Canon 5D vs Sony A7
55 Imaging
55 Features
41 Overall
49


78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74
Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 13MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF Mount
- 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
- Revealed November 2005
- Updated by Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 50 - 25600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Successor is Sony A7 II

Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Overview
Here is a complete assessment of the Canon 5D vs Sony A7, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the 5D (13MP) and A7 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

The 5D was revealed 9 years before the A7 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon 5D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the 5D scores vs the A7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 5D and Sony Alpha A7. The full galleries are available at Canon 5D Gallery and Sony A7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Sony A7
5D | A7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Canon 5D
A7 | 5D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | November 2005 | Fresher by 99 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+1000k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 5D and Sony A7
5D | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon 5D comes with external measurements of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon 5D vs Sony A7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 5D against the A7.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 5D and A7 is 55 and 78 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D and A7.
All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A7 to show extra detail because of its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older 5D will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D vs Sony A7 Specifications
Canon EOS 5D | Sony Alpha A7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS 5D | Sony Alpha A7 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2005-11-12 | 2014-01-22 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic II | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 855.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 13MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4368 x 2912 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 50 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 117 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 250 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 1,230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | External | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest 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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 895 grams (1.97 lb) | 474 grams (1.04 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 71 | 90 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.9 | 24.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 14.2 |
DXO Low light score | 1368 | 2248 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 340 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $2,780 | $798 |