Sony A7C Long-Term Review
Welcome to my long-term user review of the Sony A7C mirrorless camera. This article is a pros and cons review and whether or not it was still worth it as a content creator in 2023. I paid for the camera and all the gear mentioned in this article, and it is not a sponsored review. Is the Sony A7C still worth it in 2023? Let’s get into the review.
Sony A7C Release Date
The Sony A7C has been on the market since October 2020. While this camera wasn’t breaking any new technical ground at the time of release, it was and still is, a sought-after camera for video creators and general photographers.
How the Sony A7C compared to my Sony FX3 or A7SIII
I’ve owned this Sony A7C for exactly a year at the time of shooting this review, and I’ve used it extensively in different shooting conditions and situations. I’ve also compared the A7C video 8-bit 4k quality against the Sony FX3 and Sony A7SIII, and in comparable modes, it holds up quite well. So if you’re just getting started shooting content for the web, the Sony A7C may take the headache out of getting quality results in almost any lighting condition.
First Impressions
When I first got the Sony A7C, there were a lot of things that underwhelmed me about it. Everything from the small Grip, terrible EVF, and inability to see the flip-out screen with polarized sunglasses were instant head shakers. Coming from a Panasonic S5 & GH5S that can shoot in 10-bit codecs and 4k60p, this initially felt like a downgrade – But it’s not as simple as that.
Why I Purchased the Sony A7C
I purchased The A7C with a particular reason in mind. I needed a small and reliable camera to shoot my videos out in the park, which can sometimes present unpredictable lighting conditions.
Furthermore, I also wanted reliable Autofocus and the A7C Delivers. Unfortunately, I lost track of the number of times I was shooting in the park, and the footage ended up being slightly out of focus with older cameras.
I also needed a camera with a professional look for mostly solo tripod-based work, and the A7C made the most sense. In all these ways, the Sony A7C has been a great addition to my camera lineup, and the results have been very pleasing, even with the minimalist options.
Where it Shines
The Sony A7C is great for content creators just getting started. You get a fully articulating screen and some of the best autofocus performance in the business. The Sony A7C also supports 14.5 stops of dynamic range which means it can retain more information in the highlights and shadows. The higher the stops of dynamic range, the better the overall video quality will look in any situation.
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Sony A7C Color Science
The Color science is great, and the No Picture Profile is one of my favorite straight-out-of-camera color profiles on any camera. The No Picture Profile is right up there, with the Panasonic Natural Profile as one of the best I have ever used. I even prefer this color profile over the S-Cinetone picture in some of Sony’s higher-end cameras.
Reduced Full-Frame Size
The reduced size makes this a great run-and-gun camera, and when you combine it with some of the smaller lenses from Sony, Sigma, Viltrox, or Tamron, it’s a great combination.
The A7C is a great run-and-gun autofocus camera with solid overall image quality for people getting started on YouTube. This is it fSo for creators wanting a camera that gives you great results with a “point and shoot” feel about it.
Sony A7C Audio Options
Included with the A7C is a 3.5mm mic input on the side that allows you to use this with shotgun microphones or any number of wireless packs on the market. In addition, Sony went so far as to put a headphone jack on this camera, which I overlooked in my first impressions video! A headphone jack is great for playback when you can’t hear the onboard camera speaker.
Unlimited Recording Time
One of the major strengths of this camera is the unlimited 4K recording time. Unlimited recording allows you to shoot without pressing the record every 30 minutes, as you’d find on other cameras. In addition, you can shoot in either 4k 24 or 4k25p without any additional crops. However, for some reason, the 4k 30p NTSC mode does have a small crop. Again, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but why a crop in 4k30 is disappointing?
S&Q (Slow and Quick) Option
I am also a fan of the S&Q dials on the top. Switching into a higher frame rate mode by turning the command dial is fantastic. The 120p HD out of the Sony A7C is my favorite slow motion. Thanks to the large sensor size and good dynamic range, the slow motion is very clean even when the shutter speed is increased. The A7C is also sharp and detailed 1080p 60 footage. The HD on this camera is sharp, clear, and very usable, even when upscaling it on the timeline. (which I have done many times)
Autofocus
The Autofocus on the Sony A7C is very reliable and fast. Even when you pair the camera with the very fast GM lenses that make it work hard, it’s reliable. The takeaway is this, if your face points towards the camera, it will keep you focused. The only time the AF will struggle is if you’re heavily backlit. You will see it drift in and out of focus in this situation. It works great for regular use, though, and I trust it.
Low Light Performance
Let’s talk about low light: Thanks to the large full-frame sensor we can get a clean video up to about 16,000. Low light performance heavily depends on the lens you are using, so if low light is important, save up for the fastest lens possible like an f/1.8 or, better yet, an f/1.4. If you extend the ISO too far, the colors can fall apart quickly, increasing the noise drastically.
Gimbal Shooting
The Sony A7C is so small, so it makes for an awesome Gimbal Camera. You can also keep the payload down by using smaller lenses and get away with far smaller gimbals. The great news is that you won’t need to go lugging around a backbreaker like the DJI Ronin S. The tiny size is a Good Thing! Haha. I recently reviewed the Scorp Mini Gimbal, a lightweight gimbal perfectly suited to the A7C. Check it out after this video. I will link it in the cards.
Photography
The Sony A7C is a great camera for Photography. Thanks to the 24mp full-frame sensor, the photo quality is solid. I’ve used this for everything from product shots to travel Photography, and it does the job. The Autofocus performs great, and I am a big fan of the burst modes. I’ve used this for numerous thumbnail photos on this channel and my others on YouTube. I have no complaints about the photo side of this camera.
Sony A7C Downsides
Grip Size
The problems I mentioned with ergonomics still exist today. For example, I don’t love how small the Grip is due to the size of my hands, and I find it far less comfortable and robust than other offerings, even from Sony. This Grip, however, is subjective and can be overlooked due to the benefits of the Sony A7C because, overall, it’s a good camera.
A Single SD Card Slot
I also don’t love cameras with a single SD card slot, but I am willing to give it a pass for this. Most professionals will understand how important redundancy is, but if you’re getting going on YouTube, a single-card slot will “generally” be okay until it fails.. haha. I wouldn’t recommend this camera for paid video gigs due to the single SD Card slot, but for YouTube, it’s not a major trade-off.
Electronic View Finder (EVF)
I don’t love the EVF. Having it located to the hard left makes it quite hard to get used to if you’re coming from one position in the center. If you don’t use the EVF much, it’s not a deal-breaker. This is one of the worst implementations of an EVF I have ever used.
Menu System Navigation
Oddly, if you’ve watched any other videos, everyone complains about the menu system on this camera. Sure, it’s not as good as the Sony FX3 menu, but it works, and I managed to understand it and learn it in no time.
I don’t think the menu is as bad as what people make it out to be. If this is your only camera, you’ll work it out quickly. My biggest complaint is that you can’t use the touchscreen to select menu options, but I can look past it at this price. If you are a total newbie to an interchangeable lens camera, it may take some time to get used to it.
Price
Price is very subjective, but no matter which way I slice the price of the Sony A7C, it is overpriced. When you look at the competition, there are far better cameras than this in almost every way that are cheaper and offer more pro features, but they don’t have the magic Sony Eye Autofocus system. If the A7C had a few 10-bit codecs, I would give this camera a pass, but it doesn’t, so while it’s a tad overpriced, it still offers a solid end result. Thankfully as of March 2023, we’ve seen some hefty discounts on the Sony A7C. Check below for the best prices.
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IBIS System
The In Body Image Stabilization works okay for static handheld shots for photo and video work. Where the IBIS system falls apart is for vlogging or any follow-shots. If you want a camera that can deliver great stable footage without using the Sony Catalyst Browse software on your computer, this is not the camera for you.
Sony Catalyst Browse
Speaking of software, Sony keeps crippling their Catalyst Browse software. Each version is worse than the last as they keep “reserving features” previously available for the “paid version.” Catalyst browse also works far better on an intel computer than on the M1/M2 computers.
Rolling Shutter
The rolling shutter is also a huge problem on this camera when you compare it against the Sony FX3, A7SIII, or even the Pansonic S5. The rolling shutter doesn’t look as bad as the Sony ZV-E10 or A7IV, but it’s not far behind, sadly. So for fast action shots, the rolling shutter might ruin your footage. However, a tripod and general handheld shooting won’t be an issue.
Flip Out Screen
My biggest problem with the flip-out screen isn’t the lack of touch functionality, but it’s a fact you can’t see it with your Polarized sunglasses on. This is the most frustrating thing about the camera, and it was why I didn’t take it to Florida on a recent shoot we did because I knew I would have sunglasses on. This is the FIRST AND ONLY camera I’ve had this experience with, and it’s a massive oversight by Sony. for Content creators shooting indoors, this is not a problem but just keep this in mind if you do any daytime shooting.
Micro HDMI Port Problems
I’ve had nothing but problems with this port. The HDMI output will look like it’s snowing or flash on and off (or black).
The output strength of the Sony A7C HDMI port is very poor. I couldn’t get the A7C to work with a switcher using a 3m HDMI cable. 3m (10ft). My other cameras can easily handle 10m or 30ft cables. It works fine with a sub 1m cable, but that’s not enough for most people wanting to use it with an external recorder or switcher system.
Sony A7C vs Panasonic Lumix S5II
It would be a tough sell suggesting the Sony A7C over the Lumix S5II unless you are already invested in the E Mount lenses. While Sony A7C does offer a far smaller form factor and a more simplified experience. The comparison ends there. If you are new to mirrorless filmmaking or photography check out my review of the Panasonic Lumix S5II and see which one best suits your needs.
Sony A7C vs Sony FX30
After owning the Sony A7C and Sony FX30 (B&H link), the FX30 is a powerhouse of a camera. While the sensor size of the FX30 is smaller, it outperforms the A7C in all fields except photography. If you’re a filmmaker the FX30 is a clear winner. Those doing YouTube, for example, will get a better hybrid camera in the Sony A7C.
Final Thoughts
Let’s answer the question is the Sony A7C worth it in 2022 for content creators or video shooters? Yes, but it sure does have its limitations. Unfortunately, critiques can be brushed under the rug for people just getting started.
The results of this camera are great image quality and a professional look. However, it’s best suited to a tripod or basic handheld work, the low light is good. The audio options and lens selection will be enough to create content mostly hassle-free unless you wear polarized sunglasses.
Paid video professionals might prefer a camera system with a dual SD Card slot; for that, I highly recommend the Panasonic S5 and Sony A7IV. Each camera has its own set of trade-offs, but overall the A7C is a great tool for content creation in 2023.
If you are getting started on YouTube or want to upgrade to a camera that can provide a shallow full-frame depth of Field, the A7C still makes sense in 2023. if you are a serious wedding filmmaker the Sony FX30 or Lumix S5II is a much better choice.
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