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Canon R vs Sony a1

Portability
62
Imaging
78
Features
88
Overall
82
Canon EOS R front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Canon R vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Canon R
(Full Review)
  • 30MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 660g - 136 x 98 x 84mm
  • Released September 2018
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Canon R vs Sony a1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon R and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the R (30MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The R was unveiled 3 years earlier than the a1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the R scores versus the a1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon R over the Sony a1

 R a1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1440kSharper display (+660k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon R

 a1 R 
RevealedJanuary 2021September 2018More recent by 29 months

Common features in the Canon R and Sony a1

 R a1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon R vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon R comes with outside measurements of 136mm x 98mm x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Canon R and Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the R compared to the a1.

Canon R vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the R and a1 is 62 and 61 respectively.

Canon R vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon R vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the R and a1.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony a1 to show more detail having an extra 20MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older R will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon R vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon R vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is great (30 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
88
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/400s)
MP count fantastic (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon R Street photography info
Sony a1 Street photography info
73
fully articulated screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (40,000)
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather sealing
above average high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is great (30 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (370 per charge)
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery life (530 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon R Travel photography information
Sony a1 Travel photography information
73
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is great (30MP)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (370 CIPA)
73
good battery life (530 per charge)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count fantastic (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon R
Landscape photography with Sony a1
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon RF mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is great (30MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (40,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (370 CIPA)
88
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery life (530 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
73
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
no image stabilization
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon R vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R and Sony a1
 Canon EOS RSony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS R Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2018-09-05 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 30 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6720 x 4480 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 40000 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 5655 759
Lens
Lens mount type Canon RF Sony E
Number of lenses 17 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (with LP-E6N only) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660 gr (1.46 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 98 x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2742 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 pictures 530 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots One 2
Cost at release $2,299 $6,498