• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony A55 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Sony A55

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,995 vs 818 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 32 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A55
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Sony A55
Nikon D810
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon T2i

Sony A55
Canon T2i
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon T2i
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A55
Sony A33
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $540
  • APS-C
Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony A33
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A55
Sony A35
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony A35
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
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