Sony A7C II: rumors, leaks, and everything we’ve seen so far
A rumored successor to Sony’s smallest full-frame mirrorless camera is set for a 2023 launch
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When theSonyA7C was announced in 2020, it became the smallest ever full-frame mirrorless camera for photographers, and there are rumors that its successor – the Sony A7C II – will be made public in the final quarter of 2023.
A camera designed to be one of thebest travel camerashas its compromises: ourSony A7C reviewfound its small form factor, which resembles Sony’s enthusiast APS-C cameras like the newA6700, had awkward ergonomics and an underwhelming EVF. It was also slapped with a premium price over the more compelling all-rounder at the time, theSony A7 III, from which it inherited most of its features, including a 24MP full-frame sensor.
However, the latest rumors around the A7C II point to a highly capable camera that could inherit upgraded tech from more recentSony A7 IV, which holds top spot in ourbest mirrorless camerasguide in 2023. What we’ll hopefully see is a photography-first camera that looks and feels similar to the video-firstbest vlogging camerawith full-frame sensor, theSony ZV-E1.Let’s take a look at all the leaks and rumors we’ve seen so far.
Sony A7C II: Cut to the chase
Sony A7C II: Price and release date
There’s little info about the possible price of the A7C II, but we can make an educated guess based on the launch price of its predecessor, which was $1,800 / £1,850 / AU$2,800 (plus inflation), or the Sony A7 IV and the ZV-E1. We think the price will be closer to the latter, which was launched in April 2023 with a list price of $2,300 / £2,350 / AU£3,500 body-only.
It would be a pleasant surprise, though, if Sony went toe-to-toe with the excellentPanasonic Lumix S5 II, which was launched for $2,000 / £2,000 / AU$3,000 in January 2023.
The A7C II will also likely be available as a kit with Sony’s inexpensive full-frame lens, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6, for an additional $300 / £300 / AU$450.
As for a release date, Sony rumors siteNew Camerapoints to a Sony camera registration in China on 25 June 2023 under the code ‘WW499972’, which it believes to be the A7C II, and notes that the timeline between registration and announcement is typically four months, which would mean we’d be looking at a reveal in October or November of this year.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Sony A7C II: Rumors and leaks
A rumored spec list, also courtesy ofNew Camera, details a number of features inherited from the Sony A7 IV and Sony A6700, including the A7 IV’s 33MP full-frame sensor, Sony’s latest Bionz XR processor, and an AI chipset that enhances performance for functions such as subject-tracking AF, plus a 759-point hybrid AF array. Here are the highlights:
Eagle-eyed Sony fans will note the claimed higher-resolution 3.68m-dot EVF, upped from 2.36m-dots in the A7C. However, the EVF on the recent A6700 was the same 2.36m-dot unit as the A6600, so we’ll have to see on that one.
Otherwise, we’re looking at mostly similar performance to the A7 IV, but in the much smaller form factor almost indistinguishable from the A7C. The recent A6700 did introduce a deeper handgrip over its predecessor the A6600 that made it more comfortable to hold, so perhaps we can expect the same from the A7C II – it would be a welcome improvement over the A7C.
We’re unlikely to see high-end video spec like in the ZV-E1, because it could be pretty hard to tell the two cameras apart and the A7C II needs to remain a photo-first camera. However, there will need to be some improvement over the A7C’s modest video functions.
Sony A7C II: What we want to see
It’s to be expected that we would see Sony’s latest-generation sensor and processor tech in the A7C II, including that higher-resolution 33MP sensor, and better tracking autofocus thanks to the AI chipset.
But arguably it’s the kind of design and handling improvements that we saw in the A6700 when compared to the A6600 that would make the A7C II a much more compelling camera than the A7C.
These tweaks include a deeper handgrip, front control dial under the shutter button, and more versatile touchscreen functions, rather than users being limited to touch AF like in previous-gen Sony cameras.
We could also hope for a rear AF joystick, although that’s unlikely, and we think the EVF will, disappointingly, be unchanged. The inclusion of dual SD UHS-II card slots rather than a single slot is perhaps a little overkill for a camera like this, and would make for a larger body that would make it less travel-friendly.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the latest rumors as the expected launch date nears, and we’ll update this article with more info as and when we get it.
Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other.
Nikon reveals the Z50 II – a modest update of its hobbyist mirrorless camera with an identity crisis
The Nikon Z6 III is our best-rated camera of 2024 - and it just got its first price cut
NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Sunday, November 10 (game #252)
