It was announced in February 2018 that a new generation of enthusiast cameras, the Sony Alpha A7 III, will be introduced. The Sony Alpha A7C will be announced in September 2020 as a successor to the Sony Alpha A7 III. In addition to being mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the A7 III and the A7C are equipped with a full-frame CMOS sensor. Both cameras have a resolution of 24 megapixels and are equipped with autofocus.
The Sony a7C and Sony a7 III are high-end full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony, but they are designed for different types of users. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two cameras:
Image sensor: Both cameras have a full-frame image sensor, with the Sony a7 III having a 24.2-megapixel sensor and the Sony a7C having a 24.2-megapixel sensor. Both cameras have a similar pixel count, providing identical image quality.
Autofocus: The Sony a7 III has a more advanced autofocus system, with 693 phase-detection points, compared to the Sony a7C, which has 567 phase-detection points. The a7 III’s autofocus system is faster and better suited for tracking fast-moving subjects. In contrast, the a7C’s autofocus system is still fast and accurate but not as good as the a7 III’s.
Burst shooting: The Sony a7 III can continuously shoot up to 10 fps with the mechanical or electronic shutter and up to 8 fps with the mechanical shutter. The Sony a7C can continuously shoot up to 10 fps with the mechanical or electronic shutter and up to 8 fps with the mechanical shutter. Both cameras have similar burst shooting capabilities, making them well-suited for action photography.
Video recording: Both cameras can record 4K video, but the Sony a7 III has a full-pixel readout, which provides better image quality. The Sony a7C has slightly better image stabilization, which can be helpful to for hand-held video recording.
Ergonomics: The Sony a7 III is a larger camera than the Sony a7C, making it easier to handle for users with larger hands. The a7C is more compact, making it easier to carry and better suited for travel photography.
Battery life: The Sony a7 III has a longer battery life than the Sony a7C, making it more suitable for extended shooting sessions.
Price: The Sony a7 III is less expensive than the Sony a7C, making it more accessible to a broader range of users.
Key Specifications
Sony a7c Specifications
- Announcement Date: 2020-09-14
- 24MP – Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 51200 ( expands to 50 – 204800)
- Sony E Mount
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fully articulated Screen
- 2360k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 10.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K (UHD) – 3840 x 2160 video resolution
- 120fps High-Speed Video
- Built-in Wireless
- 509g. 124 x 71 x 60 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
Sony a7 III Specifications
- 24MP full frame BSI CMOS sensor
- 93% autofocus coverage (693 phase-detection points, 425 for contrast detection)
- Oversampled 4K/24p video taken from full width 6K (cropped-in 5K for 30p)
- In-body image stabilization
- Ten fps continuous shooting
- 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder, 0.78x magnification
- AF joystick
- Touchscreen
- Larger, ‘Z-type’ battery (CIPA rated to 710 shots)
- Dual SD memory card slots
- USB 3.1 Type C
Raw (Sony ARW, 14-bit)
RAW (ARW 2.3)
In conclusion, the Sony a7C and Sony a7 III are high-end full-frame mirrorless cameras offering excellent image quality and performance. The Sony a7C is a more compact camera that’s optimized for travel and street photographers who value compactness and versatility. At the same time, the Sony a7 III is a more traditional full-frame camera optimized for serious photographers and professionals who want the best autofocus system and battery life. If you’re looking for a high-end full-frame camera for demanding photography and videography applications, the Sony a7 III might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a compact full-frame camera for everyday photography and travel, the Sony a7C might be the better choice.