AGENDA NEWS
Compact choice for Sony mirrorless Two full-frame mirrorless cameras have joined Sony’s more compact A7C range, the new 33-megapixel A7C II and 61-megapixel A7C R which uses the A7R V’s sensor. The cameras are just 12cm wide, 7cm high and 6cm deep, weighing 513g. Both models are equipped with the same AI processing unit and Bionz XR processors found in Sony’s latest cameras such as the A7R V. There’s Real-time Recognition AF which recognises a wide variety of subjects plus five-axis in-body image stabilisation provides a seven-step shooting advantage when capturing stills. In terms of movies, both models support 4:2:2 10-bit video recording up to 4K/60p and have popular S-Cinetone colour science for a cinematic look straight out of camera. In video mode, both have Active Mode in-body image stabilisation, AI-based auto-framing and digital audio interface support as found in the A6700 we tested in the last issue. The £2100/$2198 A7C II features a back- side illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and comes in 22% lighter and 45% smaller than the A7 IV. The standard ISO range from 100 to 51,200 for both still images and movies can be expanded to 50-204,800 for stills. The £3200/$2998 A7C R uses the same sensor as the A7R V but is 29% lighter and 53% smaller. The standard ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32,000 for stills and movies, with 50-102,400 possible for stills. Pixel Shift Multi Shooting features on the R, taking multiple images and combining them in post for 240-megapixel stills. In terms of video resolution and codecs, the A7C II and A7C R each record in 4K. There is recording for full-frame, 4K/60p video in 10-bit 4:2:2 using the XAVC S-I
format at bit rates up to 600Mbps. External recording at 4K/60p via the full-size HDMI port allows 16-bit Raw output to be used with compatible devices for conversion to ProRes Raw. Simultaneous internal 4K recording is feasible, too. In Full HD, 120fps recording enables up to 5x slow motion. Both record in S-Log3, which supports a wide latitude of more than 14 stops. In Log mode, user-imported LUTs can be displayed on the camera monitor. For straight-out-of-camera options, S-Cinetone is joined by a set of Creative Looks, which change the look and feel of video and still images. Both have touchscreen vari-angle LCD monitors, front dials for customising functions, dedicated photo/movie/S&Q switch dials and high-res XGA viewfinders. Each camera is compatible with the Sony Creators’ app. Easily upload videos and still images to a cloud service, allowing remote camera operation and image transfer from the camera to mobile devices. They are kind to the environment, with bodies made from recycled materials. sony.com
ADVANCED AF COMES TO THE COMPACT LINE
Both the A7C II and A7C R are equipped with the same AI processing unit as the pricier, larger A7R V which offers pose estimation technology to capture and track subjects accurately. On top of the existing people and animal tracking from the A7C series, it now recognises birds, insects, cars, trains and planes. Covering 79% of the full-frame image, or 100% of the APS-C cropped area, a Fast Hybrid AF system has a 693-phase- detection-point grid with sensitivity down to -4EV. This focusing system is available for all recording modes, both video and stills. In video shooting, Real-time Eye AF is fully supported for subject detection and tracking of human, animal and birds’ eyes. There is also Focus Map, a new method of visualising depth-of-field that functions in a similar way to peaking, with an overlay of the scene indicating which parts are in front of and behind the focus point. AF Assist, borrowed from the FX6, lets you switch to manual focus control for adjusting focus position when working with AF. This is a quick way to shift selective focus between subjects in a scene while recording. A unique solution to compensate for how certain lenses perform when racking focus, focus breathing compensation smooths focus transitions and maintains a consistent field of view when changing focus position during a shot. This will crop into the image slightly and correct for any detected shifts in composition.
MINI MARVELS The A7C cameras might be small, but they pack in a lot of tech and boast large sensors
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