Sony has announced the new a7 V, the fifth generation of their popular midrange a7 series. It has been four long years since the release of the a7 IV. The new a7 V features Sony’s first partially stacked sensor and a new BIONZ XR2 processor featuring an integrated AI unit.
Key features
- 33MP Partially-Stacked Exmor RS Sensor
- BIONZ XR2 Processor, Built-In AI Unit
- 759-Point PDAF with Real-time Tracking
- AI Subject Recognition & Auto Framing
- 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-Bit Video, S-Log3 & S-Cinetone
- 4K 120p 4:2:2 10-Bit (S35 Crop)
- 7.5-Stop, 5-Axis Image Stabilization
- 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate
- 3.2″ 4-Axis Multi-Angle Touchscreen LCD
- Pre-Capture, Speed Boost, 30fps Shooting
- CFexpress A & SD Slots, Dual USB-C Ports
Sensor
The a7 V features a 33MP (35.9 x 23.9 mm) partially-stacked Exmor RS sensor and a BIONZ XR2 Processor with a built-in AI unit. The previous a7 IV used a 33MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS BSI sensor.
The combination of a partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with approximately 4.5 times faster readout speed increased and the BIONZ XR2 processor is claimed to result in high image quality with minimal distortion.
The partially stacked sensor in the a7 V allows for much faster readout speeds, and this faster readout helps to reduce rolling shutter, increase resolution and frame rates in video, and improve performance when shooting still images. Now, a partially stacked sensor isn’t going to offer the same level of performance as a fully stacked sensor, but it is cheaper to produce.
Partially stacked sensors are not a new concept, and the Nikon Z6 III, the new Nikon ZR, and Panasonic LUMIX SII also utilize one.
Video Capabilities
The a7 V can capture 4K 60p in full frame mode in 10-bit 4:2:2 by oversampling a 7K image. This is done via a full pixel readout without pixel binning. It can also shoot 4K 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2, but only in a S35 crop mode. The video resolution is limited to 3840 × 2160; there is no 4K DCI recording mode.
You can shoot in XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K, XAVC S HD, XAVC S-I HD. The ISO range when shooting video is 100 to 51,200, and Sony claims 16 stops of dynamic range.
As a comparison, the a7 IV can shoot 4K 60p in Super 35mm mode and up to 4K 30p recording with 7K oversampling in full-frame mode.
Frame rates up to 240 fps are available when recording at Full HD resolution, allowing up to 10x slow motion playback (24p recording in S&Q mode) for detailed sports analysis and more. A variety of formats are supported, including 4:2:2 10-bit recording, Long GOP, and All Intra.
MOVIE RECORDING FORMAT (XAVC HS 4K)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit) (Approx.):119.88p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit) (Approx.):100p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (150 Mbps / 75 Mbps / 45 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (150 Mbps / 75 Mbps / 45 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (100 Mbps / 50 Mbps / 30 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):119.88p (280 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):100p (280 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (200 Mbps / 100 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (200 Mbps / 100 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (100 Mbps / 50 Mbps)
MOVIE RECORDING FORMAT (XAVC S 4K)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):119.88p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):100p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):59.94p (150 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):50p (150 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):29.97p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):25p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps),3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):23.98p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):119.88p (280 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):100p (280 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (200 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):29.97p (140 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):25p (140 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (100 Mbps)
MOVIE RECORDING FORMAT (XAVC S HD)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):119.88p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):100p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):59.94p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):50p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):29.97p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):25p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit) (Approx.):23.98p (50 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (50 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (50 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):29.97p (50 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):25p (50 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (50 Mbps)
MOVIE RECORDING FORMAT (XAVC S-I 4K)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (600 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (500 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):29.97p (300 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):25p (250 Mbps)
- 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (240 Mbps)
MOVIE RECORDING FORMAT (XAVC S-I HD)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):59.94p (222 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):50p (185 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):29.97p (111 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):25p (93 Mbps)
- 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit) (Approx.):23.98p (89 Mbps)
The image stabilization features Dynamic Active Mode, enabling smooth and stable video expression even when handheld. Users can enjoy high-quality video recording in a wide range of scenes, from vlogs and creative productions to capturing family memories.
The camera also features an Auto Framing function that automatically maintains optimal composition of subjects during recording through AI-powered subject recognition. This enables stable composition video recording in various scenes.
The newly introduced AI-driven Auto White Balance (AWB) is claimed to leverage advanced scene analysis for consistent color rendering and uses light source estimation through deep learning technology. By automatically identifying the light source in the shooting environment with high precision and adjusting to appropriate color tones, it is said to enable natural and stable color reproduction, resulting in more faithful colors and reducing post-production workload.
There is proxy recording and TC/UB, but no RAW output. Over HDMi you can output the folowing:
- 3840 x 2160 (59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 23.98p)
- 1920 x 1080 (59.94p / 50p / 23.98p)
- 1920 x 1080 (59.94i / 50i), YCbCr 4:2:2 10bit / RGB 8bit
According to Sony, new in-camera noise reduction and improved internal mic functionality ensures high-quality audio recording by reducing steady background noises, minimizing interference, and maintaining natural sound. Working with the camera’s built-in microphone and external microphones, this function can dramatically reduce wind noise and other continuous environmental noise, including mechanical noise from a power zoom lens.2 Choose between two settings: [Wind NR] and generic [Noise Cut].
What about the heat?
According to Sony, the effective heat dissipation allows 4K 60p 4:2:0 8bit video to be recorded continuously for around 90 minutes. A unique Σ (sigma) shaped graphite component built into the image stabilisation unit allows the image sensor, a major source of heat inside the camera body, to move freely during image stabilisation while conducting heat away for efficient heat dissipation.
What does it record to?
The a7 V has one CFexpress Type A card slot and one SD card slot.
LCD Screen
The a7 V has a 3.2″ 4-Axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD. The previous a7 IV has a 3″ free-angle tilting touchscreen LCD. The 4-axis multi-angle monitor combines tilt and vari-angle design, offering unrestricted horizontal and vertical adjustment for greater shooting freedom.
The 4-axis multi-angle monitor adjusts upward by 98°, downward by 40°, and sideways by 180°, and when open, it can rotate up to 270º. Its 3.2-type 2.1-million-dot (3:2 aspect ratio) touch sensitive display panel has a wide colour gamut and is claimed to provide clear viewing even in bright conditions.
EVF
The a7 V features a 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps refresh rate. This looks to be the exact same one that is used in the older a7 IV.
5-Axis Image Stabilization
The new a7 V has 5-Axis image stabilization with up to 7.5 stops of correction. The previous a7 IV also has 5-Axis image stabilization, but with only up to 5.5 stops of correction.
The enhanced 7.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system compensates for five different types of camera shake encountered during handheld shooting of stills and video and allows users to use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical shooting without encountering blur from camera shake.
For long focal lengths, the system will correct for pitch and yaw adjustments. Macro and high-magnification imagery, on the other hand, will benefit from the inclusion of horizontal and vertical shift compensation. All shooting styles will get usage out of the roll compensation. All 5 axes of stabilization will function at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization.
Additionally, specifically for video, there is also an Active IS mode that adds even more precise stabilization methods for even smoother footage straight out of the camera. Active Mode optical image stabilization also supports 4K 120p recording
Fast Hybrid AF System
The Alpha 7 V integrates the AI processing unit into the BIONZ XR2 engine, delivering a substantial leap in autofocus speed, accuracy, and reliability. The Alpha 7 V is claimed to offer up to 30% improvement in Real-time Recognition AF that instantly recognizes targeted subjects and continues to capture them with high precision. With 759 phase-detection points and up to 94% frame coverage, the camera can precisely track subjects across nearly the entire image area, even in challenging low-light conditions down to EV -4.0
This focusing system is available for use in all recording modes, to benefit both video and stills applications.
Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF allow the camera to lock onto subjects quickly and refine focus accurately on recognized eyes and faces of subjects.
Real-time Recognition AF supports [Human], [Animal], [Bird], [Insect], [Car/Train] and [Airplane] recognition, and an [Auto] mode can automatically detect the subject type. The α7 V offers about 30% improved animal recognition and about 50% improved bird recognition. It now also recognizes the eyes of some grazing and small animals in addition to the eyes, heads, and bodies of dogs, cats, and similarly featured animals.
Real-time Tracking is an AI-based subject recognition system that recognizes color, pattern, and subject distance information for high accuracy and focusing speed. Beyond just tracking subjects, Real-time Eye AF fine-tunes the focusing accuracy and recognizes human, animal, and bird’s eyes for critical sharpness. Real-time Eye AF even maintains focus on a subject’s eye when they leave and re-enter the frame, allowing for working in more spontaneous shooting situations.
Battery Life
According to Sony, the Alpha 7 V combines efficient heat dissipation with extended battery life for longer, uninterrupted shooting sessions. The upgraded power management and enhanced stamina performance. A new Monitor Low Bright mode extends battery life even further. You can take approximately 630 shots when using the viewfinder, per CIPA standards.
Durable magnesium alloy chassis
A lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy is used for the top cover, front cover, internal frame, and rear cover. The grip and front cover are manufactured as a single unit for high rigidity, while the mount is attached by six screws for extra strength. This provides maximum durability on shoots requiring a variety of large, heavy lenses, like super-telephoto lenses.
Stills Shooting
The new a7 V is no slouch when it comes to taking still images. It has Pre-Capture, and it can capture up to 30fps, which is a big improvement over the 10fps of the a7 IV.
A lightweight RAW format achieves high image quality in smaller files that are easier to manage. The [Compressed (HQ)] format provides even greater compression in lightweight RAW files while prioritising image quality, and the [Compressed] format allows for extended shooting.
The camera can take stills in the following modes:
- 35mm full-frame: L: 7008 × 4672 (33 MP)
- M: 4608 × 3072 (14 MP)
- S: 3504 × 2336 (8.2 MP)
The pre-capture function saves images up to 1 second before the shutter release.
Composite RAW shooting captures multiple RAW images that can be composited on a computer. The enhanced [NR Shooting] setting produces low-noise images while maintaining high resolution even at mid to high sensitivities. [Shooting for HDR] captures high dynamic range, with options for the simultaneous capture of 4, 8, or 16 images at 30 fps
Ports & Interfaces
The a7 V has a full-size HDMI A port, two USB Type-C ports, 3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports, and the Multi Interface Shoe supports working with the optional ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adapter Kit.
The dual USB-C ports offer greater versatility and the ability to simultaneously power the camera or charger the battery while also transferring data to an external storage device.
Port 1 is a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port intended for data transfer at up to 10 Gbps and Port 2 is a USB-C 2.0 port intended for power delivery and in-camera battery charging.
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC enables the a7 V to instantly share imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing online. This wireless connectivity supports both 5 and 6 GHz bands, along with 2×2 MIMO, for a strong, reliable connection to enable rapid transfers, remote control, and wireless tethered shooting.
Bluetooth connectivity allows for location data acquisition. The camera also supports 4K webcam use and is UVC/UAC compliant for simple operation. Internal recording is also supported while live streaming. The α7 V offers live streaming at up to 4K 30p via a direct USB (UVC/UAC) computer connection and via a wired or wireless LAN network. When streaming via LAN, it’s possible to broadcast 4K (3840 x 2160) 30p video while simultaneously recording the same content to an internal memory card. RTMP, RTMPS and SRT protocols are supported.
Pricing & Availability
The new a7 V is now avialble to pre-order. The Alpha 7 V body will be available by the end of December 2025 for approximately $2,899 USD and $3,699 CAD. The Alpha 7 V with SEL2870-kit will be available in February 2026 for approximately $3,099 USD and $3,899 CAD.
FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II
Compact, lightweight, and engineered for speed, the FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II is designed to fully leverage the continuous shooting capabilities of the Alpha 7 V sensor. When combined with compatible cameras, this new lens offers up to 120 fps AF/AE tracking, continuous shooting, seamless body-lens coordinated image stabilization, AF available even during zooming, and built-in breathing compensation support. From dynamic action shots to fast-paced events or high-quality video capture, this lens delivers smooth, dependable responsiveness and flexibility.
The FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II will be available in February 2026 for approximately $449 USD and $599 CAD.
