Canon EOS RP vs Sony a7S II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 26 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS RP
74
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 12.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7S II
60
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS RP is the lighter body for everyday full-frame shooting, at 440 g against 627 g for the Sony a7S II. Both are mirrorless cameras with full-frame CMOS sensors. The EOS RP arrived in 2019, four years after the a7S II in 2015. Each takes its own native lenses, with the EOS RP using the Canon RF mount and the a7S II the Sony FE mount. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 14, 2019 | September 11, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 85 x 70 mm | 127 x 96 x 60 mm |
| Camera weight | 440 g | 627 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS RP is the stronger choice when you want room to crop or print large, with 26 MP against 12.2 MP on the a7S II. Its autofocus system offers 4779 selectable points against 169, giving far more positions for placing focus. The a7S II counters for handheld shooting with in-body stabilisation, which the EOS RP lacks. It also offers a 1/8000 second top shutter speed for wider apertures in bright light, and a native ISO ceiling of 102400 against 40000. A few core stills specifications match, including the 5 fps shooting rate and the electronic viewfinders, which carry nearly identical dot counts of about 2.36 million. Both use a 100 ISO base setting, so everyday exposures start from the same point. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
26 MP050 | 12.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6240 x 4160 | 4240 x 2832 |
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 35.9 | 23.8 x 35.8 |
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. |
5 fps045 | 5 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 8 | 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. |
400003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
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. |
10030200 | 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 | 4096003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
47790300 | 1690300 |
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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a7S II is the better tool for video-led work, with a maximum video frame rate of 30 fps against 25 on the EOS RP. The extra frames each second help motion play back more smoothly. It also records in XAVC S and AVCHD alongside MPEG-4, where the RP offers MP4, so editors have more recording formats to work with. For timelapse shooters the advantage reverses: the EOS RP offers a built-in timelapse mode the a7S II does not. Both cameras shoot 4K as their maximum resolution, so the resolution ceiling itself is shared. | ||
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. |
3840 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. |
25 fps | 30 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. |
MP4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTouch control goes to the EOS RP, making focus point selection and menu navigation faster on its 3-inch screen. It also supports Bluetooth for a low-power phone link, which the a7S II lacks. The a7S II answers with weather sealing for shooting in rain or dust, and its screen resolves 1228800 dots against 1040000, a sharper display for checking detail. Several handling features match. Both have a flip screen for vlogging or low-angle work, Wi-Fi for image transfer, and support for external flash. Neither has GPS, so location tagging needs a phone or accessory on either body. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | 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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 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. |
 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 | No |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a7S II carries the higher battery rating, at 370 shots against 250 for the EOS RP. The RP supports USB charging, so you can top up its LP-E17 battery from a USB power source between locations. The a7S II has no USB charging, so its NP-FW50 battery needs a dedicated charger. Card support differs in a practical way. The EOS RP takes SD cards with UHS-II compatibility for faster transfers, and the a7S II accepts SD alongside Memory Stick Duo formats. Both are single-slot cameras, so there is no second card in either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
250 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS RP if your priority is stills: 26 MP gives real cropping latitude for landscapes, portraits and travel work, its 4779 autofocus points aid precise framing, and the lighter body suits all-day carrying. Touch control, Bluetooth and USB charging round out a convenient travel package.
Choose the Sony a7S II for handheld and video-led shooting. In-body stabilisation steadies dim interiors and night streets, and the 1/8000 second shutter handles wide apertures in daylight. Weather sealing protects outdoor sessions, and its 30 fps maximum video frame rate with XAVC S recording suits video projects. Its battery is also rated for 370 shots against the RP's 250.