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Sony a7C vs Sony a7R III Comparison

The Sony A7c and A7R III are two Mirrorless cameras we will compare in this article. The Sony Alpha A7c is a camera in the Advanced Mirrorless class, whereas the Sony Alpha A7R III is in the Pro Mirrorless class.

The Sony A7c will be released on the market in September 2020, while the Sony A7R III will be released in October 2017. As can be seen, the A7R III is three years older than the A7c. Let’s see if the age difference between the two cameras significantly impacts their performance.

The Sony a7C and Sony a7R III are high-end full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony, but they are designed for different users. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two cameras:

Image sensor: The Sony a7R III has a 42.4-megapixel image sensor, while the Sony a7C has a 24.2-megapixel image sensor. The Sony a7R III has a much higher resolution, providing better image quality, especially in fine detail and sharpness. However, the Sony a7C’s lower-resolution sensor offers better image quality in low-light conditions, making it more versatile for various types of photography.

Autofocus: The Sony a7R III has a more advanced autofocus system, with 399 phase-detection points, compared to the Sony a7C, which has 567 phase-detection points. The a7R III’s autofocus system is faster and better suited for tracking fast-moving subjects. In contrast, the a7C’s autofocus system is still quick and accurate but not as good as the a7R III’s.

Burst shooting: The Sony a7R 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 a7R 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 a7R 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 a7R III has a longer battery life than the Sony a7C, making it more suitable for extended shooting sessions.

Price: The Sony a7R III is more expensive than the Sony a7C, making it more suited for serious photographers and professionals who need the best image quality and performance.

Key Specifications

Sony A7c Key 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 a7R III Key Specifications

  • Basic Specifications
  • Full model name: Sony Alpha ILCE-A7R III
  • Resolution: 42.40 Megapixels
  • Sensor size: 35mm
  • (35.9mm x 24.0mm)
  • Kit Lens: n/a
  • Viewfinder: EVF / LCD
  • Native ISO: 100 – 32,000
  • Extended ISO: 50 – 102,400
  • Shutter: 1/8000 – 30 sec
  • Dimensions: 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
  • (127 x 96 x 74 mm)
  • Weight: 23.2 oz (657 g)
  • includes batteries
Sony a7C vs Sony a7R III
VS
Check Price
Launched
Sep 15, 2020
VS
Oct 25, 2017
Body Type
Rangefinder-style mirrorless
VS
SLR-style mirrorless
Build Material
Magnesium alloy
VS
Magnesium alloy
Lens Mount
Sony E-Mount
VS
Sony E-Mount
Sensor Type
BSI-CMOS
VS
BSI-CMOS
Mega Pixels
24 megapixels
VS
42 megapixels
Processor
BIONZ X
VS
BIONZ X
ISO
Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800)
VS
Auto, 100-32000 (expands to 50-102400)
Image stabilization
Sensor-shift 5-axis
VS
Sensor-shift 5-axis
File format
JPEG (Exif v2.32)
Raw (Sony ARW, 14-bit)
VS
JPEG (DCF 2.0, EXIF v2.31)
RAW (Sony 14-bit ARW v2.3)
Focus Points
693
VS
399
Screen size
3″
VS
3″
Screen dots
921,600
VS
1,440,000
Touch screen
Yes
VS
Yes
Viewfinder
Electronic
VS
Electronic
Adjustable LCD
Fully articulated
VS
Tilting
Continuous Shooting
10.0 fps
VS
10.0 fps
RAW Support
Raw (Sony ARW, 14-bit)
VS
RAW (Sony 14-bit ARW v2.3)
Video Record Limit
Unlimited
VS
UnLimited
Timelapse Recording
Yes
VS
No
Face Detection
Yes
VS
Yes
Eye Tracking Focus
Yes
VS
Yes
Selfie/Vlogger Friendly
Yes
VS
No
Wireless Connection
Yes
VS
Yes
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
VS
Yes
Built-in Flash
No
VS
No
External Flash
Yes (via hot shoe)
VS
Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Headphone Port
Yes
VS
Yes
Microphone Port
Yes
VS
Yes
Environmental Sealing
Yes
VS
Yes
AE Bracketing
Yes
VS
Yes
NFC Connection
Yes
VS
Yes
Smartphone Remote
Yes
VS
Yes
UHS Card Support
Yes
VS
Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Webcam Function
Yes
VS
Yes
Weight
509 g
VS
657 g
Battery Life
740
VS
650

In conclusion, the Sony a7C and Sony a7R III are high-end full-frame mirrorless cameras offering excellent image quality and performance. The Sony a7C is a more compact camera optimized for travel and street photographers who value compactness and versatility. At the same time, the Sony a7R III is a more traditional full-frame camera optimized for serious photographers and professionals who want the best image quality and autofocus system. If you’re looking for a high-end full-frame camera for demanding photography and videography applications, the Sony a7R 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.

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