Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R

  • Full frame
  • 24 megapixels
  • Sony E
  • 50
    Overall
  • 24
    Imaging
  • 88
    Features
  • 73
    Size
  • 0
    Price
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  • Full frame
  • 30 megapixels
  • Canon RF
  • 53
    Overall
  • 31
    Imaging
  • 71
    Features
  • 71
    Size
  • 0
    Price
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Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R: a Complete Review and Comparison

Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!

In this review, we are going to provide a detailed evaluation and comparison of two different camera models that fall into the same category - Pro Mirrorless. Although these cameras are from the same category, they were introduced by different brands - Sony and Canon. Models we are reviewing in this article have different types of sensors, Thus, Sony Alpha A7 III is equipped with a 24.0 MP BSI-CMOS sensor. Canon EOS R, on the contrary, features CMOS sensor with a resolution of 30.0 MP.

To get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.

Sony Alpha A7 III Key Features:

  • 24.0 MP Full frame BSI-CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expands to 50 - 204800)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • 3″ Tilting Screen
  • ViewFinder: Yes
  • 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Video: 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
  • Built-in Wireless: Yes
  • Dimensions: 127 x 96 x 74 mm
  • Weight: 650 g
  • Environmental Sealing: Yes
  • Built-in GPS: No
  • Replaced Sony A7 II.

Canon EOS R Key Features:

  • 30.0 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Expands to 50 - 102400)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • 3.2″ Fully Articulated Screen
  • ViewFinder: Yes
  • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Video: 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • Built-in Wireless: Yes
  • Dimensions: 136 x 98 x 84 mm
  • Weight: 660 g
  • Environmental Sealing: Yes
  • Built-in GPS: No

Sony Alpha A7 III substituted Sony A7 II.

Why is Sony Alpha A7 III a better choice than Canon EOS R

NFC Yes vs No Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Timelapse Recording No vs No Creative shooting
Storage Slots 2 vs 1 Extra storage slot
Image Stabilization Yes vs No All lenses are stabilized
Continuous Shooting 10 fps vs 8 fps 2 fps faster
Battery Life 610 shots vs 370 shots 240 more frames with a single charge
Weight 650 g vs 660 g 10 g lighter
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78 vs 0.76 0.02 better magnification

What are the key reasons to pick Canon EOS R over Sony Alpha A7 III

Sensor Resolution 30.0 MP vs 24.0 MP 20% more pixels
Sensor Area 864 mm2 vs 852.04 mm2 1.4% larger pixel area
Number Of Focus Points 5655 vs 693 4962 more focus points
Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3″ 0.2" larger screen
Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Tilting Flexible shooting positions
Screen Resolution 2,100k dots vs 922k dots 56.1% higher resolution screen
Viewfinder Resolution 3,690k dots vs 2,359k dots 36.1% higher resolution

Key PROs of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R

Touch Screen Yes | Yes Easy control of camera functions
Screen Size 3″ | 3.2″ Large display
Screen Type Tilting | Fully Articulated Help viewing and changing settings easily
Viewfinder Electronic | Electronic Better framing and control
Raw Support Yes | Yes Better image quality
Sensor Resolution 24.0 MP | 30.0 MP Bigger prints and more details
AutoFocus Face Detection Yes | Yes Very handy for portraits
Microphone Port Yes | Yes High quality audio recording option
Headphone Port Yes | Yes Better video control
Bracketing Yes | Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps | 8.0 fps Nice continuous shooting
Flash Sync Port Yes | Yes Port for Flash Sync
Environmental Sealing Yes | Yes Shoot at tough conditions

Key CONs of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R

Timelapse Recording Yes | No No timelapse recording
Built-In Flash No | No No built-in flash

Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R: Comparing Two Models By Physical Characteristics

Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R from the front view.

Sony Alpha A7 III
Canon EOS R
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Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.

Sony Alpha A7 III
Canon EOS R
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After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.

Speaking of weight, Sony Alpha A7 III is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 10g less than the Canon EOS R. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.

Battery values for Pro Mirrorless cameras:
Sony Alpha A7 III — 610 shots
Canon EOS R — 370 shots
Min: 210 shots
Average: 432 shots
Max: 870 shots
Thickness values for Pro Mirrorless cameras:
Sony Alpha A7 III — 74 mm
Canon EOS R — 84 mm
Min: 37 mm
Average: 63 mm
Max: 97 mm
Weight values for Pro Mirrorless cameras:
Sony Alpha A7 III — 650 g
Canon EOS R — 660 g
Min: 465 g
Average: 672 g
Max: 1320 g

Comparing Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R by the type of Sensor and Resolution

Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.

Are Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R any different in terms of sensor type?

In fact, that's exactly what makes these two models really different. Thus, it is a good point to consider if your are choosing between these two cameras. Sony Alpha A7 III features a 24.0 MP Full frame sized BSI-CMOS sensor and boasts of a Bionz X processor . Canon EOS R, in its turn, comes with a 30.0 MP Full frame sized CMOS sensor , which makes it significantly different from the first model.

Take a look below to find the comparison of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R by the size of their sensors.

Sony Alpha A7 III
Canon EOS R
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Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R are identical by this indicator, as each feature a sensor of the same size. Thus, both cameras will provide the same level of control in terms of the depth of field if you use them with the same focal length and aperture.

For Which Fields Of Photography Are Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R Suitable?

If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.

This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.

Photography Type Sony Alpha A7 III Canon EOS R
Portrait Photography
98%
100%
Street Photography
95%
93%
Sports Photography
99%
100%
Daily Photography
69%
70%
Landscape Photography
99%
93%

Sony Alpha A7 III for Portrait Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (24 MP)
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Image Stabilization
  • Face Detection Focusing

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Canon EOS R for Portrait Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (30 MP)
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Canon is famous with its skintones
  • Face Detection Focusing

Disadvantages:

  • No Image Stabilization

Sony Alpha A7 III for Street Photography

Advantages:

  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Image Stabilization
  • Large Full frame(35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor

Disadvantages:

  • Big size (127 x 96 x 74 mm)

Canon EOS R for Street Photography

Advantages:

  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Fully Articulated Screen
  • Large Full frame(36 x 24 mm) sensor

Disadvantages:

  • Big size (136 x 98 x 84 mm)
  • No Image Stabilization

Sony Alpha A7 III for Sports Photography

Advantages:

  • Environmental Sealing
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Big Number of autofocus Points (693)
  • Nice Low Light ISO (3730)
  • Big size (127 x 96 x 74 mm)

Disadvantages:

  • Slow Continuous Shooting (10.0 fps)
  • Small battery life (610 shots)

Canon EOS R for Sports Photography

Advantages:

  • Environmental Sealing
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Big Number of autofocus Points (5655)
  • Big size (136 x 98 x 84 mm)

Disadvantages:

  • Slow Continuous Shooting (8.0 fps)
  • Small battery life (370 shots)

Sony Alpha A7 III for Daily Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Wireless Connectivity
  • Video is available

Disadvantages:

  • Big weight (650 g)
  • Big size (127 x 96 x 74 mm)
  • No Built-in Flash

Canon EOS R for Daily Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Wireless Connectivity
  • Video is available

Disadvantages:

  • Big weight (660 g)
  • Big size (136 x 98 x 84 mm)
  • No Built-in Flash

Sony Alpha A7 III for Landscape Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (24 MP)
  • Good Dynamic Range (14.7)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Live View
  • RAW Support
  • Nice Low Light ISO (3730)

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Canon EOS R for Landscape Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (30 MP)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Live View
  • RAW Support

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Comparison of Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R: Final Verdict

Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Sony Alpha A7 III or Canon EOS R, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.

What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Sony Alpha A7 III and Canon EOS R here is what we can say in conclusion:

According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Canon EOS R deserves a higher Total Score than the Sony Alpha A7 III. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.

Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R Table Of Technical Specs

For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:

Sony Alpha A7 III Canon EOS R
General
Brand Sony Canon
Model Alpha A7 III EOS R
Announced Feb 27, 2018 Sep 05, 2018
Body Type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor Size Full frame Full frame
Sensor Dimensions 35.8 x 23.8 mm 36 x 24 mm
Sensor Area 852.04 mm2 864.00 mm2
Sensor Resolution 24.0 MP 30.0 MP
Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6720 x 4480
Max Native ISO 51,200 40,000
Max Boosted ISO 204,800 102,400
Min Native ISO 100 100
RAW Support Yes Yes
Lens
Manual Focus Yes Yes
Lens Mount Sony E Canon RF
Number of Lenses 83 4
Focal Length Multiplier 1x 1x
Macro Focus Range
AutoFocus
AF Touch Yes Yes
AF Continuous Yes Yes
AF Single Yes Yes
AF Tracking Yes Yes
AF Selective Yes Yes
AF Center Yes Yes
AF Multi Area Yes Yes
AF Live View Yes Yes
AF Face Detection Yes Yes
AF Contrast Detection Yes Yes
AF Phase Detection Yes Yes
Number of Focus Points 693 5655
Number of Cross Focus Points n/a n/a
Screen
Screen Type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen Size 3″ 3.2″
Screen Resolution 922k dots 2,100k dots
Live View Yes Yes
Touch Screen Yes Yes
ViewFinder
ViewFinder Electronic Electronic
ViewFinder Resolution 2,359k dots 3,690k dots
ViewFinder Coverage 100% 100%
ViewFinder Magnification 0.78 0.76
Photography Features
Min Shutter Speed 30 s 30 s
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 s 1/8000 s
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps 8.0 fps
Shutter Priority Yes Yes
Aperture Priority Yes Yes
Manual Exposure Mode Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation Yes Yes
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Built-in Flash No No
Flash Range 0 0
Flash Modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External Flash Yes Yes
AE Bracketing Yes Yes
WB Bracketing Yes Yes
Exposure Modes
Multi-Segment Yes Yes
Average Yes Yes
Spot Yes Yes
Partial No Yes
AF-Area No No
Center Weighted No No
Video Features
Video Resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 3840 x 2160
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Yes Yes
HDMI Yes Yes
USB USB 1 USB Yes (with LP-E6N only)
Physical
Environmental Sealing Yes Yes
Water Proof No No
Dust Proof No No
Shock Proof No No
Crush Proof No No
Freeze Proof No No
Weight 650 g 660 g
Physical Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74 mm 136 x 98 x 84 mm
Battery Life 610 shots 370 shots
Battery Type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Model NP-FZ100 n/a
Other Features
Self Timer Yes Yes
Timelapse Recording Yes No
GPS
Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD card (UHS-II supported)
Storage Slots 2 1

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