Sony Alpha 7C: Charmingly Diminutive

Conchita Fernandes reviews the irresistibly compact Sony Alpha 7C to see if it compares to the same full frame quality that one has come to expect from a brand like Sony.

The latest addition to the Sony Alpha 7-series is the Alpha 7C, touted as the world’s smallest and lightest full frame interchangeable lens camera. Physically, the camera bears a close resemblance to the Alpha 6600, however, internally, it holds a likeness to the Alpha 7 III. The camera comes with a retractable 28–60mm f/4-5.6 lens that lends to its compactness. Let’s find out how it fares.

The amount of detail that one can retrieve from the RAW files of the camera is incredible. Exposure: 1/50sec at f/9 (ISO 640)

Features

The Alpha 7C features a 35mm full frame sensor that is about 30x larger than a 1/2.3-type sensor found in smartphones, and is 2.3x larger than an APS-C sensor. Together with the back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and the Bionz X image processing engine, along with the 24.2MP count, it amounts to 15-stops of dynamic range. The use of the Bionz X image processor means that the Alpha 7C does not gain the new menu design as seen in the Alpha 7S III. And so, the menu controls are similar to those familiar with the Alpha 6000 series or the Alpha 7 series. The camera has an ISO range of 100–51,200 (that is expandable from ISO 50–2,04,800). Its noise reduction algorithm is effective in the mid-sensitivity range where one can reveal details in highlights and shadows.

5-axis image stabilisation in the camera makes it possible to zoom into scenes, photograph close-ups as well as night scenes with precision. The camera also features 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection AF points with a Real-time Tracking AF system (that can be activated by the AF-ON button located on the rear end of the camera) that recognises the human face and eye, and includes animal recognition as well. Real-time Tracking is also available for both videos and stills and can be initiated by touching the LCD screen. One can also record oversampled 4K video at up to 30p, including 8-bit S-Log and HLG, and the camera has a continuous burst rate of 10fps and 8fps in the live view mode.

The fully articulating 921k-dot touchscreen makes for an important addition to the camera, making it perfect for those interested in self-portraiture or vlogging. There’s also a 2.36 million-dot EVF along with sockets for a microphone and headphone. The camera’s NP-FZ100 battery is rated at 740 shots per charge as per CIPA standard. There is also a single SD card slot that supports UHS-II cards, and the camera features WiFi and Bluetooth too.

While the colours
are not as punchy as
some of the camera’s
counterparts, they are
nevertheless pleasing
to the eye and not
entirely bland.
Exposure: 1/20sec at f/6.3
(ISO 640)

Handling

Weighing a mere 509g (body along with the lens), the Alpha 7C is perhaps the lightest camera that I’ve had the pleasure to shoot with. It is compact, lightweight and more importantly, unintimidating in appearance, making it perfect for anyone interested in street or travel photography.

The camera is housed in a magnesium alloy body which gives it a very solid feel. There is a very prominent textured right-hand grip that makes it easy to hold the camera. There are three dials on the camera—two on the top that allow you to select from the various modes as well as exposure compensation, and a customisable dial on the rear—that can be controlled with the thumb. What the camera misses though is a joystick to control AF, but in its place you will find a dedicated AF-ON button on the rear of the camera. You can also fix the AF point by tapping on the LCD. And if you want to lock the focus area via the viewfinder, the main wheel on the rear of the camera can be used to do so. Additionally, the touchscreen capabilities are limited to selecting the AF points and zooming into the photograph in playback.

The Alpha 7C features a small viewfinder, located on the left side of the camera, with a 0.59x magnification, a lot less than what one would find in full frame cameras today. A trade-off, perhaps. The camera along with the 28–60mm f/4-5.6 lens makes for a perfect combination. However, if it were to be paired with any of Sony’s larger zoom lenses, then it could possibly create some imbalance.

This is a handheld 1/2sec shot made using the Alpha 7C that attests to the power of the in-body 5-axis image stabilisation. Exposure: 1/2sec at f/5.6 (ISO 3200)

Performance

Sony has always been at the forefront when it comes to excellent AF performance. It is no different with the Alpha 7C. It never faltered on locking on to the subject, in my case, my six-month-old kitten who is constantly on the move. The camera’s Real-time Tracking AF system worked quite brilliantly here, ensuring that I never miss a shot. I found it more convenient though to shoot via the LCD because I could tap to focus on the subject as opposed to shooting via the viewfinder where I found it a little tedious to locate the exact point that I wanted to focus on. It was in times like this that I missed the presence of a joystick. However, when shooting through the viewfinder, once you press the AF-ON button, it locks focus on the subject even if they move. One other aspect that I found a little cumbersome is having to switch between the Human or Animal Subject Detection in the menu. I wish there was a way where the camera was able to detect the subject irrespective of its species.

The colours rendered by the camera are appreciably good in the JPEG format. Where it shines though is in its RAW output. Its noise reduction algorithm is effective in the mid-sensitivity range to reveal textures and details in highlights and shadows. The camera also performs well when shooting at high ISOs, as high at ISO 12,800.

The Alpha 7C also impressively shoots a burst of 115 RAW files or 90 images in the RAW + JPEG mode, after which it has a refresh rate of less than 15 seconds. This is great especially if you want to shoot sports or any fast-moving action.

The Alpha 7C is small enough to be held comfortably by a single hand, making it possible to create pictures like this. Exposure: 1/30sec at f/9 (ISO 640)

Conclusion

It’s incredible what Sony has been able to do with Alpha 7C while keeping it diminutive and compact. The camera gives up very little in the way of features while maintaining its quality. Even in the areas where it doesn’t shine, for instance, its clunky menu system and a viewfinder that leaves much to be desired, these are features that one can easily overlook considering what the camera is capable of. It is also worth noting that Sony has not downsized the battery lifespan of the camera which is generally a trade-off that happens when creating a camera of this size. This makes it an attractive option for anyone wanting to either travel with it or use it as an everyday camera.

Moreover, the inclusion of a fully articulating LCD means that one can easily place the camera in a bag without having to worry about getting the LCD screen scratched. These are all moves in the right direction towards creating a camera that is convenient while giving you the added bonus of full frame image quality, and may perhaps even make users reconsider using their smartphone for photography.

The Sony Alpha 7C retails for Rs. 1,67,990, body only, and Rs. 1,96,990 along with the 28–60mm f/4-5.6 lens. Conversely, the Alpha 7 III, retails for the same amount as the body of the Alpha 7C and Rs. 1,82,490 along with its kit lens. While both cameras share most of its core features, the Alpha 7C has the advantage of being smaller and compact and a camera that can accompany you everywhere.

This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of Better Photography.