Sony A7C

[phinix]

I keep seeing used 7C going for £1200-1400 on ebay, mpb or Wex.
I was wondering, what is actual good value for used body, like on our forum? I know that those sites keep the prices higher than its actually worth.

I was thinking that used 7C should be around same price or a bit higher than 7III, but I may be wrong.
7III going for £850-1000 on forums is pretty good price for this camera, is that correct?

Another question - I'm a very random casual shooter (family and trips), I have A7II. Is there a point for someone like me to upgrade to 7C - I wouldn't get a lot for my (even mint condition) 7II, would have to add a lot to get 7C. Being just a hobbyist, is there a point spending so much money just to upgrade body? I mainly aiming for 7c's weight and size, would love to have as compact as possible kit.

 

[Musicman]

First off, I might disagree with the statement that 'I know that those sites keep the prices higher than its actually worth.'

With Wex you get a twelve month warranty, with mpb, it's 6 months, and even with eBay (and PayPal) you enjoy their buyer protection. That provides additional value in itself, over and above buying on the forum here. You might not care about that yourself, but many people do and are prepared to pay a bit more for it.

On to the meat of the question - the A7C always has been a more niche product than the A7III, so there are a lot of A7IIIs for sale just because a lot more of them have been made - being easier to come by probably restricts their second hand value. Moreover, there is a significant section of A7III owners who will have been selling off their cameras to upgrade to the A7IV, so that may tend to lower prices for A7IIIs compared to the A7C, which has not been superseded by a better model. If you want that full frame in that form-factor, it's as good as it gets.

An A7III for £850 to £1000 would be a pretty good price (as a buyer) on the forum here, yes. I have seen them more in the £1000 to £1400 range.

FWIW I recently upgraded from an A7II to an A7III and ranking the things I like most about it I'd say

- much better battery life
- lower noise at all ISOs
- Improved AF performance (not a major thing for me as mostly I use manual focus lenses)

I can't really speak for the A7C

 

[4wd]

The A7C has the newer colour science similar to A7Siii it is rather better for skin tones though nothing drastic.
You get live eye tracking focus in photo and video the A7iii only has face tracking in video but does eye in stills.
These points are no big deal but it is technically more advanced than A7iii if you don't mind less buttons to customise.

 

[phinix]

The A7C has the newer colour science similar to A7Siii it is rather better for skin tones though nothing drastic.
You get live eye tracking focus in photo and video the A7iii only has face tracking in video but does eye in stills.
These points are no big deal but it is technically more advanced than A7iii if you don't mind less buttons to customise.

Yes, I guess those new features might be the reason why its more expensive.
Less custom button and lack of that front dial wheel, then only 1/4000s shutter - these are few things I'm a bit worried, not sure if these become immediately issue that would put me off using 7C. I use front dial wheel for aperture quite often, I woul dneed to try to use rear one on my 7II to see if I could adjust. 1/4000 - I often take photos in bright light during holidays, I wonder i this could be a problem, especially for fast ap photos, 1.8 and less. Then last thing is viewfinder - it doesn't have that bigger eye cap, in bright days it might be a problem. Years ago when I was mainly using m4/3 cameras I only used lcd screen. In last few years when switched to Sony's FF, I only use viewfinder.
But hey, those things sometimes happen when you switch to different system or body.

 

[woof woof]

Yes, I guess those new features might be the reason why its more expensive.
Less custom button and lack of that front dial wheel, then only 1/4000s shutter - these are few things I'm a bit worried, not sure if these become immediately issue that would put me off using 7C. I use front dial wheel for aperture quite often, I woul dneed to try to use rear one on my 7II to see if I could adjust. 1/4000 - I often take photos in bright light during holidays, I wonder i this could be a problem, especially for fast ap photos, 1.8 and less. Then last thing is viewfinder - it doesn't have that bigger eye cap, in bright days it might be a problem. Years ago when I was mainly using m4/3 cameras I only used lcd screen. In last few years when switched to Sony's FF, I only use viewfinder.
But hey, those things sometimes happen when you switch to different system or body.

AFAIK the A7c has an electronic shutter which will allow faster than 1/4,000.

I have Panasonic cameras limited to 1/4,000 with the mechanical shutter which automatically switch to the electronic shutter for faster speeds and it really is seamless. I don't know if the A7c also switches automatically or if the electronic shutter has to be selected.

 

[Musicman]

I don't know if the A7c also switches automatically or if the electronic shutter has to be selected.

Apparently, 1/8000 with the electronic shutter is only engaged when silent mode is on

 

[woof woof]

So I'm still not clear. Does the A7c switch automatically or is user intervention reqd?

If you have to do something to get higher than 1/4,000 that'd be a massive downside for me however the biggest stumbling block is still the lack of a second front or top of camera control wheel.

 

[phinix]

So I'm still not clear. Does the A7c switch automatically or is user intervention reqd?

If you have to do something to get higher than 1/4,000 that'd be a massive downside for me however the biggest stumbling block is still the lack of a second front or top of camera control wheel.

I think (might not be true) you need to switch yourself
It is a bit of a pain I guess.
Front wheel would be great, I never used rear on on my A7II, need to try it out tonight But I'm sure its not the same, as you woul dneed to lose your thumb from a grip and move above... Not ideal.

I may wait till next year, when 7cII will be out - 7c would go down on price pretty quickly then.

 

[woof woof]

I think (might not be true) you need to switch yourself
It is a bit of a pain I guess.
Front wheel would be great, I never used rear on on my A7II, need to try it out tonight But I'm sure its not the same, as you woul dneed to lose your thumb from a grip and move above... Not ideal.

I may wait till next year, when 7cII will be out - 7c would go down on price pretty quickly then.

I'd be amazed if any A7cII has an additional control dial. Sony removed the second dial from the APS-C range and have never put it back.

 

[Barrysprout]

So I'm still not clear. Does the A7c switch automatically or is user intervention reqd?

Intervention required. I don't have a specific shortcut button but silent shooting is the first option on my "F" button.
So 4 button presses required for me - F then centre button to confirm selection, down or up to select on or off then centre button to confirm. Sounds a lot but it's still very quick and it's not something I have a frequent need for.

 

[woof woof]

Intervention required. I don't have a specific shortcut button but silent shooting is the first option on my "F" button.
So 4 button presses required for me - F then centre button to confirm selection, down or up to select on or off then centre button to confirm. Sounds a lot but it's still very quick and it's not something I have a frequent need for.

Thanks.

I should really just permanently stop looking at the A7c as there's just too much wrong with it for me.

I just don't understand why Sony did the camera like this, on so many points, it is IMO just idiotic.

 

[Barrysprout]

Thanks.

I should really just permanently stop looking at the A7c as there's just too much wrong with it for me.

I just don't understand why Sony did the camera like this, on so many points, it is IMO just idiotic.

Yep the A7III or IV would be a much better upgrade for you if and when you decide to.

 

[phinix]

I'd be amazed if any A7cII has an additional control dial. Sony removed the second dial from the APS-C range and have never put it back.

Guess what? I prefer rear wheel!
I was so surprised last night when came back home and tried it on my 7II. When holding it, I need to actually move my right hand to reach front wheel cause my index finger sits above, on a trigger button. To get to front wheel I need to move whole hand a bit.
But holding the camera, I only move my thumb to upper left to use rear wheel, no need to change grip!
Cool!

So next, custom button... you can assign video button on 7C, so that one custom button there, I don't need more I think...

So only 1/4000 issue is left.
Well, fully articulating screen - never had that before, always only tilting, which is great, till I do vertical portrait or macro shot above or below my eye level. Then articulating screen would be great.
Last one, grip - shallower than on 7II or other ones. Worst case, to stop be scared every time I use camera, I would use wrist strap. For £1000+ camera I better do...