Sony A7S vs Canon EOS R

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Sony A7S vs Canon EOS R

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35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S.
Compare Sony A7S image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

Succeeded by the Sony A7S II
Compare A7S vs A7S II
Compare Sony A7S II vs Canon EOS R

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Differences

Sony A7S advantages over Canon EOS R

Less expensive
$1998* vs $2499
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 5.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7S test data on DxO Mark EOS R test data on DxO Mark

3,702 vs 2,742 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
48 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS R advantages over Sony A7S

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
30.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
126 vs 62 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 39 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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 Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

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Sony a7S

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

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Review Excerpt

Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.
4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7S Review

Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A7S

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7999
35mm

Thinner
More pixels

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Canon EOS R

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$7999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Canon EOS R vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7S II

Canon EOS R

Sony A7S II

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS R vs Sony A7S II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Canon EOS R

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1499
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4995
35mm

Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon EOS R vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Nikon Z7

Sony A7S

Nikon Z7

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7S

Nikon Z6

$1998
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$1396
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z6

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