Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Sony SLT Alpha 99 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 30.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
75
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 42.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony SLT Alpha 99 II
77
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II are both full-frame DSLRs released in 2016. The 5D Mark IV uses the Canon EF mount with an optical pentaprism viewfinder, while the Alpha 99 II uses the Sony Alpha mount with an electronic viewfinder. The Sony is the smaller and lighter body, 143 x 104 x 76 mm and 849 g against Canon's 151 x 116 x 76 mm and 890 g. Both carry weather sealing. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2016 | September 19, 2016 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 151 x 116 x 76 mm | 143 x 104 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 849 g |
| Optics | 76/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 99 II is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 42.4 megapixels against 30.4 on the 5D Mark IV. That headroom lets you crop a distant bird and keep detail. It also shoots 12 fps against Canon's 7 fps for sports and birds in flight. Both share a 100 ISO base, while Canon's native ceiling runs higher at 32000 ISO against Sony's 25600. The Sony adds in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld frames with unstabilised lenses, plus 79 autofocus points against Canon's 61 for off-centre subjects. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
30.4 MP050 | 42.4 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6720 x 4480 | 7952 x 5304 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 6+ | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
320003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
610300 | 790300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record 4K as their maximum resolution and 120 fps as their maximum frame rate, so slow motion is available from either. For timelapse, the 5D Mark IV has a built-in interval timer that the Alpha 99 II lacks, so Canon shooters can build sequences without an external trigger. MP4 is common to both, while the Canon also records MOV and the Sony offers XAVCS and AVCHD. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | XAVCS, AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 74/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 5D Mark IV is the better-connected camera, offering built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, which the Alpha 99 II lacks. GPS tags landscape and travel images with location data, while Wi-Fi speeds transfer to a phone. The Sony counters with Bluetooth and a flip screen for waist-level and low-angle work. Canon's rear screen is the better shooting interface, a 3.2-inch 1,620,000-dot touchscreen against Sony's 3-inch 1,228,800-dot panel. Touch focus selection places focus quicker from the screen. Both offer live view and external flash support. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon is the pick for long shooting days, rated for 900 shots against 490 for the Sony, a margin that suits event coverage. Both take twin card slots, but the Canon pairs an SD slot with CompactFlash while the Sony uses SD cards. Neither supports USB charging, so both need their dedicated chargers, the LP-E6N for Canon and the NP-FM500H for Sony. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6N | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
900 shots1505000 | 490 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II if resolution, speed or stabilisation drives your work. Its 42.4 megapixels reward heavy cropping of distant wildlife, 12 fps captures peak action and birds in flight, and in-body stabilisation steadies handheld frames with unstabilised lenses.
Choose the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for connected, long-day work such as weddings and travel. GPS geotagging, Wi-Fi transfer, a sharper touchscreen and a 900-shot battery rating make it the practical all-day tool. The two mounts are not interchangeable, so start with the system you already own.