Is The Sony A7C Still Worth It In 2025?
- Vohny Figueroa
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 2
I have been using the Sony A7C for almost a full year, and what I can tell you about this little compact camera is that it’s amazing. Released in 2020, this camera is already 5 years old, but don’t let its age fool you-it still packs a punch. With a 24mp full-frame sensor and 4k video capabilities, this camera can be used for professional or personal shoots. The Sony A7C was my first step in the Sony family, and I don’t have any plans of switching. After a year of use, here's what I’ve come to love (and occasionally find frustrating) about its design.
Build & Handling
Its lightweight body feels great in my hand, and if you add a cage and peripherals like I do, you’ll be thankful for the camera’s lightweight frame. The Sony A7C body weighs in at 1.12 lbs and paired with the Sony 24-70mm GM1 lens (weighing in at 1.9lbs!) it starts to get a bit bulky. That’s more of a tradeoff when using a hefty lens than a flaw of the Sony A7C itself. The Sony A7C body is a more compact version of the Sony A7III, so the dual card slot is missing, along with an extra dial. Another change is shifting the viewfinder from the middle of the camera to the left side of the camera. If you use the viewfinder and have the auto viewfinder mode on, you’ll find yourself fumbling with the menu button a lot. In order to access the menu button, you have to cross the viewfinder, thus turning your screen black for a few seconds. This was very annoying to deal with. Overall, the missing card slot and missing dial don’t hinder the performance in my eyes.
Photography Performance
With features like auto eye tracking, the Sony A7C excels at capturing fast-paced sports shots and slow-paced portraits alike. I have had a few instances where the camera would get confused and track the wrong focus, but a quick reset of the focus point via tapping the center button fixed it right up. One feature I find helpful is the ability to shoot both RAW and JPEGs simultaneously, which is great for shoots that don’t require heavy editing. Burst firing is also helpful when wanting to create a GIF of your products or trying to get the perfect shot during a sports meet. To utilize the full 24mp sensor, make sure you are shooting in a 3:2 aspect ratio. If you shoot in a different aspect ratio the Sony A7C will shoot in a lower resolution. Just something to keep in mind!
Video Capabilities
As for videos, there is a little more to be desired. The Sony A7C shoots up to 4k 30p at 4:2:0 8bit. Slow motion is available in 1080p, with frame rates ranging from 24fps up to 100fps. This camera does not have the S-Cinetone color profile, instead it sports S-Log2 & S-Log3 (among other profiles). I have tried shooting in both log formats, but I feel the 4:2:0 8bit leads to some color banding. Try to play around with some of the settings, as I am still experimenting with them myself. I am no expert when it comes to coloring so I will say this, more experimenting is required for me to form a full opinion on the color capabilities of this camera. The Sony A7C records using the compressed H.264/XAVC codec, which keeps file sizes manageable, but limits the amount of data available for color grading and post-production. I have shot many talking head videos and some outdoor scenes and I have found that PP4 is my go to when I want an easy “baked in” color look. So if you’re not a wizard at color correcting, PP4 may be an option for you as well.
Is The Sony A7C Still Worth It In 2025?
Sony stopped production of the Sony A7C in 2021, but that shouldn’t deter you from looking into this full-frame camera. The camera currently retails at $1598, (body only) and honestly, I can say its been a very trusty camera. It’s a slight refresh to the A7III and caters to entry-level content creators who need to learn the system, or those who don’t have the budget for the Sony A7RV or FX3 (one day for me…). At this price point, the Sony A7C is a solid choice that can get you shooting—and earning—right away. I love its compact body and how seamlessly it integrates with other Sony peripherals. So, is the Sony A7C Still Worth It in 2025? I’d have to say yes. Yes, it is.
At Dark Rainbow Photo & Video, we’re all about capturing moments, telling stories, and sharing insights. Whether you’re looking for gear recommendations, industry tips, or behind-the-scenes takes, we’ve got you covered. Check out more of our posts on our blog page and explore what Dark Rainbow has to offer!
Commentaires