Decision tools · Compare
PEN vs A7C
Quick take: The A7C has the highest resolution at 24MP; the PEN is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7C — Compact Travel & Content Creation: The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.
Who should buy what
A7C (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
- Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
- Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
- Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | PENOM System · 2026 | A7CSony · 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £849Best | £1,299 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 24.2MPBest |
| Video | 4K/C4K, OM-Log400, vertical video support | 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF (121 points) with subject detection (people, cats, dogs) | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronicBest | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | 410 shots (CIPA) | ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorlessBest |
| Weight | 393g (with battery and card)Best | 509g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | — | 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots | None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD (UHS-I) | Single SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
PEN
A7C
Portrait
7.0/10
7.5/10
Street
7.8/10
7.5/10
Travel
7.4/10
7.2/10
Wedding & Events
6.3/10
6.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.7/10
5.7/10
Filmmaking
5.2/10
6.6/10
Documentary
7.0/10
7.0/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
6.9/10
Landscape
6.1/10
6.5/10
Wildlife
8.1/10
7.6/10
Casual
6.3/10
5.2/10
Food
6.9/10
7.1/10
Macro
6.8/10
6.1/10
Architecture
6.1/10
6.3/10
Astrophotography
5.9/10
7.6/10
Fun & simple
4.7/10
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Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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