Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A9 Specifications

Leave Feedback

35mm 864.0mm²
22.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark III.
Compare Canon 5D Mark III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark III conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

Detailed specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Sony Alpha ILCE-A9

Links
Prices:	Compare Prices	Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Canon 5D Mark II 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Successor:	Canon 5D Mark IV 5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV	Sony A9 II A9 vs A9 II
General
Model Number:	5D Mark III	A9
Alternate Model Number(s):		ILCE-9
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$3500.00	$4499.00
Street Price:	$2,079.48	$2,997.00
Date Available:	2012-03-20	2017-04-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	33.5 oz (950 g) includes batteries	23.7 oz (673 g) includes batteries
Size:	6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in. (152 x 116 x 76 mm)	5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in. (127 x 96 x 63 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Canon	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	22.3	24.2
Sensor Format:	35mm	35mm
Sensor size:	864mm² (36.00mm x 24.00mm)	847.28mm² (35.60mm x 23.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	6.25 microns	5.93 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.0x	1.0x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	Yes
DxO Sensor Score:	81	92
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	24.0	24.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	11.7	13.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	2,293	3,517
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2), 3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2), 2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2), 720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)	6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2), 6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9), 3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9), 3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2	JPEG (EXIF 2.31), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	6.0	20.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (30p/25p/24p) 1280x720 (60p/50p) 640x480 (30p/25p)	3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p) 1920x1080 (120p/100p/60p/60i/50p/50i/30p/25p/24p) 1280x720 (30p/25p) 1920x1080 (1p/2p/3p/4p/6p/8p/12p/15p)
Movie File Format:	.MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes	XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out:	Yes	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:		n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Canon EF	Sony E
Lens:	n/a	n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):
Focal Length (actual):
Zoom Ratio:
Aperture Range:
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	n/a	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	No
Digital Zoom:		Yes
Digital Zoom Values:		Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6.	Fast Hybrid AF: Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light?	No	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid	EVF: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) 3,686K-dot Quad VGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0m-1 diopter, Approx. 23mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens, 18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1 (CIPA standard), STD 60fps / HI 120fps, eye sensor
Focus Peaking:	No	Yes
EVF Resolution:	n/a	3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.71x	0.78x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.71x	0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.2	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	1,044,000 dots (348,000 px)	1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)
Touchscreen:	No	Yes
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	10.0x	15.0x
Top Deck Display:	Yes	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	25600	51200
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2)	AUTO, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to ISO 50 - 204800
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature	Auto (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/32000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%)	1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	n/a	Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer:	2, 10 seconds	2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	No	No
Flash Modes:	n/a	Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	n/a	n/a
Flash Range Description:	n/a	n/a
Max Flash Sync:	1/200	1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe, PC Sync	Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:	No	No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:	No UHS support	UHS-II
Other Memory:	UDMA7 compliant	Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I
Dual Card Slots:	Yes	Yes
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2	RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	.MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes	XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:	No	Yes
Bluetooth:	No	Yes
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack:	Yes	Yes
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	No
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wired or Wireless	Optional via IR, USB , Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended):	Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal	Multi Micro-B USB 2.0 (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, 100Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	<0.3	<0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	<0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):	<0.3	<0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	6.0	20.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	63	364
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):	6.0	20.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):	18	240
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):	6.0	20.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):	7	225
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.12 seconds	0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):	0.78 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):	0.060 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.095 seconds	0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.061 seconds	0.020 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060
Startup Time:	0.5 seconds	1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.2 seconds	1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	200 shots	650 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	950 shots	480 shots
Battery Life, Video:		105 minutes
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary LP-E6	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip	NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes	Yes
Internal Charging Supported:	No	Yes
Software
Included Software:	Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc	Capture One Express (for Sony) free download
OS Compatibility:
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing.