Simple question: Zoom using the live view

[Doug Ouren]

I know this is probably a pretty simple quesiton but I am just trying to figure out how to zooming in using live view on my Sony ar7 iv.

Thank you
doug o

 

[AlphaWorld]

Are you talking about when you are shooting, or when you are looking at a shot you've taken? The answers to those questions are quite different.

If you want to zoom in while shooting, you need to look for "Focus Magnifier" - this lets you zoom in to 100% on your subject to be certain that the focus is perfect. This works in the view finder and on the rear screen, although I'd recommend using the view finder because it's much higher resolution, and there is no chance of the image being washed out by bright light. You can set the camera to activate the focus magnification when you are using manual focus and you move the focus ring, or you can activate it by setting a custom button to it. This page in the Help Guide might help you: https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1930/v1/en/contents/TP0002688365.html You can also get focus magnifier by touching the rear screen if you have touch operations on (that's also mentioned on that page)

If you want to zoom in on an image that you have taken, perhaps to see how good the focus is, then you need to display the image, then (by default) press the AF ON button (it has a helpful magnifying glass with a + in it next to it). You can assign that function to another button, if you want. This page in the Help Guide covers enlarging an image: https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1930/v1/en/contents/TP0002711869.html This page covers how much the image will be magnified: https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1930/v1/en/contents/TP0002720636.html

 

[Angus Cameron]

Doug,

Tony has provided you with the answers you need if you are asking about zooming for focus checking, magnifying pre and post taking a shot.

If you are asking about using the zoom features for electronically zooming or power zoom lenses for stills or video there are features explained in the following link.

IMO, If you are using this for video I would suggest you set the zoom speed to high for Standby (this will allow you to get to the zoom start point quickly prior to recording) and low for recording (at least until you become used to using this). The low speed during recording will give the smoothest zoom for your footage.

You will see the effects of zooming in the viewfinder or on the rear screen.

ILCE-7M4 | Help Guide | The zoom features available with this product