Sony’s two new A7C sequence cameras provide premium options for much less cash

Sony has simply break up its small form-factor full-frame A7C series, now providing two lower-cost variations of higher-end cameras — a lot because it did with the ZV-E1 vlogging camera. The new models are the 33-megapixel A7C II (based mostly on the A7 IV), and the 61-megapixel A7C R, a mini-me model of the A7R V. Each are almost as highly effective because the bigger variations and provide key ergonomic updates, however lack a couple of options that professionals could discover important. 

Sony A7C R

We’ll begin with the A7C R, because it’s an all-new mannequin. It incorporates a softer, grippier materials together with a deeper deal with. It additionally comes with an add-on grip that extends the size, providing you with a spot to place your pinky finger — a pleasant addition that sadly additionally makes the digicam much less compact. 

Nonetheless, these are key enhancements that deal with ergonomic points I’ve observed on previous Sony fashions — significantly when utilizing them for an extended day of taking pictures. Sony additionally added a entrance dial so you possibly can extra simply alter aperture/shutter pace/publicity compensation, together with a devoted video/picture/S&Q dial. And naturally, the A7C R weighs simply 515 grams (18.2 ounces) in comparison with the A7R V’s 723 grams (25.5 ounces) and is sort of half the scale. That makes it a more sensible choice for road images and extra. 

It has a flip-out one-million dot show and a couple of.36-million dot OLED digital viewfinder with barely improved .70X magnification over the A7C II. It additionally affords full in-body stabilization with 7.0 stops of compensation (relying on the lens) — a pleasant function in such a small digicam. Different options embody mic/headphone ports, USB-C 3.2, a micro HDMI connector a and single UHS-II card slot. The latter function is a show-stopper for a lot of professionals, as there isn’t any backup for doubtlessly priceless pictures. 

When it comes to picture specs, it is near the A7R V with a couple of notable variations. You possibly can shoot 61-megapixel RAW photographs at as much as 8fps, in comparison with 10fps on the A7R V. The A7C R has a smaller buffer, although, and that single lower-speed SD UHS-II card slot (the A7R V has twin high-speed CFexpress Kind A and SD UHS II slots), so you will not be capable to seize almost as many pictures in a burst. Just like the A7R V, the A7C R has 693 autofocus factors and 79 % protection. It makes use of the identical processor, so ought to provide roughly the identical AF efficiency by way of burst taking pictures, AI monitoring and extra.

Most significantly, you possibly can anticipate an identical picture high quality to the A7R V. As I stated in my assessment of the latter, with the very excessive decision and the shortage of an anti-aliasing filter, solely Hasselblad and Fuji’s 100-megapixel medium format cameras provide larger element. It additionally affords Sony’s Pixel Shift Multi-Shot that may quadruple decision to 240.8 megapixels.

The A7C R cannot shoot 8K video just like the A7R V, seemingly as a result of heating points with the smaller physique. Nonetheless, it nonetheless affords 4K 60p full-frame video (with pixel binning) and 6.2K oversampled 1.5x cropped 4K 60p video. It comes with S-Log3, S-Cinetone and S-gamut3 Cine, information 10-bit 4:2:2 sampled video and may shoot at as much as 120 fps in 1080p mode. Knowledge charges high out at 600Mbps in XAVC S-I 4K mode, however you may want a (dear) V90 SD card to shoot that. 

That takes us to a vital consideration: the value. The A7C R prices $3,000, or a full $900 lower than the A7R V — one thing that can give many patrons excessive pause. It arrives in fall of 2023. 

Sony A7C II

As talked about, the A7C II has the identical 33-megapixel sensor and most of the similar specs because the A7 IV. When it comes to the physique and dealing with, the shape issue and weight are an identical to the A7C R — so that you get the identical additional dial, up to date grip, improved EVF and different previously-mentioned options. Not like the A7C R, although, it would not include the add-on grip extension within the field.

Capturing speeds are a bit sooner at 10 fps in mechanical or digital shutter mode. By the way in which, neither the A7C II or A7C R have full mechanical shutters, however use digital first curtain shutters. This will create bokeh points when utilizing lenses with very quick apertures, however in any other case is not noticeable. 

What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the A7C II is that autofocus is superior to the A7 IV as a result of it has the identical devoted AI processing unit because the A7C R (and A7R V) that is lacking on the A7 IV. Meaning you possibly can anticipate improved topic detection, monitoring and different options in comparison with the A7 IV. When in comparison with the A7C, although, Sony guarantees a 40 % enchancment for animal and chicken AF monitoring, 60 % for eye AF and 20 % for auto publicity monitoring. 

Once more, picture high quality ought to be the identical because the A7 IV. That latter delivers sharper pictures than the A7 III due to the additional decision, however affords superior low-light functionality regardless of the smaller pixels. A draw back to the A7 IV is rolling shutter, so anticipate the identical difficulty on the A7C II. 

When it comes to video, the A7C II is definitely a greater choice than the A7C R. It affords sharp full-frame 4K 30p video with 7K oversampling, or 4K 60p with a 1.5x crop. You get 10-bit 4:2:2 colour sampling with S-Log3 and S-Cinetone, with LUTs out there in digicam. 

The Sony A7C II is obtainable in silver and black, and arrives this fall for $2,200. That value is a big $300 lower than the A7 IV and it is truly a greater digicam in some methods — offered the shortage of a second card slot would not trouble you. 

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