New Sensor: Full-frame camera Sony Alpha 7 V introduced, first hands-on
Sony presents the fifth generation of its Alpha 7 series with a partially stacked sensor, integrated AI processor, and faster continuous shooting.
(Image: Thomas Hoffmann / heise medien)
Sony has unveiled the long-awaited Alpha 7 V, the fifth generation of its popular full-frame mirrorless camera series. The innovations are centered around a newly developed, partially stacked 33-megapixel image sensor and the Bionz-XR2 image processor, which now features a directly integrated AI unit. This combination promises a significant increase in performance for continuous shooting, advanced autofocus, and expanded video functions.
New Sensor and Processor for More Speed
Although the resolution remains identical at 33 megapixels to the previous model, the Alpha 7 IV, the Alpha 7 V's image sensor is a fundamental new development. For the first time in the Alpha series, a partially stacked construction is used. This architecture allows for a significantly higher readout speed, which impacts the camera's overall performance.
The higher readout rate enables continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second (fps) using the electronic shutter – a threefold increase in speed compared to the Alpha 7 IV. With the mechanical shutter, the rate remains at 10 fps. Thanks to the high processor speed, shooting without viewfinder blackout is possible, allowing the subject to remain in view continuously during exposure. The camera performs up to 60 autofocus and exposure calculations per second. A new pre-capture function also saves images up to one second before the shutter button is fully pressed.
Videos by heise
Another advantage is the significant reduction of the rolling shutter effect, which leads to distorted lines in fast movements. The readout time is reduced from almost 70 milliseconds in the Alpha 7 IV to about 15 milliseconds, making the electronic shutter more practical for action and sports photography.
The Alpha 7 V is powered by the new Bionz-XR2 processor. Unlike the Alpha 7R V, which uses a separate AI unit, this one is directly integrated into the main processor, enabling more efficient processing.
Autofocus and Image Quality with AI Support
The integrated AI unit elevates autofocus to a new level. The system not only recognizes a wide range of subjects – including people, animals, birds, insects, and vehicles like cars, trains, and airplanes – but also analyzes the body posture of people. This allows the camera to precisely track the subject even if it turns away or is partially obscured. An automatic mode handles subject selection, simplifying operation in dynamic situations. Technically, the AF system is based on 759 phase-AF points, covering approximately 94 percent of the image field and operating down to a light sensitivity of -4.0 EV.
In our brief hands-on, the autofocus showed very good performance. It delivered a perfect hit rate even with moving subjects. Action shots with continuous shooting produced consistently sharp images with the focus on the gymnast's eye, even when she was frequently sideways or with her back to the camera due to quick rotations. In more static studio portraits, the focus was always reliably on the eye closest to the camera.
Automatic white balance and overall image quality benefit from AI. Using deep learning, the camera analyzes light sources to ensure accurate color reproduction, especially in challenging lighting conditions and with critical tones like skin, sky blue, or leaf green. Sony specifies a dynamic range of up to 16 stops when using the mechanical shutter. The maximum resolution is offered by the "Pixel Shift Multi Shooting" mode, which composites images of up to 199 megapixels from multiple RAW shots. Noise reduction and HDR compositing functions are also integrated but require Sony desktop software.
Beispielbilder Sony Alpha 7 V (5 Bilder)
Thomas Hoffmann
)Improved Video Functions
The video capabilities of the Alpha 7 V have also been significantly expanded. It now records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second across the full sensor width, with data downscaled (oversampled) from 7K resolution, ensuring high detail. In the Alpha 7 IV, this was limited to 30 frames per second. For slow-motion recording, 4K video at 120 frames per second is possible in an APS-C crop.
Further innovations include the improved "Dynamic Active Mode" image stabilization, the ability to load custom LUTs (Look-Up Tables) directly into the camera, and the AI-powered "Auto Framing" function. The latter automatically adjusts the image composition to keep a subject in the frame – ideal for solo productions. The internal microphone has also been optimized and offers a noise reduction function.
A point of criticism remains that the camera still does not support internal RAW video recording or an "Open Gate" mode, where the entire sensor is read out for maximum flexibility in post-production – features offered by some competitor models. Sony specifies a continuous recording time of approximately 90 minutes at an ambient temperature of 25 °C.
Body, Operation, and More
(Image:Â Thomas Hoffmann)
The body of the Alpha 7 V follows the design of the Alpha 7 IV but adopts the revised, more ergonomic grip from the Alpha 7R V. The electronic viewfinder retains its resolution of 3.68 million pixels but now offers an uninterrupted image during continuous shooting thanks to the higher processing power.
A significant improvement is found in the rear screen: the 3.2-inch display has a resolution of 2.09 million pixels and is mounted on a new four-axis mechanism that allows both tilting and sideways swiveling. It also covers the DCI-P3 color space.
Practical are the two USB-C ports, which allow simultaneous charging and data transfer. Wi-Fi 6E is on board for fast wireless connections. Despite the familiar NP-FZ100 battery, efficiency has been increased: battery life according to CIPA standard is now 630 shots with the viewfinder and 750 with the display.
The Sony Alpha 7 V is available now for 3000 Euros.
(tho)
