How To Set Sony A7C II Custom Menu Dials for Cinematic Settings (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Introduction

I’m Kevin, a photographer/videographer that specialized in portraits, sports and street photography where I shoot a lot of photos and videos on the go.

In this blog — I’m going to show you how to fully customize your Sony A7CII using the custom 1, 2, and 3 dials for both photo and video modes so you can create faster and more efficiently. Whether you’re a photographer looking to shoot faster on the go, or a filmmaker setting up for quick cinematic looks, this guide is going to walk you through everything step-by-step to customize your Sony A7C II. Be sure to watch the video above if you’re a visual learner.

Let’s get into it!

Sony

Alpha a7C II Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera - Body Only and Kits - Silver / Body Only

$2198

Building off the sleek profile and full-frame sensor combination of its first-generation predecessor, the black Sony a7C II offers improved resolution, autofocus, in-body image stabilization, and video capabilities in the same compact, all-day, everyday form factor.

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Why Bother With Custom Dials, Anyway?

If you’ve spent more time poking through Sony’s colossal menu than actually taking pictures, you’re not alone. The A7C II’s C1, C2, C3 memory slots let you stash entire “mini‑cameras” inside that top‑right dial. One twist swaps ISO limits, file formats, shutter speed, picture profiles—everything.

Think of it like presets on your car radio: tap once, vibe instantly. Except here it’s the difference between nailing an impromptu street portrait and watching it walk away while you scroll eight pages deep looking for “Minimum Shutter Speed.”

Photo Mode Customizations

Flip the mode switch to Photo. Let’s start customizing for photography.

Custom 1 – Everyday Shooting (Aperture Priority)

For an everyday type of photo setup, here’s the setup I recommend.

Set your mode dial to A for Aperture Priority

• Minimum shutter speed: 1/250
• ISO: Auto, range from 50 to 6400
• Image format: RAW

To set the image format to RAW:

1. Press the Menu button.
2. Go to the Shooting tab (Camera icon 1).
3. Scroll to Image Quality Settings.
4. Select File Format and choose RAW or RAW + JPEG depending on your preference.

To set the ISO range:

1. In the same tab, go to ISO Settings.
2. Choose ISO AUTO Min. SS and set 1/250 as the minimum shutter speed.
3. Then, under ISO Range, set it to 50–6400.

Now to save it to Custom 1:

1. Press Menu.
2. Go to the Camera Settings 1 tab (the camera icon with the number 1).
3. Scroll to Camera Settings Memory.
4. Select 1 to save it to Custom Dial 1.

Now anytime you’re in Photo mode and turn the dial to C1, you’ve got your go-to setup ready to start shooting photos set with these parameters.

Custom 2 – Manual Photo Mode (Controlled Shooting)

Now set the mode dial to M for Manual.

This is great for studio or consistent lighting. Here’s how I set mine:

• Shutter speed: 1/160
• ISO: 400
• Aperture: Set based on your lighting and depth of field needs

Make sure you're still in RAW format.

To save it to Custom 2:

1. Once all your settings are dialed in, press Menu.
2. Head to Camera Settings 1 > Camera Settings Memory.
3. Select slot 2 to save your manual setup to Custom Dial 2.

Custom 3 – Viewer’s Choice

For Custom Dial 3, you can now set it however you like — maybe for low-light, black-and-white, or flash photography. Use the same steps to save it to slot 3 in the Camera Settings Memory section.

Video Mode Customizations

Switch your camera to Video Mode using the mode switch, then rotate the top dial to M for manual video.

Custom 1 – Cinematic S-Log3 (24fps)

Here’s the setup for a cinematic base profile:

• Resolution: 4K
• Frame Rate: 24fps
• Codec: XAVC HS 4K
• Bitrate: 10-bit 4:2:2
• Picture Profile: PP8 (S-Log3)
• Shutter Speed: 1/50
• ISO: 800

To set these:

1. Press Menu.
2. Go to the Shooting tab.
3. Under File Format, choose XAVC HS 4K.
4. Under Record Settings, select 24p 100M 4:2:2 10bit.
5. Go to Picture Profile and choose PP8 for S-Log3.

Set shutter speed to 1/50 manually, and ISO to 800.

To save it to Video Custom 1:

1. Press Menu.
2. Go to the Camera Settings 1 tab again.
3. Scroll to Camera Settings Memory.
4. Now you’ll see a new set of slots for Movie mode — pick 1.

Now whenever you're in Video mode and turn the dial to C1, your S-Log3 cinematic profile is ready.

Custom 2 – 4K 60fps Slow Motion

Same process — back in Video mode, still on Manual.

Set:

• Codec: XAVC HS 4K
• Frame Rate: 60fps
• Bitrate: 10-bit 4:2:2
• Shutter Speed: 1/125
• ISO: 800

To set it:

1. Menu > Shooting > File Format: XAVC HS 4K
2. Record Setting: 60p 200M 4:2:2 10bit
3. Shutter Speed: 1/125
4. ISO: 800

Save it to Custom Dial 2 (Video Mode):

1. Menu > Camera Settings 1 > Camera Settings Memory
2. Save to slot 2 under Movie mode.

Custom 3 – Vlogging with S-Cinetone

Last one! Let’s set this up for fast vlogging and quick edits:

• Codec: XAVC HS 4K
• Frame Rate: 24fps
• Bitrate: 10-bit 4:2:2
• Picture Profile: PP11 (S-Cinetone)
• Shutter Speed: 1/50
• ISO: Auto
• Exposure Compensation: -0.3

Steps:

1. Menu > File Format: XAVC HS 4K
2. Record Setting: 24p 100M 4:2:2 10bit
3. Picture Profile: PP11 (S-Cinetone)
4. Shutter: 1/50
5. ISO: Auto
6. Press the right dial to adjust Exposure Comp, set to -0.3

Save it to Video Custom Dial 3:

1. Menu > Camera Settings 1 > Camera Settings Memory
2. Save to slot 3 under Movie mode.

And that’s it!

Your Sony A7C II is now fully customized for fast, efficient, high-quality photo and video workflows. This will save you a ton of time whether you’re on a shoot or just grabbing your camera on the go. Hoped you enjoyed the video too, be sure to check out it above and leave any questions in the comment section!

Happy shooting!