Sony a55 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 2009

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has 16,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 16,1 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264

Sony a55 has a 0 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 50-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV weighs 1230 gr (equal to 2.71 lb) which is 146% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 1230 gr
2.71 lb

Sony a55 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Name Sony a55 Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-08-24 2009-10-20
MSRP 749 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 16,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
ISO Range 100 - 12800 50 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 45
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Frames per second 10 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 1500 shots
Width 124 mm 156 mm
Height 92 mm 157 mm
Depth 85 mm 80 mm
Weight 500 gram 1230 gram