Sony A7C II

QUICKFACT SHEET

Compact A7 IV. The Sony A7C II (aka a7C II, α7C II, Alpha 7C II) is Sony’s second generation compact version of its excellent and award-winning A7 series full-frame mirrorless cameras. That’s what the “C” stands for: Compact. Sony has basically taken the Sony A7 IV and successfully crammed it into an APS-C-sized body. The A7C II is a full-frame mirrorless camera for serious and advanced-level photographers who desire full-frame image quality in an impressively compact and light body.

If you look at the A7C II carefully, you’ll notice that there is not much more you can shave off the body to make it a more compact camera if you still want to have an approx. 3.0-in. LCD, a powerful battery and a full-frame image sensor. In fact, the full-frame A7C II is even smaller than some cameras using the smaller APS-C or MFT image sensor. It is quite an engineering feat by Sony’s engineers to cram Sony’s best full-frame mirrorless technology into such a compact package.

Also, I don’t know about you, but when I hear some reviewers say that the A7C II design is “uninspiring,” I beg to differ. True, Sony’s camera designs have always prioritized function over form — but that’s how all good design should be: form should always follow function. And the A7C II (especially in its silver version) has an understated beauty all its own that will survive years of design fads.

The Sony A7C II features a full-frame 33MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor; 5-axis 7 Stops IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization); Sony’s latest and better AI-based Real-time tracking AF (Human, Animal, Bird, Insect, Car, Train, Airplane); continuous shooting at up to 10 fps; video at 4K/60P (1.5x crop), 4K/30P (no crop), and Full HD/120P; Auto Framing (like on the ZV-E1); a 2.36M-dot XGA OLED EVF with 0.70x magnification; a 3.0-inch vari-angle Touch LCD monitor with 1.03M-dot resolution; a single SD UHS-II card slot; and, a Front Dial (which was missing on the A7C). It does not have an AF joystick.

Here, in tabular form, are the main differences between the A7C and A7C II:

Notice that, except for the battery life, the A7C II is much improved over the A7C.

There are a number of connectivity features that make the A7C II practical for those who post to social media sites. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow for remote Live View shooting and easy transfer of images to your smartphone or tablet. You can also conveniently use the A7C II as a 4K webcam (Imaging Edge Webcam software free to download) for plug-and-play livestreaming.

Of course, the Sony A7C II is supported by a system of high quality lenses, vertical grip, external flashes, microphones, monitor hood, shooting grip with wireless remote commander, grip extension, and software that further expand the shooting system.

The Sony A7C II (2023, US $2,199.99 / CAD $2999.99) is one of the easiest mirrorless camera to recommend if you desire Sony’s fantastic AF and full-frame image quality in a compact and light body.

If you currently use an A7C, it is well worth upgrading to the A7C II for the higher resolution, better Tracking AF, fully Touch-enabled LCD and bigger EVF.

The Sony A7C II is being offered with a new and “world’s smallest and lightest” retractable FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 standard zoom kit lens (Camera + lens: US $2,499.99 / CAD $3399.99).

For those who shoot landscape, architecture or portraits, and require more detailed and higher resolution images, but would still like a compact full-frame mirrorless camera, check out the Sony A7CR (2023, US $2,999.99 / CAD $4099.99) with 61MP (with a 240.8MP option).

Related Links:

• Sony A7C II Press Release
• Sony A7C II Technical Specs
• Sony A7C II Instruction Manual
• Sony A7C II Software & App Download
• Sony A7C II Firmware Update

If the Sony A7C II is the camera that is best for you, please support this site by ordering it as well as accessories from our Trusted Sponsor B&H Photo-Video, the Professional’s Source, satisfying millions of customers for over 35 years (prices are in USD):

• Sony A7C II

Improvements Suggestions:

No camera is perfect and here are some of the improvements we suggest for the A7C III:
– Higher resolution (3.7M-dots) and greater magnification (0.78x) EVF
– Higher resolution (2.1M-dots) LCD
– Add an AF joystick
– Add an AEL button
– Add eyecup
– Customizable unmarked dial will be mostly used as an exposure compensation dial, so add the marks back
– Provide a USB cable in the box
– Offer a 20-70mm kit lens