• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    52 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Less expensive
    $1299* vs $1598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
Canon 5DS
Sony A7
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A7 II
Canon 5DS R
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 5DS
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A7 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1898
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 5DS
Sony A7 III
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $1898
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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