Canon EOS RP vs Sony Alpha a6600: An In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

As someone who’s handled a wide range of mirrorless cameras over the past 15 years, I find the Canon EOS RP and Sony Alpha a6600 to be particularly intriguing options in the advanced mirrorless segment. Both announced in 2019, these cameras offer strong capabilities but target slightly different users - one with a full-frame sensor, the other an APS-C format. Today, I’ll walk you through a comprehensive comparison, drawing on hands-on testing, lab data, and real-world use to help you decide which is right for your photography and video needs.

Let’s dive in with a quick look at their physical shapes and sizes, because handling is often the very first thing a photographer notices.

Size and Ergonomics: Full-Frame Bulk vs. Compact Agility

Right off the bat, the Canon RP embraces a more traditional SLR-style mirrorless body, whereas the Sony a6600 sports a rangefinder-style design. The Canon is physically larger and slightly heavier at 485 grams compared to Sony’s 503 grams, but surprisingly, the Sony’s more compact footprint (120 x 67 x 69 mm vs. Canon’s 133 x 85 x 70 mm) lends itself better to portability.

You can see from the photo above that the Canon offers a more substantial grip, which many users, especially those with larger hands, will appreciate in durability and stability during long shoots. The Sony, more narrow and compact, benefits travel photographers who prioritize lightweight gear but still want advanced features.

Ergonomically, Canon’s body feels familiar if you come from a DSLR background. The buttons are logically placed - but it lacks illuminated buttons, something I always find handy for dim conditions (Canon, please consider this in future updates). Meanwhile, the Sony’s layout is streamlined, with a slightly smaller grip that might challenge users with big hands during extended trips, but it compensates with a useful joystick for autofocus point selection, improving usability in fast-paced shooting.

Top Controls and Interface: A Tale of Two Design Philosophies

Turning to the top panels, both cameras stick to essentials: shutter release dips into ergonomics, dials are readily accessible, but the Canon RP sticks to a shutter speed dial and exposure compensation dial, great for tactile adjustments. The a6600 uses a customizable function button and a dedicated front and rear dial combo for exposure, suiting photographers who like more programmable controls.

Neither features a top LCD panel, unfortunately, which I think is a miss for an advanced camera. I rely on such displays for quick checks without peering through the viewfinder. That said, the Canon’s physical dials do allow for rapid, intuitive control, while the Sony offers more button customization, which pros with complex workflows might prefer.

On shutter speeds, both max out at 1/4000s for mechanical shutter - adequate but not particularly speedy - though neither offers a silent electronic shutter faster than that.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Full-Frame vs. APS-C

One of the biggest differentiators - and honestly the one that defines your choice - is sensor size. The Canon RP packs a full-frame 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor at 26MP, whereas the Sony A6600 sports a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C sensor at 24MP.

Larger sensor area generally means better light gathering ability, which translates to improved dynamic range, higher color fidelity, and superior high ISO performance. The Canon’s sensor area is over twice that of Sony’s (861.6 mm² vs. 366.6 mm²). This difference is evident in my low light tests:

• Canon RP achieves a DxOMark low-light ISO rating of 2977, comfortably outperforming the Sony A6600’s 1497. That means cleaner images at ISO 3200 and above, with less noise and more usable detail.
• Dynamic range goes to the Sony, though, surprisingly: it clocks a rating of 13.4 EV compared to Canon’s 11.9 EV. This means Sony handles highlight and shadow retention more flexibly, especially for landscape shooters.
• Color depth favors Canon slightly with 24 EV vs. 23.8 EV on Sony - noticeable in portrait and product shots with fine gradations.

In practical terms, if you prioritize low-light shooting or need exceptional background separation (thank you, full-frame sensor), Canon RP wins here. But if dynamic range and highlight recovery are paramount - say, during sunrise or sunset landscape shoots - the Sony might be your silent hero.

Display and Viewfinder: Articulated vs. Tilting Screens

Both cameras have 3-inch screens with touch capabilities, but here’s where they differ more:

• The Canon RP features a fully articulated touchscreen with 1.04 million dots resolution, ideal for vloggers, macro shooters, or photographers who need high-angle or low-angle flexibility.
• Sony offers a tilting touchscreen with 0.92 million dots, sufficient but limited to roughly 90 degrees up and 45 degrees down, less accommodating for complex angles.

Both have electronic viewfinders with excellent 100% coverage and similar resolutions (about 2.36 million dots). I do prefer the Sony’s viewfinder magnification at 0.71x compared to Canon’s 0.7x, which offers a slightly larger viewing experience, but both are clear and bright.

Sony’s touchscreen responsiveness felt snappier during my testing, especially when setting autofocus points or navigating menus, but Canon’s intuitive menu system makes up some ground in usability.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs. Speed with Eye and Animal Detection

Autofocus is a critical feature - I’ve tested both extensively on portraits and wildlife shoots:

• Canon RP offers a hybrid autofocus system with 4779 selectable points using both phase-detection and contrast detection. It includes effective face and eye detection but lacks dedicated animal eye autofocus.
• Sony a6600 sports 425 phase-detection AF points covering a large area of the frame, and robust real-time tracking enriched with both human and animal eye autofocus, a feature I genuinely appreciate on wildlife assignments with unpredictable subjects.

The RP’s autofocus is reliable and accurate, especially in good light, but in fast-paced action or wildlife, it sometimes lags behind Sony’s more advanced tracking algorithms. The Sony’s continuous AF and burst rate of 11 fps (versus Canon’s 5 fps) make it a stronger choice for sports and wildlife enthusiasts.

For portrait photographers, Canon’s bokeh rendering and color science arguably produce skin tones that feel more natural, while Sony’s autofocus ease with eye tracking is hard to beat for candid moments.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Keeping Up with the Action

If you’re capturing action - sports or fast wildlife - the difference in frame rates is significant:

• Canon RP tops out at 5 fps continuous shooting, which is modest for an advanced model.
• Sony A6600 doubles that with 11 fps, keeping you better locked on fast-moving subjects.

Buffer size extends the shooting run for Sony, allowing longer bursts without slowdown, essential during critical sports moments. Canon’s buffer is somewhat limited, which can be a bottleneck in some fast sequences.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Outdoors?

Both cameras feature environmental sealing against dust and moisture, which makes them suitable for outdoor fieldwork in challenging conditions.

Neither offers full waterproofing or shockproofing, which is standard for this category. The build feels solid on both, though the Canon's more substantial grip gives it a confident heft, while the Sony aims for a more pocketable but still robust design.

Lens Ecosystem: RF vs. E-Mount

Lens availability is often underrated but fundamentally important.

• Canon’s RP uses the RF mount, which was new at launch. It boasts 17 native lenses - impressive but still growing. Adapters allow EF/EF-S lens compatibility with some performance caveats.
• Sony’s APS-C A6600 uses the well-established E-mount system, with over 121 native lenses available, spanning price points, types, and specialties.

If lens variety is a deciding factor for you - say you want access to specialized primes or macro lenses without adapters - Sony clearly leads. However, Canon’s RF lenses have been receiving steady acclaim for optical excellence, and RF glass tends to be optimized brilliantly for full-frame sensors.

Stabilization: The Winning Edge for Videos and Handheld Shots

Here’s a key difference if you shoot video or handheld photography:

• Sony’s A6600 incorporates 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization, which is a massive advantage in reducing shake and getting smooth footage or sharp stills at longer focal lengths.
• Canon RP lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying solely on lenses with optical stabilization.

If you often shoot video or macro hand-held in suboptimal light, the Sony’s IBIS is a strong selling point. Canon users need either a stabilized lens or a tripod to achieve comparable shake reduction.

Video Capabilities: 4K Quality and Portability

Both cameras shoot 4K UHD video, but with some technical differences:

• Canon RP records 4K at 24p with a bitrate of 120 Mbps in MOV format and supports microphone and headphone jacks.
• Sony A6600 records 4K at up to 30p at 100 Mbps, with additional formats (including XAVC S for higher quality) and similar audio connectivity.

The Sony’s video engine provides slightly more flexibility, including slow motion and better color profiles for video work. Canon’s 4K is excellent but capped at 24p, which might limit options for frame rate preferences.

If video is a significant part of your portfolio, especially vlogging or event videography, Sony’s combination of stabilization, higher burst frame rates, and file options will serve you well.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity vs. Versatility

Sony takes a decisive lead in battery life:

• The A6600 uses the NP-FZ100 battery rated for 810 shots per charge (according to CIPA standards), which matches some full-frame flagships in stamina.
• The Canon RP’s smaller battery offers only about 250 shots, meaning you’ll need spares or chargers on extended outings.

The RP uses SD cards compatible with UHS-II for fast write speeds; Sony supports SD cards and Memory Stick Duo - minor, but a useful extra for multi-format users.

User Interface and Wireless Capabilities

Both cameras come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and easy file transfers. Sony supports NFC in addition, which may simplify quick pairings with compatible devices.

Canon’s touchscreen interface is intuitive, with a comprehensive menu system accessible to beginners and experts alike. Sony’s menus tend to be more nested, which can be daunting at first but offer more customization.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Output

Canon RP front Canon RP screen back Sony A6600 front Sony A6600 screen back

Studying images above from both cameras, you’ll notice:

• The Canon RP offers creamy bokeh and smooth skin tones, a reflection of its full-frame sensor and Canon’s color science.
• The Sony A6600 delivers punchy colors and sharp detail, especially in landscapes, thanks to its dynamic range strengths.
• Low-light images from the RP preserve shadows better, with less noise.
• The Sony thrives in situations demanding quick autofocus and moving subjects.

Comprehensive Scores for Professionals and Hobbyists

The overall DxOMark scores (Canon RP: 85, Sony A6600: 82) suggest that both cameras compete evenly despite their differences in sensor format and features.

Genre-Specific Performance: Which Camera Excels Where?

From portraits to sports, here’s a snapshot of each camera’s strengths:

• Portraits: Canon RP’s full-frame sensor and skin tone rendering give it a clear edge.
• Landscape: Sony’s wide dynamic range and sharpness make it marginally better.
• Wildlife: Sony’s superior burst speed and animal eye AF make it a favorite.
• Sports: Sony dominates thanks to tracking AF and 11 fps shooting.
• Street Photography: Sony's compact body and stealthier design are ideal.
• Macro: Canon’s articulation and full-frame detail favor close-ups.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s high ISO prowess excels in low light.
• Video: Sony’s IBIS and 4K at 30p support wider use cases.
• Travel: Sony’s lighter size and battery life are wins.
• Professional Work: Canon’s RAW files and color science integrate well into print workflows.

Immediate Takeaways: Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose the Canon EOS RP if:

  • You want full-frame image quality without breaking the bank.
  • Portrait, landscape, and low-light performance are your priorities.
  • You need a fully articulated screen for creative framing.
  • Your lens preferences lean towards RF glass or adapting Canon’s DSLR lenses.
  • You can manage with shorter battery life and slower burst shooting.

• Choose the Sony Alpha a6600 if:

  • You prioritize speed: autofocus tracking, burst shooting, and battery life.
  • Video and hybrid shooting play a major role.
  • You want in-body stabilization to support handheld shooting.
  • Lens variety and APS-C format advantages fit your style.
  • You’re into wildlife, sports, or street photography requiring stealth and quick action capture.

Final Verdict: Balancing Your Needs and Budget

Both the Canon RP and Sony a6600 occupy unique niches in today’s advanced mirrorless landscape. The RP is Canon’s budget-friendly full-frame door opener, while the a6600 is Sony’s pro-level APS-C powerhouse loaded with features for demanding shooters.

Having tested both extensively, I can say there’s no one-size-fits-all winner. Your choice hinges heavily on your photographic priorities:

• For pure image quality, especially stills in varied lighting, Canon RP is hard to beat.
• For speed, autofocus sophistication, video flexibility, and longer shooting sessions, Sony’s a6600 shines.

I encourage photographers to handle both cameras if possible - feel how they balance in your hands, how menus flow, and how lenses fit your vision. Both cameras continue to receive firmware updates and benefit from expanding lens lineups, so buying either today is a solid investment.

If you want more hands-on comparisons and sample images, check out my recent video review series where I put these models through speed and quality tests in real-world scenarios (links in my profile). Feel free to reach out with questions - choosing your next camera is a journey, and I’m here as your experienced guide.

Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: All technical data references DxOMark scores, official manufacturer specs, and personal extensive field testing with both cameras during 2019-2023.