Sony "α7R V" announcement Dramatic evolution of subject recognition AF with the first AI chip
Last October 26th, Sony announced the new full-size mirrorless camera "α7R V" (ILCE-7R5). It is characterized by being the first in the α series to be equipped with a newly developed "AI processing unit" that controls AI-related processing such as deep learning. It has become possible to recognize the skeleton and posture of a person, and the accuracy of eye recognition has increased. The number of subjects that can be recognized has increased, and in addition to the animals and birds that have been supported so far, it now supports the recognition of insects, cars, trains, and airplanes.
The image processing engine is equipped with two of the latest "BIONZ XR". Compared to the α7R IV, the processing performance has been increased by about 8 times, the resolution and dynamic range have been improved, and the exposure control and auto white balance (AWB) have also been improved. For movies, in addition to newly supporting 8K / 24p and 4K / 60p shooting, a new high-performance image stabilization active mode has been added to correct blurring during handheld shooting and create stable movies. The in-body image stabilization has increased the correction effect from the previous 5.5 steps to 8 steps.
The rear LCD monitor uses a newly developed 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor that combines the advantages of both tilt and vari-angle types. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a high-definition and high-magnification type with 9.44 million dots.
The price is open, and the actual selling price is around $3,800 estimated. The release date is November 25th.
Improved subject recognition with the first "AI processing unit" of α
The latest model of the "α7R" series can shoot high-resolution photos and videos with a high-pixel sensor. The biggest point is the AI processing unit, which Sony positions as "a significant innovation in subject recognition performance" and "an important turning point for the future of cameras."
The AI processing unit has the role of greatly improving the subject recognition performance with AI functions including deep learning. In the case of a person, the posture of the person can be recognized by recognizing parts such as the ears, neck, shoulders, wrists, and knees. Even if the subject is small, the face is dark due to backlight, or the person's face is viewed from behind, the position of the person's face and eyes can be recognized. Even if a person is facing away or an obstacle such as a tree is blocking the front, the camera will continue to focus by estimating the area corresponding to the face or eyes.
The number of recognizable subjects has also been expanded. Until now, it supported people and animals (cats, dogs, birds), but newly added "insects", "cars/trains" and "airplanes". It became easier to recognize animals, even small animals with small eyes (such as mice and squirrels) and herbivores like horses. The subject to be recognized cannot be detected at the same time by switching the setting screen in the same way as before.
A new full-time DMF function is also included. While shooting still images using autofocus, you can temporarily switch to manual focus and adjust the focus by operating the focus ring. During AF shooting, even if the focus is shifted to another subject, adjusting the focus ring to bring the focus closer to the target subject makes it easier to return the autofocus.
The rear liquid crystal is a hybrid type of tilt + vari-angle
The LCD panel on the back uses a newly developed 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor. In addition to the existing tilt mechanism, it also supports lateral openings like the vari-angle type. The viewfinder is a high-definition OLED with 9.44 million dots, which is the highest resolution in its class, and the viewfinder magnification is also the world's largest at 0.90x.
The body size and weight are slightly larger than the α7R IV. The body size is about 131.3 x 96.9 x 82.4mm (α7R IV is about 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5mm), and the weight including the memory card and the battery is about 723g (α7R IV is about 665g).
Improved video quality and added active mode image stabilization
The α7R series, which is equipped with a high-pixel sensor with approximately 61 million effective pixels, is positioned as a camera that can take high-definition photos, but the α7R V also improved the image quality of video recording.
The video now supports high-quality and smooth shooting of 8K (7680 x 4320 dots) / 24p and 4K / 60p. In the Super 35mm area, 4K/30p and 4K/24p recording with oversampling of 6.2K information is also possible.
In addition, a "high-performance image stabilization active mode" has been added that corrects blurring during handheld shooting and creates stable videos. The compatible lenses are "SEL24105G", "SEL70200GM2", "SEL100400GM" and "SEL200600G", which are limited to four lenses centered on super telephoto zoom lenses.
Up to $130 return, release commemorative cashback implemented
We will carry out a "lens cashback campaign" for α7R V purchasers. If you purchase an α7R V and a designated interchangeable lens, you can get up to $130 cash back for each interchangeable lens. The purchase period for cashback is from November 25, 2022, to March 27, 2023. You do not have to purchase the α7R V and the interchangeable lens at the same time. If you have reserved the α7R V, you will be eligible to purchase the interchangeable lens from November 1, 2022.
Main specifications of α7R V
- Image sensor: Full-size Exmor R CMOS sensor (approximately 61 million effective pixels)
- Memory card slot: Dual slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card, CFexpress Type A card compatible)
- Phase detection AF: 35mm full size: 693 points, full-size lens attached and APS-C readout: 693 points, APS-C lens attached: 567 points
- Eye AF: People (left and right eyes selectable), animals (left and right eyes selectable), birds, insects, cars/trains, airplanes
- ISO sensitivity: ISO100-32000 (extended: lower limit ISO50, upper limit ISO102400)
- Viewfinder: 0.64-inch electronic viewfinder (Quad-XGA OLED), approximately 9.43 million dots, magnification of approximately 0.90x
- Rear LCD: 3.2-inch LCD (supports both tilt and vari-angle, about 2.09 million dots)
- In-body image stabilization mechanism: 8 steps of correction effect
- The number of battery shots (still images): Approx. 440 (when using a viewfinder), Approx. 530 (when using an LCD monitor)
- The number of shots on batt(video): Approx. 90 minutes (when using a viewfinder), Approx. 100 minutes (when using LCD monitor)
- Body size and weight: Approx. 131.3 x 96.9 x 82.4mm, Approx. 723g (including memory card and battery)