Sony a7 vs Canon EOS 7D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Canon EOS 7D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 7D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.
Sony a7 were released 2013 and Canon EOS 7D 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 7D | 2009 |
Type of camera
Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 7D 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 7D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 7D | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
** 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 7D has 18 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 7D |
18 MP
17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456 |
Sony a7 has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 7D. 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
Sony a7 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 7D. Sony a7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 7D has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 | 100-25600 |
Canon EOS 7D | 100-12800 |
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 7D
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 7D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 | 5 |
Canon EOS 7D | 8 |
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 7D 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 7D weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 81% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 | 474 gr 1.04 lb |
Canon EOS 7D | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Sony a7 vs Canon EOS 7D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 and Canon EOS 7D, 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 7D |
Name | Sony a7 | Canon EOS 7D |
Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Release Year | 2013 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2013-10-16 | 2009-09-01 |
MSRP | 1699 USD | 1699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 5184 x 3456 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 18 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | DUAL DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 6 |
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 7D |
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 | 19 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S 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-C Sensor 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1230000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Xtra Fine LCD | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 8 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
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 7D |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (wired) | Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-E2 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 340 shots | 800 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 148 mm |
Height | 94 mm | 111 mm |
Depth | 48 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 474 gram | 860 gram |