Sony has launched the Alpha 7C, also known
as the A7C, which is the company's latest full-frame mirrorless camera. The
main focus here is the size, and Sony claims that this is the smallest
full-frame mirrorless camera on the market.
For all intents and purposes, the Sony A7C
is the A7 III but in a smaller body. This means it has the same 24.2MP 35mm
full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor along with the BIONZ X image
processor. Sony claims 15-stops of dynamic range and sensitivity up to ISO
51,200 along with 14-bit RAW images. The camera also retains the in-body image
stabilization despite the smaller size.
The A7C also features the AI-driven
real-time autofocus tracking and real-time eye AF tracking for people and
animals. It gains the customizable AF transition and subject shift sensitivity
settings from the A7S III. The camera is capable of 10fps burst mode with
AF/AE. Video features are also similar to A7 III, with 4K 30p 8-bit 4:2:0
internal recording but without any record limits.
The A7C features a new fully articulating
3.0-inch 921k dot touchscreen but it has the same limited touch capabilities
and the same menu system found on the A7 III, not the new menus found on the
A7S III. The OLED EVF is also not particularly impressive at 2.35 million dots.
On the connectivity front, the A7C has microphone and headphone jacks, micro
HDMI, and USB-C for charging and data. There's a single SDXC card slot. The
battery is the same large NP-FZ100 as the A7 III.
To go with the smaller body, Sony is
introducing a new FE 28-60mm f4-5.6 collapsible kit lens, which the company is
calling the world's smallest and lightest full-frame zoom lens. Unlike some of
the cheaper lenses on the market, this would let you use the full width of the
full-frame sensor while still keeping the overall size of the camera in check
when not in use.
The Sony A7C will be available in late
October for US$ 1800 and for US$ 2100 with the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 zoom lens. It will
be sold in two colors, black, and silver. The lens will be sold separately in
early 2021 for US$ 500.
