Sony a900 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a900 were released 2008 and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV was released 2016. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a900 2008
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR 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 a900 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 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 a900 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has 30 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a900 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 23 % larger resolution than Sony a900. 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 5D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a900 100-1600
Canon EOS 5D 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 a900
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a900 5
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 7

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Sadly, the Sony a900 does not support this.

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.

Sony a900 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 1% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and its 890 gr (or 1.96 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a900 895 gr
1.97 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 890 gr
1.96 lb

Sony a900 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 and Canon EOS 5D 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 a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Name Sony a900 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Release Year 2008 2016
Release Date 2008-09-09 2016-08-28
MSRP 2999 USD 3499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 30 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 6+
Image
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
ISO Range 100 - 1600 50 - 102400
White Balance Presets 7 6
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 a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 61
Lens Mount Sony A

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
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 a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921600 1620000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Frames per second 5 fps 7 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-In (802.11b/g/n + NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (wired, wireless, or smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Sony a900
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 880 shots 900 shots
Width 156 mm 151 mm
Height 117 mm 116 mm
Depth 82 mm 76 mm
Weight 895 gram 890 gram