Sony Alpha A7c Review: Unleashing the Power of Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

Looking for a powerful camera that can capture stunning images and videos? Look no further than the Sony Alpha A7c! This full frame mirrorless camera is perfect for both beginners and professionals who demand the highest quality results. In this review, we will explore the key features of the A7c and share our thoughts on why it might be the right choice for you.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A7c article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 14 2020

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight509g
MSRP$1800USD

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Released Jul 21 2020 | 12MP resolution

Overview of the Alpha A7c

If you're looking for a high-quality camera that packs a punch, the Sony Alpha A7c is definitely worth considering. With its full frame mirrorless design, advanced features, and impressive image and video quality, this camera is a powerhouse for taking stunning photos and video with ease. Whether you're an aspiring photographer, a blogger, or someone who just loves to capture life's moments, the A7c offers something for everyone. But what exactly makes this camera so special? Let's take a closer look at some of its key features and find out what sets it apart from the competition.

The Sony Alpha Series Lineup

Sony Alpha 7 thumbnail

Sony Alpha 7

Released Jan 22 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 II

Released Nov 20 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 III thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 III

Released Feb 27 2018 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7c thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7c

Released Sep 14 2020 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 IV thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 IV

Released Oct 21 2021 | 33MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7c Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A7c camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Full-frame sensor for better image quality
Compact and lightweight body for portability
Fast autofocus system
High resolution EVF (electronic viewfinder)
Wide dynamic range for capturing details in highlights and shadows
Useful in-camera features like image stabilization and a tilting touchscreen
Compatible with a wide range of Sony E-mount lenses
Good low light performance

Cons

Limited battery life
Only one SD card slot
Limited weather sealing
No built-in flash
No headphone jack for audio monitoring
Higher price point than some competing mirrorless cameras
Limited dedicated buttons and controls for customization
Mediocre video quality (limited to 4K/30fps)

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A7c

Weather sealed
Dimensions124 x 71 x 60mm
Weight509g
Thickness60mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A7c camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Alpha A7c is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully articulated
Screen Resolution922k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 922k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A7c very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Alpha A7c includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.59x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha A7c has a 24MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Sony Alpha A7c has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Sep 14 2020

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

95 / 102

Color Depth

25 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3407 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A7c camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha A7c is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Battery Life740 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A7c supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Alpha A7c uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 740 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha A7c does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha A7c boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha A7c includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 693 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha A7c?

The Sony Alpha A7c features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A7c weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A7c does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A7c announced?

The Sony Alpha A7c was announced on Sep 14 2020

Does the Sony Alpha A7c have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A7c does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha A7c?

The Alpha A7c has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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