A7vs A7C II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
Full-Frame Hybrid — A7C II (2023): Full-frame AI autofocus in the most compact body available — the best camera under £1,500 for hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
A7C II (2023)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact body
- Hybrid shooters who need full-frame video and IBIS in a small package
- A7C owners looking for a significant AF and video upgrade
- Portrait and wedding photographers who want a discreet full-frame backup
Quick take: The a7c ii has the highest resolution at 33mp; the a7 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 (2013) | A7C II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £299 | £1,499 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/60p oversampled, S-Log3, 10-bit internal |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 514g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 124.0 × 71.1 × 63.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slots: SD UHS-II + CFexpress Type A |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (3.2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 | A7C II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with A7
Camera family history