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Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
73
Overall
74
Canon EOS 5DS R front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Canon 5DS R
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 930g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Released February 2015
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Canon 5DS R versus Sony A9, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 5DS R (51MP) and A9 (24MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The 5DS R was launched 3 years before the A9 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon 5DS R being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the 5DS R matches up versus the A9 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5DS R over the Sony A9

 5DS R A9 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Canon 5DS R

 A9 5DS R 
IntroducedApril 2017February 2015More modern by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1040kSharper display (+400k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon 5DS R and Sony A9

 5DS R A9 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 5DS R features exterior measurements of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 930 grams (2.05 lbs) while the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Canon 5DS R versus Sony A9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the 5DS R compared to the A9.

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 5DS R and A9 is 55 and 65 respectively.

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The image here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 5DS R and A9.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon 5DS R to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 27MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 5DS R is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5DS R as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
85
has manual focus
MP count great (51MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
84
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 5DS R
Street photography with Sony A9
61
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5DS R Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count great (51MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery life (700 per charge)
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5DS R Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
57
weather sealing
MP count great (51MP)
low battery life (700 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
74
better than average battery life (650 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 5DS R
Landscape photography with Sony A9
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
MP count great (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low battery life (700 CIPA)
86
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5DS R Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
30
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
37
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Canon 5DS R vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5DS R and Sony A9
 Canon EOS 5DS RSony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 5DS R Sony Alpha A9
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-02-06 2017-04-19
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual DIGIC 6 BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 51 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 8688 x 5792 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 61 693
Cross focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Sony E
Total lenses 250 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 930 grams (2.05 lb) 673 grams (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 86 92
DXO Color Depth score 24.6 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 13.3
DXO Low light score 2308 3517
Other
Battery life 700 photographs 650 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Launch cost $3,699 $4,498