@Reply #3 - good point! Honestly, I stopped chasing the latest release cycles years ago because my current gear just works so well. I've been shooting with the Sony Alpha 7 IV for a while now and I'm totally satisfied. Reliability is way more important than hype when you're actually out in the field. Heres my take on the current options based on my experience:

• Sony Alpha 7 IV: Absolute workhorse. Its never let me down on a job. AF is sticky and the body feels solid. Honestly no complaints even after years of heavy use.
• Sony Alpha 7R V: I tried this for a high-res project. The 4-axis screen is a dream but 61MP is total overkill for my daily workflow. Those huge files just slow everything down. Im staying with the IV until it literally breaks. It just works. No need to stress about the a7 V release date when the current gen is already this good. Sony makes solid tools so I'm happy to wait until they actually have something worth upgrading for.

Honestly, I'm pretty satisfied with what's out right now and don't feel much pressure to chase the v5 whenever it eventually drops in 2025. I've been running the Sony Alpha 7 IV for my daily work and it's been rock solid. The trick for me was just solving the small gripes myself rather than waiting for Sony to release a new body for it. For example, I was getting some heat warnings during long summer outdoor shoots, so instead of upgrading, I went the DIY route. I 3D printed a custom bracket that holds a small silent fan against the back of the flipped-out screen. It runs off a small power bank and dropped my internal temps by nearly 15 degrees during long 4K60 sessions. It's a bit of a frankenstein setup but it works perfectly and saved me thousands. I also paired it with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Sony E instead of the pricey GM glass, and the results are basically indistinguishable for my clients. That 3D printing hobby actually got kind of out of hand though... ended up designing custom mounts for my entire workshop and now I spend more time leveling my print bed than actually taking photos. I even tried printing a custom follow focus ring for my old vintage glass yesterday. But yeah, the current tech is plenty if you're willing to tweak things a bit.

Just caught this thread while looking for updates myself. Over the years, Ive learned that waiting for a specific body like the a7 V can actually hold back your work if youre just sitting on older tech. I have tried many different systems when Sonys release cycle felt a bit sluggish, and honestly, the landscape has changed quite a bit since the last gen.

• Canon EOS R6 Mark II: The handling is just superior in my experience. The menu system is way more intuitive than the older Sony layouts, and the autofocus for portraits is basically magic.
• Nikon Z6 III: Ive been testing this lately and the partially stacked sensor is a massive deal. It handles fast motion without that annoying jello effect you get on standard CMOS sensors. If youre still waiting by late 2025, it might be worth looking at what else is out there. Gear is just a tool, and sometimes a fresh ecosystem gives you a bit of a spark when the rumors start to get stale... anyway, just my two cents after being in this game for a decade.

The Sony A7IV remains a top-tier choice for versatile photography and videography, offering exceptional value for its price point. While enhanced specifications would be welcome, they're not essential for the majority of users. Although the rolling shutter effect doesn't significantly impact documentary-style video work, a quicker sensor readout would be beneficial, enabling uncropped 50p/60p video recording.

Just keep waiting. My old a7III still works well.

Now in 2025, still haven't see it. Hope it will be released in Fall 2025.