PRICES CHECKED NOV 3, 10:15 PM ET335 PRODUCTS · INDEPENDENT BUYING GUIDES
hero product shot: Sony A7C
sample photos
Photos: Amazon

Sony A7C

6.6

A compact full-frame body with stabilization and long battery life, suited to travelers and vloggers who value size over dual card slots.

Sony E mount
PRICES · 1 STORECHECKED NOV 3, 10:15 PM ET
RetailerBody only
AmazonNewPrime deliveryAS OF NOV 3, 10:15 PM ET
$1,598LOWEST
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eBayPre-ownedFrom independent sellers. Condition varies.
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Prices accurate as of Nov 3, 10:15 PM ET and subject to change. We may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you. How this works

Build around it

EVERY OPTION IS CHECKED AGAINST THE A7C
Lens✓ Fits the A7C
Power✓ Fits the A7C
Storage✓ Fits the A7C
Audio✓ Fits the A7C
Bag✓ Fits the A7C

Spec sheet

SENSORMegapixels and sensor size. Full-frame gathers more light than APS-C or Micro Four Thirds, for cleaner low-light shots and more background blur.24.2MPFull-frame
BURSTThe fastest frames per second the maker quotes. Top speeds often use the electronic shutter and may limit autofocus. Higher helps for sports, wildlife and kids.10 fpsFastest the maker quotes
VIDEOThe highest video resolution it records internally.4KMax internal
IBISIn-body stabilisation. Each stop lets you shoot at half the shutter speed without blur, so 8 stops means very steady handheld shots.5 stopsIn-body
BATTERYShots per charge on the CIPA standard test, using the rear screen. Real-world numbers are often higher.740CIPA shots, rear screen
WEIGHTBody with battery and card, without a lens.509 gWith battery and card
MOUNTWhich lenses fit natively. Other lenses may work through an adapter.ESony E

Photo

SensorResolution, size and build. Stacked sensors read out fastest, which helps fast action and cuts rolling-shutter wobble.24.2MP · Full-frame · BSI
Native ISOThe standard sensitivity range. Higher ISO lets you shoot in dimmer light, at the cost of more noise.100–51,200
ShutterFastest mechanical and electronic shutter speeds. The silent electronic shutter can freeze faster motion, but may bend fast subjects on slower sensors.1/4000 mech · 1/8000 elec
Flash syncThe fastest shutter speed you can use with a regular flash. Higher is better for flash outdoors in bright light.1/160 s
AutofocusWhat the camera recognises and tracks automatically, and how dark it can get before focus struggles (lower EV is better in low light).People, animals · down to −4 EV

Video

Max resolutionThe highest resolution and frame rate it records internally. More than 4K gives room to crop or stabilise in editing.4K 30p
Best 4K frame rateThe fastest 4K frame rate. 60p and above lets you slow footage down smoothly, and 120p gives 5× slow motion.4K 30p
Crop at 4K 60pWhether 4K 60p uses the full sensor width. A crop makes your lens act longer, so wide shots get harder.No 4K 60p
Colour depth10-bit records far more colour detail than 8-bit, so footage holds up when you grade it. Worth it if you edit video.8-bit 4:2:0
Log profileA flat picture profile that keeps highlight and shadow detail for colour grading later.S-Log3
Raw videoRaw keeps the most image data for editing, at much larger file sizes. Some cameras only record it to an external recorder.None
Open gateRecords the whole sensor area, so you can crop the same clip to both widescreen and vertical video.No
Audio jacksA mic input for better sound, and a headphone jack to check what you are recording.Mic + headphone
HDMIFor an external monitor or recorder. Full-size HDMI is sturdier than micro HDMI.Micro
Cooling fanA built-in fan lets the camera record for long stretches without overheating.No

Body & handling

ViewfinderElectronic viewfinder resolution and magnification. More dots and a bigger magnification give a sharper, larger view.2.36M-dot, 0.59×
Rear screenFully articulating screens flip to the front for vlogging; tilting screens are quicker for photos at waist or overhead height.Fully articulating
Card slotsTwo slots let you record a backup copy at the same time, which matters for paid work like weddings.1x SD UHS-II
Weather sealingSeals against dust and light rain. Pair it with a sealed lens.Yes
USB-C powerCan run from a USB-C power bank while shooting, not just charge the battery.Yes
BatteryThe battery model, for buying spares.NP-FZ100
Size (W × H × D)Width, height and depth as the maker publishes them: the body only for interchangeable-lens cameras, including the built-in lens for compacts. Makers measure slightly differently. Compare bodies in the size tool.124 × 71.1 × 53.5 mm

How the A7C connects

Works with

3

Competes with

3

Steps up and down

1

Adapts from

1
  • Canon EF via Sigma MC-11Adapted lenses keep autofocus
Compare withS5 IIZ5 IIZ7 IIA7C IIThe Sony A7C family →

Pros and cons

COMPARED WITH 23 FULL-FRAME CAMERAS, $997–$2,499
Pros
  • +Long battery life

    740 shots per charge. Rivals here typically have 390 shots per charge.

  • +Light to carry

    509 g. Rivals here typically have 675 g.

Cons, and what fixes them
  • –Lower 4K frame rates

    4K 30p. Rivals here typically have 4K 60p.

    Sony A7 IV4K 60p instead of 4K 30p$1,998 · $400 moreAlso fixes: one card slot.See the A7 IVCompare
  • –Weaker stabilisation

    5 stops of stabilisation. Rivals here typically have 6.5 stops of stabilisation.

    Sony A7C II7 stops instead of 5 stops$2,098 · $500 moreAlso fixes: lower 4K frame rates.See the A7C IICompare
  • –Slower burst

    10 fps. Rivals here typically have 30 fps.

    Sony A7 V30 fps instead of 10 fps$2,898 · $1,300 moreAlso fixes: lower 4K frame rates, weaker stabilisation, one card slot.See the A7 VCompare
  • –One card slot

    One card slot. Rivals here typically have two card slots.

    Sony A7 IVTwo card slots instead of one card slot$1,998 · $400 moreAlso fixes: lower 4K frame rates.See the A7 IVCompare
Prices accurate as of Nov 3, 10:15 PM ET and subject to change. We may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you. How this works

From the retailer

AMAZON · AS OF NOV 3, 10:15 PM ET
  • World’s smallest and lightest1 full-frame camera
  • Advanced 24.2MP2 Back-Illuminated 35mm Full-frame Image Sensor
  • 4K Movie3 w/ full pixel readout, no pixel binning or crop and HDR4
  • 15-stop5 dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO6 50 to 204,800
  • 693 phase-detection/425 contrast AF points w/ 93% image coverage
  • Max focal length: 35.0 millimeters
  • Video capture resolution: 2160p
ModelILCE7C/B
Part numberILCE7C/B
ColorBlack
Release date2020-10-29