On the looks front, the Sony A7C is similar to Sony’s APS-C format cameras and it resembles a slightly chunkier version of the A6600. It has its rectangular pseudo-rangefinder shape with the electronic viewfinder within the confines of the body and offset to the top left corner.
Sony has used magnesium alloy for the top, front, and rear covers of the A7C’s body and it has a monocoque structure. These points combine to give it a reasonably solid feel despite the fact that it has been designed to be small and light.
The body is also sealed against dust and moisture. I used the A7C in snow and drizzle and it stood up to the test.
While the grip may not suit those with very large hands, I found the A7C fits comfortably in my hands. Also, all of the controls are within easy reach on my right thumb and/or forefinger, and with the 28-60mm kit lens mounted, it’s easy to use one-handed.
However, the rubber-like coating on the grip could do with a more pronounced textured. It’s a bit too slick, especially in wet conditions.
Control Layout
Unlike the Sony A7 III, the A7C doesn’t have a front control dial on its grip. However, there are two dials on the back, one above the thumbrest and the other around the navigation pad.
There’s also no joystick, which I miss when setting the AF point while looking in the A7C’s viewfinder. Instead, you either have to press the button at the centre of the navigation pad and then use the navigation controls to move the point around, or activate the TouchPad via the menu and then shift the point around with your thumb or finger on the screen. Although I prefer to use a joystick, the TouchPad works pretty well.
Screen
Until recently, Sony has shied away from using vari-angle screens and instead has opted for tilting screens. Happily, the Sony A7C has a vari-angle screen which means it can be flipped and tilted so that’s it’s visible whether you’re shooting landscape or portrait orientation images.
As I mentioned earlier, it can also be rotated to face forwards so that it’s visible from in front of the camera.
Frustratingly, despite making changes with the Sony A7S III which was announced before the A7C, Sony has once again limited the degree of touch-control available with the camera’s screen. You’re limited to using it for setting the AF point and zooming in to captured images.
That’s especially frustrating if you want to vlog with the camera on a tripod. As you can’t access any of the controls via the screen, you have to walk around to see the buttons and menu.
I hope that Sony opts for the menu arrangement and better use of touch-control that we’ve seen with the A7S III and Sony A1 when it brings out the Sony A7 IV.
Viewfinder
Judging by their specifications, Sony has used the same electronic viewfinder for the A7C as the A6600, they both have a 0.39-inch 2,359,296-dot OLED unit. That’s unusual because we’re used to seeing 0.5-inch type viewfinders in full-frame cameras. The Sony A7 III, for example, has a 0.5-inch OLED with 2,359,296 dots. So while the A7C’s viewfinder has greater pixel density, it’s smaller.
That reduction is size is quite noticeable and there’s no eye-cup so you feel like you’re peering in. Also, on bright sunny days you may find that you need to shield your eye to get a clear view.
Like the screen, the viewfinder gives an accurate preview of the image colour and exposure, but it’s worth setting the Display Quality to ‘High’ rather than ‘Standard’ for the smoother, more natural view.