Sony A7CR Mirrorless Camera Body Black

Sony A7CR Mirrorless Camera Body Black Summary

Sony has combined the most advanced features from their flagship high-resolution Alpha camera into a compact C-series model, with this Sony A7CR Mirrorless Camera Body Black arriving for creators who focus on the best image quality. Whether you shoot portraits, street photography or landscapes, the new ultra-portable A7CR black allows you to concentrate on your subject, while capturing better image quality than ever.

It meets these demands through a 61 megapixel Exmor R full-frame CMOS sensor, BIONZ XR image processor and the inclusion of a dedicated AI processing unit. These are all taken from the powerful A7R V and contained inside the far smaller and more portable body of the A7CR.

Between these three components you can create unbelievably high-resolution images, with more refined colours and far more accurate realtime recognition AF, thanks to AI-driven subject detection and tracking, which also recognises a wider variety of subjects.

The body itself is similar to the standard resolution Sony A7C II Camera Black, and boasts a refined user-experience with new menu layout, new vari-angle LCD touchscreen and improved grip.

Although the AC7R is primarily focused on stills image quality and resolution, it is also offers hybrid creators with video, and the ability to record 4K 60p full-frame with a slight crop as well as 4K 30p in 4:2:2 10-bit Super 35. There are also lots of new tools available for video such as Creative Looks, S-Log3 and S-Cinetone profile as well as breathing compensation, AF Assist and Focus Mapping.

Key Sony A7CR Camera Features

• 61 megapixel Exmor R full-frame CMOS sensor, from the A7R V
• BIONZ XR image processor for 8x faster processing than previous camera
• Dedicated AI processing unit with powerful subject recognition and tracking
• 693-point phase-detection AF covers 79% of the sensor area
• 5-axis in-body stabilisation with up to 7-stops compensation
• Burst at up to 8fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
• Selectable image quality with Lossless RAW, HEIFF and Pixel Shift Multi Shot
• Large buffer for longer bursts at up to 1000 JPEG fine and 36 RAW images
• Record 4K 60p full-frame video (1.2x crop) with full pixel readout and 4K 30p in 4:2:2 10-bit Super 35
• 16-bit RAW output to an external video recorder via HDMI
• S-Cinetone, Creative Looks and Monitor LUTs
• Excellent low light performance and wide dynamic range
• Active mode stabilisation
• Updated ergonomics with new dials, improved grip and great battery life
• Vari-angle LCD with touchscreen control and a more intuitive interface
• Magnesium alloy parts and weather sealing
• Includes grip extension

Sony A7CR Mirrorless Camera Body Black in More Detail

High-resolution in a compact camera

This full-frame mirrorless camera houses Sony’s 61 megapixel Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, which offers significantly higher resolution than virtually any 35mm camera on the market. The sensor has more than double the surface area compared to an APS-C camera, which provides a wider angle of view and shallower depth of eld.

This is ideal for subject-driven content, which can include portraits, street photography, architecture and of course landscape photography, where high-resolution is deemed especially advantageous.

One of the key benefits of having so much resolution available is the ability to crop your images and still maintain large sizes for web and print.

The 61MP sensor enables you to capture outstanding detail in 3:2 format JPEG, HEIF and RAW, with new selectable image quality for reducing RAW file sizes. The camera also combines the power of the BIONZ XR processor with a dedicated AI processing unit, which render more accurate colours and skin tones, graduations, dynamic range, and overall enhanced image quality.

BIONZ XR image processing engine

With updated resolution comes greater processing capacity, which is handled by Sony’s advanced BIONZ XR image processing engine. This is a tried-and-tested solution found in flagship cameras across the line-up and delivers high-end performance, with up to 8x the processing performance of the previous model’s BIONZ X.

Real-time Subject Recognition AF from an AI Processing Unit

A dedicated AI processor harnesses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence in order to recognise a wide range of subjects, human poses, vehicles and insects, and accurately track them across the frame. This dramatically improved AF performance, with more tenacious tracking, as well as providing improved auto white balance and colour rendering of skin tones.

Human pose estimation

Among the benefits which the AI processor brings is subject form data, which recognises movement. This provides an improvement in human eye recognition accuracy, as well as adding human pose estimation, to precisely recognise the subject’s eyes, as well as their body and head position. The result is the ability to lock onto and track a subject, even when they are facing away from the camera, wearing a mask, or glasses for example.

Advanced subject tracking

For both stills and video, as well as human eye, head, body and poses, the Sony A7CR recognises animals and birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes. Heads and bodies are now recognised for Animal, and Bird settings too, which improves the hit-rate for your photos and accurately tracks subjects when recording videos.

Thanks to additional new subjects, enhanced tracking and wider sensor AF coverage, you can concentrate on framing your shot and capturing emotive images, without worrying so much about tracking.

Wide AF coverage with excellent lowlight

A series of upgrades help you come away from any situation with great results, which include:

• 693 phase-detection AF points
• Focusing in lower light, with -4EV (vs -3EV)
• Full time DMF in AF-C or AF-S, for manual focus override whenever required
• Focus bracket with up to 299 images

Natural skin tones and consistent colour

Alongside improved auto white balance, creators gain more accurate skin tones when shooting human subjects with the updated A7CR. Natural, healthy-looking colours are consistently and accurately achieved, with features such as smooth skin toning applied during live-streaming, contributing to all-round improved image quality.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting

The A7CR Pixel Shift Multi Shooting feature takes advantage of the in-body image stabilisation system in order to generate up to 16 pixel-shifted images, which are captured and later composited (with your computer). This achieves incredibly high resolution in a single image for bill-board sized prints and posters. This feature has been developed to compensate for movement in the scene, and movements down to single-pixel level can be detected and compensated for during compositing on the PC.

Creative looks

Creative looks allows you to get more out of the camera by applying automatic processing in keeping with the mood or look which you’re going for. The A7CR camera includes unique presets, and skin tones in stills and movies can be enhanced with AE (automatic exposure), which detects the skin area and controls exposure accordingly.

By changing various image parameters such as tone, saturation, contrast, sharpness and brightness, the same subject can be given different styles or looks. For additional control, you can also fine-tune various characteristics and render your own unique style.

Selectable image quality

The Sony A7CR mirrorless camera joins other models in Sony’s range by introducing Lossless Compressed RAW. You can select S/M/L for HEIF format, and HLG photo mode. Another advantage which this model has over its predecessor is high-frequency flicker-free shooting, whereby the variable shutter reduces the impact of flickering automatically. This can occur when ambient artificial lighting is present, or you need to compensate when shooting with LED lighting.

5-axis optical image stabilisation

Within the A7CR lies a high-precision stabilisation unit and gyro sensors, which work together with upgraded image-stabilisation algorithms to provide up to 7-stops of shake compensation. This provides exceptional handholding capabilities with far longer shutter speeds, as well as low light prowess and the ability to capture a greater variety of shots without relying on a tripod quite as often.

High sensitivity and wide dynamic range

Shoot stills and movies with the A7CR at a native ISO 100-32,000, which is expandable to ISO 50-102,400 for stills.

Fast burst shooting

Along with high resolution and image quality, comes fast continuous burst shooting at up to 8fps, with autofocus and automatic exposure (AF/AE).

When burst shooting you can keep up with fast-paced action and capture more images too, thanks to improved buffer memory for over 1000 shots in Fine JPEG, 36 RAW files and 32 RAW and JPEGs combined.

Support for focus while recording video

Thanks to the AI processing unit, real time recognition AF and tracking for video are supported in the Sony A7CR camera. You can even maintain subject tracking while using Clear Image Zoom or the digital zoom function, so your subject stays sharp more of the time.

693 phase detection points cover 79% of the sensor vertically and 86% horizontally for wide and high-density AF.

High quality video recording from a compact body

Video quality has been significantly upgraded in this generation camera and the A7CR allows you to record full-frame 4K 30p in 6.2K oversampling in Super 35mm format (APS-C), with full pixel readout at 4K 60p in full-frame with binning at 1.2x crop.

For slow motion effects you can also capture 120p high frame rates in Full HD, which allows you to create expressive slow motion scenes in your films.

XAVC S-I and XAVC HS are provided along with S-Cinetone, Creative Looks and Log recording with LUTs, monitor LUT/lmport LUT and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), with 4:2:2 10-bit.

Video features

Sony has introduced a series of features to aid with video content, solo productions and hybrid content creation for any channel. These include:

1. Auto-framing, where the camera recognises the position of your subject within the frame, in order to automatically crop around the body edges. You can even keep your subject in a fixed position within the frame, even while you’re walking alongside and moving erratically.
2. In-camera time-lapse can be created showing the passing of time, which is all handled in the A7CR body.
3. Improved 4-channel audio and wind noise reduction, with volume control while an external analogue video mic is attached.
4. Active mode stabilisation, which doesn’t impact video quality
5. Advanced movie support features include:

• AF assist
• Focus map
• Breathing compensation
• Focus peaking during AF
• REC display emphasis
• Shot Mark
• Shockless WB
• Image stabilisation metadata

MI Shoe (digital audio interface)

With the addition of Sony’s digital audio interface you can record up to four channel audio with the latest cable-free, battery-free and space-saving microphones, XLR adapter, and utilise MI shoe compatible Sony fit flashguns.

Compact body with great ergonomics

On the exterior of the Sony A7CR mirrorless camera body you’ll find a 2.36 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder with approx. 0.70x magnification and 60fps or 120fps display options.

A vari-angle touchscreen LCD gives you greater shooting freedom withe a large 3-inch screen and new menus join the C-series camera, which offer more intuitive control, such as swipe access, touch and menu control, operation during playback and more.

The body itself features an improved grip for better hold of the camera body, and includes the Sony A7CR and A7CR Extension Grip for the ultimate handling. Operation is significantly easier now thanks to a new front dial button, another C button and a switch for Stills/Movies/S&Q dial.

Power management has also been updated, with the camera supporting the powerful Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Battery for improved battery performance. USB-PD charging support and USB-C super speed 5Gbps is also available.

Robust and reliable build quality

Despite being the smallest interchangeable camera in the range, the Sony A7CR features a dust and moisture resistant design, and magnesium alloy parts for rigidity and durability. This ensures outdoor photographers are able to continue shooting during inclement and challenging conditions.

E-mount lenses for every situation

A huge range of Sony mirrorless lenses is available to choose from, which cater to every style of photography and video content creation. Options span fixed focal width primes with wide apertures for low light, versatile zoom lenses for distant subjects, and specialist Sony cine lenses for moviemaking.

Using native E mount lenses provides a number of benefits, such as fast native autofocus with Face and Eye detection compatibility, image stabilisation and iris control, as well as breathing compensation compatibility with the A7CR camera. Sony even released a new generation 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens alongside the body, which is smaller, lighter and offers enhanced image quality over the original.

What’s in the box

• Sony A7CR Mirrorless Camera Body Black
• Rechargeable Battery NP-FZ100
• Shoulder strap
• Body cap
• Accessory shoe cap
• Grip extension
• External Battery charger NOT INCLUDED

Sony A7CR Image Samples

Sony A7CR with Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 GM Lens. Exposure: 1/1250sec. f/1.4. ISO 100

Sony A7CR with Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II @35mm. Exposure: 1/1600sec. f/5.6. ISO 800

Sony A7CR with Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II @35mm. Exposure: 1/1600sec. f/5.6. ISO 800

Sony A7CR with Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II @35mm. Exposure: 1/500sec. f/8. ISO 320

Sony A7CR with Sony FE 70-200mm F/4 G OSS II lens @200mm (cropped). Exposure: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 1600