Which memory card for the Sony A7 IV
Most A7 IV owners should buy a V60 SD card. It covers normal 4K and Sony's 4K slow motion. You need V90 SD or CFexpress Type A only if you shoot the 600 Mbps All-Intra format.
The A7 IV has two slots. Slot 1 takes CFexpress Type A or SD (UHS-I or UHS-II). Slot 2 takes SD only. CFexpress Type B will not work, even though that format is common on other brands' cameras.
What Sony asks for
This is from Sony's help guide for the camera.
| You record | Bit rate | SD card needed | Or CFexpress A |
|---|---|---|---|
| XAVC S or XAVC HS 4K | up to 200 Mbps | V30 or higher | any |
| 4K slow motion (S&Q) | up to 200 Mbps | V60 or higher | VPG200 or higher |
| XAVC S-I 4K | up to 600 Mbps | V90 or higher | VPG200 or higher |
| XAVC S-I HD | up to 222 Mbps | V90 or higher | VPG200 or higher |
The sum behind it is easy to check. 600 Mbps is 75 MB/s of writing, which is above what V60 guarantees and under V90.
Sony TOUGH SF-G 128GB (UHS-II, V90)All-Intra on SD · from ₹21,990
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD 128GB (UHS-II, V90)All-Intra on SD · from ₹14,999
Sony CFexpress Type A TOUGH 160GBCFexpress Type A · from ₹29,990What to buy for how you shoot
Photos and normal 4K. A V30 SD like the SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I meets the requirement. Go to V60 if your budget allows, since the camera also shoots fast bursts of files.
4K slow motion. V60 is the floor. The Lexar 1667x is a V60 UHS-II card.
All-Intra. You need V90, such as the Sony TOUGH SF-G. At 600 Mbps the camera writes 270GB an hour, so 128GB lasts under half an hour. Most people should not shoot this format unless they know why they need it.
Fastest bursts. The Sony CFexpress Type A 160GB goes in slot 1 and is the card for long sports bursts. It is expensive, and it fits only slot 1.
Using both slots
Set the second slot to record a backup whenever the job cannot be repeated. For a wedding this matters more than any spec here. Both cards need to be fast enough for what you are recording, so a slow card in slot 2 becomes the limit.
The A7 IV uses the Sony NP-FZ100 battery. See all cards for the A7 IV.
Before you buy
Ask to see the V-class or VPG mark on the actual card. Counterfeit cards exist, so buy where you can return and ask questions. Test the card in slow motion mode before the job that matters.
Talk to the shop before you pay
These are camera stores in India, with the price and stock from their own websites. Pick one you can phone, ask your question, then decide.
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD 128GB (UHS-II, V90)
Your message is written for you. Press send in WhatsApp, come back, and tap again for the next store.
Out of stock at a store? Most can arrange it quickly. Call or WhatsApp to ask.
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD 128GB (UHS-I, V30)
Your message is written for you. Press send in WhatsApp, come back, and tap again for the next store.
Out of stock at a store? Most can arrange it quickly. Call or WhatsApp to ask.
Stores change prices often, so confirm on the store's page. See every store we track.
Questions
Can the A7 IV use CFexpress Type B cards?
No. Sony states that CFexpress Type B cards cannot be used in this camera.
Do I need two of the same card?
No. Slot 1 takes CFexpress Type A or SD, and slot 2 takes SD. Backup recording works best when both cards are fast enough for the format you record.
Where the specs come from
- helpguide.sony.net
- Lexar Professional 1667x SD 128GB (UHS-II, V60)
- Sony TOUGH SF-G 128GB (UHS-II, V90)
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SD 128GB (UHS-II, V90)
- Sony CFexpress Type A TOUGH 160GB
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SD 128GB (UHS-I, V30)
- Sony NP-FZ100
These are the manufacturer pages behind the specs here. How we check them.
Read next
V30 vs V60 SD card, and which your camera needsTurn your camera's bit rate into a card class in one step, then see the list by camera.
Best lens for the Sony A7 IVWhich standard zoom to buy, and the primes worth adding to it.
Which memory card for the Sony A6400What Sony's own card table says, and why a faster, costlier card gets you nothing here.