Canon XC10 vs Sony A7
54 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50


78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74
Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 20000
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-241mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 1040g - 125 x 102 x 122mm
- Released April 2015
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 50 - 25600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Refreshed by Sony A7 II

Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Overview
Here, we are contrasting the Canon XC10 versus Sony A7, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the XC10 (12MP) and A7 (24MP) and the XC10 (1") and A7 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizing.

The XC10 was unveiled 15 months after the A7 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon XC10 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the XC10 grades versus the A7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon XC10 and Sony Alpha A7. The full galleries are available at Canon XC10 Gallery and Sony A7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon XC10 over the Sony A7
XC10 | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2014 | More modern by 15 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Canon XC10
A7 | XC10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 1k | Crisper display (+1229k dot) |
Common features in the Canon XC10 and Sony A7
XC10 | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon XC10 has got physical measurements of 125mm x 102mm x 122mm (4.9" x 4.0" x 4.8") and a weight of 1040 grams (2.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon XC10 versus Sony A7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the XC10 against the A7.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XC10 and A7 is 54 and 78 respectively.

Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the XC10 and A7.
Clearly, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The XC10 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A7 will offer extra detail having an extra 12MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher XC10 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon XC10 vs Sony A7 Specifications
Canon XC10 | Sony Alpha A7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon XC10 | Sony Alpha A7 |
Category | Large Sensor Compact | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2015-04-08 | 2014-01-22 |
Physical type | Large Sensor Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC DV5 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 12.8 x 9.6mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 122.9mm² | 855.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 20000 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 50 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 117 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 24-241mm (10.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | - |
Macro focusing range | 8cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1 thousand dots | 1,230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | - | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.8 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (120p, 100p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | XF-AVC, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 1040 grams (2.29 pounds) | 474 grams (1.04 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 102 x 122mm (4.9" x 4.0" x 4.8") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 90 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 24.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 2248 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 340 shots |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E6N | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | CFast, SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $1,599 | $798 |