The Sony A7C is a mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera with 24 Megapixels, 4k video up to 30p, built-in stabilisation, rangefinder styling and a fully-articulated touchscreen. Announced in September 2020 and aimed at upgraders from APSC bodies, vloggers or simply those wanting a second full-frame body, it represents a new design in the A7 series and while it shares a number of capabilities with the A7 III, it does not replace that model.

Most obviously while all A7 bodies to date have employed DSLR-styling with a central viewfinder hump, the A7C becomes the first in the range to adopt a flat-topped rangefinder style like the A6000 series with the viewfinder positioned in the top left corner; indeed at virtually the same size and weight as the A6600, the A7C becomes Sony’s smallest and lightest full-frame body to date. The size and weight reduction are partly thanks to a more compact IBIS system (five-axis / five stops) and a new shutter unit, although the body remains weather-sealed and employs magnesium alloy for the front, rear and top plates.

The viewfinder image is smaller than the A7 III, but delivers the same 2.36 million dot resolution with an OLED panel, while the 3in 921k dot screen is now side-hinged and fully-articulated, allowing it to face-forward which will delight vloggers.

Meanwhile many of the internal specs are inherited from the A7 III with the same 24 Megapixel full-frame sensor sporting embedded phase-detect autofocus, 4k up to 30p (oversampled for 24 and 25p), and 10fps bursts with the mechanical or electronic shutter, all powered by the Z-series battery. Sony has however updated the AF software to support the latest real-time tracking that can recognise animals and also now be activated by the AF-On button. There’s also 2.4 and 5GHz Wifi, a digital audio interface on the hotshoe, although the body size means there’s only one USB port (Type-C) and just the one SD card slot (UHS-II speed), but thankfully the microphone and headphone jacks remain, while videographers will be delighted to learn there’s no half-hour recording limits – a key benefit over the A7 III.

Another benefit over earlier models is recording Gyro Data during video, allowing footage to be stabilised in software later. I made the following video all about using Gyro Data on the A7c as while is has huge potential, there are a number of technical aspects to be aware of, most notably using a wide lens to accommodate the crop and a faster than normal shutter speed to minimise motion artefacts. Check back soon for lots more results and samples!