Sony A7 V Review Shows A Faster New 33MP Sensor But Video Falls Behind

Sony’s A7 series launches tend to arrive with an expectation that the company will use the platform to show off fresh imaging ideas. The A7 V fits that pattern, led by a new 33-megapixel partially-stacked full-frame sensor that Sony positions as its most advanced yet for a midrange full-frame mirrorless body.

On paper, that resolution puts it ahead of some direct rivals in the category, including Panasonic’s S1 II and Nikon’s Z6 III, while matching Canon’s R6 III. The bigger claim is speed. Sony is leaning on the faster sensor readout to reduce rolling shutter distortion in electronic shutter shooting, and it’s also promoting what it says is the highest dynamic range it has delivered in any of its cameras so far.

In the hand, the A7 V sounds like a familiar Sony experience. The grip is described as deep but short, making it less comfortable over long sessions, especially for larger hands. It’s also slightly heavier than the A7 IV, at 698 grams compared to 653 grams, and the exterior materials are said to feel harder than Canon’s.

Where the camera appears to win people back is in control layout and usability. The physical controls include multiple dials, a dedicated photo/video/S&Q control, a rear joystick, and a good spread of customizable buttons. The menu system remains consistent with other recent Sony models and is presented as easy to tailor.

The viewfinder sits at 3.69 million dots, while the rear 3.2-inch screen gains both full articulation and tilting, with resolution rising to 2.1 million dots. Storage and ports are practical: two SD UHS-II slots plus a CFexpress Type A slot, full-size HDMI, mic and headphone jacks, and two USB-C ports including a 10Gbps connection. Battery life is rated up to 630 shots or about 100 minutes of 4K 30 fps capture, with a reported 90 minutes of continuous 4K 30p recording without overheating issues.

Performance is where the A7 V makes its clearest statement. The camera can shoot up to 30 fps blackout-free RAW bursts with the electronic shutter while keeping autofocus and auto exposure active, a major leap over the A7 IV’s 10 fps. Mechanical shutter shooting tops out at 10 fps, which is more typical for the class. Rolling shutter is described as mostly controlled, only becoming obvious with extremely fast motion.

Sony’s autofocus is portrayed as the standout in this price range, particularly for tracking moving subjects in difficult lighting or crowded scenes. AI-powered recognition extends beyond people to animals, birds, insects, and vehicles, with the system trained to keep tracking even when subjects are partially blocked or briefly leave the frame. There is, however, a notable limitation: burst speed can drop from 30 fps to 15 fps with some third-party lenses, and certain lenses may require firmware updates for reliable continuous AF use.

Image quality is described as the camera’s strongest suit. Dynamic range performance is credited to dual gain output technology working with the new sensor, with the review citing real-world flexibility when recovering shadows and controlling bright highlights in challenging scenes. JPEG detail is praised, though noise reduction can become heavy at high ISO settings. Color science is said to be improved over the prior model, with fewer magenta issues, even if Canon is still preferred for skin tone accuracy. Low-light results are characterized as unusually strong for a 33MP camera, with clean results through ISO 12,800 and usable images at ISO 25,600.

For photographers who want even more quality in static scenes, Sony’s Composite RAW mode can combine multiple RAW frames to cut noise and lift detail, though it’s not positioned as useful for moving subjects. Another new option, Compressed RAW HQ, is introduced with a practical caveat: it isn’t currently supported by Adobe Lightroom.

The tradeoff arrives in video. The A7 V is limited to 10-bit 4K recording up to 60 fps, with 4K 120 available only with an APS-C crop, and there is no RAW video option, internal or external. The footage is described as sharp thanks to oversampling, and Sony includes tools like S-Log3, focus breathing compensation, and an AI Auto Framing mode that crops to keep a person centered. Stabilization is portrayed as strong, especially in Active and Dynamic Active modes, and autofocus performance remains highly reliable in video.

Still, the core message is that Sony has built a photography-first camera. If speed, hit-rate autofocus, and flexible files matter most, SONY A7 V reads like a clear step forward in its class. If video features like RAW workflows and higher-resolution capture are central to your work, the same camera may feel more conservative than its closest competition.