# Sony A7S IV rumors: what the WW261362 registration does and doesn't tell filmmakers

> Sony registered a new camera in China in September. Is it the A7S IV or an FX3 II? Each rumor graded against A7S III and FX5 specs, and who should wait.

- URL: https://www.4filmmakers.co/news/sony-a7s-iv-rumors/
- Publisher: 4FILMMAKERS (https://www.4filmmakers.co/)
- Topic: Leaks (https://www.4filmmakers.co/topics/leaks/), Cameras & drones (https://www.4filmmakers.co/topics/cameras/)
- Published: 2026-11-14
- Updated: 2026-11-14
- Keywords: Sony A7S IV, Sony A7S IV rumors, Sony A7S IV release date, Sony WW261362, Sony FX3 II rumor, A7S IV vs A7S III, Sony A7S IV specs

This is a rumor. Sony hasn't announced an **A7S IV**, and nobody outside Sony knows what the camera registered in China as **WW261362** is. SonyAlphaRumors reported the filing on 28 September 2026 (Wi-Fi 6, applicant Sony Japan) and bets on an A7S IV in November. PetaPixel thinks an FX3 II makes more sense. As of 14 November there's no teaser and no date, and a second code has surfaced in California (see the update below).

The A7S III shipped in 2020 and it's still the low-light Alpha most video shooters ask about, so plenty of people are sitting on a purchase. We traced each claim to where it came from, put the rumored specs next to what Sony already sells in the A7S III, FX3 and FX5, and worked out who should hold off.

## In short

- The registration is real: code WW261362, Wi-Fi 6, filed by Sony Japan, first posted by the Weibo account E8M and picked up by SonyAlphaRumors on 28 September.
- The filing doesn't name the camera. "A7S IV" is SonyAlphaRumors' guess. PetaPixel's Jordan Drake argues for an FX3 II.
- The rumored spec list (16MP stacked sensor like the FX5, 9.44M-dot viewfinder, no internal RAW) has no named source.
- Update, 14 November: a second code, WW491229, appeared in the California database on 31 October with the FX5 and A7R VI battery. It may be the same camera.
- November was SonyAlphaRumors' own target, and the same site warned that the memory shortage behind the FX5 delays could push it back.
- If you need a low-light body for paid work in the next month, buy what's in the shops. If you can wait until early 2027 and want photos too, waiting costs you little.

## What's in the Sony registration?

A radio filing tells you a device has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and who applied for it, and little else.

Table: The WW261362 registration, as reported on 28 September 2026

| Detail | What's known | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Model code | WW261362 | Weibo account E8M, via SonyAlphaRumors |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 | Same filing |
| Applicant | Sony Japan | Same filing. SonyAlphaRumors says entry-level bodies and some FX models usually come through Sony China (Wuxi) or Sony Thailand |
| Product name | Not in the filing | Imaging Resource and DIYPhotography both point this out |
| Sensor, codecs, price, date | Not in the filing | Everything below comes from rumor sites |

The Wi-Fi 6 line is the only hardware detail with a document behind it. Sony's spec sheets for the A7S III and the FX3 list IEEE 802.11ac, which is Wi-Fi 5, so WW261362 isn't a relabelled version of either.

## Update, 14 November: a second code shows up in California

On 10 November SonyAlphaRumors pointed to an entry in the California Energy Commission's appliance database, added on 31 October. It lists an unreleased Sony camera under the code **WW491229**. The site says the code doesn't belong to any existing model, and that the battery in the listing is the NP-SA100, which it says only the FX5 and the A7R VI use today. We couldn't open the database ourselves, so everything below comes from SonyAlphaRumors' reading of it.

Table: What the California entry adds, as reported on 10 November 2026

| Detail | What's reported | Our read |
|---|---|---|
| Model code | WW491229, added 31 October | New evidence, but a different code from WW261362 |
| Battery | NP-SA100, 7.82 V, 2,670 mAh | About 20.9 Wh by our maths (7.82 V × 2.67 Ah). It's the FX5 and A7R VI battery, so a pro-level body is more likely than an entry one |
| Link to WW261362 | SonyAlphaRumors says the Chinese camera also uses the new battery and the two may be one model | Unconfirmed. Two filings in two countries can describe the same camera, or two cameras |
| Candidates | A7S IV, an FX6 successor, or another high-end Alpha | The site says it's still waiting on its sources |
| Specs, name, price, date | None in the entry | Nothing new on sensor, codecs or launch |

What changes for you: the battery points away from a small FX3-class body and toward the FX5 and A7R VI tier, which makes an FX3 II look less likely. It doesn't tell you whether the camera is an A7S IV. SonyAlphaRumors also rules out the new $80,000 medium format cine camera, because that one doesn't take this battery. If you were waiting for a cheap low-light body, nothing here says it'll be cheap.

## Which A7S IV rumors hold up?

Our grading: *strong* means a document backs it, *likely* means it fits one, *weak* means one site with nobody named.

Table: Claims about WW261362 and their evidence, as of 7 November 2026

| Claim | Who says it | Evidence | Our grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony has a new camera ready for certification | SonyAlphaRumors (28 Sep) | The registration itself | Strong |
| It's a mid or high-end body | SonyAlphaRumors, PetaPixel (29 Sep) | Applicant is Sony Japan, plus Wi-Fi 6 | Likely |
| It's the A7S IV | SonyAlphaRumors: "my bet" | None beyond the applicant. The site later wrote it had no confirmation | Weak |
| It's an FX3 II | PetaPixel, opinion piece | Market logic only. SonyAlphaRumors replies that the FX3 is built in Thailand | Weak |
| 16MP stacked sensor shared with the FX5 | Rumor list relayed by Imaging Resource (30 Sep) | No source named | Weak |
| 9.44M-dot viewfinder | Same list | The A7S III already has a 9.44M-dot finder, so it's a safe guess for any successor | Likely, and nothing new |
| No internal RAW like the FX5 | Same list | No source named | Weak |
| Announcement in November | SonyAlphaRumors | The site's reading of the filing date, with a warning about delays | Weak |
| Price | Nobody | No figure in dollars, euros or pounds | No data |

Nothing new has surfaced in the five weeks since. SonyAlphaRumors' posts from 5 to 7 November cover Tamron, sales figures and an A7S III that runs DOOM, with no word on a launch.

## How would it stack up against the A7S III, FX3 and FX5?

The first three columns are Sony's published specs. The last one is the rumor, so read it as a guess.

Table: Sony's current low-light and compact cinema bodies against the WW261362 rumor

|  | A7S III | FX3 | FX5 | WW261362 (rumor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 12.1MP full frame, back-illuminated | Same 12.1MP sensor (10.2MP effective for video) | Fully stacked Exmor RS; Sony gives no MP figure, outlets report 16.6MP | 16MP stacked |
| Top 4K | 4K 120p | 4K 120p | 4K 120p, plus 5K 60p | Not reported |
| Internal RAW | No (16-bit RAW over HDMI) | No (16-bit RAW over HDMI) | X-OCN LT, C1, C2 | No |
| Open gate | No | No | 3:2, X-OCN only for now | Not reported |
| Viewfinder | 9.44M-dot | None | Optional DVF-EL1 | 9.44M-dot |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Not checked | Wi-Fi 6 (from the filing) |
| Price | $3,499.99 at launch (2020) | About $3,900 at launch (2021) | $4,899.99 / €5,400 body | Unknown |

We didn't find current official euro or sterling prices for the A7S III and FX3 on Sony's European stores for this piece, and street prices move every week before Christmas. Check two or three dealers before you decide.

## What would a 16MP stacked sensor change on set?

If the rumor is right, you'd notice two changes on day one.

Readout speed comes first. A stacked sensor reads out faster, so pans, handheld work and the gimbal wobble you get walking with the camera skew less. That's the A7S III's weak spot next to the FX5, and it's the upgrade we'd pay for first.

The second is framing room. Run the numbers on a 3:2 sensor and 16MP comes to roughly 4,900 by 3,270 pixels. The A7S III's sensor is 4,240 wide, which is only about 10% wider than 4K UHD. At 16MP you'd have around 28% extra width over UHD for oversampling or a punch-in, and 16.6MP works out to about 4,990 pixels wide, which matches the FX5's 5K mode. That fits the idea of a shared sensor, though it doesn't prove it.

Table: Sensor width against 4K UHD (3,840 pixels), 3:2 sensors

| Sensor | Approx. width | Extra width over UHD |
|---|---|---|
| A7S III, 12.1MP (Sony figure 4,240 × 2,832) | 4,240 px | 10% |
| Rumored 16MP | 4,900 px | 28% |
| 16.6MP, as reported for the FX5 | 4,990 px | 30% |

The open question is low light, the reason anyone buys an S. A third more pixels on the same area means smaller photosites. Stacked designs and newer processing can make up some of that, but only side-by-side tests will tell you whether the new body keeps the A7S III's clean high ISO. Until someone posts sample files, any low-light claim is a guess.

## Should you wait or buy now?

Table: Our call, based on what's confirmed today

| If you... | Do this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Have paid work in the next four weeks | Buy an A7S III or FX3 now | There's no confirmed announcement, and a new Sony body may ship weeks or months after launch (see the FX5) |
| Shoot long interviews or events in heat | FX3 | It has a fan and the A7S III doesn't. Neither rumor changes that today |
| Want internal RAW or open gate | FX5, or wait for its firmware | The rumor list says WW261362 skips internal RAW |
| Shoot hybrid with a viewfinder and can wait until early 2027 | Wait | A successor would bring faster readout and push used A7S III prices down |
| Already own an A7S III | Keep it and watch for samples | The first real test of a new sensor matters more than the spec sheet |

If you're on an A7S III and miss shutter angle, read our piece on the [A7S III shutter angle hack](https://www.4filmmakers.co/news/sony-a7s-iii-a7-iv-shutter-angle-hack/) before you spend money. If the FX5 is on your list, our [FX5 shipping date guide](https://www.4filmmakers.co/news/sony-fx5-shipping-date/) explains the delays, and the [Sony timecode guide](https://www.4filmmakers.co/news/sony-timecode-dji-mic-3-rode-wireless-pro/) covers which bodies take a timecode input.

## What to check if Sony announces it

- The megapixel count and whether Sony calls the sensor stacked. That settles the FX5 link.
- Rolling shutter figures from the first lab tests, then high ISO samples against the A7S III.
- Internal RAW, open gate and shutter angle. The FX5 has all three at least in part, the A7S III has none.
- Cooling. A fan or a heat-sink design decides whether it can replace an FX3 on long takes.
- Euro and sterling prices and the European ship date, which slipped by months on the FX5.

## A7S IV questions people ask

**Q: What is Sony camera code WW491229?**
It's an unreleased Sony camera listed in the California Energy Commission database on 31 October 2026, according to SonyAlphaRumors. The listing shows an NP-SA100 battery, the one the FX5 and A7R VI use, and no product name or specs.

**Q: Has Sony announced the A7S IV?**
No. As of 7 November 2026 Sony hasn't announced or teased it. A Sony Japan camera with Wi-Fi 6 appeared in a Chinese radio registration in late September under the code WW261362, but the filing has no product name.

**Q: When is the Sony A7S IV release date?**
There isn't one. SonyAlphaRumors expected a November announcement based on the registration date, and also warned it could slip because of the memory shortage that delayed the FX5.

**Q: Is WW261362 the A7S IV or an FX3 II?**
Nobody knows. SonyAlphaRumors bets on the A7S IV because Sony Japan filed it and the FX3 is built in Thailand. PetaPixel argues an FX3 II fits Sony's line-up better.

**Q: Will the A7S IV have internal RAW?**
The rumored spec list says no, but it names no source. The FX5 records X-OCN internally. The A7S III and FX3 only send RAW over HDMI to an external recorder.

## Sources

- [SonyAlphaRumors](https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/finally-sony-registered-the-new-a7siv-in-china/), the WW261362 registration (28 September 2026), and its follow-up [on PetaPixel's view](https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-a7s-iv-rumors-divide-experts-petapixel-says-no-matt-johnson-says-yes/) (7 October)
- [SonyAlphaRumors](https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-registered-a-new-camera-code-in-california/), "Sony registered a new camera code in California!" (10 November 2026), the WW491229 entry. We could not open the California database ourselves
- [PetaPixel](https://petapixel.com/2026/09/29/is-a-sony-a7s-iv-coming-fat-chance/), "Is a Sony a7S IV Coming? Fat Chance" (29 September)
- [Imaging Resource](https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/sony-registers-new-camera-in-china-sparking-sony-a7s-iv-rumors/) (30 September), with the rumored spec list; [Digital Camera World](https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/finally-the-sony-a7s-iv-is-on-the-way-report) and [DIYPhotography](https://www.diyphotography.net/sony-a7s-iv-registration/)
- Sony specifications: [A7S III product page](https://www.sony.co.uk/interchangeable-lens-cameras/products/ilce-7sm3) and [A7S III Help Guide](https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/2010/v1/en/index.html); FX5 figures from [Sony's press text](https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/press-text-sony-electronics-launches-the-fx5/) and our [FX5 article](https://www.4filmmakers.co/news/sony-fx5-shipping-date/); FX3 launch price from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_FX3)
- Sensor widths: 4FILMMAKERS calculation for a 3:2 sensor, from the megapixel figures above
- Cover: Sony A7S III (the current model, not the new camera), photo by Henry Söderlund, [CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sony_%CE%B17S_III_with_Sony_FE_55mm_F1.8_ZA_-_by_Henry_S%C3%B6derlund_(50427553021).jpg), cropped and graded by 4FILMMAKERS