Compact cameras are rising in both trends and price. That’s why, as a pro photographer, I think that if you don’t absolutely need to be able to slide a camera into your pocket, a compact mirrorless system with a pancake lens can offer more flexibility at a far better price.
One of the best examples of this is Sony’s compact rangefinder bodies that still manage to fit in full-frame sensors, the Sony A7C II and its high-resolution sibling, the A7CR. These cameras aren’t quite pocketable, but they both weigh less than a pound / 450g and, while you need to add a lens to that weight, it's still a highly portable camera.
The only way to get the 61MP full-frame sensor capability of the Sony A7CR in a smaller camera is with the Sony RX1R III, a compact camera that comes in at a pound / 456g, including its fixed lens.
The RX1R III sits at a luxury $5,098 / £4,100 price point, however. That's currently around $2,000 / £1,500 more than the A7CR and still more than $1,000 / £900 over the cost of the A7CR when factoring in the cost of a lens.
For photographers who don’t need 61MP, the 33MP A7C II is half the cost of the RX1R III, even when paired with a 28-60mm kit lens.
US Deal 🇺🇲
Sony’s most compact mirrorless cameras have just dropped to the lowest price that I’ve seen all year. According to US price trackers, the summer discounts on the A7C II and A7CR have even dipped below Black Friday 2025 prices, with the A7C II at $2,098 and the high-resolution sibling, the A7CR at $2,998. Both cameras are also eligible for $50 cashback.
That’s a rare $400 discount – $450 including the cash back – on two Sony cameras that have repeatedly returned to best-seller lists thanks to the mix of capabilities and portability.
UK Deal 🇬🇧
In the UK, the Sony A7C II is at the lowest-ever price, based on data from Amazon price trackers. The compact mirrorless is £500 off at £1,599, plus there's a £100 cashback offer.
The high-resolution Sony A7CR is also steeply discounted, dropping by £200 to £2,599, plus there's a £200 cashback here too.
Unlike popular advanced compact cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI and Ricoh GR IV, the Sony A7C II and A7CR have larger full-frame sensors. Despite the cameras’ smaller designs, there’s still a viewfinder – something the smallest cameras like the GR IV don’t offer – it’s just tucked off into one corner, rangefinder-style. There’s still a decent-sized grip, too.
If you want a camera that slides into a pocket, the Sony A7C series isn’t it. But if you want a camera that’s light enough to sling around your neck all day, easily tucks into a purse or backpack with a protective sleeve, and still offers a lot of imaging power for the price, then the A7C II and A7CR are excellent options.
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