Sony a1 vs Sony a7R IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Sony a7R IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a1 were released 2021 and Sony a7R IV was released 2019. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a1 2021
Sony a7R IV 2019

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a7R IV 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7R IV has 61 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a1 50 MP
49766400 pixels
8640 x 5760
Sony a7R IV 61 MP
60217344 pixels
9504 x 6336

Sony a7R IV has a 21 % larger resolution than Sony a1. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 32000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a1 100-32000
Sony a7R IV 100-32000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7R IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Sony a7R IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a1 30
Sony a7R IV 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a1 and Sony a7R IV can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 11% heavier than Sony a7R IV and its 665 gr (or 1.47 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a1 737 gr
1.62 lb
Sony a7R IV 665 gr
1.47 lb

Sony a1 vs Sony a7R IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Sony a7R IV, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Name Sony a1 Sony a7R IV
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Release Year 2021 2019
Release Date 2021-01-26 2019-07-16
MSRP 6499 USD 3499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 8640 x 5760 pixels 9504 x 6336 pixels
Megapixels 50 MP 61 MP
Image Processor Dual Bionz XR Bionz X
Image
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 32000
White Balance Presets 7 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5.5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 567
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1440000 1440000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution 9437184 5760000
Photography features
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Frames per second 30 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
XF-AVC
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
H.264
XAVC-S
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 + NFC)
Remote Control Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a1
Sony a7R IV
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 530 shots 670 shots
Width 129 mm 129 mm
Height 97 mm 96 mm
Depth 81 mm 78 mm
Weight 737 gram 665 gram