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Sony A7R Guides & Resources

You are here: Home / Sony Alpha Mirrorless Cameras / Sony A7R Guides & Resources
Last updated: June 16, 2022 / Published: February 7, 2019 by Timothy Mayo

Welcome to my Sony a7R (ILCE-7R) resource page. Here you will find the latest firmware version for the a7R, user guides and FAQs.

Sony a7R
Latest FirmwareManualAccessoriesCheck Price & Reviews
Version 3.20PDF / OnlineAccessoriesAmazon | B&H

Sony A7R Forum & Facebook Group

If you are looking for further help and advice on the a7R or would simply like to share your photos, then please head over to our friendly full-frame Forum. If you prefer Facebook then I also run the Sony Alpha Shooters Group where you can ask questions or post your shots taken with the Sony a7R.

Sony a7R Overview

The Sony a7R was announced on October 16th, 2013 and packed a 36.4 megapixel sensor which at the time was the largest number of pixels ever crammed into an Alpha series camera.

Compared to the a7 the a7R is very similar especially the physical design, the main differences are the sensor and autofocus system.

The a7 features a 24 megapixel CMOS sensor behind a low-pass filter, while the a7R has a 36 megapixel CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter.

The a7 uses a Hybrid AF system with phase detection whereas the a7R uses contrast detection.

The a7 also features an electronic first curtain mode, which makes for a quieter shutter and reduces the potential for ‘shutter shock’, the a7R unfortunately does not include the electronic first curtain mode.

DPReview awarded this camera their Gold Award and concluded their in-depth review with the following:

When it comes to getting high image quality from a small, full-frame camera, the Sony a7R has it wrapped up. It’s worth the higher price and pairs well with Sony’s impressive FE lenses.

DPReview

Despite its age you can still purchase the Sony a7R today and it will make a great camera for landscape or still photography.

However, if you want to shoot moving subjects then I’d strongly recommend looking at the Sony a7III or a7R III instead.

Sony a7R Key Specs

  • 36.4MP Full-Frame Exmor™ CMOS Sensor
  • BIONZ X engine for superb detail and noise reduction
  • ISO 50–25600
  • Built-in Multi-Interface hot shoe
  • 3-inch tilting LCD with 1.23 million dots (640×480, RGBW)
  • XGA (1024×768) electronic viewfinder
  • Continuous shooting up to 4 fps
  • Full HD video recording at 1080/60p and 24p; uncompressed HDMI output
  • Wi-Fi with NFC capability and downloadable apps
  • 465g / 16.4 oz with battery and memory card

You can find the full Sony a7R details and specifications over on Sony’s product page.

Sony a7R FAQs

When was the Sony a7R announced?

The Sony a7R was announced on October 16th, 2013 and first shipments started in December 2013.

What memory cards does the Sony a7R support?

SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo are supported in the single memory card slot.

What battery does the Sony a7R use?

Sony NP-FW50 lithium ion rechargeable battery.

Is the Sony a7R a full-frame camera?

Yes. The Sony a7R is a full-frame 35-mm camera.

Is the Sony a7R waterproof?

Sony claim that the a7R is dust and moisture resistant, they don’t claim that it is fully waterproof and you should therefore use a rain cover if using the camera in wet weather or very dusty environments.

How many megapixels is the Sony a7R?

The Sony a7R has a 36.4 megapixel sensor.

How many megapixels does the Sony a7R have in APS-C mode?

If you shoot the a7R in APS-C mode then the maximum image size is 15 megapixels (4800×3200) pixels with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

What is the weight of the Sony a7R?

407g / 14.36 oz (body only) / 465g / 16.40 oz (with battery and media)

What does the a7R include in the box?

Power cord, rechargeable battery (NP-FW50), AC adaptor (AC-UB10), shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup, micro USB cable.

What is the a7R mechanical shutter fps?

The maximum fps (frames per second) for the mechanical shutter of the a7R is 4 fps.

Does the a7R have a silent shooting mode?

No, the a7R Mark 1 does not feature a silent shooting mode. Silent shooting was only introduced beginning with the a7R II.

What is the maximum shutter speed of the a7R?

The maximum shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

Is the Sony a7R a professional camera?

Yes. The a7R is a professional camera that sits in Sony’s Alpha Series of professional mirrorless cameras.

Sony a7R Product Images

Sony a7R Rear LCD Tilt
Sony a7R Rear LCD
Sony a7R Left Side
Sony a7R Right Side
Sony a7R Sensor Front

Check Price & Buyer Reviews for Sony a7R

At: Amazon | B&H Photo

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About Timothy Mayo

I started Alpha Shooters back in 2017 to share my own experiences as a photographer shooting with Sony Alpha cameras, lenses and accessories.

I enjoy wildlife photography the most but will happily point my camera at pretty much anything.

As well as this blog you’ll also find a community forum which provides members with a friendly and safe place to share images and ask questions.

You can find out more about my story here or follow me on Instagram if you wish.

I also have a YouTube Channel but haven’t published much content recently due to the demands of my two and four year old boys.

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