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Canon R vs Sony A9

Portability
62
Imaging
78
Features
88
Overall
82
Canon EOS R front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Canon R vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Canon R
(Full Review)
  • 30MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Raise to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 660g - 136 x 98 x 84mm
  • Revealed September 2018
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
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Canon R vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Canon R vs Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the R (30MP) and A9 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The R was announced 17 months after the A9 making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the R grades versus the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon R over the Sony A9

 R A9 
ReleasedSeptember 2018April 2017More modern by 17 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1440kSharper display (+660k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Canon R

 A9 R 

Common features in the Canon R and Sony A9

 R A9 
Manually focus More exact focus
Touch display Easily navigate

Canon R vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon R provides external measurements of 136mm x 98mm x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) while the Sony A9 has sizing 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 R vs Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the R versus the A9.

Canon R vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the R and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.

Canon R vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Canon R vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The pic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the R and A9.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon R to provide greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The younger R is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon R vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Canon R vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon R
Portrait photography with Sony A9
86
focusing manually
excellent resolution (30 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
84
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon R Street photography information
Sony A9 Street photography information
73
screen articulates
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
great high ISO (40,000)
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent resolution (30 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (370 shots)
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon R Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
73
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
excellent resolution (30 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery pack (370 shots)
74
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon RF mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
excellent resolution (30MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (40,000)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (370 per charge)
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon R
Vlogging with Sony A9
73
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
does not have image stabilization
37
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Canon R vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R and Sony A9
 Canon EOS RSony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS R Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-09-05 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 30MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6720 x 4480 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 40000 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 5655 693
Lens
Lens mount Canon RF Sony E
Amount of lenses 17 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,100k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (with LP-E6N only) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660 gr (1.46 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 98 x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 89 92
DXO Color Depth score 24.5 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.5 13.3
DXO Low light score 2742 3517
Other
Battery life 370 photographs 650 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at release $2,299 $4,498