The Sony Alpha a7S IV is a high-end camera for professional photographers and videographers, while Skylum Luminar AI is a software solution for enhancing and editing photos using AI-powered tools. The choice depends on whether the user needs a new camera or photo editing software.
| Attribute | Sony Alpha a7S IV | Skylum Luminar AI |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Sony Alpha a7S IV | Skylum Luminar AI |
| Price | $2,499 USD (body only), $2,699 USD (kit with 28-70mm lens) | Monthly Subscription: $13.99 per month. Yearly Subscription: $99.00 per year. Lifetime License: $179.00 one-time payment. |
| Sensor Size and Type | 35.9 x 23.9 mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor (858.01mm2) | Not available |
| Video Recording Capabilities (Resolution, Frame Rate, Codecs) | Rumored 6K up to 120fps (oversampled to 4K), 4K up to 240fps, 4K up to 60p with full pixel readout and no binning, 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S-I 4K, XAVC S 4K, and XAVC S HD | Not available |
| Image Stabilization (IBIS effectiveness) | Enhanced 5-axis IBIS, potentially up to 8 stops compensation. The a7 IV features 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization, providing up to 5.5 stops of shake reduction. | Not available |
| Low Light Performance (ISO range and noise levels) | Native ISO 100-51,200, expandable to 50-204,800 (stills), 100-102,400 (movies) | Not available |
| Autofocus System (Speed, accuracy, subject tracking) | Fast Hybrid AF with 759 phase-detection points, Real-time Eye AF (humans, animals, birds), Continuous AF (AF-C) recommended for fast-moving subjects | Not available |
| Dynamic Range | Approximately 15 stops (independent testing measured 12.8 stops) | Not available |
| Software Compatibility (Operating System, Plugins) | HEIF, RAW, JPEG | macOS and Windows; standalone or plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Photoshop Elements |
| User Interface and Workflow | Improved UI layout with new menu structure | User-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and advanced users |
| Processing Speed and Efficiency | BIONZ XR image processor (up to 8x increase in processing speed) | Leverages AI to speed up editing, batch processing capabilities, enhanced performance on Intel processors using OpenVINO toolkit |
| Integration with other software/hardware | 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C | Apple Photos (Mac only), Aperture (Mac only), Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, or Photoshop Elements |
| Editing Tools and Features | Not available | AI Sky Replacement, Portrait Bokeh AI, AI Skin Enhancer and Portrait Enhancer, Accent AI, Structure AI, Atmosphere AI, Magic Light AI, Noiseless AI, Relight AI, Composition AI |