Sony has just announced the latest releases in their compact full-frame camera lineup. The very first Sony Alpha 7C debuted in September of 2020, and now we have two brand-new cameras coming to the market — introducing the Sony a7C II Camera and the Sony a7CR Camera.
Key Features of the Sony a7C II Camera
- 33MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor
- 7 steps of 5-axis in-body stabilization
- Up to 4K 30p video
- 10bit 4:2:2, S-Log, Creative Look, S-Cinetone/M-LUT
- 759 point phase detection AF
- Autofocus covers 94% of image area
- Real-time recognition AF for humans, animals, birds, cars, etc
- 10 fps w/AF/AE in mechanical or electronic
- Full-pixel readout and no pixel binning
- USB-C port to use for live streaming
Key Features of the Sony a7CR Camera
- 61MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor
- 7 steps of 5-axis in-body stabilization
- Up to 4K 60p video
- 10bit 4:2:2, S-Log, Creative Look, S-Cinetone/M-LUT
- 759 point phase detection AF
- Autofocus covers 79% of image area
- Real-time recognition AF for humans, animals, birds, cars, etc
- 8 fps w/AF/AE in mechanical or 7fps electronic
- Pixel shift multi-shooting
- New grip included
What’s New about These Cameras?
61MP and 33MP Sensors
The Sony a7CR Camera features the same BIONZ XR sensor and AI processing unit you can find on the Alpha a7R V. Additionally, 61 megapixels is plenty to offer users the ability to print their work while maintaining a high level of detail. More megapixels only gives the photographer more options and opportunities when it comes to increased resolution. The Sony A7C II Camera features a 33-megapixel sensor, which is still plenty for almost any creator.
15 Stops of Dynamic Range
With 15 stops of dynamic range in both cameras, low light and night photography have never been easier. Photographers can forget about having to bracket their high-dynamic range images, since the 15 stops of range should be more than enough to bring back the shadows in even the darkest of images.
Pixel Shift Multi-Shooting
Unique to the a7CR is pixel shift multi-shooting, which triggers the camera to take multiple images by moving the sensor by a single pixel. The camera takes 16 images in rapid succession and gives you a single composite pixel shift image. This results in a very high-resolution file at 240 megapixels.
One common problem with pixel shift multi-shooting has been that your photo can be ruined by any movement in camera — whether that be a person walking, a leaf blowing in the wind, or slight movement in the clouds. Now, Sony has introduced technology to auto detect and correct small pixel movements during the compositing. This will give you more opportunities to use pixel shift technology for higher resolution images.
Compact Design
Perhaps one of the most important selling points of the Alpha 7 Compact (a7C) series is the portable design of the cameras. The a7C II is the smallest Sony full frame camera to date, coming in at about 2.49” x 4.88”. This camera is literally small enough to fit in your pocket when paired with a small lens. The a7CR is a slightly larger, but is still a plenty compact version for those who need a higher resolution sensor.
Enhanced Autofocus
Finally, these cameras are loaded with AI features giving you the best cutting-edge technology when it comes to fast, accurate autofocus. Both cameras feature a 759-point phase detection AF. They can also focus and follow humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, planes, and more.
Who Should Buy These Cameras?
Travel Photographers
Both cameras offer impressive specs for the compact size and weight of both the a7CR and the a7C II. Either camera is an excellent choice for creators who find value in a compact camera. Whether you’re a travel photographer trying to cram everything into your carry-on bag, an outdoor enthusiast looking to lighten the load of their pack, or a wedding photographer who needs to carry around a smaller camera body for reduced fatigue, the size and weight of both cameras, combined with its power, certainly packs a punch.
Second Camera Body Users
These cameras are also ideal for creators who need to carry around a second body. Having a second camera body can help with content creation, or just allow you quickly shoot without having to swap lenses on your main body. Traditionally, carrying a second body means either having another heavy camera to add to your bag, or carrying a lighter version and forfeiting resolution and video quality. Now, with both the a7CR and a7C II, you don’t have to make either trade off.
Portrait Photographers
Additionally, portrait photographers will be amazed at some of the new AI features that assist with lightning-fast autofocus. Whether you photograph people, animals, or any other moving object, you will be blown away by the focus system in this camera. For any situation where accurate autofocus is essential, either one of these new cameras offers some incredible performance.
While most creators will find the a7C Mark to be more than enough power, some who demand even more out of their camera will want to go with the a7CR. Offering almost twice as many megapixels (33 vs 61) and slightly better video specs, professional creators will certainly see the benefits of the Sony a7CR Camera.
Comparing Sony Cameras
The a7CR is a totally new product created to fulfill the needs of professionals who demand great specs in a compact body. Although, the a7C II is the second edition of the a7C which originally debuted in September of 2020. The second version has a variety of upgrades, most notably is a higher resolution sensor (24MP vs 33MP), better video resolution at higher frame rates, and a vastly improved autofocus system using the latest AI technology.
| Original Sony a7C | Sony a7C II | Sony a7CR | |
| Megapixels | 24MP | 33MP | 61MP |
| Video Resolution | 4K/30p | 4K/30p | 4K/60p |
| Pixel Shift Available | No | No | Yes |
| Autofocus | 693 point phase detection AF | 759 point phase detection AF | 759 point phase detection AF |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | 5 steps of 5-axis IBS | 7 steps of 5-axis IBS | 7 steps of 5-axis IBS |
Final Thoughts
Cameras continue to get more compact yet more powerful, and today is another exciting announcement for the future of digital cameras. Some of the specs seen in the new a7CR and a7C II are unprecedented when it comes to compact camera bodies. Regardless of what brand you shoot with, don’t let these new cameras from Sony slide off your radar.
