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Sony Alpha 7C · Photo source

Sony Alpha 7C
Photo 1 of 23

Sony Alpha 7C · Photo source

Sony · Alpha

Alpha 7C

Released October 2020

A compact 24.2 MP full-frame E-mount camera with sensor-shift stabilisation, hybrid autofocus and an articulating touchscreen.

Type
Mirrorless
Sensor
Full frame
Megapixels
24.2
Lens
Sony E-mount
Video
3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Body weight
424 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised image quality, autofocus, battery life and portability, but criticised limited controls, the small viewfinder and old menus. Photography Blog considered the grip reasonably comfortable; Amateur Photographer found it cramped. Both found the kit zoom restrictive, while Amateur Photographer considered a single card slot acceptable for the intended audience.

From photographyblog.com and amateurphotographer.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
Mirrorless
Sensor format
Full frame
Sensor type
Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions
35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution
24.2 MP
Largest image
6000 × 4000
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
100–51200
Sensor detail
Approximately 25.3 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formats
JPEG and compressed or uncompressed RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); 14-bit RAW output, reduced to 12-bit with compressed RAW in continuous, Bulb or long-exposure noise-reduction shooting; XAVC S movies
ISO detail
Standard still-image and movie ISO 100–51200; still-image extension ISO 50–204800; movie extension reaches ISO 102400
Image processor
BIONZ X

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Sony E-mount
Stabilisation
Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst
10 fps
Lens detail
Interchangeable E-mount; ILCE-7C is body only; ILCE-7CL kit includes the retractable FE 28–60 mm f/4–5.6 lens. The photo shows both body colours with this optional kit lens.
Autofocus
Fast Hybrid AF with 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points in full-frame stills; maker detection range EV -4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; Real-time Tracking and human/animal Eye AF. Current Sony specifications include animal Eye AF in video.
Shutter
Electronic first-curtain mechanical shutter up to 1/4000 second; silent electronic shutter up to 1/8000 second; 30-second exposures and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second with Sony flash
Burst detail
Up to 10 fps Hi+ with AF/AE tracking, 8 fps Hi with live view, 6 fps Mid or 3 fps Lo; maker buffer approximately 223 fine JPEGs, 115 compressed RAW or 45 uncompressed RAW images
Stabilisation detail
Five-axis sensor-shift correction; maker claim 5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw testing with the FE 50 mm f/1.4 ZA lens and long-exposure noise reduction off
Flash
No built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash; flash unavailable with electronic shutter
Exposure controls
1200-zone evaluative metering; program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; exposure compensation ±5 EV, or ±3 EV using the dedicated dial

Video

Highest video resolution
3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detail
Internal 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p NTSC or 25p PAL in XAVC S up to 100 Mbps, 8-bit 4:2:0; Full HD up to 120p NTSC or 100p PAL. HDMI outputs 8-bit 4:2:2. Photography Blog identifies full-width 4K at 24p/25p and a crop at 30p. S-Log2/S-Log3, HLG, timecode, gamma display assist and S&Q features.
Audio
Built-in stereo microphone; LPCM stereo recording; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible microphones and XLR adaptor

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Electronic
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
921,600
Touchscreen
Yes
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Side-opening vari-angle LCD; opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; touch focus, tracking, shutter and touchpad operation, without touch menu navigation
Viewfinder detail
0.39-type XGA OLED; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.59× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; 60 or 120 fps refresh

Connections and design

Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)
740 photographs
Body weight
424 g
Release detail
Sony Hong Kong specifies retail availability from the beginning of October 2020. This is the original ILCE-7C, a separate compact family alongside Alpha 7 III.
Recording media
One SD slot supporting UHS-I and UHS-II SDHC/SDXC; Class 10 or higher for XAVC S, UHS Speed Class 3 for 100 Mbps recording
Ports
USB-C (USB 3.2 at 5 Gbps), Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe
Wireless connections
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 4.1; NFC; smartphone remote control and FTP transfer; 5 GHz availability varies by region
Battery life detail
NP-FZ100; CIPA maker claim approximately 740 photographs using LCD or 680 using viewfinder; actual movie claim approximately 140 minutes using either display
Charging
In-camera USB charging and USB power supply
Dimensions
Approximately 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7 mm; depth from grip to monitor 53.5 mm
Weight detail
Approximately 424 g body only; 509 g with battery and memory card; both exclude lens. Photography Blog mislabels the loaded 509 g figure as body only; Sony's explicit split is used.
Materials
Magnesium-alloy monocoque construction; maker describes dust and moisture resistance without guaranteeing complete protection
Colours
Silver/black or black
In the box
NP-FZ100 battery, AC adaptor, strap, body/shoe caps and USB-A to USB-C cable; kit additionally includes FE 28–60 mm lens and lens caps

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Full-frame sensor with RAW recording
  • Five-axis sensor-shift stabilisation
  • Microphone input and headphone monitoring

Cons

  • One memory-card slot
  • Internal video limited to 8-bit 4K at 30p

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
CanonEOS R5
MirrorlessFull frame45Canon RF8192 × 4320 at 29.97 fps650 gJul 2020
NikonZ 5
MirrorlessFull frame24.3Nikon Z mount3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps590 gAug 2020
NikonZ 6II
MirrorlessFull frame24.5Nikon Z mount3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps615 gNov 2020

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/ILCE-7C/spec.html
  2. sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20200916_e.pdf
  3. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_a7c_review
  4. amateurphotographer.com/review/sony-alpha-7c-review

Photo: sony.jp

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