Having acquired the Sony A7C2 around New Year's Day, I've been hands-on with it for nearly a hundred days. While many influencers tout the Sony A7C2 as particularly suitable for novice users, I beg to differ. In fact, there are several glaring flaws with the Sony A7C2 that I'd like to share with potential buyers, urging them to carefully consider these aspects before making a purchase. If you find these issues potentially impactful to your experience, proceed with caution. Of course, everyone's needs vary, so whether these drawbacks matter to you depends on your preferences. Here are some of the flaws I've identified.

Sony A7C2 Flaws Summary:

1. Screen Color Inaccuracy and Insufficient Brightness

Despite claims of screen improvements over the A7C, I find that the color accuracy and photo quality still lag behind expectations. The actual disparity isn't as pronounced as depicted in promotional images.

The screen brightness is a notable weakness of the A7C2, particularly inadequate for daytime use, even in overcast conditions. This necessitates relying heavily on histograms to gauge light and shadow, with uncertainty about color accuracy, leading to shooting in RAW format and post-processing.

Additionally, the lack of flip-up screen support increases the risk of damage when flipping it sideways. Thus, it's crucial to develop a habit of closing the screen when not in use. I've already cracked a tempered glass screen protector and suggest keeping spares handy.

2. Poor Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) Performance

The EVF suffers from deficiencies in brightness, color accuracy, and clarity, compounded by the absence of a sunshade and the inability to replace it. This is especially problematic for daytime photography, given the inadequate screen brightness, leaving users practically blind when trying to compose shots.

One workaround is to use a smartphone cold shoe mount to substitute the camera display with the smartphone screen. Smartphone screens boast high brightness levels and color accuracy, and by downloading Sony's official app, users can view camera content in real-time, enhancing the shooting experience.

3. Average Battery Life

The included official battery has a modest capacity of 2280mAh, resulting in mediocre overall battery performance, especially during photography or video recording sessions where the screen remains lit at maximum brightness. Carrying at least two spare batteries for photography and three for video recording is advisable, particularly when using third-party or adapted lenses.

Since Sony A7C2 doesn't come with a charger, I recommend opting for third-party batteries with a Type-C interface for convenient charging using a smartphone charger.

4. Unclear Menu Design and Inadequate Official Documentation

The entire menu design and logic fall short compared to brands like Canon, requiring extensive learning. Moreover, the lack of clear configuration instructions from the official documentation forces users to download PDF versions from the website, which is rather inconvenient.

Furthermore, the inexplicable explanations provided in the onboard user guide resemble poor translations, making it challenging for novices to understand without weeks of study. However, if you're a point-and-shoot user, this might not be a significant concern. Still, I believe it's essential for every novice to study the PDF user manual available on the official website.

5. Severe Accessory Downsizing

The camera package only includes the camera body, battery, and shoulder strap, with no charger, manual, or battery case provided. Purchasing a standalone charger costs an additional $700, and even the charging cable is absent. While a charging cable was later included due to backlash, it was only for models produced in 2024.

Furthermore, due to the compact design, male users may find their pinky finger dangling when holding the camera single-handedly. Investing in a protective base plate can significantly improve grip.

For female users, however, a protective base plate may not be necessary. Instead, I recommend investing in a stylish camera case to satisfy the desire for carrying the camera around.

6. Mediocre In-Body Stabilization (IBIS) for Video

The latest seven-level stabilization falls short of expectations, particularly in video mode. The footage appears unstable, even worse than what a $2000 smartphone could produce. While the stabilization works decently for photography, the difference between having IBIS and not having it is negligible for video recording. Unless you plan to use a stabilizer, purchasing the A7C2 for video purposes may not be wise due to the subpar factory stabilization.

To address this issue for future video shoots and for portability reasons, I'm currently eyeing a compact stabilizer that pairs well with the Sony A7C2. If anyone has recommendations, I'd appreciate the input.

7. Lack of Compact Lenses for Full Frame

Many opt for the A7C2 for its portability, hoping to carry it in a pocket or small bag for impromptu photography. However, full-frame camera zoom lenses are not compact and lightweight. A comparison between my 24-70 lens and a prime lens clearly illustrates this size disparity.

To achieve true portability, one must resort to using fast prime lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 or lower. For instance, I paired mine with a compact 20mm f/2.8 lens from Voigtlander, which is an excellent choice among prime lenses.

Of course, if you desire large aperture lenses like f/1.8 and above with small form factors, manual lenses are currently the only option. For example, I'm currently experimenting with a Chinese-made full-frame manual focus lens, the Meike 50mm f/2. Despite its average image quality, the all-metal construction, less than 200g weight, and $300 price tag make it a worthwhile addition to my kit, even if it ends up collecting dust later on.

8. Not Suitable for Portrait Photographers Who Don't Post-Process

Having no prior experience with other Sony cameras, I noticed that compared to Canon's straight-out-of-camera portraits, the Sony A7C2 often produces skin tones that lean towards yellow-green. If you prefer shooting portraits and don't have post-processing skills, I urge you to reconsider your choice. However, if you're willing to learn, then by all means, go ahead. The image below clearly shows the noticeable green tint on the subject's face.

Some might argue that the A7C2's creative picture styles yield better results for portrait photography. Let me share my experience with these creative picture styles after using them for three months. While they offer considerable flexibility in overall color tone, they still lag behind Fujifilm's options in terms of white balance. Novice users will need to invest significant time and patience to master and experiment with these styles.

To minimize the risk of color cast due to inaccurate white balance, I recommend carrying a gray card in your pocket. The one I use is inexpensive and very convenient. By customizing the white balance before taking photos, you can mitigate color inaccuracies.

In conclusion, while the Sony A7C2 has its fair share of flaws, it also boasts several advantages, such as a wide selection of third-party lenses, accurate and fast autofocus, and appealing aesthetics. However, if after reading the above content, you still have concerns or hesitations, I strongly recommend considering the Sony A7M4, which is an excellent all-around choice for both everyday use and professional work. The Sony A7C2, in my experience so far, seems more like a backup full-frame