Sony a7C in 2024: Bargain-Priced GATEWAY to Street Photography and Beyond!

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[@zodiacmanan]

My current kit is a Lumix s5+sigma 28-70 f2.8 and it's not going away anytime soon. It's a joy to use. Believe me I have tried to replace it but nothing comes close as a package.

[@stkuj]

Hugh.. I might include the 28-60 kits lens too

[@Dick_v_Voorst]

I really liked my A7C, apart from the colour science, menu system and shutter noise and used it together with the Leica Q2 to fund a Leica Q3. Instead of changing to the A7CR. Have not regretted that decision.

[@akyerit]

NIce to see the A7C still getting some love. Especially from a prestigious channel such as this! I owned it when it first came out, And eventually sold it when i was in need of money lol. I hated the ergos and the lack of ibis...but other than that, it still took gorgeous photos, and easily some of my best, most professional photos to this day. Its also pretty phenomenal in low light. And that all goes for video as well. It's essentially an A7III in a smaller body. And yes, nowadays, i've seen it as low as $800 on the second hand market, so absolutely in comparison to the x100v and possibly even the latest VI, its a steal! And size wise, about the same with a small prime attached.

[@jarmokarkkainen7621]

That camera and the lens ecosystem especially is hard to beat. A great way to enter FF, with room to grow. Been there, done that (a73 in my case). That new 24-50 has really become a bit of a nuisance as I keep coming back to it, don't absolutely need it but would be enough in many cases. A great option for a light kit, and you can easily supplement it then with some faster glass or a short tele option, depending on what's needed.

[@petergordon4666]

Nicely done, Hugh!

[@jeansebastientlebreton]

Highly valuable exploratory budget wise overview ❤

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you Hugh for another fun video. While I admit I’ve moved on from the A7C with both an A7CR and A7CII I got for travel and street work still trying to sort out the best small lenses to use with them. Currently have the mini Sony G trio and a large number of the Sigma I-Series f/2 primes the new FE 24-50/2.8 has tweaked my interest. I did place a pre-order and your video has convinced me to keep it in for now since it won’t ship till May sometime I believe. Time will tell. Biggest problem that I have is with the new compact bodies my larger full size Sony’ and their GM lenses, above 50mm, are getting much less use. Oh well. Take care.

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

I'm waiting for Panasonic to release GX style L-mount 😀 would be poor man's 'Leica rangefinder', taking native Leica lenses!

[@careylymanjones]

Amazon is selling Sony A7c new for $1499, with one-day shipping, for Prime customers. But I already have the A7iii, and I'm saving my pennies for the A7Cr. I'll add a Sigma 17mm f/4 i-series to my Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE, and Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8. The kit will fit in a Peak Design 6L, with room for a spare battery, wrist strap, ND filter and step-up rings, and cleaning kit.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for the pricing update! Sounds like a great plan to me!

[@mlseawell]

Lovely video and love the message. My financial consultant of 34 years applauds your efforts.

[@3BMEP]

😉🖖🏻

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

I wonder if he appreciated the SL3 review too 😀

[@EELinneman]

KEH is great. I just sold them a bunch of my and my father's old Canon gear. Honest, easy to work with and a fair price. Could not ask for better.

[@psStephen95]

For a person whose profession is the visual arts, you are very clear-thinking and articulate - a joy to watch and learn from. Thanks. :)

[@3BMEP]

🙏🏻😊🖖🏻

[@balboa0621]

I paid a grand for mine with an extra battery in excellent condition. After the mark 2 was announced, people were dumping these at a bargain

[@3BMEP]

Great deal! Enjoy!

[@MichaelDrips]

OK, you convinced me to buy the CR. I’ve got a Fujifilm X100VI arriving next week, but I’m going to throw it in the junk drawer and try it out after the Olympics here. I like Sony and my experience with their menu system has been … epic. Still functional, but epic. I need to decide on which lens for street photography, so I’ll check your other videos. Thanks for being semi-sensible and not too meandering through all of today’s camera choices.😊

[@video-carl]

The A7C launched in September 2020, we've yet to see alternatives from other ff mounts. Changing lenses and learning a new menu system, does indeed stop many from buying an A7C :)

[@ISO1trillion]

I just bought the A7CR with the 24mm F2.8 G lens. It's a great kit. I haven't found a replacement lens worth of the Zeiss that's on the SONY RX1 Rii 35mm F2, yet. Which is why I will never sell that camera or its predecessor. But this is certainly more versatile, and a great complement to that camera. I agree it's a great street kit.

[@seu6]

Got into FF for the first time w an used A7C and a small prime G in January. liked the compact experience a lot to the extent i sold it within a week and instead bought an m10 and a q typ 116

[@3BMEP]

Different price bracket entirely, but I understand. 😎

[@seu6]

@@3BMEP yeah a true gateway experience

[@zacharybohlman4069]

The A7C was my first full frame ILCE but I quickly outgrew it. The worthless EVF and dumbed down ergos make it very much a beginner body and one most serious photographers will get bored with quickly. My XT5 with a small 23 or 35mm prime is essentially just as small and light with better ergos and arguay similar if not better quality due to a smaller but higher MP sensor.

[@lucidmattd]

Loved the a7c and my Sony glass, especially that Zeiss 55mm 1.8 and the 40mm G. Just traded all my Sony gear in for a Q2, but that had more to do with how/what I shoot than the camera itself. Great gateway drug to street/rangefinder for those that don't want to drop Leica cash or fight scalpers for a Fuji.

[@maxwellwellmax878]

Not interested in Sony stuff but had to come give you a Like Hugh!!!!! 😎

[@3BMEP]

Appreciated, thank you!😊🖖🏻

[@annenominous7220]

My CL fills this slot nicely.

[@damianip]

At that price, even with the used discount, I would expect a better EVF on the Sony. While it doesn’t strictly impact IQ, it does affect the overall shooting experience gestalt. Although I really like the output of my Lumix GX9, I still reach for my GX8 for the better handling/viewing experience. I put up with the mass of my S1R for many reasons, but a big one is the EVF quality. If Sony had upgraded their EVF, I might be able to put up with the quirky usability issues and dive into that very compelling lens ecosystem.

[@mrmonday42]

Guess what, Sony has a camera for you, it's called the A7RV

[@damianip]

@@mrmonday42 but it's not the same form factor and not the same price range covered in the video.

[@mrmonday42]

@@damianip Yes, a larger body is required to have a larger EVF and better handling. There's always a trade off when it comes to camera and lens design.

[@damianip]

@@mrmonday42 Not necessarily true. The previously mentioned GX8 is testament to that. I would also say that the FujiFilm XT-5 is an excellent handling camera with an excellent EVF. I don’t own one but I’ve been tempted at times.

[@mrmonday42]

@@damianip The GX8 is a taller body than the A7C line and it also has a significantly smaller sensor. This means there's more room in the body for components like a larger EVF. The X-T5 is a much taller body than both the A7C and GX8 and also has a smaller sensor than the A7C. A better comparison would be the X-E4 which has a similarly poor EVF as the A7C...and guess what, it's still a taller body with a smaller sensor compared to the A7C. So yes, there are trade offs to cramming a full frame sensor into such a small body. If for example you're a photographer that prioritizes compact size and doesn't use the EVF much, then the A7C line is a perfect match.

[@thewiseoldbird]

Well said as ever, Hugh. Sony's openness to third party manufacturers is a great strength & people should also dip a toe in the MF waters of Voigtlander etc. One note of caution: Sony are producing new and innovative lenses at such a rate that it's becoming risky jumping in on the latest bright new thing: the 70-200mm 2.8 gmii is superb and it hooked me, but was shortly followed by the 70-200mm f4 g ii. The 50mm 1.2 gm undercut by the 50mm 1.4, the 24-70mm gmii, then 20-70mm g, now the 24-50mm. An update to the 24-105mm is said to be on its way soon - it is getting crazy. Whatever people buy, they shouldn't pay RRP because prices are faster than 5 years ago (the A7rc is already seeing price cuts). All of which makes today's sponsor - KEH - a very good place to shop.... and then drop 🤣🤣🤣📷📸

[@3BMEP]

Good points! 👍🏼

[@djxcel23]

My next purchase

[@mengshun]

Do the Samyang 24mm f/1.8 for a bargain but performant priced lens. Or don't - 24mm is the new black and it's trampling on my territory : )

[@Vigi011]

Sony got in mirrorless full frame first?

[@graphicsbygreg6572]

Not enough Helios talk. Meanwhile Dune 2 mostly filmed with IronGlass lenses... rehoused Soviet glass.....

[@matangox]

Is there a way to "sell a kidney" or is this just a phrase? How much would one get for that? I would exchange a kidney for my dream camera with a few lenses. It might not be enough for a Leica system, but everything else...

[@Cthames123]

I’ve never used a Leica system camera, but how good can it possibly be? Keep your kidney!

[@Andy-rk9mu]

MSRP on 7Cii is $400 more than the original. This is what makes mark1 such a nice deal.

[@Cthames123]

My sentiments exactly! In Jan I bought an opened box, gently used,(64 shutter actuations), silver top, A7C, with the 28-60mm kit lens for $1300 usd. While I was waiting for my A7C I second guessed not getting the A7C ii, but the $1000 that I saved and the brilliant shooting experience from the A7C made me totally forget that thought!

[@DaneBrammage]

As usual; a wonderful story about a full featured camera system and a compelling reason to continue unloading one’s wallet. Thank Hugh - not 😂.

[@3BMEP]

Well said!😊🖖🏻

[@maustin5113]

I too am looking at the SL3 along with investigating rehab facilities for help with my "gear acquisition syndrome"@@3BMEP

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

Correction, all A7C models have efcs ... A7Cii and A7CR only have efcs, vs full mechanical on original A7C, making original A7C the best hybrid allrounder of C series.

[@stkuj]

Not true, A7cii 1/4000 and a7CR 1/8000 mechanical shutter

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

@@stkuj first curtain shutter of a7cii and a7cr is not mechanical!!

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

@@stkuj I've changed the comment a bit to better describe it, thanks

[@mrmonday42]

True, EFCS ruins bokeh

[@I922sParkCir]

A7C, A7C II and A7Cr all have the same electronic front curtain shutter. This leads to truncated bokeh at very shutter speeds and relatively low flash shutter sync speeds(1/160). I never noticed the issue until I switched from wide-aperture zooms (f2-2.8) to wide-aperture primes (f1.4) in very bright conditions. I’m a Southern California wedding and portrait photographer, so I really can’t shoot electronic front curtain shutter unless I’m indoors.