Sony A7c + 55mm f1.8

Sony A7c + 55mm

Compact and capable, the SONY Alpha a7C black combines the quality and advantages of a full-frame sensor with a particularly portable and stylish body design. With a 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, the a7C offers hybrid capabilities to suit photo and video recording needs, along with a form factor for daily all-day transportation.

The full-frame sensor and BIONZ X image processor offer a dynamic range of up to 15 stops along with 4K UHD video recording, extended sensitivity of ISO 50-204800, and a maximum continuous shooting speed of 10fps for working with moving subjects. The sensor also houses a fast hybrid autofocus system, which uses 693 phase detection points and 425 contrast detection areas for fast, intelligent and accurate autofocus performance with support for real-time Eye AF and Tracking AF technologies. Also benefiting both photography and video needs is 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which compensates for up to five stops of camera motion for sharper manual capture.

Compared to other camera bodies in the a7 series, the a7C has a distinctly sleeker profile that mimics the style of a rangefinder, with a scrolled viewfinder and a streamlined superior plate. The repositioned electronic viewfinder is a 0.39" type OLED with a resolution of 2.36 million dots and is complemented by a 3.0" side-aperture vari-angle touchscreen LCD. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth also enable wireless connectivity for remote camera control and file sharing with a connected mobile device.

• 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor

With a backlit design, the 24.2-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor works with the BIONZ X image processor to deliver high-resolution still images and video while minimizing noise and improving speed. This sensor structure works with a gapless on-chip lens design and anti-glare coating to improve light harvesting and improve detail. In addition, the copper cabling layer dramatically improves the data transmission rate to create 14-bit high-resolution still images with a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200, which can be further extended to ISO 50-204800. In addition, it allows internal 4K UHD video recording with a wide dynamic range using the full width of the full-frame sensor. The BIONZ X processor also works in conjunction with a high-speed front LSI for faster processing times along with the ability to capture an impressive 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity values.

The sensor-processor combination also offers fast continuous shooting of up to 10fps at full resolution, for about consecutive JPEG or 115 consecutive RAW files, and with permanent AF/AE when working with a mechanical shutter or electronic shutter.

• 4K UHD video recording in XAVC S format

Internal recording of 4K UHD videos is possible in multiple frame rates up to 30fps and the use of 2.4x oversampling provides greater detail and full pixel reading is possible for higher quality images with muaré and alias reduction. Full HD 1080p recording also supports frame rates up to 120fps, and both resolutions use the 100Mb/s XAVC S format contained in an MP4 wrapper with 8-bit 4:2:0 sampling. High-speed recording at 120fps also allows 4x and 5x slow-motion movie recording with the frame rate set to 30p or 24p. In addition to high-resolution internal recording, the uncompressed HDMI output also allows the use of an optional external recorder for clean 4K recording with 8-bit 4:2:2 sampling.

With extensive customizable color and gamma controls, the a7C allows users to adjust gamma, black level, knee, color level, and more. In addition, users can use the same S-Log2 gamma curve found in high-end SONY Cinema cameras that squeezes up to 1300% more dynamic range into the video signal than the traditional REC709, for greater post-production flexibility. HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) support is also available for HDR recording within a wide color gamut and, in addition to S-Log2, S-Log3 is also available to produce an effective 14-stop dynamic range with greater shade gradation control in the shadow to mid-tone regions of the image.

• Main features

1. The compact and lightweight body design, along with a rangefinder-inspired design, make the a7C a sleek, portable camera for everyday shots. Compared to other a7 series cameras, the a7C is about 20% smaller and lighter, similar to the size of an APS-C format camera.
2. A 0.39" XGA-type OLED electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 m and a magnification of 0.59x is included for a clear and bright display with great detail.
3. The 3.0" 921.6k dot rear LCD display features a side-opening vari-angle design to benefit from working from high, low, and forward angles. It's also a touchscreen for intuitive control and playback.
4. The magnesium alloy chassis coupled with a weather-sealed design offers a durable overall construction for use in a variety of conditions.
5. The large capacity NP-FZ100 battery offers approximately 740 shots per charge when working with the rear LCD screen or 680 shots per charge when working with the EVF.
6. The single SD memory card slot is rated to support UHS-II memory cards for fast transfer speeds.
7. A USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port offers fast and reliable tethering support and also allows the camera to charge from the host's power supply while connected.
8. The multi-interface hot shoe allows you to work with the optional ECM-B1M shotgun microphone or XLR-K3M XLR adapter kit, which provide clear and enhanced audio recording sound by sending a digital audio signal to the camera, as opposed to an analog signal.
9. 3.5mm microphone and headphone ports are available for greater control of audio recording.
10. Built-in Wi-Fi allows the a7C to instantly share images with mobile devices to share directly online with social media, via email, and cloud storage sites. Support for the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands also allows for wireless shooting. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also supported, which allows one-touch connection between the camera and compatible mobile devices; no complex configuration is required. Once connected, the linked mobile device can also display a live display image on its screen and remotely control the camera shutter.
11. Bluetooth connectivity enables the acquisition of location data.

• Fast Hybrid AF System

Covering most of the image area, a fast hybrid AF system incorporates 693 phase detection points along with 425 contrast detection areas for fast and accurate focusing in a variety of lighting conditions with a sensitivity of up to -4 EV. This focusing system is available for use in all recording modes, to benefit both video and still image applications. In addition, it can be quickly fixed to subjects and can use real-time tracking for AI-based tracking of moving subjects or touch tracking for manual subject selection. The real-time Eye AF, suitable for both humans and animals, also ensures critical sharpness when taking portraits.

• 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization

Despite the a7C's sleek stature, it features a 5-axis, 5-stop SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system that compensates for the various types of camera shakes found during manual photo and video shooting. This allows users to confidently use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical images without finding blurriness from camera movement.

For long focal lengths, the system will correct pitch and yaw settings. Macro and high-magnification images, on the other hand, will benefit from the inclusion of horizontal and vertical scrolling compensation. All shooting styles will take advantage of roll compensation. The 5-axis stabilization will work at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization.

The main features of 55mm f1.8 lens ZEISS

The Sonnar T*FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA, a perfect pair for full-frame E-mount SONY cameras, offers excellent resolution and a fast aperture of f/1.8 for photographers looking for a high-performance, normal-performance cousin. Using three aspherical elements and ZEISS's legendary T* anti-reflective coating, this lens exhibits an absolute minimum of aberrations and flares. It also has an autofocus motor and an internal focus design for fast and responsive AF, and reaches a minimum focusing distance of 1.6'. In addition, the lens is dust and moisture resistant and uses a nine-blade circular diaphragm for smooth, round bokeh.

Based on Sonnar' ZEISS optical concept, this lens uses a design with seven elements in five groups that helps achieve the large maximum aperture of f/1.8 while reducing brightness and improving contrast.
A normal-length main lens designed for full-frame E-mount cameras, this 55mm lens will provide excellent perspective for street photography, portraiture, and general-purpose photography. It can also be used in APS-C format cameras where it will provide an equivalent focal length of 82.5mm.
The maximum aperture of f/1.8 allows users to create images with shallow depth of field and work in low-light conditions with relative ease.
Anti-reflective coatings ZEISS T* have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast and color fidelity.
Three aspherical elements, including two double-sided ones, are incorporated into the lens design to reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations.
The autofocus motor and internal focus design provide fast and accurate autofocus performance and enable accurate and quiet focus when shooting videos.
The dust- and moisture-sealed design allows better working in harsh conditions and the rubber-coated control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.
The rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasant bokeh quality by employing selective focusing techniques.