Saw this earlier but just now getting around to responding. Based on my experience with the Sony release cycles, waiting for the a7S IV might leave you in limbo for another 6 to 12 months. It is better to evaluate what is on the market now if your current setup is limiting you.

• Sony a7S III 12.1MP Full-Frame Mirrorless: This remains a very reliable workhorse. The low light performance is still industry-leading, but the lack of some newer firmware features found in the FX3 is a noticeable gap.
• Panasonic LUMIX S5IIX Full-Frame Mirrorless: This is a strong competitor for those looking at brand alternatives. The internal ProRes and open gate recording are huge pros, tho the autofocus system still feels a step behind Sonys real-time tracking.
• Sony FX3 Cinema Line Camera: If you are strictly doing video, this is the logical choice over waiting for the IV. The active cooling and mounting points make it much more practical for pro sets, even if you lose the EVF. For tracking leaks, I find SonyAlphaRumors or the B&H Explora blog to be more reliable than most forum threads. Honestly, if the Sony a7S III fits your current needs, it is still a decent option to pick up used while you wait for the next generation. dont let the gear FOMO slow down your actual production.

According to SAR, a7S IV could be released in late 2024.

To add to the point above: those rumors usually have a grain of truth but the waiting game is honestly a budget killer if you arent careful. reminds me so much of when my brother in law was convinced a new body was dropping a few years back. he actually sold his entire current setup for cheap because he wanted to have the cash ready to go on day one... then the delays started hitting. poor guy ended up having to shoot a pretty big gig on a borrowed setup that he barely knew how to use. it turned into this whole ordeal where he was scrambling for gear every weekend and stressing out. i've seen that kind of hype cycle burn people so many times over the years. in my experience, it definitely pays to be cautious with your wallet when these rumors start flying around because man, that transition period can be messy if the timing isnt perfect. let me know if you need anything else tho.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I love the energy in this thread! Everyone is basically torn between waiting for that late 2024 window or just sticking with what works now like Aero mentioned. It is such an amazing time to be into gear even if the wait is totally killer! Honestly tho, the rumors move so fast that you should just go look it up yourself to get the most recent leaks:

• Search for a7S IV rumors on YouTube
• Check the latest posts on Reddit
• Just Google the model name and leaks I saw a really fantastic video about this yesterday that explained everything perfectly, just search it and it is the first thing that pops up. Good luck with the search, you are gonna love the new setup once it finally drops!

> When will Sony a7S IV to be announced ? Ngl I am in the exact same boat and it is so frustrating. I have been checking for updates every single morning for like three months now and basically nothing yet. I am actually super happy with how my gear works right now because it is reliable and gets the job done, but not knowing the date makes it so hard to plan. Honestly, I have been dealing with this same question for ages and still cant find a solid answer anywhere...