Sony has very excitedly announced two new additions to the Alpha 7C series of compact full-frame interchangeable lens cameras, as well as a full-frame Zoom G Master lens! Say hello to the Alpha 7C II, the Alpha 7C R and the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II. Boasting the latest technology, incredible performance and a compact form factor, all three of these new Sony products are making content creation more exciting!
Main Features of the Alpha 7C II
The new Sony Alpha 7C II features a full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS sensor with approximately 33.0 effective megapixels and the latest BIONZ XR® image processing engine to achieve high imaging performance. The standard ISO sensitivities range from 100 to 51200 for both stills and video (expanded ISO 50 to 204800 for still images), enabling high-sensitivity, noise-free shooting. Whether it's capturing the perfect shot or producing an epic movie, creators can easily enjoy high-quality image capture in a wide range of scenes such as travel and daily snapshots.
Main Features of the Alpha 7C R
The new Sony Alpha 7C R is equipped with a full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS sensor with approximately 61.0 effective megapixels and the latest BIONZ XR® image processing engine to achieve high-resolution and high-definition imaging performance. The standard ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32000 for stills and movies (expanded ISO 50 to 102400 for still images). Additionally, with 7.0-step optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization, even slight blurring at the 1-pixel level is detected and corrected. Creators can also take advantage of Pixel Shift Multi Shooting which takes multiple images and combines them, to create an ultra-high resolution image. By combining with the grip extension GP-X2 included with the Alpha 7C R, creators can shoot comfortably with a stable hold even when shooting for long periods of time or using a telephoto lens. As the second iteration of the Alpha 7C, it is a beautiful combination of performance and features, making it ideal for a wide range of shooting scenarios such as travel and street photography.
Common Features of the Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R
As the two new additions to the Alpha 7C series of compact full-frame interchangeable lens cameras, both the Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R share many key features. Both cameras are easy to handle and easy to carry, with the Alpha 7C II weighing approx., 513 grams (18.1 oz), and the Alpha 7C R approx., 515 grams (18.2 oz). When combined with the wide-angle zoom lens, FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, announced today (more information below), it achieves the G Master™ series renowned image expression and high-speed AF with the brightness of F2.8 at full zoom range.
Both cameras boast the same AI-processing unit as the Alpha 7R V, which recognizes subjects with high accuracy with Real-time Recognition AF. The creator can capture and track the subject with high accuracy even if the subject strikes a complicated pose or their face is hidden, with the help of human-pose estimation technology. In addition to the existing tracking capabilities for people and animals already found in the Alpha 7C series, it is now possible to recognize birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes as subjects in the new models.
The Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7C R condense high-resolution and detailed video data equivalent to 7K and 6K, respectively, and can output high-quality 4K video. Equipped with S-Log3, which supports a wide latitude of 14+ stops, it renders rich gradation with little overexposure and underexposure, even in scenes with contrast. Also, in Log shooting mode, the LUT imported by the user can be displayed on the camera monitor image, allowing the user to shoot while checking the finished image in post-production. In addition, it is equipped with S-Cinetone™, a unique Sony feature that can create a cinematic look straight out of the camera without post-processing. Based on Sony's Cinema Line technology, S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin colour and deliver cinematic quality. It also features Creative Look, which allows you to easily change the look and feel of video and still images.
Both cameras are equipped with a touch-operable vari-angle LCD monitor, that has intuitive operation with the latest touch menu technology for comfortable shooting. In addition to the new front dial that allows the user to assign their favourite functions, the still image/movie/S&Q switch dial, and an XGA high-resolution viewfinder, etc., the camera is easy to use. The cameras are equipped with a 7.0-step optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization to support stable camera work.
As the demand for sending and sharing captured content on social media networks has increased, more creators are looking for a combination of compact size and high imaging performance in mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Both cameras are compatible with the smartphone application Creators' App that uploads videos and still images taken with the camera to a cloud service while allowing remote camera operation and image transfer from the camera to mobile devices.
But enough talk about these cameras, let's see them in action! Check out TCSTV's Sony A7CR & Sony A7C II Initial Impressions below!
Click here for more information and to pre-order (starting August 30th, 2023) the Alpha 7C II and here for more information and to pre-order (starting August 30th, 2023) the Alpha 7C R!
That wasn't it for Sony's announcements today! They also announced the new, wide-angle zoom lens G-Master™ FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, a 35mm full-frame Alpha E-mount lens. Boasting a new optical design, the lens effectively arranges the extremely high surface precision XA (extreme aspherical) lens, achieving high resolution with a maximum aperture of F2.8 over the entire zoom range. This is made possible by creating an aspherical shape with a higher degree of freedom than before. In addition to the stunning G-Master bokeh expression with a wide angle, it offers an outstanding close-up performance throughout the zoom range, a minimum shooting distance of 0.22m and a maximum shooting magnification of 0.32x. Sony's original Nano AR Coating II suppresses ghosting and flares to capture clear images even when a strong light source comes into the frame. This is the world's smallest and lightest wide-angle zoom lens with a total length of 111.5mm and a weight of approximately 547g, which is about 20% lighter than the first-generation model.
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II includes the latest XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that effectively work on high-speed drive. It achieves quiet AF suitable for photography and videography and is up to twice as fast as conventional models. Even with high frame rate videos where focus shifts are noticeable, the subject is tracked with high precision. When combined with the Alpha 1 camera body, high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps is possible with high-speed, high-precision, and quiet focusing.
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II offers comfortable operability and excellent still and video performance that meets the needs of professional and advanced hobbyist users. By reducing focus breathing during video recording compared to previous models, it is possible to achieve high-quality image expression without fluctuations in the angle of view. In addition, it suppresses the movement of the centre of gravity during zooming and enables stable shooting, so any creator can shoot comfortably with a gimbal. Operability has also been improved with features such as an aperture ring that can be clicked on/off with a switch, and two focus hold buttons that can be assigned a desired function from the camera body. The lens also has a fluorine coating, so dirt can be easily removed. The dust-proof and splash-resistant design allows the camera to be used safely even outdoors, giving greater freedom in shooting.
For more information and to pre-order (starting August 30th, 2023) the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, click here!
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