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After the launch of the compact A6700 in the middle of last month, Sony continues to churn out high-end mirrorless cameras by announcing two new Mirrorless Camera models: the Sony A7C II and Sony A7C R are on the way. If the first is nothing more than an update of the first A7C launched in 2020, the second is a new device, which wants to bring very high resolution within everyone’s reach. In addition, there is also a new wide-angle zoom lens, the very powerful Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II. Let’s find out all the features and prices of these Sony products in the following sections.
Sony A7C II features
- Sensor: 33MP Full-Frame (35.9×23.9mm) Exmor R CMOS
- Image processor: BIONZ XR
- Stabilization: 5-axis IBIS (7 stops)
- Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF (759 phase / 425 contrast points) up to EV -4
- Sensitivity: ISO 100-51,200 (expandable to ISO 50-204,800)
- Shutter Speeds: 30″ to 1/8,000th of a second
- Bursts: up to 10 fps in Hi+ mode
- Flash: not present
- Display: 3″ TFT LCD with 1,036,800 pixels
- Viewfinder: 0.39″ OLED electronic with 2,359.00 pixels (0.70x magnification)
- Video: Up to 4K @ 60fps 10bit 4:2:2
- Connectivity: SD-UHS II slot, USB-C 3.2 PD, micro HDMI, headphone jack, microphone jack, 1/4″ screw hole
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth
- Battery: 2,280mAh NP-FZ100 / 540 shots
- Dimensions: 124 x 71.1 x 63.4mm
- Weight: 525 g with battery and SD cards
- Colors: Black, Silver
The new Sony A7C II is a hybrid camera that blends the excellent hardware of the Sony A7 IV with the classic and distinctive design of the first A7C.
The result is a camera with compact dimensions but with enormous potential, with a 33 MP Full Frame sensor that ensures high-quality shots and videos.
Note the integration of the new IBIS stabilization that compensates for up to 7 stops, and better management of color and human skin tones, with even 10 Creative Looks to create customized effects directly in the camera, without post-production.
The functions are therefore very similar to those already seen on the A7 IV, but thanks to the integration of the BIONZ XR image processor and the new AI Processing Unit chip, the capabilities of the functions that use artificial intelligence have been enhanced, improving recognition and subject tracking for autofocus.
In particular, on the A7C II, there are some functions appreciated for example on the A7R V, such as the recognition of the eye, face, and pose for human beings, the one for the eye, head, and body for animals, and birds, but also the recognition of other objects and animals such as planes, cars, trains, and insects.
Even for the video part, there is fun, with recording in 4K at 30 fps in Full Frame with oversampling from 7K, but also 4K at 60 fps in Super35 format. For high-framerate videos, you can opt for Full HD at 120 fps. 4:2:2 10-bit All-Intra formats are available and of course, you can use Sony’s classic S-Log3.
Many integrated functions, many of which are inherited from models such as the Sony ZV-E1: Auto-Framing for automatic framing, in-camera time-lapse, Focus Map, breathing compensation, and more. Audio recording has also been improved, with native support for 4-channel recording.
Sony A7C R features
- Sensor: 61MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS (35.7 x 23.8mm)
- Image processor: BIONZ XR
- Stabilization: 5-axis IBIS (7 stops)
- Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF (693 points per phase) down to EV -4
- Sensitivity: ISO 100-32,000 (expandable to ISO 50-102,400)
- Shutter Speeds: 30″ to 1/8,000th of a second
- Bursts: up to 8 fps in Hi+ mode
- Flash: not present
- Display: 3″ TFT LCD with 1,036,800 pixels
- Viewfinder: 0.39″ OLED electronic with 2,359.00 pixels (0.70x magnification)
- Video: Up to 4K @ 60fps 10bit 4:2:2
- Connectivity: SD-UHS II slot, USB-C 3.2 PD, micro HDMI, headphone jack, microphone jack, 1/4″ screw hole
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth
- Battery: 2,280mAh NP-FZ100 / 520 shots
- Dimensions: 124 x 71.1 x 63.4mm
- Weight: 525 g with battery and SD cards
- Colors: Black, Silver
Sony A7C R maintains the same super compact size as the A7C II but raises the bar even higher. The integrated hardware in this case is that of the Sony A7R V, with a 61 MP Full Frame sensor that produces shots with very high definition.
The performance is slightly less than the A7C II, in particular for the shooting speed and the responsiveness of the autofocus, but it gains a lot in terms of image quality. There’s also support for Pixel Shift multi-shot, where you can combine up to 16 photos into one large 240MP image.
The video functions are similar to those of the A7C, with 4K at 60 fps in Super35 and all the features we have already mentioned above. However, this R-version camera is ideal above all for photographers who want high quality in every shot, especially for portraits and landscapes.
Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II
Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II is a lens that will please lovers of very versatile and super bright wide-angle optics. It is the most compact and lightest wide-angle zoom among those with an f/2.8 aperture, a small jewel of the GM series in an updated version.
The performances declared by Sony are excellent, with exceptional resolution and brightness, as well as an excellent bokeh effect ensured by the very wide aperture. Autofocus is fast and accurate, tracking is reliable for both stills and video, and controls are smooth and comfortable to use.
The highest quality components have been used in the construction of the new FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, with no compromises on optical elements and actuators. The internal structure is composed of 15 elements in 12 groups, with 3 new XA (extremely aspherical) lenses that minimize chromatic aberrations, even at the extremes of focal length (16 and 35mm).
The dimensions have been well optimized: this GM II model is 111.5 mm long and weighs 547 grams, with a saving of 10.1 mm and 133 grams compared to the first-generation zoom. They may seem few, but they make themselves felt when you use the camera and lens for a long time, or simply when transported in a backpack.
Price and release date
The new Sony A7Cs and A7C R will be available from mid-September, but you can start pre-ordering them from August 30, 2023, via Bhphotovideo.com, at the prices you find below. Both the A7C II and A7C R will be available in two color options, black and silver.
- Sony A7C II (body only): $2,198
- Sony A7C II + 28-60mm Lens: $2,498
- Sony A7C R (body only): $2,998
- Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II: $2,298
The new Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II zoom lens will instead be available by the end of September 2023 at the price of $2,298 and it is also available for pre-order on Bhphotovideo.com from August 30, 2023.
