The Sony a7S and the Sony a7C are different cameras from different generations. The a7S was originally released in April 2014, while the a7C came more than six years later in September 2020. Yet the Sony a7S was on the higher-end of things back when it was released, while the a7C is one of Sony’s lower-end full-frame cameras. If you’re trying to decide between these two cameras, or you’re a Sony a7S user wondering how things have changed over the years, this article will answer your questions.
Sony a7S vs Sony a7C Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Sony a7S | Sony a7C |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2014 | September 2020 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ X |
| Resolution | 12.2 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 4240×2832 | 6000×4000 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.8 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 8.4µ | 5.93µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 102,400 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-409,600 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | No |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | No |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 5 FPS | 10 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 5 FPS | 10 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Autofocus fixed at first frame for 5 FPS shooting; 12-bit raw only | Compressed 12-bit raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed 14-bit raw is available at 8 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 31 frames (5 FPS) | 115 frames (10 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Contrast Detect | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 25 | 693 |
| Low-Light AF Sensitivity (f/2 Lens, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -4 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/160 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 8 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 8 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS1 | 30 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.2x crop at 4K 30p (4K 24/25p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 780 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-I) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 0.92 million dots | 0.92 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | 0.59x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 2.36 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type B 2.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 320 frames | 680 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 380 frames | 740 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 490 g (1.08 lbs.) | 509 g (1.12 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 94 x 58 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.3″)2 | 124 x 71 x 60 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 2.4″) |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $2500 (Discontinued) | $1800 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Sony a7S Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) | Sony a7C Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) |
| 1The Sony a7S supports 4K video, but only with an external recorder over HDMI | ||
| 2The Sony a7S’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the a7S’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
This comparison is a case of “time marches on.” The Sony a7S was at the top of its game back in 2014 (at least if 12 megapixels was enough for your work), but these days, even the relatively basic Sony a7C outclasses it in almost every way. Even in the Sony a7S’s wheelhouse of videography, the a7C is slightly ahead, with better slow-motion capabilities and a longer recording limit of 13 hours.
The Sony a7S does have a larger viewfinder and still has slightly better performance at ultra-high ISOs even today. But in practice, it’s clear that the Sony a7C is the better camera overall, whether you look in terms of resolution, speed, autofocus, or anywhere else. The a7S is so old that it doesn’t even have bluetooth or in-body image stabilization.
Summary and Recommendations
In this case, there’s not much of a competition – go for the Sony a7C if you’re trying to choose between these two cameras. Even considering that the Sony a7S is relatively cheap on the used market nowadays, I would still get the a7C. Likewise, existing Sony a7S users should be considering an upgrade at this point – if not to the a7C, then perhaps to a newer camera in the a7S lineup.
What does the Sony a7S offer over the Sony a7C?
- Lower prices on the used market, while still being a very good camera for videography
What does the Sony a7C offer over the Sony a7S?
- Double the pixel count (12.2MP vs 24.2MP)
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Significantly better battery life, both in the viewfinder and via the rear LCD
- Substantially faster autofocus system and higher burst rates
Want to discuss these two cameras with other photographers? If so, head on over to our forum to start a conversation!