The Sony a7CR and Canon EOS R5 are both full-frame cameras, but they are built for very different purposes. The a7CR is meant as a high-resolution, compact camera that can be carried anywhere, whereas the R5 is a larger-size camera with one of Canon’s best autofocus systems. Which one should you get?
Sony a7CR vs Canon EOS R5 Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Sony a7CR | Canon EOS R5 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2023 | July 2020 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR | DIGIC X |
| Resolution | 61.0 MP | 45.0 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 9504×6336 | 8192×5464 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.7 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame) | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 3.76µ | 4.39µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 32,000 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-102,400 | ISO 50-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | No |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 8 FPS | 12 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 7 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Compressed 12-bit raw at 8 FPS (uncompressed 14-bit raw is available at 7 FPS) | None |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 36 frames (8 FPS) | 83 frames (20 FPS), 180 frames (12 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 693 | 1053 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -4.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/160 | 1/250 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | Yes |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 30 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.24x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 780 min | 30 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x | 0.76x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.1 |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | LP-E6NH |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 490 frames | 220 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 530 frames | 320 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 490 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 515 g (1.14 lbs.) | 738 g (1.63 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 124 x 71 x 63 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 2.5″) | 138 x 98 x 88 mm (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.5″) |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $3000 (Check Current Price) | $3900 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Sony a7CR Used Prices | Canon EOS R5 Used Prices |
Summary and Recommendations
The size difference of these cameras already tells us a lot, and it’s one of the biggest differences between these two cameras. The R5, being a bit larger, has superior ergonomics meant for handling large lenses, and with its excellent autofocus system, it’s a great choice for wildlife or even just long periods of time shooting.
Of course, the a7CR is an immensely capable camera also, incorporating most of Sony’s latest autofocus system. Although it doesn’t have a stacked sensor like some of its contemporaries like the Sony a1, neither does the R5!
The a7CR also has a very high-density 61MP sensor that will allow you to print large and crop for wildlife. Of course, that means larger file sizes, and so it’s not surprising that the a7CR has a slower burst rate of 7FPS with the electronic shutter compared to the 20FPS of the R5.
In terms of video, the R5 comes out ahead with 120FPS versus 60FPS in 4K. The R5 can also shoot 8K video whereas the a7CR cannot. Finally, and again perhaps because of the size of the a7CR, it only has one card slot versus two for the R5.
From this information, it’s pretty clear that the purposes of the two cameras are different. The a7CR offers a very powerful, high-resolution camera in a small package perfect for those who want to carry a lightweight package. Landscape and travel photographers will appreciate the a7CR for its size, and yet they will still have plenty of performance for more challenging situations when they arise.
The R5 on the other hand is better suited to any situation where you don’t mind carrying a larger camera. With it’s faster burst rate and better rear-LCD, it’s also more suited to action photography where it will balance better with a large lens.
What does the Sony a7CR offer over the Canon EOS R5?
- 1.36 times more megapixels (61.0MP vs 45.0MP)
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 270 more shots according to CIPA measurements
- Lighter weight (223g lighter or about 1.4 times lighter)
- Lower price, costing $900 less
What does the Canon EOS R5 offer over the Sony a7CR?
- Two card slots, which is better for redundancy and backup
- Higher resolution rear display, with about 2.0x more dots, making image review in the field easier
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 2.4x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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