Sony a7 vs Canon EOS R

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

Manufacturing

Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS R is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a7 were released 2013 and Canon EOS R was released 2018. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7 2013
Canon EOS R 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 R has 30 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 R 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS R has a 25 % larger resolution than Sony a7. 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 R has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7. Canon EOS R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 40000 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 100-25600
Canon EOS R 100-40000

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R

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 R can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7 5
Canon EOS R 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 R 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 R weighs 660 gr (equal to 1.46 lb) which is 39% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb
Canon EOS R 660 gr
1.46 lb

Sony a7 vs Canon EOS R Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 and Canon EOS R, 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 R
Name Sony a7 Canon EOS R
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Release Year 2013 2018
Release Date 2013-10-16 2018-09-05
MSRP 1699 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 30 MP
Image Processor Bionz X DIGIC 8
Image
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 40000
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 R
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 117 5655
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1230000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
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 No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
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 R
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (wired) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7
Canon EOS R
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 370 shots
Width 127 mm 136 mm
Height 94 mm 98 mm
Depth 48 mm 84 mm
Weight 474 gram 660 gram