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Sony A7IV: Definitive Accessories Guide

lucia-garo-unsplash_sony-a7iv-accessories-guide (1)

If you’ve been fortunate to pick up Sony’s newest A7IV camera, you’re in for a treat! Among the first few things you’ll likely be considering are the accessories you should get for this camera.

Now, the good news is that Sony Alpha series quite an established line, so accessories are aplenty.

Here are the top ones recommended for you – especially if you are leveling up to the A7IV and consider delving deeper into photography – whether as a hobby or a side hustle.

Top Accessories for the Sony A7IV

  1. Screen Protectors
  2. Memory Cards
  3. Filter (UV/Clear)
  4. Tripods
  5. Quick Release Mounts
  6. Neck / Wrist Straps
  7. Batteries & Wall Charger
  8. Portable Charger
  9. Remote Controls
  10. Storage and Backup
  11. Camera Cleaning Tools
  12. Camera Backpacks/Sling bags
  13. Lenses

1.  SCREEN PROTECTORS

A screen protector is an absolute must-have for any camera. Paired with the Sony A7IV’s fully-articulating screen, it’s the window through which you see your captured shots and live preview of the moment. Undoubtedly, a cheap investment that goes a long way to prevent costly repairs from scratches or cracks.

Sony A7IV Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Sony A7IV accessories - Sony A7IV Tempered Glass Screen Protector

 

 

This tempered glass screen protector boasts excellent 99.9% transparency for crystal-clear, high-definition viewing. It features 6 layers of protective material that protect your display screen from dirt, scratches, sweat and oily fingerprints.

Made from high hardness glass, the hardness of surface is up to 9H, which provides good daily protection for your LCD screen, prevents the glass from shattering and other damages.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Sony A7IV Tempered Glass Screen Protector
At: Amazon

 

2.  MEMORY CARDS

Prices of memory SD cards have really dropped in the past few years, and today you can get affordable large storage at a steal. I’d recommend getting a card that is at least 128GB, which gives you the flexibility of over 4,200 images (average RAW file size for the A7IV is around 30MB), or around 40 minutes of 4K UHD video.

SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card

Sony A7IV accessories - SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDHX UHS-I Card

Sandisk is one of the best bets when it comes to storage. I’ve been using their memory cards across my cameras and phones, not to mention the fast SSD for the workstation.

The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card delivers speedy capture/shot speeds of up to 90MB/s, along with UHS-I rating that delivers performance for stunning, uninterrupted 4K UHD video. It’s just over $57 (at time of writing), so it’s the perfect solution for everyday use.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card
At: Amazon

 

Sony A7IV accessories - Sony Tough Series and ProGrade Digital UHS-II SDXC Memory Card

What I’d recommend for those who do a lot of heavy 4K video recording or could benefit from an additional speed boost (to max out the Sony A7IV’s great sensor, 10-bit recording and UHS-II slot) – the Sony Tough Series or ProGrade Digital’s UHS-II SD cards.

Both are fully capable of video capture including 8K, 4K XAVC S, 60p AVCHD, 3D, HFR, and Full HD video, and can achieve maximum read speeds of up to 300 MB/s and maximum write speeds of up to 299 MB/s. Thanks to its V90 speed class rating, minimum write speeds are guaranteed not to drop below 90 MB/s.

Sony’s Tough Series card are slightly pricier, but features a rugged design that can withstand drops up to 16.4′ / 5m, immersion in up to 16.4′ / 5m of water for up to 72 hours, and is bend, dust, X-ray, magnet, and anti-static proof, and resistant to UV light and temperature extremes from -13 to 185°F – perfect for your outdoor adventures, and up to 18 times stronger than standard SD media via its one-piece molded construction!

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Sony 64GB SF-G Tough Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Card
At: Amazon

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for ProGrade Digital 64GB UHS-II SDXC Memory Card
At: Amazon


3. FILTER (UV/CLEAR)

Having invested in an expensive primary lens (such as the excellent Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8), you’ll definitely want to also protect the lens from dust particles, dirt, or even the accidental lens-first drop *ouch*. Most would recommend screwing on a filter onto your lens as such. Like the screen protector, a good filter goes a long way.

B+W 67mm XS-Pro UV Haze MRC-Nano 010M Filter

 

Sony A7IV accessories - B+W 67mm XS-Pro UV Haze MRC-Nano 010M Filter

The B+W 67 mm UV haze clear camera filter features 16 multi-resistant nano-coating layers of protection against accidental drops, dust, flying, fingerprints, dirt, scratches sand or seawater spray. Enjoy outdoor photography without worrying about your precious lenses anymore. It’s a clear filter that is designed to absorb ultraviolight light and reduce the bluish cast of daylight, without any impact or coloration, contrast on image quality.

The XS-Pro filters are also slimmer and constructed from Schott glass for increased optical clarity and color fidelity. One thing that makes me choose B+W’s XS-Pro filter over other brands is the brass filter ring, which minimizes chance of vignetting and enhancing durability and preventing jamming (sometimes, filters can get stuck on lenses over time). I’ve been buying this for all the lenses I owned ever since.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for B+W 67mm XS-Pro UV Haze MRC-Nano 010M Filter
At:
Amazon


Tiffen 67mm UV Protector Filter

 

Sony A7IV accessories - Tiffen 67mm UV Protector Filter

If you’re looking for a fuss-free, much more affordable filter, Tiffen makes a good UV one that is just under 10 bucks. It’s USA-made and highly rated across Amazon and B&H, and like the B+W one helps to absorb ultraviolet light and reduce the bluish cast of daylight – especially useful when in the mountains or around lakes/bodies of water.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Tiffen 67mm UV Protector Filter
At:
Amazon

 

4. TRIPODS

If you don’t have a good sturdy tripod yet, it’s time to get one. It’ll definitely come in handy especially if you’re looking for stability and long exposures. When choosing a tripod, your main considerations will be portability and weight (do you travel, walk about a lot), as well as stability (especially if you’re using longer telephoto lenses or shoot in windy conditions).

Carbon fiber tripods are increasingly popular due to their weightless yet sturdy construction, even trumping aluminum ones in most everyday scenarios.

Sirui T-25SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod with B-00 Ball Head (Black, Carbon Fiber)

Sony A7IV accessories - Sirui T-25SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod with B-00 Ball Head (Black, Carbon Fiber)

Sirui’s T-025SK tripod is the lightest and most compact full-sized tripod I’d recommend – it weights just 2.2 lb (1 kg) and has a folded length of 12.2″ (30.99 cm), which means it fits easily in the side pockets of a backpack and length wise is just slightly longer than a water bottle.

It features a 5-section support with carbon fiber legs that easily extend with a half twist of each section’s lock. Deploying this tripod takes just a few seconds (small twists for each knob, then holding it up for the tripod to extend fully). The legs splay out to have a maximum height of 53.8″ (1.37m) or a minimum of 3.1″ (7.9cm).

Fully capable of supporting a camera + lens of up to 13.2 lb (5.98kg), this tripod’s mini ball head is Acra-type compatible (with included quick release plate), and is also adjustable to shoot vertically at a 90° angle and panoramic shooting with a 360° pan.

It’s one lightweight tripod that I wholeheartedly recommend from experience – especially when lugging around the weight of a full-frame system and a lens or two for the whole day!

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Sirui T-25SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod with B-00 Ball Head (Black, Carbon Fiber)
At:
Amazon


Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

 

 

Sony A7IV accessories - Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

As an alternative, Peak Design’s Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod is beautifully designed and features innovative flat tripod legs that reduces folded volume vs traditional tripods, making it just as thick as a water bottle.

If you’re on the Peak Design ecosystem this might be one for you too. Crowning the ball head is a quick release system compatible with Peak Design standard plates, and most Arca-type plates. It weighs in at 2.8 lb (1.27kg), holds up to 20 lb (9.07kg), adjusts from 5.5 to 60″ (13.9cm to 1.52m), and folds down to only 15.5″ (39.4cm).

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
At:
Amazon


Ulanzi MT-28 Universal Carbon Fiber Extendable Tripod

For the times where you just want a minimalist setup when heading out of the door, the Ulanzi MT-28 Universal Carbon Fiber Extendable Tripod is a perfect companion – or also as a 11″ (27.9cm) monopod for those on-the-go vlogs.

It also doubles up as a compact and lightweight tabletop tripod, sturdy enough to handle loads of 4.4 lb (1.99kg), yet weighs a feather-light 5.6 oz (158.7g) – a little more than your mobile phone!

If getting this, recommend you also pair it with Ulanzi’s excellent quick release systems (see next section).

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Ulanzi MT-28 Universal Carbon Fiber Extendable Tripod
At:
Amazon

 

5. QUICK RELEASE MOUNTS

Quick release mounts allow you to swiftly switch between carrying systems – whether from your neck/shoulder sling, backpack strap, waist clip, or a gimbal.

These feature a ‘press-and-release’ function so that allows you to quickly dismount and mount the cameras without fiddling with rotating screws or knobs, or getting out your allen key to unscrew threads.

Look for a mount that has a solid build and weight capacity that can handle your camera and lenses. One important consideration is to go for mounts that ‘slide in’ horizontally, vs those that ‘click in’ from the top – I find that these tend to attract less dirt.

Ulanzi Falcam F38 Quick Release System

Sony A7IV accessories - Ulanzi Falcam F38 Quick Release System

Ulanzi has been producing great camera stuff at an affordable price, yet the machining and quality you get is impeccable. Enter the Falcam F38 Quick Release System, it allows you to pair this with a tripod/ball head, backpack/belt clip, or gimbal, so you can quickly switch between carrying systems depending on how and where you are shooting.

What’s to love about this system is that it’s slim and lightweight, and features a secure locking system that requires you to pull-turn-release – shifting from a pressable to a locked mode to keep your camera firmly in place. 

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Ulanzi Falcam F38 Quick Release System
At:
Amazon

 

Peak Design Capture Camera Backpack/Belt Clip

Peak Design Capture Camera Backpack/Belt Clip

Peak Design’s Capture clip is designed to be used with backpacks, straps, or belts. It allows you to carry your camera safely and comfortable everywhere, especially a sling doesn’t cut it due to frequent movement and swinging of the camera (e.g. when hiking). 

Now in it’s v3 iteration, it sports several improvements over the previous version including being 30% smaller, 20% narrower, 20% lower profile, with an all-metal aluminum build, ultra-smooth machined/anodized finish for increased durability and smoothness, and hella comfy ergonomic design.

It’s also perfect for rugged outdoor adventures or the occasional city rainfall, with all parts being weatherproof and resist rust and saltwater. The best part of using such a clip is that your camera is always accessible and ready at a click, rather than sitting in a bag. 

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Peak Design Capture Camera Backpack/Belt Clip
At:
Amazon


6. NECK / WRIST STRAPS

Straps are an essential for extended periods of carrying your camera, and with full-frame systems like the Sony A7IV you’ll want one that is comfortable (i.e. wider straps), and easily adjustable on the fly.

Thin leather straps are more suited for your micro four-thirds or compact cameras, as they tend to cut into your neck or shoulder after extended use with a heavier camera. 

Peak Design Slide Light Camera Strap

Sony A7IV accessories - Peak Design Slide Light Camera Strap

The newly updated Slide Lite packs the unrivaled versatility of Slide into a smaller package, perfectly suited for mirrorless and light DSLR cameras.

It can be worn as a  sling, neck, or shoulder strap, and features seatbelt style nylon webbing for comfort – with a smooth side that glides over clothing in sling mode and a grippy side that prevents slipping in shoulder mode.

Also comes with Peak Design’s unique anchor connectors that are easy to attach and detach as needed, when shooting in hand-held mode or shifting to a shoulder/belt clip. 

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Peak Design Slide Light Camera Strap
At:
Amazon

 

Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap

Sony A7IV accessories - Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap

The Peak Design Cuff provides a slim, discreet way to handle your camera and protect it from accidental drops. It clips into the proprietary anchor system, so if you already have the Slide Lite this will be a good companion.

The wrist loop magnetically locks in the open position, or comfortably cinches down the wrist for extra security. It also features new all-custom aluminum hardware for a polished look., as well as a new ultra-soft nylon with tighter weave for a smoother finish.  

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap
At:
Amazon

 

7. BATTERIES & WALL CHARGER

It’s always handy to have a spare battery (or two), especially if you know you won’t have access to a charging port or wall outlet while out for the day.

One piece of advice – BUY ORIGINAL. Sony’s batteries are rated for temperature resistance and durability, and the safety and operation of third-party batteries cannot be guaranteed. It’s simply not worth the risk given how much you’re spending on the A7IV body. 

Sony NPFZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (2280mAh)

Sony A7IV accessories - Sony NPFZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion High Capacity Battery (2280mAh)

The A7IV uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as the a7 III and other recent Sony cameras. It offers double the capacity as compared to the older standard unit, allowing you to achieve over 500 shots per charge (depending on your usage).

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Sony NPFZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (2280mAh)
At:
Amazon

 

Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger

As an optional accessory, Sony also sells its battery charger that will quickly charge up a battery completely in 150 minutes. It features a slim design along with LED indicator for checking charge status. Also included is a detachable AC cable for easier packing and it works worldwide with its 100-240 AC rating.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger
At:
Amazon

 

8. PORTABLE CHARGER

Now, if you are balk at the price of another battery and the wall charger, fret not.

The Sony A7IV allows direct USB-C charging, so if you are stopping for a lunch/cafe break you can whip out your portable charger to give the camera a quick juice-up. Or if you’re travelling, carry a sling back and tether the shoulder-slung camera directly to the portable charger.

10,000mah is a good balance between weight and having enough power to charge up your digital accessories.

Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mah 20W PD Power Bank

 

Sony A7IV accessories - Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mah 20W PD Power Bank

Anker’s PowerCore Slim, as it name suggests, is a super slim 20W portable charger at 0.6 inches (1.5cm) thick, fitting easily into a backpack or work bag. 

Its 20W USB-C port is capable of charging an iPhone 12 to 50% in just 30 minutes, and also has a 12W USB port if you need to charge a second device. The cool-blue 4-dot LED indicator also displays remaining power at a quick glance. 

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mah 20W PD Power Bank
At:
Amazon

 

9. REMOTE CONTROLS

Having a remote is especially handy if you are taking family or self portraits, and don’t want to hand your expensive camera over to a stranger to fiddle with.

Also, if you are shooting long exposures (e.g. astrophotography or landscape), using a remote control helps you to release the shutter without having to manually depress the shutter button on the camera – leading to less shakes and non-blurry shots.

Foto&Tech IR Wireless Camera Remote Control

Sony A7IV accessories - Foto&Tech Wireless Camera Remote Control

 

Wireless shutter release from up to 32ft (9.7m), with two buttons for immediate and a 2-second delay. Powered by an easily replaceable CR-2025 3V battery.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Foto&Tech IR Wireless Camera Remote Control
At:
Amazon

 

10. STORAGE AND BACKUP

Having a full day out with you camera can see your SD card filled up pretty fast. Chances are if you are using a fast (and expensive) high-speed UHS-II SD card you’ll also want to pair it with a portable SSD to transfer the shots and free up some space.

A portable SSD is especially handy when traveling, given you won’t be lugging around a laptop and won’t want to fill up your iPad’s storage either.

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2

Sony A7IV accessories - SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2

 

The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 offers NVMe solid state performance of up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive that’s perfect for creating amazing content or capturing incredible footage.

Its rugged design offers IP55 water and dust resistance, and  2 meter drop protection. It also has a handy carabiner loop to secure it to your backpack, and the embedded 256‐bit AES hardware encryption keeps your data safe.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD V2
At:
Amazon

 

11. CAMERA CLEANING TOOLS

Fellow mirrorless camera owners know how devastating dust, dirt, and smudging can be to a lens or sensor. The smallest bit can ruin an entire day or shooting. Here are the ones you need to have in your gear bag. 

Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large Dust-Removal Tool (AA1900)

Sony A7IV accessories - Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large Dust-Removal Tool AA1900)

The large black Rocket Air Blaster Dust-Removal Tool from Giottos safely blows clean air to eliminate dust from sensitive or hard-to-reach surfaces, such as those on lenses, cameras, filters, and keyboards. It is crafted from durable, natural, and environmentally-friendly silicone rubber that offers a virtually instantaneous rebound for a nearly continuous stream of clean air. Its nozzle can be removed for cleaning and is 2.25″ long.

It features an opening designed to eliminate whistling. A one-way valve on the bottom brings in clean air and does not redistribute dust. Additionally, the blaster stands up on its own and can be set on a flat surface without rolling around.

Price Check & Buyer Reviews for Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large Dust-Removal Tool (AA1900)
At:
Amazon

 

12. CAMERA BACKPACKS/SLING BAGS

13. LENSES

The Top Five

Primes

Zoom / telephoto

Macro

Specialty

The Top Five

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2 – #1 Best for all-round zoom for daily use

Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 – #2 Best for family life & city walkabouts

Batis 18mm f2.8 – #3 Best for astrophotography & wide angle landscape/architecture

Sony 24-105mm f4 G OSS – #4 Best for travel

Primes

Sony compact tr – 24mm f2.8 G, Sony 40mm f2.5 G, 50mm f2.5 G

Sony Zeiss 35mm f2.8 / Tamron 35mm f2.8 Di III OSD

Sony 35mm f1.8

Batis 40mm f2

Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm f1.8

85

135

Zoom / telephoto

Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS II – Best fast telephoto zoom for sports, wildlife & events

Sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 GM – Best super telephoto zoom for sports, wildlife, action

Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G OSS – Best ultra-long telephoto zoom for birding, wildlife

 

Congratulations on making it to the end of this article! Get out there and start taking pictures 🙂

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