The Sony A7CR puts a 61MP high resolution sensor, the same one used in the A7RV, into a tiny compact full frame body. I took it to a real portrait shoot with the Sony GM 35mm f/1.4 and GM 85mm f/1.4 to see how it handles autofocus, image quality and the buffer, plus video, vlogging and low light tests.
Every photo in this post was edited with my Dulce Lightroom preset pack. I was using a pre-production camera, so these were edited from the JPEGs straight out of camera while waiting for RAW support.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Sony A7CR specs and price
| Sony A7CR | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 61MP full frame, back-illuminated |
| Autofocus | 693 phase detection points, AI subject recognition |
| Weight | 515g |
| Fastest shutter | 1/4000s mechanical, 1/8000s electronic |
| Burst | Up to 8fps |
| Video | 4K 60p (about 1.2x crop), 4K 30p full frame, 10-bit 4:2:2 |
| Extras | Pixel shift multi shooting, 7-stop IBIS, auto framing |
| Card slot | Single SD |
| Price | US$2,999 / A$4,999 (body, at launch) |
Human and animal autofocus
The A7CR has Sony's AI-based real-time recognition AF, like the A7RV, A6700 and A7C II. With continuous AF and a wide focus area, human AF was incredibly sticky and reliable, and I tested both lock-on and responsive tracking. You also get animal, bird, insect, car, train and airplane modes. Animal AF in video was brilliant on my dogs, and in stills I mostly got tack sharp focus on their eyes, especially when they faced the camera. See the autofocus tests.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Image quality with the GM 35mm f1.4
It's crazy to think Sony fit a 61MP sensor into such a small body, which is so handy when you want high resolution but size and weight matter. Just keep in mind that a sensor this detailed shows off the character of your lenses, so it pairs best with sharp, high quality glass, which is usually larger and heavier. Straight out of camera, skin tones looked great, colours were very true to life and auto white balance did a great job throughout. See the 35mm images.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Camera build
At 515g it's the same body as the A7C II, with a slightly larger and more comfortable grip than the original A7C. It was a little tiring to hold for shoots over an hour, but much better than before. I love that it has a flip screen, the dual-layered mode dial and finally a front dial, so there are enough controls for full manual shooting. It has the newer on/off switch from the A6700, which I'm not a big fan of, and a single SD card slot, which would stop me using it for weddings. See the camera build.
Image quality with the GM 85mm f1.4
I switched to the GM 85mm f/1.4 against a textured grey wall and in a leafy garden. I had a very high ratio of in-focus images with both lenses shot wide open, and the files are beautiful. See the 85mm images.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Limitations: shutter speed and buffer
Just like the A7C II, the fastest mechanical shutter is 1/4000s, so if you love shooting wide open in bright light you may need ND filters. The buffer was the bigger issue for me. Shooting uncompressed RAW plus extra fine JPEG, I got roughly 14 shots before it slowed to one frame per second, which interrupted our shoot as the model moved quickly. Uncompressed RAW alone gives you about 20 shots, and compressed RAW at the full 8fps gives you around 43. Hear about the limitations.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Video and vlogging
The A7CR films up to 4K 60p with about a 1.2x crop or 4K 30p full frame in 10-bit 4:2:2. Human AF was easy to rely on, and the footage is super clear with great colours, so I can see this camera being used for photo and video quite evenly. It also has auto framing, which is really handy with such a high resolution sensor. In my indoor overheating test it ran for around 50 minutes of 4K before getting too hot, and then took a while to cool down. Watch the video tests.
Before and after with Dulce
Here are a couple of before and afters, with the unedited photo on the left and my Dulce edit on the right.
Unedited
Edited with Dulce
Unedited on the left, edited with my Dulce preset on the right.
Edited with my Dulce preset.
Unedited
Edited with Dulce
Unedited on the left, edited with my Dulce preset on the right.
Is the Sony A7CR worth it?
If you want huge 61MP files in the smallest possible full frame body, the A7CR is really impressive, with excellent autofocus and beautiful image quality. The trade-offs are the buffer when shooting uncompressed RAW, the 1/4000s mechanical shutter and the single card slot. For travel and landscape photographers who want to crop and print big, it's a great choice. For fast-paced portrait shoots, I'd lean towards the A7C II or a bigger body.
Sony A7CR FAQ
Is the Sony A7CR good for portrait photography?
Yes. Its 61MP files are stunning and its AI autofocus is very reliable, but the buffer can slow you down shooting uncompressed RAW with a fast-moving subject.
What is the difference between the A7CR and A7C II?
The A7CR has a 61MP sensor and pixel shift, while the A7C II has a 33MP sensor and a much better buffer. They share the same compact body.
How many photos can the A7CR buffer take?
In my test, about 14 shots in uncompressed RAW plus JPEG, about 20 in uncompressed RAW only, and around 43 in compressed RAW.
How much does the Sony A7CR weigh?
It weighs 515g.
What preset did you use for these photos?
All the photos were edited with my Dulce Lightroom preset pack.
All the photos in this post were edited with my Dulce Lightroom preset pack. You might also like my Sony A7C II review, my Sony A7RV review and every Sony camera explained. Browse all my packs in the Lightroom Presets for Portraits collection, and if you're stuck between a few, you can buy any 3 presets and save 10%.
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