• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

Buy From

Differences

Sony A1 advantages over Canon R3

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    737g vs 1015g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.76x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 24.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon R3 advantages over Sony A1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    4150k vs 1440k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1
Body Only
All A1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon R3

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Canon R3
Sony A7R IV
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • NFC

Compare Canon R3 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Canon R3
Canon R5
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Lighter weight
  • More pixels

Compare Canon R3 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1
Nikon Z7 II
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Canon R3
Nikon Z7 II
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Lighter weight
  • More pixels

Compare Canon R3 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Leica SL2-S

Sony A1
Leica SL2-S
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Leica SL2-S

Canon R3
Leica SL2-S
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon R3 vs Leica SL2-S

Compared to Canon R5 C

Sony A1
Canon R5 C
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5 C

Canon R3
Canon R5 C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon R3 vs Canon R5 C

Compare Other Cameras?