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Canon R3 vs Sony a1

Portability
52
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Canon EOS R3 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Canon R3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Raise 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
  • Introduced September 2021
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon R3 vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the R3 (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The R3 was revealed 8 months after the a1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the R3 matches up against the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon R3 over the Sony a1

 R3 a1 
RevealedSeptember 2021January 2021Newer by 8 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution4150k1440kCrisper screen (+2710k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon R3

 a1 R3 

Common features in the Canon R3 and Sony a1

 R3 a1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon R3 enjoys outer dimensions of 150mm x 143mm x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") having a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Canon R3 vs Sony a1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the R3 vs the a1.

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the R3 and a1 is 52 and 61 respectively.

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the R3 and a1.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony a1 to offer you greater detail because of its extra 26MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern R3 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon R3
Portrait photography with Sony a1
86
manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
89
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400s)
high megapixels (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon R3 Street photography features
Sony a1 Street photography features
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (102,400)
heavier than competitors (1,015g)
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R3 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
89
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/64,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery life (760 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon R3 Travel photography features
Sony a1 Travel photography features
70
better than average battery life (760 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (1,015 grams)
74
better than average battery pack (530 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
high megapixels (50MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R3 Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
86
manual focus
change lenses (Canon RF mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (760 per charge)
has double storage slots
88
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
70
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
good video quality (6000 x 3164 resolution)
comes with external mic port
heavier than competitors (1,015 grams)
37
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon R3 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R3 and Sony a1
 Canon EOS R3Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS R3 Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2021-09-14 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 102400 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 1053 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon RF Sony E
Available lenses 27 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 4,150 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/64000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 6000x3164 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) 737 grams (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 150 x 143 x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 4086 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 images 530 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E19 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-II supported) + CFexpress Type B Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $6,000 $6,498