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Sony Alpha 7C vs Sony Alpha 9 III

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7CSonyAlpha 9 III
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2020January 2024
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSStacked Exmor RS CMOS with global shutter
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP24.6 MP
Largest image6000 × 40006000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200250–25600
Sensor detailApproximately 25.3 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reductionApproximately 25.2 million total pixels; integral memory and global exposure rather than sequential line exposure.
Image formatsJPEG 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 moviesJPEG, HEIF and Sony ARW 5.0 RAW.
ISO detailStandard still-image and movie ISO 100–51200; still-image extension ISO 50–204800; movie extension reaches ISO 102400Standard ISO 250–25600 for stills and movies; stills expand to ISO 125–51200.
Image processorBIONZ XBIONZ XR with dedicated AI processing unit.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst10 fps120 fps
Lens detailInterchangeable 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.–
AutofocusFast 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.Up to 759 still-image or 627 movie phase-detection points; sensitivity EV −5 to 20 with an F2 lens at ISO 100 equivalent. Current UK specification includes automatic subject selection and people, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and aircraft; launch reviews precede later firmware enhancements.
ShutterElectronic 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 detailUp 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 imagesUp to 120 fps full-resolution electronic bursts with AF/AE tracking under Sony test conditions; speed depends on lens compatibility and shooting settings. Pre-Capture retains up to one second before full shutter press. No mechanical shutter.
Stabilisation detailFive-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 offFive-axis sensor shift; 8.0-stop CIPA pitch/yaw claim with FE 50mm F1.2 GM and long-exposure noise reduction off. Active and Dynamic Active movie modes supported.
FlashNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash; flash unavailable with electronic shutter–
Exposure controls1200-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 resolution3840 × 2160 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 120 fps
Video detailInternal 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.Up to uncropped 3840 × 2160 120p NTSC or 100p PAL; 4K 60p uses 6K oversampling. Supports 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Log3 and S-Cinetone; All-Intra 4K tops out at 60p. External HDMI RAW output is separate from internal recording.
AudioBuilt-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
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3.2″
Screen dots921,6002,095,104
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailSide-opening vari-angle LCD; opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; touch focus, tracking, shutter and touchpad operation, without touch menu navigationFour-axis LCD tilts and opens sideways; approximately 98° up, 40° down, 180° sideways and 270° rotation.
Viewfinder detail0.39-type XGA OLED; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.59× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; 60 or 120 fps refresh0.64-inch Quad-XGA OLED with 9437184 dots and approximately 0.90× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable up to 240 fps NTSC or 200 fps PAL.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)740 photographs530 photographs
Body weight424 g617 g
Release detailSony 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.Sony UK announced availability in January 2024; Japan's announcement specifies 26 January. The main date retains UK month precision.
Recording mediaOne SD slot supporting UHS-I and UHS-II SDHC/SDXC; Class 10 or higher for XAVC S, UHS Speed Class 3 for 100 Mbps recordingBoth slots accept CFexpress Type A or UHS-I/UHS-II SD.
PortsUSB-C (USB 3.2 at 5 Gbps), Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and digital-audio Multi Interface ShoeUSB Type-C at 10 Gbps, Multi/Micro USB, full-size HDMI, 1000BASE-T Ethernet, sync terminal, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsWi-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 regionWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0.
Battery life detailNP-FZ100; CIPA maker claim approximately 740 photographs using LCD or 680 using viewfinder; actual movie claim approximately 140 minutes using either displayNP-FZ100; Sony UK CIPA approximately 530 photographs with LCD or 400 with viewfinder. Japan lists 520/410 respectively. USB Type-C Power Delivery charging and power supported.
ChargingIn-camera USB charging and USB power supply–
DimensionsApproximately 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7 mm; depth from grip to monitor 53.5 mmApproximately 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 72.8 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 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.Sony UK specifies approximately 617 g body only or 702 g with battery and memory card; Japan specifies 618/703 g respectively. Main figures use the UK specification.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy monocoque construction; maker describes dust and moisture resistance without guaranteeing complete protection–
ColoursSilver/black or black–
In the boxNP-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 capsNP-FZ100 battery, BC-QZ1 charger, power cord, cable protector, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap and eyepiece cup, according to Sony UK.

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