My A7IV Overheating Fix

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Why I’m Keeping My Sony A7 IV (And How I Beat the Overheating)

I’ve been candid on the channel about my love–hate relationship with the Sony A7 IV. The image quality is beautiful, the stills are fantastic, but the overheating can ruin your day. Recently I was ready to sell mine and go all‑in on the FX30—until I found a cooling solution that actually works. Here’s the full story.

The Overheating Nightmare

During a dental shoot the camera was positioned above the patient, recording for an extended period. Without warning, the A7 IV overheated and shut down. Try explaining that to a client while someone’s mid‑procedure! I’d already seen the camera overheat during podcasts and 4K/60 footage; that was the last straw. I ordered an FX30 to avoid the issue and planned to sell the A7 IV.

Why Full Frame Still Matters (Sometimes)

The FX30 is a beast, but I kept thinking about full frame. Yes, you can get cinematic depth on APS‑C with the right lens, but sometimes it’s nice when a 50 mm is actually a 50 mm. There’s no mental math for focal length equivalents—what you see is what you get. That said, the rolling shutter on both the A7 IV and FX30 is rough if you’re panning quickly; don’t expect miracles there.

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Affiliated Links Below

👉 Purchase Here Sony A74: https://geni.us/h7ZKqd

👉 Purchase Here ULANZI CU01 Camera Cooler Kit https://geni.us/UlanziCameraCooler

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Cheap Fans vs. The Real Deal

Before selling the camera I tried an inexpensive cooling fan that suctioned onto the back. It never stuck properly and fell off mid‑shoot, forcing me to resort to gaffer tape. It offered a brief reprieve but ultimately failed. I was ready to pull the plug until I discovered the Ulanzi cooling kit.

The Ulanzi Cooling Kit: Game Changer

This cooling system clamps onto the back of the A7 IV and has a magnetic battery pack. It’s not just a fan blowing hot air; it actively dissipates heat and keeps the camera body cold. I shot a green‑screen video for almost six hours at 60 fps and never saw a temperature warning. On its highest setting (level 3), the fan runs for about 65 minutes on a single chargenotta.ai. At the time of writing, the kit costs around $47.45 and is worth every penny. You can run it off USB‑C power if you don’t need the battery pack.

Installation is simple: slot the cooling plate into the camera’s back, clip on the battery, and turn it on. It has three speeds, and yes, you can hear the fan at level 3—but that’s a small price to pay for a camera that no longer overheats.

My Setup Moving Forward

With the Ulanzi cooler, I’ve decided to keep the A7 IV. It remains my go‑to full‑frame body for photos and certain types of video, while the FX30 handles most of my filmmaking. In fact, my ideal kit is one full‑frame camera and two FX30s—perfect for podcasts and multi‑cam shoots. If you’re on a budget, three FX30s with the right lenses will cover anything from wide shots to interviews.

People claim the A7 IV is “old,” but don’t believe the hype. It’s far from obsolete. Add an external cooler, and you’ve got a reliable, versatile camera that won’t overheat on set. For under fifty bucks, the Ulanzi kit saved me thousands in camera upgrades and let me keep a body I genuinely enjoy.

Final Thoughts & Call to Action

If you’re frustrated with your A7 IV overheating, don’t rush to sell it—try the Ulanzi cooling system first. The links to the cooler and other gear I mentioned are in the description; using them supports the channel at no extra cost. I’ve put together a video showing the installation and real‑world performance of the cooler, so head to my website or watch it on YouTube. After you’ve watched, drop a comment to let me know if you’d keep the A7 IV or jump ship. And of course, subscribe and ring the bell so you never miss another gear update.