Today, Sony has announced the Alpha 7C, their latest full-frame mirrorless camera that is 20 percent smaller than the existing lineup.
Sony claims that the new a7C is now the smallest and lightest full-frame interchangeable lens camera featuring image stabilization on the market. Measuring in at 4.9 x 2.8 x 2.3 inches (12.4 x 7.1 x 5.9 centimeters) and weighing 17.9 ounces (507.5 grams), it packs a 24.2-megapixel CMOS BSI sensor, BIONZ X image processor, and 5-axis in-body image stabilization compensating for 5 stops of shake.
To fit inside the smaller magnesium alloy chassis, the sensor stabilization mechanism needed to be redesigned. The same story goes for the newly developed compact electromagnetic drive shutter, which has a 200,000 cycle rating. There was room, however, for the larger NP-FZ100 battery that is found in the latest a7 and a9 series cameras. It’s fortunate, because that battery gives the a7C a CIPA rating of 740 images with the LCD, or 225 minutes of video recording.
The body of the camera features an off-centered 2,359K dot OLED viewfinder, 3-inch 921K dot vari-angle LCD, and a record button on the top panel. There is no built-in flash, but Sony is announcing a new $248 HVL-F28RM compact flash alongside the Alpha camera. The a7C is compatible with the Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Shooting Grip for easier front-facing access to camera controls.
Getting into the camera specifications, the a7C is capable of shooting up to ISO 204,800 and has up to 15 stops of dynamic range for stills. It can shoot up to 10 fps with its mechanical and electronic shutter for 223 continuous shots, although it’s likely this is in a compromised Hi+ mode. There’s a single SD memory card slot which is UHS-II V90 compatible.
The camera features 693 phase detect and 425 contrast detect autofocus points and is capable of Real-time Tracking, Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, and Touch Tracking. Sadly it has the same menu and touch operability as the ZV-1, not the much improved a7S III.
On the video side, the new Alpha camera records full frame in 6K downsampled to 4K with full pixel readout. It can shoot 8-bit 4:2:0 4K 24p/30p or up to 120 fps in Full HD and includes Sony’s Slow & Quick mode. The camera has Picture Profiles for S-Log 3/2 and HLG/HDR shooting with 14 stops of dynamic range. There is Real-time Eye AF available in video, and in the settings there are 7 adjustable focus transition speeds and 5 tracking sensitivity levels. There is no half-hour recording limit.
Finally, moving on to connectivity the camera has a single USB-C port in lieu of any Micro-USB. There’s also a 3.5mm mic input as well as a headphone out port. It has a Multi Interface hot shoe for direct, wireless connection to compatible audio accessories like the Sony ECM-B1M shotgun microphone. Other connectivity options include 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi, FTP file transfer via wired/wireless LAN, and USB tethering with computers and smartphones.
FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6
Announced alongside the new Alpha camera is Sony’s smallest and lightest full-frame E-mount standard zoom lens: the FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6. This new lens will debut as a Sony kit lens, however it may start being sold separately at a future date.
It features a retractable design that’s 2.5 x 1.7 inches (6.4 x 4.5 centimeters) at its smallest and weighs 5.8 ounces (164.4 grams). Paired with the new Sony a7C camera, that’s a 1.5 pound (674.7 gram) kit.
The new 28-60mm lens has internal focusing, a linear autofocus motor supporting 10 frames per second continuous shooting, 3 aspherical elements, a 7-bladed circular aperture, and a metal lens mount. The close focus distance is 0.3 meters at the wide end, and 0.45 meters at the telephoto end.
The Sony a7C will come in black or silver, and cost $1,798 for the body only or $2,098 with the kit lens. It will begin shipping in November 2020.
Way too expensive for what you get in 2020.
It's pretty much in line with current market rates.
$1800.00 for one 1 card slot, no front dial, low res evf, 8 bit 4.2.0, worse ibis than the a73, and sony's old menu system? I get that its a "cute" camera -- but for that price, you can obviously buy a better camera (no natter what brand you prefer) in 2020
It's still completely in line with entry level camera pricing from other brands.
For the record, I think every last one of them are too expensive.
Edit: you guys are right.
I don't agree at all; its more expensive than all other entry level offerings and is a poor showing compared to them in several respects. its def got a "look" though
Not sure about that. Just the 2 off the top of my head, Canon RP $999 and Nikon Z 5 $1397.
And you don't even get a flash with it. Sony charges $200-250 extra for it. =)
It actually costs $3185 AUD which is even more than the A7III.
What I’m worried is that they’ll release the A7IV at a much higher price point to compete with the R6 and make the A7C seem cheaper.
Have to have money to throw at the youtube people.
With the amount of praise it gets from the so called reviewers you would think this camera brought you coffee instead of a overpriced re release.
Don't camera are always universally love by reviews, their PR budget must be enormous
"I want a light camera that I can carry around all day without my little arms getting tired." This is funny.
with that children toy grip you better buy a cage!
Has anyone heard if it has the updated a7siii menu system?
It does not.
it has the old menu system and limited touch capability on the screen
It's an ok Price, but what a disappointing at that Price Tag. I was hoping Sony would knock it out of the park for a nice compact full-frame.
It looks like a pretty good compact full frame, great image quality and lightweight.
I have no interest in this camera, so no opinion either way.. I do find it amusing how much more traffic there is on media channels/YouTube when Sony release a camera over all the other brands, wonder why that is, hmm
First I was like uhh ahh maybe something exciting.... And then they add this ugly eyepiece and amateur dial with P-Mode ... 🤦♂️
You would be surprised, but Canon 1DX also has P mode. And no proper mode dial...
Indeed and so do Nikon’s ... which is why I left ... cannot do these dials anymore. It’s an insult :-p
PS honestly I’m not a hater or lover of any Brand. But how hard can it be to bring out something comparable to a Leica’s minimalism with autofocus (or just copy Fuji for gods sake), at that Sony price point rather than the Louis Vuitton price tag that comes with the M mount. I mean truely...
I mean at the end of the day, perhaps some people want to experience the joy of photography, and may care a little less about a video function they may only use at their child’s birthday... but even so... it seems the camera is more than capable. Just get the form factor right Sony... you are so close!
PPS and frankly this whole notion of - this is the pro body and here is the “entry level” camera is so stupid. Sure have an entry level too. But you wanto to be able to offer the right camera for the right needs. Look at Fuji. X-Pro is not more or less pro than the X-T line who isn’t more or less pro than the X-H line. It’s about shooting style. X-Pro is focused on photography and rangefinder style work. XT on the allrounder. I can see someone having both! It’s not like the pro will buy the a7iii and only the amateur would even consider a rangefinder.
Also what’s with the size? The a7ii is small enough. You DON’T have to make the bodies smaller! Have a bigger better body and have smaller rangefinder style photography lenses instead!!
No clue!
Very nice, looks similar to a Leica M camera, but at a fraction of the price.
I really like the small form factor which fits nicely with my Leica M lenses. I will certainly add the 7C to my kit.
I'm not usually a "hater" even though I'm not a Sony fan...but LOL. I don't understand what they were thinking at all with this one. And $1800?????
The specs sound good for me - it's simply the ergonomics that would prevent me from buying this camera. IMHO, Sony needs to revamp their mirrorless with better ergonomics for larger hands. They are making strides with the a7riv but still a long way from what I consider a comfortable all day camera.
I think its a great camera, I would have bought this instead of my a6400 IF IT CAME OUT LAST YEAR.
As it stands, I see no compelling reason to upgrade or spend more on this versus an a6600 or a7iii. If I was lagging behind on an a7ii or an a6000, then this would make more sense to me. So from the marketing point of view, I think they missed the mark.
I'm not even going to address that useless kit lens...
Looks like a cybershot from 20 years ago. They should have left out the ibis, made it thinner and no evf, but a much better screen, and priced it at $1300. Come April 2021, it will be priced at $1200 with the kit lens. Look at Aussie David O for his impersonation of AP for the takes on this camera, if you want some giggles.
I think that this would have been a great camera - just what I would be looking for... except in the preview tests on YT, the Ibis isn't that great and the autofocus is slow. Seriously?
If you want good IBIS you have to look elsewhere than the E-Mount. It’s an inherent Problem with the small mount ... hence why Canon went larger and why Fuji blows both of them out of the water (in regards to IBIS).
That said - for me Sony f’s it up again with the random dial and weird eye-piece ... makes it look like a toy ... again!
28-60 4-5.6 kit lens seems almost purposefully designed to make entry level users fail to experience the joys of photography.
It will push buyers towards body-only purchases if they know what's good for them... but if this is supposed to be Sony's entry-level full frame, they may not know better and suffer from it as you correctly pointed out.
Why? People are getting bigger so what’s the point of making cameras smaller? Because they can? 🤦🏻♂️