A First-Look at the Sony a7CR and its Beefy 61MP Full-Frame Sensor

Just as our rumors predicted, Sony has come out hot with not one, but two new Alpha series cameras to continue on their popular line’s vaulted legacy. With the Sony a7C II (which we cover more in-depth here) Sony is doubling down on their popular Sony a7C with a more sophisticated, and AI-powered, update.

However, with the Sony a7CR, Sony is completely… also doubling down on their popular Sony a7C with a more sophisticated, and AI-powered, update. Oh yeah, and they stuffed in a much larger 61MP full-frame sensor to beef it up to reach about as high as its video specs for a camera this size could possibly go.

Let’s take a look at the new Sony a7CR and explore what this beefcake could possibly do for you and your video projects moving forward.

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Introducing the Sony a7CR

So, the biggest selling points to this new Sony a7CR pretty much all have to do with its overpowered processing and resolving power update. With a beefy 61MP full-frame sensor powered by a BIONZ X processor, Sony put all of its R&D focus on solving how to get the biggest sensor and highest recording rates into their popular compact body.

And, for the most part, they succeeded quite wonderfully as this is truly a behemoth of a sensor which will record 60fps 4K video in 10-bit 4:2:2 using their advanced XAVC S-I format for consistent quality at bitrates up to 600 Mb/s. (Plus, if recording externally, you will be able to reach 16-bit raw output for even greater tonal reproduction and editing flexibility.)

However, a Sony Venice this is not, despite its improved S-Cinetone color rendering profiles and features and S-Log3 and S-Gamut3.Cine Gamma Curves, as the Sony a7CR will always only be as powerful as its compact size will let it be — which keeps it from 8K (or even 6K) video, which might upset a few hopeful videographers looking for those recording rates for this price point eventually.

Next-Gen AI Processing

The success of these new cameras, and in particular this new a7CR, are really going to come down to the general public’s interest in these new AI processing features which Sony is unleashing into these cameras for the first time. With its new dedicated AI processing unit, the a7CR’s autofocus will see huge increases in intelligent subject tracking and recognition capabilities.

Sony estimates its Real-time Eye AF performance has been improved by up to 60% thanks to its human pose estimation capabilities. The Sony a7CR will also offer even better fast hybrid AF which should cover almost 80% of the full-frame image area (or 100% of any APS-C cropped areas) for even better photo and video AF capabilities.

The a7CR will also see Real-time Eye AF fully supported during video recording so different types of DPs and content shooters can use subject detection and tracking of humans, animals or bird eyes while recording.

Is the a7CR Beefy Enough Though?

As mentioned above, despite its high MP number and beefy specs, it’s a bit odd for Sony to double down on this being its beefiest camera yet when it’s still so small, and still has limited recording capabilities when compared to, say, the Sony Alpha 1.

However, there’s a lot that can be forgiven when the price point for the Sony a7CR is set to start at less than $3,000. And the 4K/60p 10-bit full-frame video is certainly nothing to shake your head at, especially for those looking to shoot the easiest, and highest-quality video content for YouTube or online video purposes.

This $3,000 price point seems to be the sweet spot though for most brands in this arena as Canon, Fujifilm, Panasonic and Blackmagic all have great cameras at around this price point, so if you are considering the a7CR it might be worth doing your research before making a purchase.

For your consideration though, here are the specs and price for the Sony a7CR:

• 61MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI Sensor
• BIONZ XR Image Processor
• Shooting Up to 8 fps, ISO 50-102400
• 240.8MP Pixel Shift Multi Shooting
• 10-Bit Full-Frame 4K60p Video
• S-Log3, S-Gamut3, S-Cinetone, User LUTs
• 7 Stops of In-Body Image Stabilization
• 693-Point Phase Detection, 79% Coverage
• 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
• 3″ 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle LCD Touchscreen

Sony a7CR Mirrorless Camera

Packed with processing and resolving power, Sony has stuffed a 61MP full-frame sensor with a BIONZ XR processor into its beefiest compact yet, the black a7CR Mirrorless Camera, putting professional image quality into a form factor optimized for all-day, everyday carry.