Both card readers are mounted side-by-side on top of the board. The overall layout is similar to what we’ve seen with other a7 cameras. It’s no surprise that they needed to add more heat distribution considering performance those cameras are offering 4K 120FPS and 8K. Now they added an updated version for the Alpha 1, as well as the a7S III.

We’ve seen similar plates in the a7R II, but these were absent in the III, R III, and R IV. The metal thermal frame is the first thing that catches my eye. I would’ve liked to have seen Sony attempt some kind of hybrid like the Nikon Z9 or Fujifilm X-T3, or that weird Pentax K-1 II (oh Pentax), but maybe they wanted to play it safe for this one. The video recording button has been changed from a red dot to a red circle, a small change but it’s a nice touch that makes it feel more prominent.Īn interesting choice they made was giving this a tilt-screen rather than a flip-out fully articulating screen as they did with the a7C and a7S III, a decision that is sure to be a disappointment for some and a relief for others. There are a couple of minor changes, such as the removal of the drive mode icon next to the dial, due to its relocation to the top.

The joystick is broader, textured, and runs smoothly. All of the buttons are rounded out and feel a lot clickier.

The back is more like the other Sony cameras of this generation. However, other than the new drive/focus mode dial, the top is completely identical to the a9 II, which itself wasn’t that different from the A9.

Sony mirrorless cameras