Sony Introduces New Alpha 7C Camera and 28-60mm Zoom Lens

Sony introduces new Alpha 7C camera and 28-60mm zoom lens, giving you the world's smallest and lightest full-frame system

New compact flash HVL-F28RM also announced

Today, Sony announced several new additions to its impressive digital imaging product lineup — the full-frame Alpha 7C camera (model ILCE-7C), the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 zoom lens (model SEL2860), and the HVL-F28RM flash.

The Alpha 7C is the world’s smallest and lightest [i] full-frame camera body, offering uncompromising quality, advanced AF (autofocus), and the ability to shoot high-resolution 4K video [ii]. When used with the world’s smallest and lightest standard zoom lens [iii], the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6, you get a practical, versatile, universally applicable combination that guarantees an unparalleled experience and maximum convenience for portability, without compromising the advantages of full-frame photography. The HVL-F28RM flash gives users more creative possibilities in photography thanks to its exceptional compactness and intelligent light intensity control linked to the camera's face detection function [iv].

“We are committed to creating the best possible tools tailored to our customers' needs,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “The new Alpha 7C camera and FE 28-60MM F4-5.6 zoom lens incorporate many of our latest digital imaging technologies in a brand-new design, representing the world's smallest and lightest full-frame camera and lens system. This unlocks a whole new world of creative possibilities, where the uncompromising power and quality of a full-frame system can fit in the palm of your hand.”

The new Alpha 7C camera: Uncompromising full-frame quality in a compact design

The new Alpha 7C camera combines full-frame image quality with improved AF performance and various video shooting functions in an astonishingly lightweight and compact design. The new camera uses a 24.2MP (approx. effective pixels) 35mm full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and BIONZ X™ image processing engine, which provide high sensitivity, outstanding resolution, a wide 15-stop dynamic range [v], and high-speed data processing.

At only 124.0mm x 71.1mm x 59.7mm (4.9 in x 2.8 in x 2.2 in) and weighing just 509g (18oz) [vi], the Alpha 7C is similar in size and weight to an APS-C camera [vii], weighing only 1% more than the Alpha 6600. The Alpha 7C achieves the world’s smallest and lightest compact body ii thanks to its advanced in-body 5-axis stabilization system, improved shutter, and monocoque construction, often used in cars and aircraft. Even in such a compact body, the Alpha 7C continues to offer 5-axis [viii] stabilization, allowing for beautiful handheld shots without a tripod. The large capacity NP-FZ100 battery provides enough power to capture an industry-leading [ix] 740 shots [x] when using the LCD screen, or 680 shots xi when using the viewfinder, making the camera ideal for extended sessions.

Exceptional full-frame image quality

Sony’s new Alpha 7C camera combines high resolution with low noise levels for excellent image quality at every sensitivity setting, providing stunning image quality for everyday photography and video recording in every genre, including nature landscapes, portraits, sports events, and street photography. Standard ISO sensitivity up to 51,200, expandable to ISO 50-204,800 [xi] for low-light shooting. The Alpha 7C also supports 16-bit processing and 14-bit RAW output [xii] for natural color gradation.

State-of-the-art autofocus technologies

Using AI-based functions, the Alpha 7C offers Real-time Tracking [xiii], which automatically maintains precise focus with a half-press of the shutter. The “Tracking On + AF-On” function can now also be assigned to a custom button for instant activation when the AF-ON button is pressed. As an additional feature, the desired subject can be selected with a single tap on the display if “Touch Tracking” mode is enabled from the menu, available for both stills and video. Among the autofocus features of the Alpha 7C is Real-time Eye AF, which works for both humans and animals [xiv] to achieve fast and accurate focus [xv]. When using Real-time Tracking (with “Face/Eye Priority in AF” set to ON) for people, the subject’s eyes and face are detected and tracked in real-time with high accuracy.

The Alpha 7C offers fast and reliable wide-area AF that locks onto the desired subject without delay or loss of focus, thanks to its 693-point focal-plane phase-detection autofocus system, covering approximately 93% of the image area with an additional 425 contrast-detection points, ensuring reliable focus even in the busiest dynamic environments.

The Alpha 7C camera also includes continuous shooting up to 10 fps [xvi] with AF/AE (auto exposure), using a newly designed shutter and improved image processing system. Continuous shooting at up to 8 fps xvii is also possible in live view mode with minimal lag in the viewfinder/display for easy and stable framing, even with intense subject movement. The Alpha 7C allows capturing approximately 223 JPEG (Fine L) images, 115 compressed RAW images, or 45 uncompressed RAW images in one burst [xvii], achieving exceptionally accurate, reliable, and precise AF in low light down to EV-4 [xviii]. These features make it easy to precisely capture fast-moving subjects.

Extended video recording capabilities

Full sensor readout without pixel binning allows you to capture over double [xix] the amount of data needed for 4K video recording (QFHD: 3840 x 2160)iii, for oversampling and high-quality 4K recording with exceptional detail and depth. In addition to the above, the Alpha 7C supports HDR (HLG [xx]) and S-Log/S-Gamut profiles, Slow & Quick motion, high-speed full HD recording at 120 fpsiii, and other latest technological advancements for exceptional high-quality video recordings.

In addition to all this, the Alpha 7C offers Real-time Eye AF (for humans) during video recording. The eye is automatically tracked with high precision and reliability, allowing the operator to concentrate on the content rather than focusing. Depending on their preferences, users can also customize the AF transition speed using seven different settings, and the AF Subject Shift Sensitivity using five. The Touch Tracking function is also available for video recording.

The Alpha 7C has a side-opening vari-angle LCD display, allowing for selfies, high and low-angle shots, and anything else the user may need. The MOVIE button is placed on the top of the camera for easier operation during recording in selfie mode. Furthermore, the Alpha 7C captures high-quality sound to match that of the recorded images, achieving a harmonious high-quality video as the final result. A digital audio interface has been added to the camera's multi-interface shoe (MI), allowing the connection of a ECM-BIM shotgun microphone or an XLR-K3M XLR adapter kit, which feed a digital audio signal directly to the MI shoe for cleaner and clearer audio recording. As with other MI shoe accessories, no cables or batteries are needed, providing unlimited freedom for video shooting when using the Alpha system. Headphone and microphone jacks are also provided for accurate monitoring of recorded sound, and metadata for vertically shot videos with the camera allows them to be played back and edited in portrait mode after transfer to a smartphone.

Built for reliability

The Alpha 7C model is designed with the user in mind. The Type 3.0 LCD touch panel is large, touch-sensitive, and has approximately 921K dots, providing optimal visibility even in bright outdoor conditions and allowing for one-touch operation. The Alpha 7C also includes a high-quality preview mode for a finer and more natural view of details in addition to the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ EVF viewfinder with approximately 2.35 million dots. The Alpha 7C offers functionalities that facilitate work both during and after the shooting process, such as a customizable Fn button and many others. The camera is also dust and moisture resistant [xxi] in response to the need for reliability during shooting in challenging circumstances.

In response to the need for workflow simplification, a Wi-Fi compatible wireless communication function is provided, allowing direct transfer of images and videos [xxii] to a smartphone or tablet for easy sharing, viewing, or storage. In addition to the traditional 2.4GHz frequency, the 11ac standard is also supported, allowing transfer via 5GHz frequency (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) [xxiii], so users can choose this stable high-speed transfer method with low interference. A USB Type-C^® connector is also available, supporting SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps (USB 3.2), enabling fast image transfer for remote control from a PC, as well as power from external portable batteries.

New FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 lens: The smallest and lightest full-frame zoom lensiv with high image quality

The new FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 lens offers the world’s smallest and lightest iv format in a standard zoom lens, delivering excellent optical performance and achieving the high resolution characteristic of a full-frame sensor in every part of the image. Through optimal placement of the 3 aspherical elements, aberrations are effectively suppressed at every focal length of the zoom lens, achieving high resolution from corner to corner. With its minimum focal length of 30cm (0.99 ft) (wide-angle) to 45cm (1.48 ft) (telephoto), the lens allows for close-ups, making it ideal for everyday use or vlogging with a stabilization system or grip.

Weighing 5.9oz (167g) and with a diameter of 2.6 in x 1.8 in (diameter 66.6 mm x 45 mm), in combination with its optimal mechanical and optical design, which includes a retractable structure, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 achieves unprecedented compactness and lightweight, allowing the user to carry it everywhere without any difficulties. From everyday photography to landscapes, portraits, and travel photos, this is the ideal lens for every type of photography on the go in any environment. In combination with the Alpha 7C, uncompromising full-frame quality is achieved in the smallest and lightest full-frame camera and lens system i. Despite its compact size and light weight, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 lens is dust and moisture resistant xxii and can be used with a wide range of 40.5mm filters.

The FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 provides high speed and high-precision AF, allowing the use of Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF functions with the help of a linear motor. In addition to all the capabilities provided by Sony's AF technologies, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 features an internal focus design that keeps the lens length unchanged during focusing movements and magnified shooting, allowing users to effortlessly capture a variety of content from casual video shooting to vlogging.

New HVL-F28RM flash: Compact flash with light intensity control linked to the camera's face detection function

The HVL-F28RM is a compact flash designed to pair with Sony's mirrorless cameras for a compact, easily manageable system that offers the reliability only a genuine Sony product can provide. Compared to the HVL-F32M, the HVL-F28RM offers 12% less volume and 7% lighter weight. This compact and easy-to-use flash provides capabilities and reliability that can meet the needs of professionals, advanced enthusiasts, and visual content creators alike.

The HVL-F28RM is a reliable flash with a guide number of GN28 [xxiv], optimized light distribution, and continuous flash operation that does not disrupt the user's workflow, in addition to stable radio wireless communication and multi-flash radio control capability. The new flash also incorporates Sony’s innovation—flash control linked to the camera's face detection technology v. When the flash is used with a compatible camera, the balance between the light falling on the subject's face and the ambient light is taken into account to automatically make adjustments for a more accurate white balance, so that the subject's face is reproduced with natural, realistic colors. Flash compensation and light output, or other detailed flash parameter adjustments [xxv], can also be controlled directly from a compatible camera. A custom button can be assigned on the camera to adjust flash parameters, allowing settings to be made while looking through the viewfinder and holding the camera. Parameters are displayed in the selected camera language.

The innovation of a “metal shoe with robust side frame” [xxvi], which also houses the flash's electrical contacts, provides greater resistance to mechanical shock and impact from all directions. The accessory shoe is made of metal for increased durability. The HVL-F28RM also has a dust and moisture resistant design xxii. Dust and moisture resistance is higher when the HVL-F28RM is mounted and locked onto the Alpha 7C, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 7R IV, and Alpha 9 II, allowing the flash to withstand even the most challenging outdoor conditions.

Operating the HVL-F28RM is easy and intuitive, using a minimal number of controls, including a +/- light level button, a pairing button, a test button, and a lock lever. Sufficient light is provided for use as a bounced flash. The flash angle can be adjusted as needed using increments of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 120 degrees for easy positioning. The new flash also has built-in wireless radio synchronization for reliable flash triggering when mounted on a compatible camera [xxvi] and paired with a device separate from the camera. When used as a transmitter, the HVL-F28RM can control up to 15 flashes and/or receivers in 5 groups [xxvii] at a distance of up to 35 meters (114 ft) [xxviii], ensuring exceptional lighting control and unlimited application possibilities. The HVL-F28RM is powered by two AA alkaline (LR6) or NiMH batteries. A new set of alkaline batteries can provide power for up to 110 continuous flashes (1/1 manual flash with alkaline batteries) xxix.

A product video for the new Alpha 7C can be found at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-lSoSGNwg4&feature=youtu.be