Best ND Filters for Sony a7C (2026): 24MP Compact, 8-bit 4K, 1.2× at 30p
The original Sony a7C (ILCE-7C) is a 24.2-megapixel compact full-frame with 8-bit 4K and no internal ND. 4K24 is full-width. 4K30 adds a 1.2× crop. There is no 4K60 and no 10-bit internal — those are a7C II facts. The 2026 first buy is the PolarPro Peter McKinnon Edition II Variable ND 2–5 Stop in 82 mm, not the kit 28–60’s 40.5 mm thread.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Updated September 2026 · a7C · ILCE-7C · 24.2MP · 8-bit 4K · 4K30 1.2× crop · 4K24 uncropped · ISO 100 · no 4K60 · 82 mm · 2–5 first
75-1018 / 82-1018. 24MP hybrid, 8-bit 4K. a7C II is 33MP / 10-bit / Super 35 4K60 — different first notes, same 82 mm SKU.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓NIR-TCVND0.3-1.5-82. 1-stop floor when 2 stops is too dark at ISO 100 on 8-bit 4K.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓KF01.1805V1. Nano-X ND2–32. Not the 40.5 mm kit SKU.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Comparison Table
| Filter | Range | Thread | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PolarPro 2–5 Stop 82mm | 2–5 stops | 82 mm | ISO 100 stills + 4K24/30 | Check Price |
| NiSi True Color 1–5 82mm | 1–5 stops | 82 mm | 8-bit S-Cinetone / Creative Style in shade | Check Price |
| K&F Nano-X ND2–32 82mm | 2–5 stops (ND2–32) | 82 mm | First 82 mm on a first-gen a7C | Check Price |
How We Picked
Three official facts decide the glass. Everything else is a pairing.
- 8-bit 4K only; 4K30 is 1.2×; 4K24 is full-width. Sony: no crop in 4K/24p; 4K/30p engages 1.2×. Spec sheet 4K is 4:2:0 8-bit. No 4K60. The crop is not ND. (Sony a7C product page)
- ISO 100–51200 (movies to 102400 expanded). Native stills start at ISO 100. No Dual Base / Cine EI. If ISO 100 is too bright at 1/50, the filter moves. (Sony ILCE-7C specifications)
- No internal ND; kit 28–60 is 40.5 mm. ILCE-7C is a compact ILCE body. GM zooms are 82 mm. Buy the thread on the lens you actually shoot. (Sony UK ILCE-7C 4K listing)
Detailed Reviews
PolarPro Peter McKinnon Edition II Variable ND 2–5 Stop (82mm) View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 2–5 stops |
|---|---|
| Thread | 82 mm |
| Best for | ISO 100 stills + 4K24/30 |
The first-gen a7C is an ISO 100 travel hybrid with 8-bit 4K. The first ND is 2–5 in 82 mm. Do not copy the a7C II 4K60 Super 35 paragraph onto this body.
Sony’s a7C page: 24.2MP full-frame, 4K up to 30p, no crop in 4K/24p, 1.2× crop in 4K/30p, ISO expandable 50–204800 stills / 100–102400 movies. The UK spec lists XAVC S 4K as 4:2:0 8-bit only — 30p/24p NTSC, 25p PAL. There is no 4K60 line and no 10-bit internal. IBIS is in the body. There is no electronic ND.
The a7C II article is 33MP, 10-bit, 7K-oversampled 4K30, Super 35 4K60. This body is none of those. At ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/50, noon still wants about five stops. That is a 2–5. S-Log2/3 exist as Picture Profiles but they land in 8-bit — not a reason to start on 6–9 the way an a7S III does.
GM II zooms are 82 mm. The kit 28–60 is 40.5 mm. Buy 82 mm. The 1.2× crop at 30p does not add ND; it only tightens the frame.
- 2–5 matches ISO 100 stills and 8-bit 4K24/30
- 82 mm GM thread — same physical ring as a7C II if both bodies share a bag
- Hard stops on a compact grip
- Not enough for an f/1.4 noon still at ISO 100 — that is Layer 2’s 6–9
- Overkill as the only filter on the 40.5 mm kit zoom
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
NiSi True Color ND-VARIO 1–5 Stop (82mm) View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 1–5 stops |
|---|---|
| Thread | 82 mm |
| Best for | 8-bit S-Cinetone / Creative Style in shade |
A 1-stop floor suits 8-bit talking-head 4K in shade better than PolarPro’s 2-stop minimum.
The original a7C is often left on a Creative Style or S-Cinetone-like profile because 8-bit Log is a painful grade. Those modes sit at ISO 100. NiSi’s 1–5 in 82 mm covers GM glass without buying a 10-bit-era 6–9 first.
- 1-stop floor
- True Color on 8-bit 4K
- Same 82 mm
- Noon f/1.4 stills still want 6–9
- Lever in a sling
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND2–32 (82mm) View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 2–5 stops (ND2–32) |
|---|---|
| Thread | 82 mm |
| Best for | First 82 mm on a first-gen a7C |
Cheap 82 mm ND2–32. Confirm KF01.1805V1. A 40.5 mm Nano-X is a kit-lens purchase.
KF01.1805V1 is the 82 mm Nano-X ND2–32. Stay off the last ½ stop. This body will not hide an X behind Dual Gain or 10-bit. Do not buy it in 40.5 mm as the “a7C filter” unless the 28–60 never comes off.
- Correct 82 mm ND2–32 SKU
- Matches the 2–5 job
- No hard stops
- ND2–400 listings sit next to it
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If You Need Something Else
PolarPro Edition II 6–9 Stop 82 mm (75-1020) View on Amazon View on B&H
f/1.4 noon stills or a 1-second street at ISO 100. Second filter on this 8-bit body.
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40.5 mm ND2–32 View on Amazon View on B&H
kit 28–60 only.
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a7C II 10-bit / 4K60 notes View on Amazon View on B&H
different camera. Do not mix the Super 35 4K60 paragraph into this kit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same ND kit as the a7C II?
Same 82 mm PolarPro 2–5 SKU can live in both bags. The a7C II has 10-bit, 33MP, and Super 35 4K60. This body is 8-bit 24MP with a 1.2× crop at 4K30. Do not copy the a7C II video notes.
Does the original a7C shoot 4K60?
No. 4K is 30p/24p (25p PAL), 8-bit. 4K30 is 1.2×. 4K24 is uncropped.
Is 4K30 full-frame?
No. Sony documents a 1.2× crop at 4K/30p. 4K/24p has no additional crop.
2–5 or 6–9 first?
2–5. Native ISO 100 and 8-bit hybrid. 6–9 is the f/1.4 noon stills add-on.
Why 82 mm on a compact body?
GM zooms are 82 mm. The kit 28–60 is 40.5 mm — a different job.
Does IBIS replace ND?
No. IBIS holds a long still. It does not cut 4K at 1/50.
Final Verdict
The original a7C is a 24MP compact full-frame with 8-bit 4K, a 1.2× crop at 30p, and no internal ND. It is not the a7C II. Start with the PolarPro 2–5 82 mm. Use NiSi 1–5 for shade. Use K&F KF01.1805V1 as the cheap 82 mm. Add a 6–9 only for wide-open noon stills.