Sony A7C II and A7C R announced: compact full frame all-round cameras
Sony has announced today the A7C II and A7C R, which are already available for pre-order. The A7C R is the high-resolution version, boasting an impressive 61 megapixels. Additionally, Sony has added the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II to its lineup of lenses.
In the two new full-frame cameras, you’ll find the new AI autofocus technology in a body that’s almost the size of a compact camera. Although the Sony A6700 has recently hit the market, Sony has already moved forward by introducing two new cameras. This positions the A7C II as the big brother of the APS-C A6700.
Both cameras utilize techniques that are already available on the market and have been used in other models like the Sony A7R V and Sony ZV-E1. Now, you have a highly compact full-frame camera with a viewfinder.
Sony A7C II
The Sony A7C II is the all-around version of the compact full-frame camera, housing a full-frame Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor with 33 megapixels. This sensor is supported by the fast Bionz XR image processor.
The 33 megapixels mark a significant improvement from the 24 megapixels found on the original Sony A7C.
Faster than the previous version
According to Sony, the A7C II is up to eight times faster than the previous version in terms of processing speed. This enables you to capture up to 10 frames per second in burst mode, with autofocus and auto-exposure working simultaneously. Moreover, this comes with a buffer of over 1000 JPEG images or 44 RAW files.
All A7C II features
- Full-frame EXMOR R BSI CMOS sensor
- 33 megapixels
- Bionz XR image processor
- 5-axis internal image stabilization up to 7 stops
- The new AI autofocus technology
- Real-time AI focus
- 759 AF points with 94% coverage
- Recognizes insects, vehicles, airplanes, people, animals, faces, and eyes
- 10fps continuous photography with AF/AE tracking
- 10 creative looks / 8 parameters
- S-Cinetone
- 4K 60fps and 7K oversampling at 30fps
- 10-bit 4:2:2
- S-Log3 with 14+ stops dynamic range
- Custom LUTS possible
- 2.3 million-dot XGA OLED viewfinder with 0.7x magnification
- Weather-sealed design
- 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen with 1.03-million-dot resolution
- Available in two color variants
The Sony A7C II bears a striking resemblance to the Sony A6700, which is a good thing. It fits perfectly in hand and is pleasantly compact. According to Sony, the A7C II is more ergonomic due to improved placement of the control dials.
Electronic Viewfinder
The A7C II features the same 2.36-million-dot viewfinder as its predecessor, with a 0.7x magnification, an improvement over its predecessor. Focusing is facilitated by 759 autofocus points covering 94% of the sensor. The focus operates down to -4EV, which is an additional stop compared to the A7C.
Vari-angle 3-inch Screen
The vari-angle 3-inch screen on the back boasts a resolution of 1.03 million dots and features the improved Sony touchscreen also found on the A6700. We already experienced the benefits of this screen and the revamped menu on the A6700.
Single Memory Card Slot
Once again, Sony has opted for a single memory card slot in the camera. For professional users, this could be a significant limitation. Additionally, the camera features HDMI, microphone, headphone, and USB-C connections.
Recording with the A7C II
The Sony A7C II is a hybrid camera, and this is evident from its video capabilities. It can record in 4K at 60fps, oversampling from 7K in 30fps mode. Switch to Full HD, and you can use 4K 30fps material, which goes up to 120 frames per second.
To give your footage a cinematic look and feel, you can use S-Cinetone and S-Log3. Utilize the 10-bit 4:2:2 color space for a wider dynamic range. The internal stabilization of the A7C II stabilizes up to 7 axes and, like the A6700, can also utilize the Auto Framing function.
Sony A7C R
The Sony A7C R is the high-resolution version of the A7C II. The most significant difference is the full-frame sensor, boasting 61 megapixels. The cameras share the same bodies, with the sensors being the differentiating factor. The A7C R uses the same sensor as the A7R V, positioning it among cameras with the highest base resolutions.
The full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor collaborates with the Bionz XR image processor and employs AI autofocus technologies. If 61 megapixels seems excessive, you can switch the camera to 15 or 26 mode. Even in these modes, the entire sensor is used with pixel binning. If you desire more megapixels, you can use the Pixel-shift mode, allowing you to create 240-megapixel photos.
A7C R Features
- Full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
- 61-megapixel sensor
- Pixel-Shift for 240MP photos
- APS-C mode
- Bionz XR image processor
- 5-axis internal image stabilization up to 7 stops
- The new AI autofocus technology
- Real-time AI focus
- 693 AF points with 79% coverage
- Recognizes insects, vehicles, airplanes, people, animals, faces, and eyes
- 8fps continuous photography with AF/AE tracking
- Continuous 1000-photo buffer (jpg), 320 (jpeg fine), 36 (compressed raw), 16 Lossless Compressed RAW
- 10 creative looks / 8 parameters
- S-Cinetone
- 4K 60fps and 6.2K oversampling at 30fps
- 10-bit 4:2:2
- S-Log3 with 14+ stops dynamic range
- Custom LUTS possible
- 2.3 million-dot XGA OLED viewfinder with 0.7x magnification and 60 or 120fps refresh rate
- Weather-sealed design
- 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen with 1.03-million-dot resolution
- Available in two color variants
- Sensor anti-dust system
- Grip Extension available
- ISO up to 32,000 (expandable to 64,000)
What’s the Difference Between Sony A7C II and Sony A7C R?
The most significant difference between the Sony A7C and Sony A7C R is the sensor. The A7C II features a 33-megapixel sensor, while the A7C R boasts 66 megapixels.
Other differences include the presence of the 240MP pixel-shift function on the A7C R. However, the A7C R has slightly fewer AF points (759 vs 693) and can capture 8 photos instead of 10 like the A7C II.
In terms of video capabilities, the cameras are quite similar, but the A7C II can oversample from 7K, while the A7C R can oversample from 6.2K material.
Price and Availability
Both cameras will be available for purchase from mid-September. Pre-orders will be open soon.
The A7C II will be priced at $2299 for the body, while the A7C R will cost $2999.
Both cameras are available in full black or with a classic silver top.
Yoreh
Yoreh Schipper started his film career in 2009, shooting a documentary in India. After that, he rolled into the documentary and commercially filmmaking. He got his bachelor degree in Communication & Multimedia Design in 2012 and hasn't left the film and photo industry since. Now, he strives to build an international Camera Deals Online network, with reviews, news, rumors, top-lists and blogs!
