Status: historical deal. Engadget reported these prices on November 28, 2025, for Black Friday 2025. No source here verifies that either price is still available in 2026, so treat the figures below as a benchmark rather than a live offer. Both cameras were sold body-only, without a lens.
The Sony A7 IV was reported at $1,998, while the higher-resolution A7R V was $3,298. For most photographers who also shoot video, the A7 IV is the more sensible purchase; the A7R V earns its premium when 61-megapixel files, aggressive cropping or large commercial prints are central to the work.
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The Black Friday 2025 prices
Engadget’s November 28, 2025 deal report described both prices as all-time lows. Sony confirmed to Engadget that the A7R V price was its lowest ever. Those claims apply to the new, U.S., body-only offers described at the time—not every retailer, country, used listing or bundle.
| Camera | Configuration | Black Friday price | Reference price | Approximate reduction | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A7 IV | Body only | $1,998 | $2,699.99 | About $702 (26%) | Hybrid shooting, events, travel and portraits |
| Sony A7R V | Body only | $3,298 | $4,199.99 | About $902 (21%) | High-resolution commercial, landscape and print work |
Source: Engadget’s Black Friday deal report. The article’s URL and image caption say “A7R IV,” but its body text discusses the A7 IV; the cameras in this comparison are the A7 IV and A7R V.
#1 Best Overall
- 33MP full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor.Operating temperature : 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F), Rated input : 100 - 240 V , 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A.
- 8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Up to 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ full pixel readout in all recording formats
- 7K oversampling full-frame 4K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ no pixel binning
- Beautiful color expression made simple with S-Cinetone color profile
What “body only” means
Neither listed price included a lens. Both cameras use Sony’s E-mount, so a first-time buyer must add a compatible full-frame lens before taking photographs.
- Lens: choose a standard zoom for travel and events, a fast prime for portraits and low light, a wide-angle lens for architecture and landscapes, or a telephoto for wildlife and sports.
- Memory card: required for recording photos and video.
- Power: Sony lists an NP-FZ100 battery with each camera. The U.S. A7R V specification also lists a BC-QZ1 charger, while the A7 IV listing includes a USB-A-to-USB-C cable; regional packages can differ. See the A7 IV specifications and A7R V specifications.
- Workflow items: an extra battery, bag, computer storage and backup are sensible additions, especially for the A7R V’s larger files.
Check the exact SKU before paying. Kit listings can resemble body-only pages, and unusually cheap marketplace offers may be used, refurbished, gray-market or covered by a different warranty and return policy.
Rank #2
- SONY USA AUTHORIZED - Includes Full SONY USA WARRANTY, Camera Package Includes Camera Body, Lens, Battery, Charger, Lens Cap, and Strap + Bundles Accessories
- Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera: 33MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS Sensor, Up to 10 fps Shooting, ISO 100-51200, 4K 60p Video in 10-Bit, S-Cinetone, 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate, 3" 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD, 759-Pt. Fast Hybrid AF, Real-time Eye AF, Focus Breathing Compensation, 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Creative Looks and Soft Skin Effect
- Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens: Combining impressive optical performance with lightweight, compact convenience, the 28-70mm Lens makes an ideal everyday lens. The popular 28–70 mm zoom range covers a variety of uses, from landscapes to portraits and snapshots. Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization keeps images sharp and noise-free.
- Transcend 64GB 300S UHS-I SDXC Memory Card-64GB Storage Capacity, UHS-I / U1 / Class 10, Max Read Speed: 100 MB/s, Max Write Speed: 20 MB/s, Min Write Speed: 10 MB/s, Records Full HD Video and Still Photos, Water / Static / Shock / X-Ray Proof, Can Withstand Extreme Temperatures, Built-In Write-Protect Switch, Free RecoveRx Software
- Movavi Professional Video & Photo Editing Software Kit - Compatible with Windows and Mac Operating systems this 5 software package comes with premium softwares to fulfill your Photo/Video/Vlogging Editing needs
Sony A7 IV: the balanced hybrid choice
Sony’s specifications list a 35mm full-frame sensor with approximately 33.0 effective megapixels, RAW capture, E-mount compatibility and five-axis sensor-shift stabilization. Engadget’s deal coverage also highlighted 4K 60p video.
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- 33MP provides ample detail for portraits, weddings, travel and editorial work without creating the storage demands of 61MP files.
- Its stills-and-video balance suits creators who use one body for photographs, YouTube, commercial video and social delivery.
- At the reported $1,998 price, it leaves roughly $1,300 more of the original A7R V reference price available for a lens, cards and storage.
The A7 IV is not the right answer if your work depends on maximum cropping latitude or very large, detail-critical output. Otherwise, its resolution and stabilization are strong enough for a broad range of professional and enthusiast assignments.
Rank #3
- 33MP1 full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 8x more powerful2, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Up to 4K 60p11 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ full pixel readout in all rec. formats
- Real-time Eye-AF for humans, animals, birds for photo and movie
- Advanced movie features; Focus Map16, Breathing Comp14., S-Cinetone, S-log3, HLGAF Assist17
Sony A7R V: pay for resolution and advanced features
The A7R V combines a 61MP full-frame sensor with RAW and HEIF recording and five-axis stabilization, according to Sony’s specifications. Engadget reported up to 10 frames per second, advanced subject recognition and autofocus, plus 8K and 10-bit video options.
Where the extra pixels matter
- Commercial and product work: fine texture and the ability to crop while retaining usable detail.
- Landscapes and architecture: high-resolution files support large prints and detailed corrections.
- Wildlife and editorial: cropping can provide a tighter composition when a longer lens is not practical.
Resolution does not prevent motion blur. Camera movement, subject movement, focus errors and lens quality still determine whether those pixels become visible detail. A 61MP body can also expose weaknesses in inexpensive or older lenses.
Rank #4
- 33MP1 full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 8x more powerful2, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Up to 4K 60p11 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ full pixel readout in all rec. formats
- Real-time Eye-AF for humans, animals, birds for photo and movie
- Advanced movie features; Focus Map16, Breathing Comp14., S-Cinetone, S-log3, HLGAF Assist17
The cost of the high-resolution workflow
Expect larger RAW files, faster card consumption, more computer storage, longer backups and heavier processing. The A7R V’s advanced video modes can increase those demands further, and “8K” or “10-bit” alone does not establish better usability for every project; crop, rolling shutter, heat, media requirements and editing hardware still matter.
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A7 IV versus A7R V in practical use
| Consideration | A7 IV | A7R V |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Balanced full-frame hybrid | High-resolution stills specialist with advanced video |
| Effective resolution | About 33MP | 61MP |
| File and storage burden | More manageable | Considerably heavier |
| Video value | Strong value for mixed stills/video work; 4K 60p reported by Engadget | More capable on paper, including reported 8K and 10-bit options, but more expensive to operate |
| Cropping latitude | Good | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | Lower, leaving more budget for lenses | Higher body, lens, media and storage costs |
| Best audience | Most hybrid shooters and first-time full-frame buyers | Professionals who can use and support 61MP output |
Which camera should you buy?
Choose the A7 IV when
- You shoot stills and video in roughly equal measure.
- 33MP is sufficient for your delivery and print sizes.
- You want smaller files and lower storage costs.
- This is your first full-frame system and the budget must cover a lens.
- You mainly photograph weddings, events, portraits, travel or online video.
Choose the A7R V when
- Maximum resolution is central to paid work.
- You regularly crop heavily or produce large, detail-critical prints.
- Advanced subject recognition and high-end stills performance justify the premium.
- You can also fund high-quality lenses, fast memory cards, storage and backup.
The A7R V is more capable in resolution-focused tasks, but it is not automatically the better camera. For a general-purpose hybrid shooter, the A7 IV’s lower entry and workflow cost are usually the stronger value.
Best Value
- Sony USA Authorized. A7 IV mirrorless camera with 28–70mm lens, 3-piece filter kit, wide and telephoto lenses, tulip hood, NP-FZ100 battery, and more.
- Complete Hybrid Camera Kit – The Sony α7 IV kit includes the versatile 28–70 mm OSS zoom lens, providing a wide-to-standard range ideal for portraits, travel, and everyday shooting. With Optical SteadyShot built into the lens, handheld images and video stay steady, even in challenging conditions. Together with the α7 IV’s advanced sensor and processing power, this kit offers everything needed to capture high-quality photos and 4K video right out of the box.
- 33 MP Full-Frame Resolution – Powered by a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR processor, the α7 IV delivers sharp, detailed images with wide dynamic range and excellent low-light capability. Whether photographing golden-hour landscapes, indoor events, or close-up portraits, you’ll achieve professional results with natural colors and fine textures. The sensor is equally optimized for hybrid shooting, ensuring consistent quality across both stills and video.
- Fast Autofocus and Continuous Shooting – The α7 IV’s AI-driven Real-Time Eye AF and subject tracking provide precise focus on humans, animals, and birds with exceptional reliability. Covering a wide frame area with 759 phase-detection points, this system ensures accuracy even with fast action. Shoot continuously at up to 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking, making it perfect for sports, weddings, and wildlife photography where every frame matters.
- Cinematic 4K Video Performance – Capture stunning oversampled 7K-to-4K footage with crisp detail and clarity, recording at up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:2 color for maximum flexibility in editing. The α7 IV also offers S-Cinetone for cinematic tones right out of the camera and supports S-Log2/3 for advanced color grading. From high-quality vlogs to professional productions, this camera delivers video that meets the needs of modern creators.
How reliable was the “all-time-low” claim?
“All-time low” is a time- and market-specific description, not a guarantee of the lowest price ever everywhere. Engadget reported the A7 IV at $1,998 and the A7R V at $3,298 on November 28, 2025, and attributed the A7R V’s lowest-ever statement to Sony. The listed dollar reductions work out to about $701.99 and $901.99 respectively; using “about $902 off” for the A7R V avoids repeating the source’s inconsistent $898 figure.
Because no current 2026 retailer listing is established here, expired links may redirect to a different price, configuration or seller. If you find a similar offer during a future Sony promotion, confirm that it is new U.S. inventory, body-only, from an authorized seller and covered by the warranty you expect.
Quick Recap
Before ordering: a quick checklist
- Verify the model number: ILCE-7M4 for the A7 IV or ILCE-7RM5 for the A7R V.
- Confirm “body only” versus a lens kit and check whether the seller is authorized.
- Price a suitable Sony E-mount lens, memory card and backup storage before comparing totals.
- Check condition, return terms, regional warranty and whether a marketplace seller is involved.
- For the A7R V, ensure your computer and backup system can handle 61MP RAW files and your intended video formats.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
