Sony a7RV Review // Did Sony nail it?

The Sony a7RV is the best photo camera I've ever used and a great hybrid camera, but it's a bit lacking in the video department...
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Instagram: @hlynurholm

[@umerrashid6655]

Idk why u don't have many subscribers... honestly love the video! The quality off the video and detail in explanation is amazing! Keep it up man!

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you so much! More coming.

[@HikingWithMartin]

Thank you for this review, its one of the best I've seen on youtube for it, well done for the huge effort this would have been to make as well.

[@vampolascott36]

I have the a7III and I got the a7RV while on vacation in Japan. I was happy to get some great wide-angle shots in Kabukicho with it. I'm really impressed. For me the greatest aspect of using this camera is the ability to crop the way I always wanted to. I'm a little disappointed with its low-light performance though. That's why I'll keep the a7III.

[@DavidStella]

4:26 I watched this earlier today and couldn’t wait to try it out for myself to prove you wrong, but you’re absolutely right! I grabbed my camera and was able to take a 4 second image that was acceptably sharp! 😮

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

I finally upgraded my 7yr old A7R2 to 7R5 firstly because of the improved IBIS so that I can get sharper shots @ lower SS without bumping up the iso too high on This High MP sensor… now I am also enjoying the improved Eye/Face AF even my wife can get sharp shots of me during vacations

[@hlynurholm]

Nice!

[@epr1]

Just wanted to say that this was a wonderful video. Thanks for your time and effort into it 😊

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you!

[@RandumbTech]

Great pacing along with useful experience. I did a video recently as well about my initial A7RV experience and it was very similar. Cleanest video for this camera is in APS-C mode 4K/24 or 30p. It is comparable to my FX3 in most conditions, but does not do as well at higher ISO's. A7RV is dual native ISO 800/2500. Keep up the great work - your channel will grow quickly!

[@waynerm002]

I would agree on the ISO settings, I have been testing and posting some low light 8K videos and noticed when you switch to SLog3, 800 is where it starts without the lines above and below the ISO number, which indicates the base ISO, from what I’ve seen. Unlike the FX30, you don’t have the Cine EI option to just select from the 2 base ISO. I haven’t gotten around to testing the APSC video modes, I’ve been having too much fun in the 8K mode. 😊

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you for the kind words! I'll definitely check out the APS-C video, but it's annoying to have this expensive full frame camera with these expensive full frame lenses just to have to go to APS-C mode to get clean video 🤬

[@waynerm002]

@@hlynurholm Yeah, this camera is mainly a photo camera that they added video features to appeal to hybrid shooters that are not looking to do serious video work. Over time, as the competition heats up, I feel they will open up those features to us, again as mentioned, after they upgrade their flagship camera. It's like BMW used to (probably still) do, build their cars with the features in them and make you pay to get them activated. Well, these days, it seems everyone is getting in on that action. Pay a fee, get feature unlocked over the air. In the camera world, it comes much later with a firmware update.

[@TerryWarfield]

Great video dude. Your only at 100 subs, keep pumping out videos like this and you will get huge amounts of traction. I tested this camera for a few days, as I test majority of their cameras on my channel, and this is a super fair assessment. It's a great camera but video isn't it's strongest suit, which is to be expected, it's a photo camera first, and we are at the limits of processing (at least for Sony) for cameras especially at this price point. 61mp is too much data for these cameras to crunch/oversample without compromises being made. I still want one but my A7IV serves just fine..for now lol

[@hlynurholm]

Thanks man, I really appreciate the kind words! Yeah, the video definitely isn't a strength but I like the direction its going. I just hope now that the a7SIV / FX3II will have the same screen and autofocus!

[@zsolesz0017]

If you look up for rolling shutter values, it becomes clear why it has so many different crop modes for video. In order for a camera to be able to do 60fps, the slowest redout speed is 16.6ms. In FF line skipped 4k mode it has 18.6ms, so 60p is impossible. In APSC 4k mode it has 30.9ms, so 60p is impossible again. In 1.24 crop and line skipped 4k mode it has 15.0ms, so it enables 60p recording. In 1.24x non line skipped mode it has 38.1ms, hence the terrible rolling shutter effect. And because of that even 30p is impossible.

[@RickMentore]

Loved this review, one get the feelings it came from an "in the field photographer" and not just a specifications reviewer!

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you! Exactly what I was going for.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Great review and thank you. First time I’ve seen a KZbin video from you and love your presentation. Will watch for more. I did buy this camera to go along with my Alpha 1s. I am not a videographer and it replaces my A7RIV and A7IV.

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you for your kindness and for watching!

[@RichardoBrit]

Great video! I too have the A7RIII and I’m considering the A7RV but I’m concerned about noise and the slow sensor (rolling shutter, plus crop)

[@hlynurholm]

The image quality is just as good! No crop or rolling shutter issues when taking photos, it's just during video shooting. I would say go for it!

[@sigurdurpetur]

Great review!

[@danielbarakat]

Good video. I agree with just about everything. I just got this to replace my a7iv. The additional stabilization, auto white balance and AI auto focus really make it justified for me. I wish the overall video capabilities were better though. The rolling shutter, pixel binning and crop detracts from the overall package

[@hlynurholm]

Exactly! I'm happy you liked it, definitely more on the way.

[@izotovdm]

IBIS and autofocus A7RV really mucn better then A7IV? And rolling shutter so bad? Im choosing now one camera for travel (for photo & video) between these two cameras...

[@danielbarakat]

@@izotovdm the ibis is way better. The auto focus is a little better and the rolling shutter is a lot worse. But I don't have any issue with rolling shutter since I don't take videos of anything fast. Plus going into crop mode for video makes rolling shutter much less of an issue. Overall I prefer the a7rv. The biggest pro is the Ibis. Now i actually have a shot of taking some low shutter poctures where I didn't before.

[@tjorvijons]

Crushing it bro!

[@bluecheese20401]

The criticisms of the a7r5 for its video ability is utter madness. Its clearly a stills photo that has pretty good video. It's like criticising a car for its lack of ability to fly...

[@hlynurholm]

Hahahaha, yes a little bit! But it was my main issue with it and I was hoping for a bit more refinement. It's absolutely a step in the right direction tho, can't wait to see what Sony will do with this new screen and autofocus!

[@djrease7354]

😂😂😂.. 🎯

[@andybelii]

Pls help, what to buy… I need photo and video, what the best? A7c ii / a74 or this a7rv , I want this last item, but you said that a7rv for not for video ….

[@djrease7354]

The A1 has a stacked sensor, which has faster possibly double or triple the readout speed in the sensor.. Which is why the A7RV suffers from rolling shutter in video and low frames per second in stills imaging..On top of that, The A7RV has a 60MP sensor, so to get same performance as the A1, it would probable cost $10,000 or more to produce, which would be difficult for Sony to sale…Which is why the A7RV is targeted toward high resolution stills photography. Not for fast action motion video or very fast action sports photography.. So if I were you, I would get or rent a dedicated 4K/8k video camera if you do a lot of video shooting that involves fast action and rapid panning.. Other that, The A7R5 should be well suited for video if the camera is steady without fast moving objects or quick panning and ensuring there is adequate lighting paired with fast GM lenses.. Also, I never needed 30 frames per second stills shooting in professional photography..Not even in sports.. You just don’t need that speed, it’s too fast for the majority of photographers (My opinion).. I’m waiting for the A7V hybrid camera release which should handle the video a bit better.. However I would rather have the new A1 (A2?) it would be cool if they added the AI chip and a new stacked sensor between 65-80MP.. That would be a perfect camera..

[@theusbadenhorst7079]

I want to say one should buy a pro camcorder for video A cam. I think I will be happy with 10fps stills in compressed raw. I am looking forward to using crop mode. And then still cropping in post.

[@p7272]

Good info bro!

[@aelizia]

great video :) so besides the noise issue you mentioned, video at 4k24/30p is on par with the a7siii? how was the rolling shutter at 24p/30p? :)

[@markshirley01]

Thanks Hlynur. Did you get a chance to try out the Auto WB and Auto ISO. As I mentioned in a previous comment they are both supposed to be improved according to Manny Ortiz and Taylor Jackson.

[@LMActionsports]

The a7rv was never meant to be a main video camera. Indeed it does great video it many situations. There are other cameras in the sony ecosystem made specifically for video like you mentioned. I have the sony a7riv, a7iv, and the a9. All the screens are terrible when i want to show the clients the photos we have been taking. I normally have them look through the EVF to get a better idea on how good the turning out. Now granted the a7riv has the better screen of the three cameras I have. I still think Sony could do better. I plan on upgrading to the a7rv mostly for the flip out screen. I shoot so many portraits and it’s nice when I use the a7iv I can flip the screen now when I take lower shots and see how my composition looks. I don’t expect the photos to be any better than my. A7riv due to its the same image sensor. It just has better features. When something makes the job easier I am all about it. Great points you stated.

[@genevievebhatia-up3nk]

I really want to know which camera you shoot with in this video cause it's really good 😊

[@alexcampos7098]

What do you do to take care of your camera in cold weather? Have you faced any issue shooting in cold weather? Thanks in advanced and let me say your videos have been really helpful for me.

[@hlynurholm]

I haven't faced any problems with shooting in cold weather except ghosting on the screen! These cameras can handle it. It's mainly rain and snow that I'm scared of, so I always carry with me a rain cover for my cameras just in case 🙏

[@hriatchhungachhangte9024]

amazing review

[@hlynurholm]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cn8299]

I do not have this camera but regarding the noise issue in video, I have to ask we’re you shooting in s-log3? And if so, from what I’ve gathered from watching others is that you have to over expose in dark settings so you can darken it in post and apparently that’s how others have managed to reduce or hide the noise.

[@hlynurholm]

Yes I was shooting in S-Log3! Overexposing definitely works to a certain extent, but it's not always the best choice for me because I don't want to clip the highlights too much! For example in the shot of shoreline I couldn't overexpose without clipping the highlights on the left. I think of it more as a workaround rather than a solution...

[@theusbadenhorst1848]

I just wish they could make a silent shutter with fast teadout let's say 12 to 15 fps stills even if in apsc mode. I may still get it.

[@DNICTimor-LesteTV]

thanks brother from timor leste

[@oscardegarza]

AMAZING VIDEO BROTHER

[@hlynurholm]

THANK YOU BROTHER

[@DiegoCauliflower]

the multiple flip screen is actually an idea implemented from the old fuji X-t100

[@DA-yd2ny]

This screen was first implemented on the Sony A99 in 2012. I wish Sony would go back to that Body design - o0r similar

[@ChrisRamasola]

Looking forward to more videos from you. Subbed!

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you my guy!

[@Aroundtheworld-ew6rx]

There is footage of people using the 8k to record on the A7Rv around town on youtube and it looks great with no rolling shutter. At night. The a7siii only has the 4k 120p.

[@hlynurholm]

Yes it looks great when you are shooting still or slow moving subjects, but I shoot more fast action stuff like sports so it's pretty useless to me 😔

[@waynerm002]

I don’t shoot professionally and have used the 8K for some low light footage, the quality is pretty good although it would have been nice if they made it 4:2:2 10 bit. My guess is Sony will release some firmware updates in the future to give us more features, after they upgrade the A1 & A9 and make enough money off them. Canon R5 and R5 C are it’s competitors, one would think they would make it on par with the R5.

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@hlynurholm]

You bet!

[@SaifIsmail_77]

what do you think ? Good for wildlife? in ( photography ) idk really... im thinking to get one of them canon R5 l R6 mark 2 or sony a7rv

[@hlynurholm]

I would think so! I don't have a lot of experience with wildlife photography so I don't know exactly but I think it would be good 💪

[@Manueldeva]

Muchas gracias

[@timetraveler5127]

The maximum continuous shooting speed of canon r5 for 14 bit raw is 8 fps. Many people don’t believe that because it’s very hard to find info online, just test it out.

[@hlynurholm]

I saw on BH that with electronic shutter it can go up to 20fps 🤔 I'll definitely check it out better!

[@timetraveler5127]

@@hlynurholm 20 fps is right, but that’s 12 bit raw. 9-12 fps is 13 bit raw.

[@LukeKwan78]

FYI a1 compressed raw is 30fps uncompressed raw is 20fps With both cf express type a cards. No idea what happens if u put regular SD cards bc i didnt want to rack up my shutter clicks

[@vineethvkurup820]

One of the genuine review of A7rV

[@hlynurholm]

Thank you 🙏

[@AGNDJ]

What are you thoughts for this as a stationary camera. Will never leave the tripod 97% of the time. The 8K even seems useable for multiple camera angles. The AI autofocus is seriously selling me.

[@vincentc9910]

I using A7Riv now and I don’t see any needs to upgrade for RV, do you agree ?

[@hlynurholm]

Not unless you either really need video capabilities or the autofocus systems I would think.

[@skatetoexplorevideos2477]

What's the location at 7:32? I accidentally got developed pictures meant for another customer 10 years ago and always wondered where this was at.

[@hlynurholm]

It's in Harpa, the main concert hall in Reykjavik Iceland!

[@skatetoexplorevideos2477]

@@hlynurholm Thank you.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

If an A7RV can capture 7-10 frames per second and the photographer still can't capture a useable photo the problem isn't with the camera and its frame rate...

[@Lesterandsons]

I'm Canon shooter and R3 is the first huge leap for years so what is true for Sony sensors is not for other companies Your conclusion is fine

[@trekkeruss]

I would guess they limit stills frame rate to 10/7 fps so as not to cannibalize sales of the A9, which they market as the sports camera.

[@hlynurholm]

Yes that is my suspicion too...

[@zegzbrutal]

It's frustrating...the least a7r5 should do is keep up the burst rate with Canon R5

[@ramspencer5492]

It's more of a stills first specialized camera. Not sure why it would really be in consideration as a main professional video camera.

[@hlynurholm]

Hopefully one day the processing will be good enough to provide a7RV quality photos with a7SIII/FX3 video, then I wouldn't have to carry 2 cameras around all the time 🤞🤞🤞

[@gamingwithstand6886]

Best noise reduction DXO PhotoLab or DXO PureRaw. I export to DNG so I can edit in any editor I wish. Just give it a try. DXO PhotoLab as Deep Prime and Deep Prime XD.

[@hlynurholm]

Thanks for the tip, will do!

[@codh3gro]

Daginn Hlynur! Gaman að sjá meira af íslendingum á youtube :D

[@hlynurholm]

Já það er er alltaf að bætast við!

[@Nemastic]

Hard to unsee that Sony mud after going from a A7RIII to S1H. Panasonic's signal to noise ratio is the best in mirror less and second only to Arri.

[@hlynurholm]

I've been wanting to try out Panasonic, I have never used one before. Now you got me kinda nervous...

[@DavidVaini]

One of these days people are going to learn the following: R-series = photo camera S- series = video camera No letter = hybrid. Then hopefully people will stop making reviews on the video capabilities of the photo camera and cover actual photo capabilities like: Pixel shift, buffer speed comparison between SD and CF Express, focus stacking, etc... Until then we will keep getting reviews like this that do a general overview of photo stuff and then critique video without diving into details that we really want to know about the photo capabilities

[@hlynurholm]

I'm sorry to hear my video wasn't what you wanted! I do make my reviews from my perspective as a hybrid shooter, but I'm certain there are other channels out there that give a more detailed technical overview of the photo capabilities 💪

[@thippeswamyswamyht1074]

Plese reales at Bangalore

[@douglassfwilson]

👍👍👍

[@howardhdavidson]

The most important reason for me to buy this camera is A. It takes better quality stills than my A 7 R 3 and it takes better quality video than the A7R 3 I have most of the Sony lenses and all the gimmicks are great , if the finish video and photo quality is better than the 4 year old A73 if not I can live without 4K 60p and 422 10 bit and 8K at 24 fps without IBIS .I’ve taken great videos and photos with my present camera.So I get a flipping screen and a different menu . So why bother.

[@s.m.masrakulislammedha3090]

What is your primary video camera?

[@hlynurholm]

It's the a7SIII

[@JiteshJadav]

Did you try super35, for better video quality?

[@hlynurholm]

I didn't really go deep into testing the APS-C mode because I don't use it that much, but from what I've shot in APS-C mode I don't see a huge quality difference!

[@JiteshJadav]

@@hlynurholm Because people says (even official), you its better in terms of quality.

[@ic5607]

👍

[@drum4519]

잘 봤습니다

[@borneoboii5776]

not sure if you know "R" means resolution. what is this talk on video for a photo focused camera

[@hlynurholm]

Yes I'm well aware of that 😂 But they did focus more on video by adding 4:2:2 10-bit and improved autofocus, so it's obviously not JUST a photo camera anymore and it's fair game to criticize it!

[@tisurmaster]

most camera should be doing 8k60. I could imagine 100 inch 8k tv at 60 fps or even 120...that would be worth my time watching tv :)

[@HarmonicGrunt]

when you mention Video , i go into Homer Simpson mode / & don't care too much for video. I i just love taking Pictures, Street, wildlife, Portrait. /Misc. No Disrespect sir . great Video Btw.

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

Sorry, but the Z7II and Canon R5 are driving circles around the A7RV in terms of high ISO performance. 61 mpx might sound so much, but Nikon 47 isn’t that far of, but soooooooo much better in terms of ISO performance. There is no real explanation why the files are that worse. The files of the A7V even look worse than thoose of the A7IV. There are some real problems with the way, the camera proceeds the data. What I also don’t understand, why they use the lossless comp ARWs for l/m/s. The lossy comp ARWs are so much smaller and you just can see the difference in lossless to lossy in nightscape photography. So it would’ve make so mich more sense to go super small ARW files for the medium and small ARWs.

[@hlynurholm]

I agree, high ISO performance isn't what it should be. Good point with the ARW files, I hadn't thought about that! Yeah maybe it would be nice to have L/M/S lossy compressed RAWs? For example I would like shoot 12MP lossy compressed RAWs when I'm on trips and just want to grab a quick snap to put in my stories!

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

@@hlynurholm Thats the point. I use lossy ARWs for events etc. To be honest I use them most of the time, as the differences don’t make it worth saving up to three times bigger files sizes. I use the A7RIII for all my work and I love high mpix cameras to use them with a click of a button in APS-C mode and still have plenty of mpix left. So the A7RV could’ve been perfect to be that one for all, with super nice small RAWs and in the next minute you can go for high quality 60mpx files. They should put the 42mpix sensor in an A7RV body. This sensor is still a beast and way better than the 60mpix sensor. I wanted to buy the new one but was shocked how bad the files look like.

[@ADNZ5442]

The A7RV is designed for Photographers

[@ADNZ5442]

@@RiceCake-ep9gu completely agree.

[@hipotures]

Real name of this camera is Sony a7R IV+AI

[@GameProgrammer79]

Everything just looks white!

[@Photojouralist123]

Thinking 😂the same

[@hlynurholm]

That's Iceland for ya 😂

[@Yupthereitism]

He over exposed

[@specialized41]

Talk too much of nothing. . . .

[@lorenzogattaldo3764]

The girl looks lovely.