Sony a7 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a7 were released 2013 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV was released 2009. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7 2013
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 2009

Type of camera

Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7 has a 24 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 a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 16,1 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264

Sony a7 has a 50 % 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 a7. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 100-25600
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 a7
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 a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7 5
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 a7 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 159% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 1230 gr
2.71 lb

Sony a7 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 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 a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Name Sony a7 Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Release Year 2013 2009
Release Date 2013-10-16 2009-10-20
MSRP 1699 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz X DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
ISO Range 100 - 25600 50 - 102400
White Balance Presets 10 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
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 117 45
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1230000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Frames per second 5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
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 Yes No
Storage
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
Remote Control Yes (wired) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 1500 shots
Width 127 mm 156 mm
Height 94 mm 157 mm
Depth 48 mm 80 mm
Weight 474 gram 1230 gram