BIG THINGS EXPECTED FOR SONY’S SMALLEST ALPHA FULL-FRAME CAMERA YET

IF YOU THOUGHT the standard Alpha series full-frame cameras were compact – and they are compared to any of the competition – just wait until you see the Alpha 7C (a.k.a. ILCE-A7C). It’s full frame – using the same sensor as the A7 III – with in-body image stabilisation, a fully adjustable rear display, and an extensive suite of both photo and video features all shoe-horned into a body similar in both size and weight to the APS-C format A6600. The key to the size reduction is a monocoque-type construction that combines the chassis and body into a single magnesium alloy component (and, incidentally, makes it easier to seal against the intrusion of moisture or dust). Consequently, Sony says, the A7C is the smallest and lightest full-frame camera with in-body image stabilisation, weighing in at just 509g. It even gets the full-size NP-FZ100 battery pack, providing up to 740 shots when using the LCD monitor or 680 with the

EVF. There’s a single card slot supporting UHS-II speed SD format devices.

At the heart of the A7C is Sony’s 24.2MP (effective) BSI-type Exmor R CMOS sensor coupled with a Bionz X generation processor which enables 10fps continuous shooting (with full AF/AE adjustment), 8fps with live view framing, 4K video at the QFHD resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and phase-detection autofocus using 693 measuring points (giving 93% frame coverage). Sony claims the sensor has a dynamic range of 15 stops, while the sensitivity range is equivalent to ISO 100 to 51,200 with extensions to ISO 50 and 204,800.

The IBIS system operates over five axes and provides up to five stops of correction for camera shake. There’s a new, more compact mechanical shutter assembly that's electromagnetically actuated and has a speed range of 301/4000 second. It’s rated for 200,000 cycles.

In addition to the 693 PDAF points, the AF system also uses 425 contrast-detection points, and has Sony’s AI-driven Real-Time Tracking and Real-Time Eye AF for both humans and animals. A new function is ‘Touch Tracking’ – available with both stills and video – which enables the subject to be specified by simply tapping on it in the touchscreen display. The AF’s low-light sensitivity extends down to EV -4.0 at ISO 100. The display is a 2.9-inch TFT LCD panel with a resolution of 921,600 pixels, supplemented by a 1cm OLED EVF with a resolution of 2.35 million dots and a magnification of 0.59x

(35mm equivalent).

Video is recorded using the full sensor width with no pixel binning, and the QFHD resolution is then oversampled to give higher-quality 4K UHD footage at 24, 25 or 30fps. The A7C supports HDR video (in the HLG format) and 8-bit S-Log/SGamut profiles, and Slow & Quick frame rates for Full HD, enabling recording at 100/120p for slow-mo effects.

Other notable features include dual band 2.4/5.0 GHz Wi-Fi, a Type C connection for incamera battery charging and tethered shooting, both a stereo audio input and an output, and Sony’s Multi Interface hotshoe that accepts accessories such as the XLR-K3M XLR adaptor. Launched with the A7C is a new 28-60mm f/4.0-5.6 FE mount zoom that, Sony claims, is the smallest and lightest full-frame standard zoom. There’s also a new compact flash unit, the HVLF28RM, which has a metric guide number of 28 (at ISO 100) and uses face-detection information from the camera to better balance its output with the ambient lighting.

The Sony A7C is available in black or silver and priced at $3,299 for the body only or $3,899 when packaged with the FE 28-60mm f/4.0-5.6 zoom lens. The HVL-F28RM flash will be available in Australia in December priced at $449.

For more information visit www.sony.com.au