Sony has announced a pair of new Alpha 7C series mirrorless cameras with full-frame image sensors and video capabilities that content creators are sure to enjoy.
Marked as the second generation of the A7C series, the new cameras begin with the 61 MP Sony A7C R, and the more compact 33 MP Sony A7C II.
The A7C R offers a full-frame backside illuminated Exmor R image sensor designed chiefly for portrait, wildlife, and landscape photography.
Image Credit – SONY
With a 61 MP BIONZ XR Image Processor, the camera is capable of 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video at 60 frames per second and supports Sony S-Cinetone Color science.
A 693 point-phase detection autofocus system offers real-time subject recognition that enables a wide variety of subjects that can be locked in with high accuracy and sharpness.
The A7C R enjoys 5-axis in-body image stabilization for dampening camera shake up to 7.0 stops, and Sony’s Active Mode AI-based stabilization and auto framing.
The camera is able to identify and correct even the slightest camera shake or blurring, right down to the 1-pixel level.
Image Credit – SONY
The A7C R is also equipped with Sony’s Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode, which takes multiple images and combines them in post to create an even higher resolution image.
The standard ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32000 for both still images and movies (expanded ISO 50 to 102400 for still images).
Image Credit – SONY
By comparison, the A7C II uses a similar 33 MP backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor coupled with the same BIONZ XR image processor found in A7R V and A6700, with the same Recognition autofocus and a total of 759 total phase detection autofocus points that are AI-driven for up to 94% sensor coverage and 10-bit video recording capability.
The camera even enjoys the same active mode in body image stabilization for 7 stops of stabilized performance.
Image Credit – SONY
The camera has an ISO range of 100 to 51200 for both still images and video, with an expandable ISO range of 50 to 204800 when shooting in darker lighting conditions.
Both cameras support Sony S-Log 3 video down scaled from 6K and 7K respectively without any pixel binning to capture 4K video with a wide dynamic range of over 15 stops.
The results are a rich color gamut with little over or under-exposure at the extreme ends of the light spectrum.
LUTS can also be imported by the user which can be used to check the image on a video monitor. Sony’s Cinema Line S-Cinetone color science also delivers accurate and healthy-looking skin tones and natural mid-tones for a more accurate cinematic image.
Both cameras are also constructed with recycled plastics, making them lighter without sacrificing durability. The A7C R is approximately 29% lighter and has approximately 53% less volume than the previous A7R V, while the A7C II camera is also roughly 22% lighter than the Sony A7 IV.
Pricing and availability
The Sony Alpha 7 C R will be available later in the fall of 2023 for a retail price of $2999 (USD) body only. Meanwhile, the Sony Alpha C II will be available at the same time frame for a retail price of $2199 (USD) body only, or $2499 with a Sony 28-60mm kit lens.
A new lens
Sony has also released a new FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Zoom lens. The second generation G-Master zoom lens has a new optical design that achieves high resolution due to its custom optical arrangement that uses high surface extreme aspherical lens elements.
Image Credit – SONY
The lens offers outstanding close-up performance with a minimum shooting distance of 8.66 inches (.22 meters) and a maximum shooting magnification of .32x.
With Sony’s custom Nano AR II lens coatings, the lens can also effectively suppress ghosting and unwanted lens flares for a cleaner, color accurate image.
The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II also relies on Sony’s latest XD extreme dynamic linear motors for high-speed autofocus that is also quieter for shooting videos and stills in quiet conditions.
When combined with an A1 camera body, the lens offers high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps with twice the focusing performance and quiet movement.
The lens has a custom lens aperture ring that can be clicked on/off to make it quieter and offers two focus hold buttons that can be assigned any custom function from the camera body for greater customization.
Image Credit – SONY
Image Credit – SONY
Image Credit – SONY
Image Credit – SONY
Pricing and availability
The new Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II will be available later in the fall of 2023 for a retail price of $2299 (USD) from Sony Direct and its network of authorized retailers.
Order Links:
- Sony a7CR Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
- Sony a7C II Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
- Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens, E-mount (B&H)
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