• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Alpha Shooters Logo

AlphaShooters.com

News & Community for Sony Alpha Shooters

  • Blog
  • Forums
  • Deals
  • Cameras
  • Lenses
  • Memory Cards
  • Accessories
  • Reviews
  • Compare

Sony A7 IV – Max FPS by File Type

You are here: Home / Cameras / Sony A7 IV – Max FPS by File Type

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site. I may also earn from links to other online retailers at no extra cost to you.

Last updated: June 13, 2022 by Timothy Mayo - 7 Comments

The Sony a7 IV claims a maximum frame rate of 10 fps using both mechanical and electronic shutters with AF/AE tracking.

Sony A7 IV FPS

However, if you check the footnotes of the specs page on Sony’s UK site you’ll find the following statement:

Maximum continuous shooting speed is 6 fps when shooting uncompressed RAW / uncompressed RAW+JPEG images.

And on the Sony US site the specs include a footnote that states:

Up to 10 fps in continuous “Hi+” mode and up to 8 fps in continuous “Hi” mode. Maximum continuous shooting speed is reduced when shooting lossless or uncompressed RAW / RAW+JPEG images. Maximum fps will depend on camera settings. Sony test conditions.

Sony A7 IV Forum & Facebook Group

If you are looking for further help and advice on the a7 IV or would simply like to share your photos and videos, then please head over to our Sony a7 Forum. If you prefer Facebook then we also run the Sony a7 IV Shooters Group.

So according to the UK site shooting uncompressed RAW / uncompressed RAW+JPEG images reduces the maximum frame rate to 6 fps. The US site does not give a number and just says that the maximum continuous shooting speed is reduced when shooting lossless or uncompressed RAW / RAW+JPEG images.

So to be perfectly clear about the maximum fps you can expect depending on the file format that you are shooting in and your shooting speed I’ve put together for the following table from my own tests.

Maximum FPS by File Format & Drive Speed

For these tests I used a 64 GB Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II memory card. I shot the tests using manual exposure and manual focus. I’ve also shot the same tests using AF-C and the Priority set to “Release” and the results were the same.

Image TypeHi+HiMidLow
Uncompressed RAW6663
Compressed RAW10863
Lossless Compressed RAW6663
JPEG Extra Fine10863
Uncompressed RAW + JPEG Extra Fine6663
Compressed RAW + JPEG Extra Fine10863
Lossless Compressed RAW + JPEG Extra Fine6663
HEIF (4:2:0) Extra Fine10863
HEIF (4:2:2) Extra Fine10863

I also completed the same tests using a Sony CEA-G CFexpress Type-A 160GB memory card and the results were the same.

Priority Set in AF-C & FPS Speed

The Sony a7 IV has a setting in the AF/MF menu called “Priority Set in AF-C”. This basically allows you to set whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus when continuous AF is activated and your subject is in motion. The setting you choose here can also impact your FPS speed.

There are three different settings to choose from:

  1. AF: Prioritizes focusing.
  2. Release: Prioritizes the shutter’s release. The shutter will be released even if the subject is out of focus.
  3. Balanced Emphasis (default): Shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.

It’s important to note that “Balanced Emphasis” is the default setting for the a7 IV. So if for some reason such as poor lighting the a7 IV struggles to acquire focus, the maximum number of frames per second will drop.

If you change this setting to “Release” it will fire the shutter even if the shot is out of focus, but I wouldn’t recommend this except for in a few situations.

Summary

If you want to achieve the maximum frame rate of 10 fps when shooting in Hi+ mode you’ll need to shoot in either compressed RAW, JPEG or HEIF file format.

If you shoot in uncompressed RAW, lossless compressed RAW, uncompressed RAW + JPEG or lossless compressed RAW + JPEG then the maximum frames per second is reduced to 6 fps.

Priority Set in AF-C is set by default to “Balanced Emphasis”. This can also reduce the maximum fps possible depending on your shooting conditions and subject.

For further details on memory cards for the a7 IV please visit my Sony a7 IV Memory Card Guide where I’ve tested over 18 memory cards in camera and include buffer tests results for each card.

Check Price & Buyer Reviews for the Sony A7 IV

At: Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama | Wex Photo UK

Sony A7 IV Resources

Best Sony A7 IV Memory Cards With Speed & Buffer Tests

Sony A7 IV Accessories Guide

Ultimate Sony A7 IV Accessories Guide

Sony A7 IV Lenses Guide

Best Sony A7 IV Lenses Guide

Sony a7IV Battery and Charger

Sony A7 IV Battery and Charger Guide

Sony a7IV Manual

Sony A7 IV Manual & Online Help Guide

Sony A7III vs A7IV

Sony A7III vs A7IV – The Key Differences

Category: CamerasTag: Sony a7IV
Sony Alpha Forum

About Timothy Mayo

I love shooting wildlife the most but will happily point my camera at pretty much anything. I started Alpha Shooters in 2017 to share my own photographic journey and experiences shooting with Sony Alpha. The site has since evolved into a popular community and resource. 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 over the past year due to spending more time changing smelly nappies and also launching our community forums. However, I do hope to get back to creating content again there soon!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tango

    January 26, 2022 at 10:25 am

    Thanks a lot for fantastic tests. I read in the online manual that when shooting compressed continuous, the files are 12 bits whereas those from uncompressed / lossless are 14. Since you have the RAW files, could you kindly verify this?
    Here is the link where I get the information from https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/2110/v1/en/contents/TP0003057048.html

    Reply
    • Timothy Mayo

      January 27, 2022 at 8:52 am

      Glad you liked the tests Tango. Basically the manual is correct. Although most people will not see a difference between 12-bit and 14-bit. He’s an interesting comparison: https://photographylife.com/14-bit-vs-12-bit-raw

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        February 3, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        Thanks a lot for confirming. That’s very helpful. When one needs 10fps one probably less likely need 14bits anyway so that’s a proper trade off I guess. But it’s good to know.

  2. Theo Voorbij

    December 29, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    Hello and thanks for your work/time. It makes it easier to chose several things. I don’t see any need for CFExpress A cards for shooting speed, and I don’t see the need of shooting lossless compressed RAW. Unless your cards are small. In extreem situations I can imagine using lossy compressed to get 10 fps, but having an A9 too I don’t think it’s needed often. So I will set it to uncompressed RAW to start with and use the same fast SD cards I have now, saving some money.

    Reply
    • Timothy Mayo

      February 10, 2022 at 10:22 am

      Thanks for your nice comment Theo and I’m very sorry for the slow reply. Are you still happy with your memory card setup? I think a lot of people will be happy with just using a fast UHS-II card, especially since the buffer clears pretty quickly anyway.

      Reply
  3. Bryan

    December 24, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    If you have your shoot mode set to Aperture Priority and set the auto-ISO min Shutter speed, that calculation can slow down the max fps of your capture, despite being in H+, “Release” priority, and being in compressed raw. You have to be in full manual mode to get full speed. I know it does this on the A1 so I assume the same thing will happen on any sony alpha camera too.

    Reply
    • Timothy Mayo

      February 10, 2022 at 10:21 am

      Good to know Bryan and thanks for sharing this. I’ll have to do a few tests with my other cameras. I’m very sorry for the slow reply too! If I ever bought the a1 I would probably be shooting it at 15fps max anyway, I rarely shoot my a9 over 10fps. Sorting through so many similar shots afterwards is just too depressing!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

Latest Deals

These affilaite links will display all of the current Sony Alpha camera, lens and accessory deals at Amazon & B&H Photo.

  • View all Sony Deals at Amazon
  • View all Sony Deals at B&H Photo

The Amazon link will probably only work correctly for US viewers I'm afraid.

Or view our deals page here.

Pro Membership

If you’d like to support this site you can easily do so by becoming a Pro Member in our Community Forums and unlocking the following benefits:

✓ No Adverts in the Forums
✓ Pro Member Competitions
✓ Sell Items in the Marketplace
✓ Unlimited Gallery Uploads
✓ Higher Resolution Gallery Uploads
✓ Forum Profile Signature
✓ Custom Profile Cover Photo
✓ Advertise Your Photography Workshops

VISIT FORUMS

Latest Articles

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD Review

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD Review

Sony A7 IV Firmware Update v2.00

Sony A7 IV Firmware Update v2.00

Sony FE 50 F1.4 GM Lens

Sony FE 50 F1.4 GM Lens Announced

Monster Adapter LA-KE1

Review of the Monster Adapter LA-KE1

Featured Articles

Best Sony A7 IV Memory Cards With Speed & Buffer Tests

Sony A1 Memory Card Guide

Best Sony A1 Memory Cards With Speed & Buffer Tests

Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G vs FE 100-400 F4.5-5.6 GM Comparison

Sony 200-600 G vs 100-400 GM Review & Comparison

Sony 100-400 VS 70-200 F2.8 GM II With 2x Teleconverter at 400mm

Sony 100-400 VS 70-200 F2.8 GM II With 2x Teleconverter at 400mm

Pro Membership Upgrade

If you’d like to support this site you can easily do so by becoming a Pro Member in our Community Forums and unlocking the following benefits:

✓ No Adverts in the Forums
✓ Pro Member Competitions
✓ Sell Items in the Marketplace
✓ Unlimited Gallery Uploads
✓ Higher Resolution Gallery Uploads
✓ Forum Profile Signature
✓ Custom Profile Cover Photo
✓ Advertise Your Photography Workshops

Join today!

Memory Card Guides

  • Sony A1 Memory Cards
  • Sony A7 IV Memory Cards
  • Sony A7 III Memory Cards
  • Sony A7R IV Memory Cards
  • Sony A7S III Memory Cards
  • Sony A7C Memory Cards
  • Sony A6400 Memory Cards
  • Sony A6000 Memory Cards

Accessory Guides

  • Sony a1 Accessories
  • Sony a7IV Accessories
  • Sony a7C Accessories
  • Sony a7R IV Accessories
  • Sony a7III Accessories
  • Sony a7R III Accessories
  • Sony a9II Accessories
  • Sony a9 Accessories
  • Sony a6600 Accessories
  • Sony a6400 Accessories
  • Sony a6100 Accessories
  • Sony a6000 Accessories

Lens Guides

  • Sony FE Lenses
  • Sony APS-C Lenses
  • Sony Macro Lenses
  • Sony Telephoto Lenses
  • Sony a1 Lenses
  • Sony a7IV Lenses
  • Sony a7III Lenses
  • Sony a7R IV Lenses
  • Sony a7R III Lenses
  • Sony a6600 Lenses
  • Sony a6400 Lenses
  • Sony a6000 Lenses
Visit Our Facebook Groups
Alpha Shooters Text Logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Return To Top

Copyright © 2023 Alpha Shooters. All Rights Reserved. Content and images may not be used without permission.
Disclaimer: Alpha Shooters is an independently run website and is not affiliated with Sony.com
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Terms · Privacy · Cookies · Contact · About · Affiliate Links