two year old camera as 'old tech' as you put it but the whole basis for this article is ridiculous. Besides, I know a professional photographer who has just upgraded his A7R II to an A7R IV and he makes a living out of his photography.
The a7R IV is definitely a good rout if you don't need the features of the a7RV since it shares the same sensor! ✌️
I just bought this camera last year, and in fact I switched to Sony (from Canon and Nikon) just because of it. It was also my inspiration to record my first YouTube video (sadly, I stopped because of lack of time and, most importantly, because I’m not a native English speaker and I had to record 50 takes to make it “right” - https://youtu.be/aU9K95AInQU).
It’s a fantastic camera, and it will be relevant for many years to come.
As well, I’m using the last maxed out Intel iMac from 2020 that it’s still a good computer for editing videos and photos despite the latest M4/M5 chips and the “latest” technologies.
The title is really dumb.
I get that Fstoppers has to keep the content flowing, however, this one should have been shelved before posting. Is a two-year-old camera still relevant? I guess all the pros still using Canon EF cameras would be considered a relic
I guess "still relevant when considering the purchase of a brand new camera" would have been a more accurate title, but that is a mouthful. Most people in the market for a NEW camera could potentially neglect the A7RV because of it's age.
Sony stole the screen idea from Panasonic. The S1-H. And that screen is also in the new S1-Rii.
The A7CR is rocked into EFCS because it only has a single shutter blade. That’s why it can’t shoot above 1/4000.
ya the 1/4000 max shutter is one of my dislikes for the A7cr
Click-bait titles are getting old.
it's not click bait, just misunderstood :)
Every mechanical camera device that is functioning and that includes a selfmade shoebox pinhole camera is relevant...
Not for someone looking to buy the latest offerings. Which is what this article is about 🤗
It's a bit funny that you show the A7CR with an extra grip mounted, undoing the biggest advantage it has over the A7R V, which is its small size. If you don't mind having a little bit of more bulk and weight there is no reason to get the tiny A7CR over its larger sibling, with the compromises made to make the A7CR as tiny as it is. Both are expensive and if you are considering either of them, the price difference between them is unlikely to matter much.
i wouldn't call what I have on my A7CR a grip. its maybe a half inch base plate and 90 percent of why I have it is aesthetics lol
It is only relevant until the a7R 6 appears on the scene. Kidding. But I bought my a7R IV a few years after it was released and shortly before the a7R V. Like any tech junkie I longed for the new model. But the old model works superbly and cost enough that it will remain relevant in my world for several years. Since there are no trade-up programs like Samsung has, for example, with the mobile phones, I would have to sell the old camera and buy the new one, which is a hassle.
This rage bait post is silly, it's 2025. Nobody is looking at a 2 year old camera thinking it's too old. If the camera has the specs they want and need, their going to buy it. The V is a flagship model that still listed at $3,899 at stores.