Sony has announced two new additions to its Alpha 7C series of compact full-frame mirrorless cameras: the A7C II and the A7C R. The new models are successors to the A7C, which was launched in 2020 as a small and lightweight camera with a full-frame sensor. The A7C II and the A7C R share the same design and features as the A7C, but with different sensors and performance.
A7C II: An all-rounder with 33MP sensor
The A7C II is equipped with a 33MP back-illuminated full-frame sensor, the same one used in the A7 IV. This sensor offers high resolution, low noise, and wide dynamic range for both stills and videos. The A7C II also uses the BIONZ XR image processor, which delivers fast and accurate autofocus, image quality, and video capabilities.
The A7C II can capture up to 10 frames per second using its mechanical or electronic shutter, and record 4K video at 60p with 7K oversampling. This means that the camera captures more detail than 4K resolution and then downscales it to produce sharper and clearer videos. The camera also supports 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling, HLG, S-Log3, S-Cinetone, and Full HD at 120p for slow-motion effects.
One of the key features of the A7C II is its AI-based autofocus system, which uses a dedicated processing engine to enable real-time subject recognition, tracking, and eye autofocus for humans, animals, and birds. The camera has 759 phase-detection autofocus points that cover 94% of the sensor area, ensuring fast and precise focus in any situation.
The A7C II also has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system that compensates for camera shake up to 7.0 stops. Additionally, the camera has an AI-based Active Mode that further reduces blur when shooting handheld videos. The camera also features an AI-based Auto Framing function that automatically adjusts the composition and zoom level based on the number and position of subjects in the frame.
The A7C II has a compact and lightweight body that weighs only 514 grams with the battery and memory card. The camera has a single UHS-II SD card slot, a USB-C port, a micro HDMI port, a microphone jack, and a headphone jack. The camera also has a 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen with touch control and a 2.36-million-dot OLED viewfinder.
A7C R: A high-resolution version with 61MP sensor
The A7C R is a new spin-off model that is designed for photographers who want the highest resolution possible in a compact body. The A7C R has a 61MP back-illuminated full-frame sensor, the same one used in the A7R V. This sensor offers stunning detail, clarity, and color reproduction for landscape, portrait, wildlife, and macro photography.
The A7C R shares most of the features and specifications of the A7C II, such as the BIONZ XR processor, the AI-based autofocus system, the 5-axis image stabilization system, the AI-based Active Mode and Auto Framing functions, and the video capabilities. However, there are some differences between the two models.
The A7C R can capture up to 8 frames per second using its mechanical or electronic shutter, which is slightly slower than the A7C II. The camera can also record 4K video at 60p with 6K oversampling, which is slightly lower than the A7C II’s 7K oversampling. The camera also has a lower ISO range of 100 to 32000 for stills and videos (expandable to 50 to 102400 for stills), compared to the A7C II’s ISO range of 100 to 51200 (expandable to 50 to 204800).
The A7C R also has a unique feature called Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode, which takes multiple images and combines them in post-processing to create an even higher resolution image. This mode can produce images with up to 240MP resolution by shifting the sensor by one pixel or half a pixel between each shot.
The A7C R has the same body design and dimensions as the A7C II, but weighs slightly more at 525 grams with the battery and memory card. The camera also has the same ports, slots, screen, and viewfinder as the A7C II.
Availability and price
The Sony A7C II and the Sony A7C R will be available soon at selected retailers worldwide. The suggested retail prices are $2,199.99 for the A7C II and $2,999.99 for the A7C R (body only). Both cameras are also compatible with Sony’s E-mount lenses and accessories.
