This review looks at the best Extension Grip for Sony A7CR / A7Cii. What suits your needs for this new Sony full-frame camera best?
Table of Contents
The Sony A7C range is a compact camera for everyday use. But there are times when you may need that little extra grip for that heavier lens or for mounting on the tripod.
If you are in the market for an add-on grip check out the following products that might solve your requirement.
Best Extension Grip for Sony A7CR / A7Cii.
Although very similar to look at they can offer very different functionality. Grips generally are designed to increase the size of camera body to give more real estate to hang on to.
L Brackets on the other hand are added to provide quick access to mounting on a tripod or gimbal via the Arca – Swiss type clamp.
There are also products that exist that blur the realms of the Grip and L bracket providing a little bit of both.
Below we will look at a few designs that exist on the market for the A7C, A7CR and the A7CII. Hopefully this will give you an idea of what product may best suite your requirement.
Sony A7CR / A7CII L Brackets versus Grips – The SHORTLIST
Sony GP-X2 Extension Grip
The Sony GP-X2 Extension Grip for A7C II and A7CR addresses this with improved grip and comes included with the high-resolution A7CR, but is optional for the A7C II body.
KEY FEATURES
- GP-X2 Grip Extension for A7C II and A7CR cameras (included with the high-res model)
- Launched 2023
- Dimensions: W 124 mm x H 23.3 mm x D 57.2 mm
- It weighs just 75 g
If you just need that extra grip extension then this is a great solution. Although a little pricey it fits the camera well making it look like a larger integrated body rather than a add-on. Its very light and the feel matches the main camera.
If you own the A7CR then you will already have this as it comes as standard with the camera at purchase.
The grip has an Open and Lock switch to allow access to the battery. The grip is attached to the camera via the integrated lock screw. This also has a tripod mount socket for extra flexibility.
SmallRig’s Bottom Mount Plate (Black/Silver）
SmallRigs answer is a design to improve handgrip feeling and quickly mount onto tripod or gimbals, while protecting the bottom of the camera.
Locking the camera via one 1/4″-20 screw and the raised edge, the baseplate also features cushions to prevent scratches and twisting.
Its hinge arm at the battery door better fits the camera curve and leaves room for the pinkie for more comfort.
The Arca-Swiss quick-release plate on the bottom supports DJI RS 2 / RSC 2 / RS 3 / RS 3 Pro gimbals as well as DJI RS 2 / RSC 2 gimbal’s quick-release plate and Arca-Type Quick Release Plate 3154. At the bottom there are QD socket, compatible with QD shoulder strap, and it also reserves waist strap holes for a Hand Strap 3848. Also a magnetic wrench is included for easy disassembly and assembly.
- Dimensions: W 124.9 mm x H 11.5 mm x D 57.7 mm
- It weighs just 62 g
This base plate is a great quality product that we have to expect from SmallRig. Coming slightly lighter and smaller than the Sony GP-X2. The only downside of this plate is that it does not allow attachment to a tripod in portrait mode. The camera if fitted with a lighter lens can be rotated 90 degrees on the ball head, but this will depend on your setup.
Leofoto LPS-A7CR/A7C II L Plate
Featuring an Arca-type dovetail along the bottom, allowing the camera to be mounted in landscape orientation. The one-piece solid aluminium construction is durable yet lightweight. The plate weighs in at 100g, but it does have a little trick up its sleeve.
The clever guys at Leofoto have designed the plate with an Arca Swiss connection at the end. This allows the plate to be mounted in portrait mode on the tripod. A win win for me, and certainly warrants being shortlisted as one of the best Extension Grip for Sony A7CR / A7Cii on the market at the moment.
There are full L brackets on the market but adding them increases the size of the cameras footprint. Generally going against the logic for buying a small camera in the first place.
- Dimensions: W 130 mm x H 20 mm x D 58 mm
- It weighs just 100 g
- Precision Engineered for Sony A7CR/A7C II Cameras
- Full Access to ports, cards, and battery
- Precision CNC machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum.
- Fully Arca Compatible
- Magnetic slot key storage on the bottom
- Camera Screw: 1/4″ Standard Thread
Conclusion
As you can see all the plates discussed above have there pros and cons. So what is the best Extension Grip for Sony A7CR / A7Cii.?The decision on what is the best solution will ultimately come down to the requirements of the user.
Prices vary. The Sony comes in at around £159, the SmallRig at around £30. Leofoto also is around £30 but shipping is a little extra as it comes direct from the USA.
The best all round performer for me is the Leofoto LPS, it ticks all the boxes and gives the most functionality. At the time of writing the Leofoto is not available in camera shops in the UK.
It can be purchased directly from the Leofoto store directly, and despite being in the USA their delivery service is superb and hassle free. You will also find buying direct works out cheaper than buying from a UK camera store, it just takes a few extra days to arrive in the post.
Check out my online review below.
