Sony a7C vs Sony a9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7C
78
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a9
80
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a7C and Sony a9 are both mirrorless cameras on the Sony FE mount, so every FE lens fits either body. The a7C, released in 2020, is the smaller and lighter option at 124 x 71 x 60 mm and 509 g. The a9, from 2017, measures 127 x 96 x 63 mm and weighs 673 g, which is 164 g more. The a7C's slimmer build suits travel and everyday carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 1, 2020 | April 19, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 124 x 71 x 60 mm | 127 x 96 x 63 mm |
| Camera weight | 509 g | 673 g |
| Optics | 80/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a9 is the stronger camera for fast action: its 20 fps maximum burst doubles the a7C's 10 fps, capturing twice as many frames as a play develops. It also offers a 1/8000 second top shutter speed against the a7C's 1/4000, giving shorter exposures to freeze motion or shoot wide open in bright light. Its 3,686,400-dot electronic viewfinder resolves more detail than the a7C's 2,360,000-dot display. The core imaging numbers match: both use a 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with the Bionz X processor, so neither offers extra cropping room over the other. Autofocus coverage is shared at 693 points, and both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body for steadier handheld shooting in dim light. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.8 x 35.6 | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 20 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony FE | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz X | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
6930300 | 6930300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo output tops out at the same limits on both: 4K is the maximum recording resolution, and 30 fps is the maximum frame rate, so neither body offers extra recording headroom. The a7C is the better timelapse tool, with a built-in interval function that the a9 does not offer. The a9 records in XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, so footage can stay in the format an older project or device uses, while the a7C records XAVC S alone. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
XAVC S | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 81/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a9's rear LCD is the sharper screen for reviewing focus and fine detail after a shot, with 1,440,000 dots against the a7C's 921,600. The interface matches closely: each has a 3-inch touchscreen that flips out for low-angle or vlog-style framing, along with weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Neither camera has GPS or a built-in flash, though both take an external flash for extra light. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 14400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long shoots, the a9's two memory card slots mean a spare card sits inside the body, while the a7C carries a single slot. Both run on the same NP-FZ100 battery and take the same SD, SDHC and SDXC cards at UHS-II speed. The a7C is rated for 740 shots against 650 for the a9, and it charges over USB, which makes topping up between locations straightforward. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | NP-FZ100 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
740 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the a9 for sports, wildlife or news photography: its 20 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter, dual card slots and detailed electronic viewfinder all serve that work.
Pick the a7C for travel, street and everyday full-frame shooting: it is 164 g lighter, adds a built-in timelapse mode and charges over USB. Both share the Sony FE mount, 24.2 MP resolution and 4K maximum video, so the real choice is speed against portability.