Sony delivers the world’s most compact full-frame camera with interchangeable lenses, and does so without making significant concessions to performance or features. The Alpha 7C is yet another technically adept, feature-rich E-mount model from the company, and while it doesn’t hit the video highs of the A7S III or offer the sheer photographic mastery of the A7R IV, it isn’t a slouch in any department.

Excellent image quality; Fast, accurate autofocus; Very portable;

No 60fps 4K video; Tiny viewfinder; Older UI;

Full-frame goodness from a half-pint camera

Superb all-round image quality; Compact; lightweight build; Accurate autofocus

4K limited to 30fps; Older menu system; Small viewfinder

Putting a full-frame sensor in a smaller body has been one of the A7 series’ greatest strengths over the past few years, and now Sony has made things even smaller. The a7C stuffs a lot of imaging power into a package that’s small, lightweight and possesses plenty of battery life. For photographers and video makers who want a compact body they can carry with them everywhere in a small bag (or even hanging round their neck), this fits the bill better than any other interchangeable lens camera around. At £1,900 without a lens, it isn’t a budget model by any means, but despite its small size this isn’t a starter model – it’s an enthusiast camera, capable of producing stunning photos and videos.

Superb all-round image quality; Compact, lightweight build; Accurate autofocus;

4K limited to 30fps; Older menu system; Small viewfinder;

Superb all-round image quality; Compact, lightweight build; Accurate autofocus;

4K limited to 30fps; Older menu system; Small viewfinder;

While it's a shame that picture and sound quality haven't been upgraded, the iPhone 13 was great in these regards and the iPhone 14 is, too Excellent display Admirable headphone performance Solid build quality No upgrades to picture or sound Familiar design Notch is still present

The Sony A7C's specifications are unambitious to say the least, particularly in terms of its video capabilities, but its practical performance, from its handy vari-angle screen to its excellent AF system, make it effective enough as a camera.

Small(ish) body; Excellent retracting lens; Side-hinged vari-angle screen; Autofocus performance

Unambitious video specs; Unappealing silver and black finish; Not especially cheap

The Sony A7C is a mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera with 24 Megapixels, 4k video up to 30p, built-in stabilisation, 10fps bursts, rangefinder styling and a fully-articulated touchscreen.

The Sony Alpha a7C is uncompromising, including from a performance perspective, as promised. Aside from some controls and a large EVF, there is little the a7C gives up to gain its ultra-compact size.

Intro; Sample images; Design and handling; EVF; Build quality; Image quality; Stabilization; Menus and interface; Autofocus; Video capabilities; Who's it for?;

Intro; Sample images; Design and handling; EVF; Build quality; Image quality; Stabilization; Menus and interface; Autofocus; Video capabilities; Who's it for?;

I’ll admit it, I never thought Sony would make a camera like the A7C, and I’ve followed its product strategy pretty closely. It goes against the flow of how its full-frame mirrorless cameras have evolved over the years. It doesn't, however, line up with its APS-C product strategy.