The Sony a7R IV (model code ILCE-7RM4) takes two memory cards (both are UHS-II slots), and you can format each one independently.
Sony also creates an image database on the cards as part of the formatting and setup process.
You can see some of the photos I’ve taken with the Sony a7R IV in these posts:
– Sony a7R IV Sample Images (a general collection of sample images taken under a variety of conditions)
– Sony a7R IV High ISO Sample Images (focusing on shots taken at high ISOs in low-light conditions)
– Sony a7R IV ISO Range Sample Images (a sequence of images taken throughout the ISO range for comparing ISO image quality)
You don’t have to do anything special for that — it’s done automatically. And in case you’re wondering, no, you don’t need to fill both memory card slots, and the cards don’t have to be the same size, brand, or specs.
It’s worth doing this in the camera rather than on a computer. The camera writes the folder structure and image database it expects, and a card formatted on a Mac or PC is a common source of write errors and “cannot use this card” messages later on. That applies to a brand-new card too — run it through the camera’s Format once before you shoot with it.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to format memory cards in the Sony a7R IV.
If you’ve used another Sony camera recently, the Format function will be in a familiar place.
You go to the settings tab (the toolbox icon). You’ll find Format near the bottom of page 5 (Setup5).
You’ll then be presented with a page that lets you choose which of the two memory cards you want to format. You have to do them individually; you can’t format them both as part of a single operation.
The next step is the normal confirmation to ensure that you know you’re wiping everything off the card. (If you format the card or delete photos accidentally, all is not necessarily lost.
It might still be possible to recover the data so long as you haven’t started writing over it again. I’ve put together some information on how to recover accidentally deleted photos and videos separately.)
Once you confirm, you’ll see a progress bar. It should only take a few seconds to finish.
Finally, you’ll see a simple “Formatting completed” message. You’re then good to go.
One thing that catches people out: Format clears more than the pictures. Protected images go too — the protect flag blocks the Delete function, not Format — and so do any camera settings you’ve registered to the card as M1 through M4. If you lean on those recall slots, that’s worth knowing before you wipe a card.
Tip: If you’re new to Sony cameras, you might get caught out with the way in which they’re set by default not to roll over automatically from one memory card to the next. I’ve put together a guide on how to change that behavior here.
I just receive my new Sony a7R4, I have tried to insert a Lexar 32mb SD card and the card will not go in. Why?
I don’t won’t to force it end. What should I do?
There should be nothing distinctive about that card that would prevent it going in. You shouldn’t need to force it (and shouldn’t). Are you sure you’re inserting it the correct way around and not flipped in one direction or another?