How to Set Up the Sony a7rv for Hybrid Shooting - Photo and Video

Written By Mario So

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If you would like to follow along step-by-step, check out the full video below!

Today I’m sharing how I’ve set up my Sony a7R V for hybrid shooting. That means one setup that lets me switch seamlessly between photography and video—no guesswork, no fuss.

Let’s Start With Video Mode

Turn the mode dial to Video and hit the Menu. Here’s how I set up my go-to settings:

  • Frame Rate: 24 fps

  • Shutter Speed: 1/50

  • Base ISO: 800 (that’s the one without the two lines)

  • Aperture: f/2.8 (as low as my lens allows)

  • White Balance: Daylight (I change this depending on the environment)

  • Picture Profile: 90% of the time I shoot in S-Log3 (PP8). Sometimes I use PP11 for S-Cinetone.

📁 File Format:
I usually shoot in XAVC HS 4K—great quality and smaller file sizes than XAVC S or Intra.

🧾 Record Settings:
For most talking head videos, I go with 50M 4:2:2 10-bit.
If I’m shooting products or commercial work, I bump it up to the highest-quality settings.

🎛️ Other Settings:

  • Gamma Display Assist: On (Auto)

  • Proxy Recording: Off

  • Wind Noise Reduction: Off

  • Audio Levels: I keep them between 10–12, and adjust in post.

  • APS-C Auto Crop: On (for APS-C lenses)

  • Recording Slot: Slot 1

  • File Naming: Custom — includes date, camera model (a7r5), and custom file name

  • Subject Recognition: On — mostly set to Human, but I switch it to Animal when needed

Save to Custom Modes

I save all these settings to the Camera Set Memory:

  • Memory 1 – 24fps setup

  • Memory 2 – 60fps (shutter 1/125, XAVC S 4K, 140M 4:2:2 10-bit)

  • Memory 3 – 120fps (XAVC HD, 100M 4:2:0 8-bit, shutter 1/250)

💡 Note: You can only shoot 120fps in HD, not 4K—unless you use S&Q Mode for 10-bit.

Custom Buttons for Video

Let’s customize the buttons for video:

  • C1: Zebras

  • C2: Focus Map (I prefer it over peaking for product shots)

  • C3: White Balance

  • C4: AF/MF Toggle

  • Rear 1: Super 35 Crop (APS-C Mode toggle)

  • Rear 2: Self-timer

  • Rear 3: ISO (for quick access to exposure triangle)

  • Zoom Lever (Rear): Clear Image Zoom

🛠️ Don’t forget: Go to the Zoom Menu and set Zoom Range to Clear Image Zoom so that button works properly!

Top Buttons:

  • Movie Button: Record

  • C1 (top): Audio Levels

  • Rear Dial: ISO

  • Everything else I leave as default or “Follow Custom” settings

Photography Settings

Now let’s turn the dial to Photo Mode.

📷 Main Settings:

  • Shutter Speed: 1/100 (this changes based on lighting)

  • Aperture: f/2.8

  • Image Quality: Lossless Compressed RAW (Large)

  • Aspect Ratio: Usually 3:2, but I change to 16:9 for thumbnails

  • Custom Button: I’ve assigned a button to quickly change aspect ratio—great for shooting YouTube thumbnails

🔘 Custom Buttons for Photo:
Pretty much default, but key ones include:

  • Rear AF/MF Toggle

  • White Balance

  • ISO & Drive Mode

  • AE Lock Hold

  • Aspect Ratio Toggle

Bonus Tips

  • You can keep your Function Menu (Fn) as default, or customize it to your workflow

  • Want to quickly switch modes? Use your Camera Set Memory for instant recall between video frame rates

Gear Mentioned:

Mario So
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How to Set Up the Sony a7iv for Hybrid Shooting