Sony A7R

The Sony A7R (α7R) is a compact system camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor offering 36.4 effective megapixels and no optical low-pass filter. The sensor emplys a new ‘gapless’ on-chip microlens design which eliminates gaps between adjacent pixels. These advances increase light collection efficiency, achieving outstanding resolution, sensitivity and low noise while circumventing the challenge of decreased pixel size due to the extremely high pixel count. Other highlights include a Sony E bayonet mount (designed to be used primarily with the company's new full-frame E-mount lenses), a dust/moisture-resistant magnesium alloy body, newly-developed fast intelligent auto focus, an improved XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, NFC and Wi-Fi capabilities, Full HD movie recording and 4K photo output for viewing on Ultra HD displays and TVs. Priced at £1600 / $2299 and available for pre-order, the Sony α7R will go on general sale in UK from mid-late November.

Sony Press Release

Sony introduces the α7R: the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camerai

• Newly developed Full-frame Exmor™ CMOS sensor with ‘gapless on chip’ design offering 36.4 effective megapixels and no optical low-pass filter
• New BIONZ X™ processor with approximately 3x faster processing speedii and new area-specific noise reduction
• Newly-developed fast intelligent AF is 35% quicker than conventional contrast-detection autofocus
• Improved XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with wide field of view
• Practical, reliable and intuitive with dust/moisture-resistant magnesium alloy body and extensive custom controls
• AVCHD Progressive Full HD (1920x1080 - 60p/25piii) movie recording with audio level control and clean HDMI output
• 4K photo output and support for TRILUMINOS Display
• NFC and Wi-Fi for easy connection with smartphones & tablets

A game-changing blend of imaging power and portability, the α7R from Sony sets an exciting new benchmark in digital imaging. This mirrorless camera redefines the creative options of full-frame photography in a palm-sized interchangeable lens camera.

The α7R and new α7 provide  a limitless array of new artistic possibilities for serious photographers. Expanding the range of optics from Sony and Carl Zeiss, sixiv new full-frame lenses complement the cameras’ superlative image quality – whether you’re shooting detail-packed stills or crisp, cinematic Full HD video.

Beautifully styled and easy to hold on lengthy assignments, the α7R is a no-compromise photographic tool that puts the needs of advanced users first. Front and back dials plus a control wheel and exposure compensation dial allow intuitive adjustments while framing shots through the high-contrast, high resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder or on the tiltable 3.0-type LCD screen.

The 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor incorporates light concentration and photo diode expansion technologies and also features a new ‘gapless’ on-chip lens design which eliminates gaps between adjacent pixels. These advances increase light collection efficiency, achieving outstanding resolution, sensitivity and low noise while circumventing the challenge of decreased pixel size due to the extremely high pixel count.

Together with the powerful new BIONZ X processor, the full-frame sensor also allows the α7R to shoot pro-quality Full HD videov. You’ll enjoy rich, beautifully rendered movie footage with sumptuous colours and ultra-low noise, even in low light. Clear Image Zoom has been enhanced for video recording, delivering powerful close-ups without sacrificing pixel count. Pro-style movie features include an audio recording level control and display, plus a ‘clean’ HDMI output that allows video to be viewed on an external monitor or recorded on another device.

The α7R showcases a new Fast Intelligent AF that ensures speedy, accurate autofocus and is designed to be fully customisable to exactly suit your precise photographic demands, with nine customisable buttons and 46 assignable functions.vi

High-resolution still images can be displayed directly on a 4K television that offers four times the detail of Full HD. Support for TRILUMINOS Colour delivers a stunning palette of rich, natural colours when viewing movies and photos captured with the α7R on a compatible BRAVIA television with TRILUMINOS Display.

With both Wi-Fi with NFC, the α7R offers effortless one-touch wireless connections with your Xperia™ or NFC-compatible Android smartphone or tablet. PlayMemories Camera Apps further enhance your photo experience with a growing range of free and paid apps, spanning exciting new creative effects and filters, utilities and more.

The new ‘Multiple Exposure’ app automatically composites sequential exposures, making it easy to create beautiful and dramatic effects with a choice of pre-set artistic themes as well as manual blending modes.

Pre-installed in the α7R, ‘Smart Remote Control’vii controls exposure and shutter release from your smartphone. Great for tripod-mounted group shots and self-portraits, the app also sends photos automatically to your mobile device for on-the-spot sharing.viii

With a tough magnesium alloy body that is dust- and moisture-resistant, the α7R weighs in at just 407g (body only) as the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with a full-frame sensor.

Appealing equally to busy photo professionals and advanced amateurs, it also boasts the highest image quality of any α camera to date. The brand-new 36.4-effective megapixel (approx.) full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor delivers levels of detail unprecedented in any camera of its class. The high resolution sensor of the α7R has no optical low-pass filter, ensuring that its extraordinary resolving power is fully exploited. It’s complemented by a new BIONZ X processor – Sony’s latest-generation imaging engine that maximises detail and reduces image noise over a wide ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range (NB: expandable down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 51,200 with Multi-Frame Noise Reduction).

New full-frame interchangeable E-mount lenses

There’s a choice of five new full-frame E-mount lenses to realise the sheer imaging power of the α7R. The E-mount full-frame family includes two mid-range zooms by Sony and Carl Zeiss, two bright Sonnar T* primes and a premium-quality G lens telephoto zoom. There’s also a new-generation mount adaptor that gives photographers extra freedom to re-use their precious collection of full-frame A-mount optics with both cameras, including the newly-announced SAL70200G2 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II telephoto zoom.

New accessories will also be available for the α7R. The VG-C1EM grip extends shooting stamina via two NP-FW50 batteries, as well as providing greater user comfort during vertical shooting. The BC-TRW Battery Charger gives visual LED confirmation of recharging status. The FA-CS1M off-camera shoe can be used as an off-camera cable by connecting with a Multi Flash Cable. The LCS-ELCA premium leather soft carrying case extends the premium quality experience of handling and using the α7R while protecting your camera from scuffs and marks whilst being carried.

The light, compact new α7R interchangeable lens full-frame digital camera from Sony is available for pre-order from http://www.sony.co.uk today and will go on general sale in UK from mid-late November.