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Canon R3 vs Sony A9

Portability
52
Imaging
77
Features
93
Overall
83
Canon EOS R3 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Canon R3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 6000 x 3164 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 1015g - 150 x 143 x 87mm
  • Launched September 2021
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand 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
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Canon R3 versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the R3 (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The R3 was introduced 4 years later than the A9 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the R3 grades against the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon R3 over the Sony A9

 R3 A9 
IntroducedSeptember 2021April 2017Fresher by 54 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution4150k1440kClearer screen (+2710k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Canon R3

 A9 R3 

Common features in the Canon R3 and Sony A9

 R3 A9 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon R3 enjoys outside dimensions of 150mm x 143mm x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Canon R3 versus Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the R3 versus the A9.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the R3 and A9 is 52 and 65 respectively.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the R3 and A9.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files but you will want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more modern R3 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R3 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
86
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
83
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon R3 Street photography factors
Sony A9 Street photography factors
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
88
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/64,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery pack (760 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon R3 Travel photography factors
Sony A9 Travel photography factors
70
good battery pack (760 shots)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
73
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R3 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon RF mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery pack (760 per charge)
2 card slots
85
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
70
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (6000 x 3164 pixels)
does have microphone support
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon R3 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R3 and Sony A9
 Canon EOS R3Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS R3 Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2021-09-14 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 102400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 1053 693
Lens
Lens support Canon RF Sony E
Total lenses 27 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 4,150 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/64000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 6000x3164 (60p/​50p/​30p/​24p/​23.98p) 4096x2160 (120p/​60p/​30p/​24p/​23.98p) 3840x2160 (120p/​60p/​30p/​23.98p) 1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​23.98p) -
Max video resolution 6000x3164 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015 gr (2.24 pounds) 673 gr (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 150 x 143 x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 92
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 13.3
DXO Low light rating 4086 3517
Other
Battery life 760 photos 650 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E19 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-II supported) + CFexpress Type B Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $6,000 $4,498