Canon EOS R3 vs Sony a7R IVA — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24.1 MP · Full Frame · 6K video
Canon EOS R3
85
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 61 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7R IVA
85
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS R3 and the Sony a7R IVA are both 2021 full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at very different work. The R3 is a professional action-oriented body with an integrated vertical grip and duplicate portrait-orientation controls, so vertical sports and event shooting keeps the same control layout. The a7R IVA is the smaller and lighter body: 129 x 96 x 78 mm and 665 g, against 150 x 142.6 x 87.2 mm and 1015 g for the R3. The R3 uses Canon RF lenses and the a7R IVA uses Sony FE lenses, so your lens system follows the body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2021 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 14, 2021 | April 7, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 150 x 142.6 x 87.2 mm | 129 x 96 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 1015 g | 665 g |
| Body design | Professional action-oriented mirrorless body with integrated vertical grip and duplicate portrait-orientation controls | — |
| Optics | 85/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a7R IVA is the stronger choice when detail leads, because its 61-megapixel sensor gives far more room to crop a distant subject or print large. The R3's 24.1 megapixels produce smaller files instead of maximum resolution. For fast action the R3 is clearly stronger. It shoots full-resolution RAW or JPEG at up to 30 fps with autofocus and autoexposure tracking, against 10 fps on the a7R IVA. It also offers 1053 autofocus points against 567, and 1/64000 second exposures against 1/8000 to freeze rapid motion. Beyond speed, both cameras are full-frame CMOS with in-body stabilisation and 5,760,000-dot electronic viewfinders. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.1 MP050 | 61 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6012 x 4016 | 9504 x 6336 |
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 | 35.7 x 23.8 |
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. |
30 fps045 | 10 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 RF | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic X | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 320003003280000 |
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. |
2048003003280000 | 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. |
6400080032000 | 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. |
10530300 | 5670300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 576000009900000 | 576000009900000 |
| Burst modes | Up to 30 fps full-resolution RAW or JPEG with AF/AE tracking; custom bursts up to 195 fps lock focus and exposure at the first frame | — |
| Video | 96/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe R3 is the better video camera. It records 6K RAW up to 60p, giving more latitude to crop and reframe in the edit, and 4K up to 120p for slow motion at full 4K output. Full HD reaches 240p for extreme slow-motion work. The a7R IVA tops out at 4K resolution, and its highest frame rate is 120 fps, so its slow-motion options are narrower. Both cameras offer built-in timelapse for interval shooting. | ||
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. |
 6K |  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. |
6000 x 3164 | 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. |
240 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 | Yes |
| Verified modes | 6K RAW up to 60p; 4K up to 120p; Full HD up to 240p | — |
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. |
— | MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 |
| Features | 87/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe R3 has the more useful connected feature set for location work. Its built-in GPS tags wildlife and travel images with their shooting location, which the a7R IVA lacks. Its Eye Control AF can select an autofocus point or tracked subject by where you look in the viewfinder. The R3's fully articulating vari-angle LCD swings out and rotates for vlogging and overhead angles, and it is a 3.2-inch, 4,150,000-dot panel. The a7R IVA's TFT LCD is 3 inches with 2,360,000 dots. Both screens are touch-sensitive and flip out, and both cameras are weather-sealed with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. | ||
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 | Fully articulating vari-angle 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 | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
41500001150001500000 | 23600001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | 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 | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Eye Control AF can select an autofocus point or tracked subject by where the photographer looks in the viewfinder | — |
| Storage & battery | 81/100 | 79/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras have dual card slots, but the card formats differ. The R3 pairs one CFexpress Type B slot with one SD UHS-II slot, while the a7R IVA has two UHS-II SD slots. The R3's LP-E19 battery is rated for 760 shots, against 670 for the a7R IVA's NP-FZ100. Both batteries charge over USB. | ||
| Memory card | One CFexpress Type B slot and one SD UHS-II slot | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
760 shots1505000 | 670 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the R3 if speed dominates your photography: sports, news and wildlife shooters get 30 fps tracking bursts, a vertical grip for sustained portrait work, GPS tagging and 6K RAW video. Choose the a7R IVA when detail and portability lead, because its 61 megapixels serve landscape, studio and fine-art work in a far smaller body. Each choice commits you to that maker's lenses, RF or FE, so weigh the system as a whole.