Interested in the A7C, but should I wait for the A7C II?

[broken_gear]

I'm very interested in the A7C and it has a lot of features that I like. But it was released Oct 2020 and now coming close to 2 years old. I don't know when a A7C II would be released, but I would imagine before end of 2023?

Some of the thoughts going through my mind are:

1) When the A7C II comes out, I suspect it will have the better touch screen interface like the A7 IV. This is something that I would really like.

2) A7C II might have better processor like A7 IV, where as A7C has older processor from A7 III that is probably at it's limit.

3) Might regret getting A7C now if the price drops when A7C II is announced or RTM. Even if the A7C II doesn't seem worth it, I could at least get A7C at a lower price once A7C II is released.

This is mostly hobby interest, so I have no urgency in getting this camera as I have others.

What are other people's thoughts?

 

[AngelusHD]

I'm very interested in the A7C and it has a lot of features that I like. But it was released Oct 2020 and now coming close to 2 years old. I don't know when a A7C II would be released, but I would imagine before end of 2023?

Some of the thoughts going through my mind are:

1) When the A7C II comes out, I suspect it will have the better touch screen interface like the A7 IV. This is something that I would really like.

2) A7C II might have better processor like A7 IV, where as A7C has older processor from A7 III that is probably at it's limit.

3) Might regret getting A7C now if the price drops when A7C II is announced or RTM. Even if the A7C II doesn't seem worth it, I could at least get A7C at a lower price once A7C II is released.

This is mostly hobby interest, so I have no urgency in getting this camera as I have others.

What are other people's thoughts?

I think the A7C will provide everything you need, i use the A7III with alot of joy and still do. That being said, the A7IV is really a great camera with an 500 price bumb. I think it’s worth the extra money but I personally don’t need it yet, it does not give me better quality pictures but it probably will give me a better minor experience.

If the A7CII comes with all the bells and whistles of the A7IV in 2023 and combine that with all your statements, I would definitely wait. But you need alot of patients and hope, pray it will be true when the time comes.

 

[phouphou]

i fear the a7C wasnt as succesful as expected, so i wonder if there will be an upgrade as long as CaNikon dont come up with their own small FF-MILC versions.

So i would just have a look out for a used A7C and once the A7Cii gets announced sell it with a small loss.

I still own a a7ii that i bought used for $500 2years ago ($850 minus zeiss kitlens that i sold) and i can still get a similar amount of money even today. Its a cheap hobby if you do it like that (buy used sell before it becomes stale).

 

[mferencz]

I just bought a used A7C and am thrilled. I do think there will be a A7CII maybe within a year or so. It is a very unique camera and Sony from day one in mirrorless has seemed to favor the 'size' advantage over it's rivals. Expect that to continue. I'm not sure what I really would want in an A7CII. A joystick? Ok. Nice. A7IV sensor. Ok. Viewfinder? Ok. None of those things particularly make or break it for me. I'd get the A7C if I where you now. I got one like new used for $1500.00 and consider it a great deal.

 

[Daiken]

I'm waiting for the a7c II as well. It's so close to being all the camera I'll ever need, that I don't wanna buy something else. I just want something a bit more refined than the a7c but still in a compact package. If it's as good as I hope, I may not buy another camera for like 5+ years. I think it's still like a year away though.

 

[Adam Palmer]

The 7C seemed to have a lukewarm reception as you give up a lot just to get the bump removed essentially.

 

[Michael Fritzen]

Hi,

@broken_gear and @Daiken: waiting for a Mk III might be even the better choice ;-)

But kidding apart, several questions remain like: What are features not available on the current iteration and considered important? Is it reasonable enough to expect those features to appear in a subsequent iteration? What will you photograph with in the meantime? And finally, at what (additional) cost the expected features will come and would you take this toll - or IAW is it worth it?

Yeah, one is allowed to dream. But ultimately it's about a tool for a work to be done and while there is certainly a essential set of features / characteristics required, there are also "bells and whistles" or at best "nice-to-haves".

When photography is one's hobby then the (waiting) time w/o equipment is lost time - which also counts - at least in my books.

 

[mferencz]

A lot of the lukewarm reception was by people that already owned the A7III and Canon and Nikon users that do not have a small rangefinder esque FF option. Some sour grapes involved here. You give up a bigger brighter viewfinder. I find the one on the a7C more than adequate though. Few dials, and for some it certainly can be too small and feel fiddly, expecially coming from a bigger camera. Is that a lot? I don't think so. Same sensor pretty much and better tracking performance than the A7III. I find the A7C as the best thing for travel photography since my Olympus EM5

 

[phouphou]

A lot of the lukewarm reception was by people that already owned the A7III and Canon and Nikon users that do not have a small rangefinder esque FF option. Some sour grapes involved here. You give up a bigger brighter viewfinder. I find the one on the a7C more than adequate though. Few dials, and for some it certainly can be too small and feel fiddly, expecially coming from a bigger camera. Is that a lot? I don't think so. Same sensor pretty much and better tracking performance than the A7III. I find the A7C as the best thing for travel photography since my Olympus EM5

it wouldve been a 100% buy for me if it wouldve been closer in size to the RX1 (with the 35 f2.8 attached).

It seemed unnecessarily thick, thicker than the original a7. Since its a hybrid camera i get they need it to be big (to dissipate heat), but hence its true its just the a7iii w/o EVF bump.

 

[MedicineMan999]

Broken-gear I'm just an amateur hobbyist too and the A7C is my daily carry everywhere. That role has seen many cameras over the years. I even remember when the NEX-7 was my daily, that shows my age.

I break some rules with the A7C. As a daily it has attached the E 70-350G and in the super super small bag that also has the FE 28-60 (and a ham radio handy-talky) and a very packable rain/wind hoodie.

The A7C+crop lens would NOT be enough pixels for most aficionados that's for sure, but when you reach my age it's ok to do what the heck you want

 

[UBrot]

It seemed unnecessarily thick, thicker than the original a7. Since its a hybrid camera i get they need it to be big (to dissipate heat), but hence its true its just the a7iii w/o EVF bump.

There's also the bigger battery and the IBIS compared to the A7I.

Overall it feels very close in heft and size to the OG A7. Thicker but not as tall and in the same weight ballpark.

My main gripe with my A7c is the grip (pun intended) - if it were just a little bit deeper... Even with a Samyang or Sony 35 2.8 the lens still protrudes more than the grip (as the picture shows), so I don't get why it's so small.

 

[mferencz]

Your examples look very similar in size to me, though your showing the opposite I believe. Coming from an A7II to the A7C is a pretty big difference.

 

[4Photos]

Does that viewfinder hump make that much difference in your camera bag? Otherwise, they are surprisingly similar in size and weight, even more so, once you factor in two or three lenses.

A7Cii maybe many many months (years?) away. Who know with supply chain issues and chip shortages where Sony will place its priority. A7r4 is also getting a bit "long in its teeth".

 

[pollup]

I'm very interested in the A7C and it has a lot of features that I like. But it was released Oct 2020 and now coming close to 2 years old. I don't know when a A7C II would be released, but I would imagine before end of 2023?

Here's my suggestion: buy the A7c and enjoy using it.

There's no guarantee that the A7c II will be made, and if it is announced or rumored, then sell the A7c directly for 70% of its price about, and then buy the A7c II.

Sure, technically you will lose a bit of money in the process, but in exchange, you will have enjoyed a few years of using it, instead of not having it. You get more happiness in exchange of some money.

Just make sure to keep it in A+ condition, and use the electronic shutter when shooting static subjects outdoor, to keep the shutter count low.

If you wait, then you might be waiting forever.

 

[mario GTI]

Just buy the A7c, who knows if the mark ii will ever arrive. Mine is on FedEx truck for delivery today, Thanks BH for fast overnight shipping

Just get one and Happy Shooting!

 

[mferencz]

It makes a big difference. Other than being built solid like a rock it is very similar in size to my old A6500. Heavier though.

 

[mferencz]

I just bought one last week from B&H. Got it used for $1498.00. Silver. Came in great shape and happy with it.

 

[mferencz]

I'd also like to point out the a7 Series is pretty small to begin with in comparison to Nikon and Canon FF series cameras. Hump or no hump

 

[phouphou]

I'd also like to point out the a7 Series is pretty small to begin with in comparison to Nikon and Canon FF series cameras. Hump or no hump

the point i was trying to make is that going from the a7m1 to a7m2 i actually disliked the size/weght increase.

yes the m2 and especially m3 is a much better camera but its also not as compact and light.

I was disappointed that the a7c was still thicker and heavier than the a7m1

465g (a7m1) vs 509g (a7c) with card+batt (for reference a7iii is 650g)

i really hope for a more photocentric, smaller and lighter a7Cii.

 

[kolyy]

It seemed unnecessarily thick, thicker than the original a7. Since its a hybrid camera i get they need it to be big (to dissipate heat), but hence its true its just the a7iii w/o EVF bump.

There's also the bigger battery and the IBIS compared to the A7I.

Overall it feels very close in heft and size to the OG A7. Thicker but not as tall and in the same weight ballpark.

My main gripe with my A7c is the grip (pun intended) - if it were just a little bit deeper... Even with a Samyang or Sony 35 2.8 the lens still protrudes more than the grip (as the picture shows), so I don't get why it's so small.

I think it can't be larger due to the very small clearance from the mount. Larger lenses, which significantly protrude outside, might be unusable. That clearance is pretty tight with the A7III already and the A7C is narrowed by a couple of mm. It's interesting that the A6600 has a larger grip, but when I compared the cameras, it's easy to see that there is actually more space on APS-C cameras, as the mount is positioned more closely to the left side of the camera, which I guess is allowed by the smaller sensor.

In any case, the grip is great for me, at least as good as the one the A7III, which was deeper, but shorter (because of the front dial). I have zero problems casually carrying the camera in my hand with midsized lenses like the Tamron 28-200mm.