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Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II

Portability
52
Imaging
77
Features
93
Overall
83
Canon EOS R3 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Key Specs

Canon R3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 6000 x 3164 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 1015g - 150 x 143 x 87mm
  • Revealed September 2021
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Older Model is Sony A9
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Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Canon R3 versus Sony A9 II, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the R3 (24MP) and the A9 II (24MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The R3 was announced 24 months later than the A9 II which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the R3 scores vs the A9 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon R3 over the Sony A9 II

 R3 A9 II 
RevealedSeptember 2021October 2019Fresher by 24 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution4150k1440kCrisper screen (+2710k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Canon R3

 A9 II R3 

Common features in the Canon R3 and Sony A9 II

 R3 A9 II 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon R3 has exterior measurements of 150mm x 143mm x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Sony A9 II has sizing of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

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

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the R3 vs the A9 II.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the R3 and A9 II is 52 and 62 respectively.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the R3 and A9 II.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of images but you really should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The younger R3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon R3
Portrait photography with Sony A9 II
86
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
85
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon R3
Street photography with Sony A9 II
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (102,400)
heavier than competition (1,015 grams)
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R3 Sports photography factors
Sony A9 II Sports photography factors
88
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/64,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery (760 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery (690 per charge)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon R3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery (760 shots)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,015 grams)
73
great battery (690 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Landscape photography camera
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon RF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good battery (760 per charge)
has double storage slots
86
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery (690 shots)
has dual storage slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon R3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 II as a Vlogging camera
70
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
good video quality (6000 x 3164 pxls)
has external mic port
heavier than competition (1,015g)
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon R3 vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R3 and Sony A9 II
 Canon EOS R3Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS R3 Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2021-09-14 2019-10-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type Stacked 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 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 102400 51200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 1053 693
Lens
Lens mount type Canon RF Sony E
Available lenses 27 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 4,150k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dot 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/64000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
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
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 6000x3164 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015 grams (2.24 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 150 x 143 x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 4086 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 photographs 690 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E19 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-II supported) + CFexpress Type B Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Retail price $6,000 $4,498