Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99
55 Imaging
67 Features
74 Overall
69


57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 22MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
- Released May 2012
- Previous Model is Canon 5D MII
- Successor is Canon 5D MIV
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Introduced December 2012
- Succeeded the Sony A900
- Later Model is Sony A99 II

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Overview
Below is a complete review of the Canon 5D MIII and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the 5D MIII (22MP) and the A99 (24MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

The 5D MIII was brought out 6 months earlier than the A99 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the 5D MIII scores vs the A99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 5D MIII Gallery and Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Sony A99
5D MIII | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Canon 5D MIII
A99 | 5D MIII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 1040k | Clearer display (+189k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon 5D MIII and Sony A99
5D MIII | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2012 | ![]() | December 2012 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon 5D MIII has outside measurements of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) while the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
Check the Canon 5D MIII and Sony A99 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the 5D MIII vs the A99.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MIII and A99 is 55 and 57 respectively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 5D MIII and A99.
Clearly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A99 to show extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A99 Specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Sony SLT-A99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Sony SLT-A99 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2012-05-22 | 2012-12-12 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 5+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 22 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5760 x 3840 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 102400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 61 | 19 |
Cross focus points | 41 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 250 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 950 grams (2.09 lb) | 812 grams (1.79 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 81 | 89 |
DXO Color Depth score | 24.0 | 25.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 14.0 |
DXO Low light score | 2293 | 1555 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 shots | 500 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
Storage slots | Two | Two |
Pricing at release | $2,780 | $1,998 |