Sony unveils new compact imaging powerhouses: The Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7CR

Sony has finally announced the official successors of the Alpha 7C mirrorless camera-the Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7CR.

The Alpha 7C II (and the 7CR) retains its rangefinder-inspired form factor and boasts a host of upgrades-including a colour variant that isn't plain black. Somewhat like a compact version of the Alpha 7 IV-at 514g, the Alpha 7C II is 22 per cent lighter and 45 per cent smaller in volume. At its core is a 33-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor.

Much like the rest of the Alpha 7 lineup, the new Alpha 7CR is named as such because it is the variant with a high-resolution sensor, sporting the same 61-megapixel sensor as the Alpha 7R V. The Alpha 7C II has a slightly wider ISO range of 100 to 51200 (50 to 204800 expanded for stills) while the Alpha 7CR has a range of 100 to 32000 (50 to 102400 expanded for stills).

Both new cameras have the same BIONZ XR processors and AI processing abilities as the Alpha 7R V and Alpha 6700 and feature real-time recognition AF for high-accuracy, subject-based recognition, which includes birds, insects, cars, trains and aeroplanes.

The biggest pain point that the new cameras address is video. Both models now support 4K 60p recording with the universally popular 4:2:2 chroma subsampling for added flexibility when colour grading or green screen work.

And with the S-Log3 gamma curve, the camera supports up to 14+ stops to add rich gradation to your footage. You can also import LUT data so you can check how the image will look after post-production. Other quality-of-life features include S-Cinetone colour science, AI-based Auto Framing, and Digital Audio Interface support. 

Canon EOS R8 or Sony Alpha 7C II?

Full-frame, 4K60 video recording is mostly an expensive affair, and at the moment, only Canon's R8 and the Alpha 7C II are relatively affordable for those who don't want to dive into the world of professional gear. While the cheaper Canon has a full sensor readout, the Sony has 5-axis in-body image stabilisation with up to seven stops.

The Alpha 7C II does not have a recording limit (unless it overheats and all that), while the Canon has a 30-minute restriction at 4K60. Sony also has a better selection of lenses (without using an adapter), so it all comes down to the compromises you are willing to take on. 

The Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7CR will go on sale in October, and you can pre-order starting from mid-September. During this pre-order period, customers who spend a minimum of $200 can redeem rewards upon successful product registration on My Sony. Prices and availability for Malaysia have not been finalised yet.

Model	SRP	Remarks
Alpha 7C II (Body only) Available in Black and Silver	SGD2,999	FOC SF-M64 NP-FZ100 Peak Design Customised Alpha Strap PWP: $100 off SEL2070G SEL20F18G SEL40F25G
Alpha 7C II (Body + SEL2860 kit) Available in Black and Silver	SGD3,399
Alpha 7CR (Body only) Available in Black and Silver	SGD4,099	FOC SF-M64 NP-FZ100 Peak Design Customised Alpha Strap $100 Sony Lens and Accessories Voucher* PWP: $100 off SEL24F14GM SEL35F14GM SEL50F14GM

*Min. spend of $200. Redeemable upon successful product registration on My Sony.

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This article was first published in Potions.sg.