Must-have accessories for a new Sony a7 IV owner?

Question

I just got this Sony a7 IV and honestly I am so stressed out right now. I bought it because I wanted to take really nice photos of my daughters first birthday party next month here in Seattle but looking at all the extra stuff I need is making my head spin. I spent way more than I should have on the actual camera and now I realize it doesnt even come with a card to save the pictures??

So I was looking at these SD cards online and my logic was just get the biggest one but then I started reading about V60 and V90 and speeds and now I am just totally lost. Do I really need to spend $100 on a little piece of plastic just so the camera doesnt lag? I also realized I probably need a bag because I cant just carry a two thousand dollar camera in my purse right? But every bag looks like a giant turtle shell and I just want something normal.

Then there is the battery thing. People say the battery lasts a while but what if it dies during the cake smash? Should I buy the Sony brand one or are the cheap ones on Amazon okay? I am terrified of the cheap one exploding or ruining the camera but the official one is like eighty dollars which feels like a scam.

And what about a screen protector or those glass things you screw onto the lens? I am so clumsy I just know I am gonna drop it or scratch it within a week. I have about $400 left in my budget for everything else and I still need to figure out how to even turn the autofocus on properly... sorry if these are really stupid questions I just feel like I am in over my head with this thing. What are the absolute basics I actually need so I dont ruin this thing or run out of space?

FissionFlux · Accepted Answer

I was so nervous for my first big shoot too, but you will be fine! To save cash, I recommend these:

ProGrade Digital 128GB UHS-II V60 SDXC - plenty fast for photos and way cheaper than V90 cards.

SmallRig NP-FZ100 USB-C Rechargeable Camera Battery - amazing because you charge it with a phone cable! I use a Tenba BYOB 10 Camera Insert inside my regular tote bag so I dont look like a giant turtle lol.

NovaCipher · Answer

> I am so clumsy I just know I am gonna drop it or scratch it within a week. Building on the earlier suggestion, definitely grab a Hoya NXT Plus UV Filter 67mm for protection! Its a total lifesaver against cake-covered fingers and bumps. Also, the Sony TOUGH M Series 128GB SDXC UHS-II V60 card is amazing because its basically indestructible. Super reliable for big moments like this... you wont even have to worry about it! Youre gonna kill it!

StaticVortex · Answer

Honestly, take a deep breath. You picked an amazing camera and it’s totally normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. I've been shooting with the a7 IV for over a year now and I'm still happy with how it performs every single time. It really is a beast once you get the hang of it. For the SD card, don't waste money on V90 cards unless you're planning to do heavy professional video work. I've been very satisfied using the Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II V60 for all my family shoots. It’s fast, reliable, and way more affordable than those top-tier cards. About the battery... honestly, I'd just buy one official Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Battery Pack. Third-party ones can be hit or miss, and having the peace of mind that it wont die or glitch during the cake smash is worth the extra cash. If you want a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag, I'm a big fan of the Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L. It looks like a regular messenger bag and works well for city trips in Seattle. Also, since you mentioned being clumsy, definitely get a glass protector. I use the Sony PCK-LG1 Screen Protector and it fits perfectly without making the touch screen laggy. Dont worry about the autofocus too much tho... just set it to Real-time Eye AF and the camera will literally track your daughters eyes for you. It feels like magic. You got this!