joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

This is my take on the differences between the two cameras. I've been shooting the R4 about 5 weeks, the R3 about 15months (sold it). Nearly all my shooting has been song birds with the 100-400GM.

61 vs 42MP sensor. The resolution increase is great for my type of shooting. On the negative side the files process slower and have more noise. To get around this I crop and reduce noise at the beginning of my post processing. Also the color science is different. Since I adjust to taste it doesn't really matter to me.

The grip and button changes are good improvements. The lock feature on the EC dial is more of a hindrance than benefit. The compensation amount shows in the viewfinder/screen so I leave it unlocked always.

Increased sealing against moisture may be a benefit for some but in over 50years of camera use I never had a problem...but I'm not about to test it.

The focus improvements are real and very welcome...although its not as good as the reviewers say it is. It still missing in some situations and even refuses to focus at times...but its rare.

I don't do video and could not care less about it. I wish there was a way to eliminate it from the menu.

Renaming the card slots only makes sense if you also use another camera that has the same sequence. I'm ambivalent about it.

As many have said the menu can be intimidatingly, but only if new to Sony. All the different Alpha camera menus are very much the same. The potential customization is awesome. Once you are accustomed and have refined it to suit your preferences it better than most.

Its not a perfect camera and has some annoyances for me. The occasional misfocus for example. Another is when you forget to put the main card back into the camera it switches to the second card, which is good, but it changes the menu card preference. Now I'm shooting on card 2 and thinking it card 1. It often results is additional trips to the computer.

Is it worth upgrading from the A7R3...it depends. Are you a wild life fanatic, with a fast computer, willing to tolerate slower processing, have the budget, and willing to take a big loss on selling the R3. If yes, go for it. Hey...the R3 is no less functional due to the release of the R4. Its arguably one of the best cameras available and best of all...the price dropped substantially.

I'm very happy with my R4 and would do it again.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

That’s what froknow said😄 He’s on youtube
Froknowsphotos. (Jared Palin)
I love my a7riii. Works well for me.

Barn Owl

Joer, Thanks for taking the time for your Sony reviews. I wish some other Hoggers with similar experiences with the A7R3 and the A7R4 would write about their impressions. I am concerned when some of the YouTube shooters are reporting there is an occasional wildlife "lock-up" on the focus with the 200-600mm Sony. I'm with you in not being that interested in video modes.
Hope some Canon Hoggers will write a review about their Canon Mirrorless EOS R and the Canon EF-100-400 IS II lens. What do they think about the new 100mm macro lens?
Best of good health and success to you.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks for taking the time to post your impressions and experience, Joe. As a landscape guy, I think I will stay with the 3 for now.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Thanks Joe:

I have been looking at the Sony cameras recently and like them very much. I have been a Canon guy since '68 but use other brands every chance I get and recently donated my D90 Nikon to a new shooter.

I even got to try the new Fuji as well....forgot it's number...??? There are a lot of nice cameras out there and new shooters have many wonderful choices to consider.
Thanks Man!

repleo Loc: Boston

I took advantage of the R3 price drop just before the announcement of the R4. I was taken by surprise by the R4 but have no regrets about not waiting for it. The R3 is a worthwhile upgrade from the R2 which is also a great camera but the addition of the joystick on the R3 was a game changer for me.
You didn’t mention the R4s EVF. I believe that was an upgrade from the R3. Do you notice the difference?

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Appreciate your comments. Your recent posts of RIV images are quite impressive but when you posted two images, one from the III and one from the IV, I honestly could not tell the difference and I have no complaints about the functions of the RIII. So, for me, I'm currently not considering the upgrade. Alternatively, I might consider saving the money and using it toward a second A-9 or the 200-600. No a9 II for me, just not enough of an improvement. But love my Sony stuff compared to my Canon gear.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Appreciate your comments. Your recent posts of RIV images are quite impressive but when you posted two images, one from the III and one from the IV, I honestly could not tell the difference and I have no complaints about the functions of the RIII. So, for me, I'm currently not considering the upgrade. Alternatively, I might consider saving the money and using it toward a second A-9 or the 200-600. No a9 II for me, just not enough of an improvement. But love my Sony stuff compared to my Canon gear.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks. I too would choose the A9 over the A9 II at this point if I was in the market for a second camera...I'm not. Last year during the holiday sales it was $3K.

cygone Loc: Boston

The thing that gives me reservations about purchasing the A7Riv is the lack of options with raw compressed. You've got 61mp and cropped mode. I've got the computing power but it seems like I might be tied to a desk in PP with such large files. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

I have never ever accidentally moved the compensation dial. This makes me wonder how other photographers work.

idahoshooter Loc: Coeur d'Alene

Joer, How is the blackout in the EVF when shooting continuous shots (Birds-in-Flight, for example)? Any difference between the A7R4 and A7R3. I do BIF shooting so I can't decide to go with the A9(1) or A7R3.
Shooting 7Dii now.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I'm not Joel, but for bid, a9. no question in my mind.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I don't think there is a noticeable difference between the R4 and R3 on blackout although both are negligible.

IMHO the A9 may be a better choice for BIF not because of lack of blackout but due to better focus, tracking and frame rate.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Yes I did forget to mention the EVF. It is significantly sharper on the R4...to me its almost unnatural and it has no impact on the resulting image. I don't see it as an improvement over the R3.

I only use the joy stick to center the focus point when needed. No BBF or moving the focus point around...I let the focus tracking handle it. The latter methods are superfluous to me.