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Sony

Alpha 7C

Smallest full-frame E-mount body with A7 III performance in a travel-friendly package.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

vs

Sony

Alpha 7S II

12MP low-light video pioneer before the A7S III revolution.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2015

Alpha 7C is 5 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

Alpha 7C

★ Travel★ Portrait

Wins

4categories

Alpha 7S II

★ Portrait★ Travel

7 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7C wins 4 categories·Alpha 7S II wins 1 categories
  • AAlpha 7C has higher AF points / zones (693 vs 169)
  • AAlpha 7C has higher Battery life (CIPA) (740 shots vs 310 shots)
  • BAlpha 7S II has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
  • AAlpha 7C has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
  • AAlpha 7C has higher Burst (electronic) (10 fps vs 5 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7CAlpha 7S II
Resolution24.2 MP12.2 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,200102,400
Burst10 fps5 fps
4K30 fps30 fps
IBIS5-stop4.5-stop
Weight509 g627 g
Battery740 shots310 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7C

124 × 71 × 60 mm

509 g (1.12 lb / 17.95 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7S II

127 × 96 × 60 mm

627 g (1.38 lb / 22.12 oz)

Alpha 7C is 3mm narrower, 25mm shorter, and 1mm thinner than Alpha 7S II.

Alpha 7C is 118 g lighter than Alpha 7S II.

Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 7C · 60mm Alpha 7S II

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7C

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Alpha 7S II

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7C

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7S II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAlpha 7CAlpha 7S II
Portrait
7.5Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
4.0Fair✓ wins
1.5Limited
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Travel
8.5Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
5.5Fair✓ wins
2.5Limited
Vlogging
6.0Good
6.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7C

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 124, 71.1, 59.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II

  • AF points / zones

    693 vs 169 — higher is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    740 shots vs 310 shots — higher is better

  • Animal / bird AF

    Only Alpha 7C supports it

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Animal

  • Burst (mechanical)

    10 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    10 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7S II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.9, 95.7, 60.3

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds MP4

  • EVF magnification

    0.78 × vs 0.59 × — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
  • ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
  • ✓4K max frame rate — Both 30 fps
  • ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 7C

Pros

  • ✓Tiny full-frame
  • ✓5-axis IBIS
  • ✓24MP hybrid
  • ✓Great for travel

Cons

  • –Small grip
  • –Single card slot
  • –Superseded by A7C II

Alpha 7S II

Pros

  • ✓Legendary low light
  • ✓4K internal
  • ✓Compact files

Cons

  • –12MP stills limit
  • –Old AF
  • –8-bit 4K

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

Alpha 7C
Alpha 7S II
Resolution
24.2 MP✓+98%
12.2 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Full Frame Exmor CMOS
Sensor size
35.6 × 23.8 mm
35.6 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7C
Alpha 7S II
Processor
BIONZ X
BIONZ X
Alpha 7C
Alpha 7S II
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200
102,400✓+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
409,600
Alpha 7C
Alpha 7S II
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7C or Alpha 7S II?

Alpha 7C scores 5.5/10 versus 2.5/10 for Alpha 7S II — Animal subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II?

Alpha 7C is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7S II is 12.2 MP, so the Alpha 7C captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7C has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7S II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7C or the Alpha 7S II?

Alpha 7C reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7S II reaches 5 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II?

Alpha 7C weighs 509 g and Alpha 7S II weighs 627 g, so the Alpha 7C is 118 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II record 4K video?

Alpha 7C: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7S II: 4K up to 30p.

Are the Alpha 7C and Alpha 7S II weather sealed?

Alpha 7C: Yes. Alpha 7S II: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7C and 310 shots for the Alpha 7S II, giving the Alpha 7C the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7C launched at $1,799 and Alpha 7S II at $2,999. The Alpha 7C is $1,200 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7C vs Alpha 7S II vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed November 2026.