Sony has announced two new full-frame cameras, the Sony Alpha 7C II, price £2100 / $2199.99 and Sony Alpha 7C R, price £3200 / $2999.99, on sale this fall. They replace the original Sony A7C.
The Sony Alpha 7C II, also known as the Sony A7C II, has a 33MP full-frame image sensor in a body that measures just 4.88 in wide x 2.8 in high x 2.5 in deep (124.0 x 71.1 x 63.4 mm) and weighs approximately 18.1 oz. Meanwhile, the Sony Alpha 7C R, Sony A7C R, features a 61MP full-size image sensor, that’s the same sensor as in the Sony Alpha 7R V but in a more compact and lightweight body that weighs around 18.2 oz.
Both cameras have the same AI-processing unit and BIONZ XR processors as the Alpha 7R V and Alpha 6700. This helps facilitate the Real-time Recognition AF that can recognise a wide variety of subjects. The 5-axis in-body image stabilisation also delivers up to 7EV shutter speed compensation.
On the video front, both cameras support 4:2:2 10-bit recording at up to 4K 60p along with Sony’s acclaimed S-Cinetone colour science. They also feature Active Mode in-body image stabilisation, AI-based auto-framing, digital-audio interface support, and more.
Sony Alpha 7C II main features
• Full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor with approximately 33MP and the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine.
• Approximately 22% lighter and approximately 45% less volume than the Sony Alpha 7 IV.
• Standard ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 51200 for stills and video, expandable to ISO 50 to 204800 for still images
Sony Alpha 7C R main features
• Full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor with approximately 61.MP and the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine.
• Approximately 29% lighter and 53% less volume than the Sony Alpha 7R V.
• Standard ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 32000 for still images and movies, expandable to ISO 50 to 102400 for still images.
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization giving 7EV shutter speed compensation.
• Pixel Shift Multi Shooting that combines multiple images on a computer to create an ultra-high resolution image.
• Can be combined with the GP-X2 grip extension for a more stable hold, especially when using a telephoto lens.
Features of both the Sony Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R
Compact size
The Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R are both around 4.88 inches wide x 2.8 inches high x 2.5 inches deep (124.0 x 71.1 x 63.4 mm). The Alpha 7C II weighs 18.1 oz (514g), while the Alpha 7C R is 18.2 oz (515g).
Improved subject recognition
Sony has improved the AF performance and subject recognition performance by including the same built-in AI processing unit as is in the Alpha 7R V to deliver Real-time Recognition AF. The two cameras can recognise and track people, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and aeroplanes.
Advanced video performance
The Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R utilise video data equivalent to 7K and 6K, respectively, to produce high-quality 4K video. The two cameras are also equipped with S-Log3, giving a dynamic range of over 14EV.
Users can import a LUT to display on the camera monitor when shooting in LUT mode. There’s also S-Cinetone, a popular Sony feature that creates a cinematic look straight in-camera.
In addition, there are 10 preset Creative Looks with 8 user-adjustable parameters for use in video and stills mode.
Operation and control
The Sony Alpha 7C II and Sony Alpha 7C R both have a vari-angle LCD monitor, Sony’s revised menus structure and full touch control.
They also have a new front dial to which users can assign their favourite functions, the still image/movie/S&Q switch dial, and an XGA high-resolution viewfinder.
The cameras are also compatible with Sony’s Creators’ App, the smartphone application that uploads videos and still images taken with the camera to a cloud service, and allows remote camera operation and image transfer from the camera to mobile devices. By the end of September 2023, Sony plans to support a new version of the software development kit Camera Remote SDK that enables remote operation and settings adjustments.
Sony Alpha 7C II, Sony Alpha 7C R price and availability
The Sony Alpha 7C II will be available in Fall 2023, price $2199.99 USD, $2999.99 CAN body only, or $2499.99 USD, $3399.99 CAN with the 28-60mm lens.
The Sony Alpha 7C R will be available in Fall 2023 price $2999.99 USD, $4099.99 CAN body-only. The the Sony GP-X2 extension will be available in Fall 2023 price, $159.99 USD, $214.99 CAN.