Quite recently, Sony announced two highly anticipated lenses: the 16mm f1.8 G and the 400-800mm f6.3-8 G. While the new optics have been much loved by reviewers, the question of the new camera still remains unclear. Back in January, Sony registered a new camera, and in October, they registered two new codes. This only further led one to think: Will we get the Sony A7 V in 2025? However, it now appears that won’t happen anytime soon.
According to Sony Alpha Rumors, when a camera is registered, it often means that one can expect an official announcement 3-4 months later. However, sources close to the publication state that the Sony a7 V will be postponed by a few months.
The first source, who is also a long-time trusted individual, said that the company is “waiting for Canon R6 III to make the first pricing move in this segment” and will postpone the launch if necessary.
Then, the second source, who is new, also stated that the camera will be delayed “a lot.” “It could be so bad that it won’t come until the end of the year, late autumn at the earliest,” they further added; this is also something that was suggested to the person from Sony.
The last source, who is also trusted, said that the delay is because of the production issues with the Sony a1 II, launched last year. So, if this device can reach targets by March or April, we can expect the launch of the Sony a7 V.
However, since the company has registered two new cameras, there are rumors about these new devices. According to sources, Sony aims to launch a new E-mount full frame “niche” camera in Spring. Perhaps, after this, the a7 V. In addition, the company is also thinking about launching a “stunning” GM lens, which could be unveiled alongside the E series device.
If the rumors are true, then Sony has to really change the a7 V to meet the needs of photographers. The camera’s predecessor, the Sony a7 IV, was launched in 2021, and for its time, its 33MP sensor and autofocus performed really well. However, with the 2023 update, the device certainly seemed to be at the end of its life. We noticed that the new firmware did not make massive updates to the a7 IV. For instance, “Sony’s newest feature that’s supposed to merge birds and animals together in the autofocus settings isn’t present in the Sony a7 IV.” However, the Sony a7c II, an entry-level camera, managed to perform better, thanks to the AI processing chip and scene detection modes, which the other camera lacks.
In this regard, the new A7 V should have the following:
- A higher resolution, between 40 to 60MP
- Improved Bionz processor for better quality and colors
- AI chip for better autofocus, tracking and low light performance. The latter should be inclusive and be able to detect people of color in low light. Also, the ability to track and shoot at frame rates of up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter.
- High resolution LCD and a bigger screen
- Improved refresh rates for the viewfinder and rear LCD
- Build on a7 IV’s body and provide better grip and weather sealing
- The A7 V should incorporate dual card slots that support UHS-II and CFexpress Type A cards
- Content authenticity initiative
These are few things that we can expect the camera to improve upon. However, it becomes imperative that the Sony A7 V is an inclusive camera and is able to compete with offerings from Nikon and Canon.
