Canon is new to world of full frame mirrorless cameras, having released its mirrorless camera system in September of 2018, while Sony is already considered a veteran in this space. In this article, we’ll be comparing Canon’s first full frame mirrorless camera – the EOS R with Sony A7III. First, let’s take a look at some of the specs they share, and then we’ll look at the differences. Both cameras feature:
- Full-frame sensor
- 4K video recording at up to 30 fps
- Weather-sealed body
- Headphone and microphone jack
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- USB charging
Now that we’ve taken a look at what Canon EOS R and Sony A7III have in common, let’s discuss some of the main differences:
Sensor
Canon has a 30MP full frame sensor that is essentially a slightly updated version of the sensor found in Canon 5D Mark IV. The sensor on the A7III has a bit less resolution – 24MP to be exact, but the difference definitely isn’t too big. Sony’s sensor is also backside illuminated, which allows for somewhat better low light performance.
Mount
There’s no need to tell you that the mount on these cameras is completely different. However, it is important to note that Sony’s E-mount system is several years old and features more than 24 E-Mount lenses specifically designed for their full frame mirrorless cameras. On another hand, Canon is just starting out in this space and has released only 4 lenses along with their new mirrorless camera with several other lenses in the pipeline. We should also note that EOS R will accept EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter, but this adds additional weight to the system.
Autofocus Points
Canon EOS R has 5,665 (!) phase detection points and 88 percent coverage of the sensor, while the Sony A7III has 693 phase detection points with 93 percent sensor coverage. The Sony also has 425 additional contrast detection points. Autofocus on both of these cameras is pretty amazing and Canon’s camera has support for Dual AF technology this company is known for.
Burst Shooting
The Canon EOS R can shoot up to 8fps, while the A7III can do up to 10fps.
Electronic Viewfinder and Screen
image source: Canon
When it comes to EVF resolution, the EOS R takes the win with 3.69 million dots compared to 2.36 million dots on the A7III. However, the A7III has slightly higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.76x).
The difference is bigger when it comes to the touchscreen display on the back. Canon has 2.10 million dots while the A7III features a 0.92 million dot display. The rear screen is also larger on the Canon (3.15 vs 3.0 inches). On top of that, Canon has a fully articulating rear screen and Sony’s screen can only tilt up or down.
IBIS
One of the biggest differences between these two cameras is the fact that Sony A7III has in-body image stabilization, while the EOS R doesn’t. Not only does IBIS helps when taking photos at slower shutter speeds, but is also quite useful for videographers. However, if you’re planing on using a gimbal for your video work, then IBIS doesn’t really make too much of a difference.
Body Size and Weight
The EOS R is a slightly bigger camera, although the difference in weight is minimal. It comes in at 1.45 lb or 660 grams, compared to 1.43 lb (650 grams) of the A7III.
Video Recording
Both cameras can record 4K videos at up to 30 fps, but Sony is limited to 100 Mbit/s codec, while the Canon can shoot at either 120 Mbit/s or 480 Mbit/s, which means you’ll have more information to work with. It is also important to note that Canon can output 10 bit 4:2:2 video via the HDMI port, while Sony is limited to 8 bit recording.
The A7III can record 1080p video at up to 120fps, while Canon is limited to 60fps.
Finally, let’s talk about the fact the EOS R applies a pretty heavy crop (1.7x) when you’re shooting 4K video. In comparison, the A7III gives you the option of recording without crop (using the entire full frame sensor) or using a 1.5x crop.
Memory Cards
image source: Sony
Sony A7III has dual SD card slots. One of them supports UHS-II cards while other one is limited to UHS-I memory cards. If you want to learn more about compatible A7III cards, feel free to check out our article on best SD cards for A7III.
Canon EOS R has only one SD card slot, which is UHS-II compatible. You can also check out our article on best SD cards for Canon EOS R.
Battery Life
The EOS R has a rating of about 350 shoots per charge, while the A7III is rated at 710 shots. That’s more than twice as much!
Price
Price difference between these two cameras isn’t big, but it’s there. The A7III retails for $1,999, while the EOS R has a retail price of $2,299.
We hope this article helped you understand some of the main differences between the Canon EOS R and Sony A7III.
