Expensive full-frame cameras like Canon EOS R Vs Sony a7III are always attractive because they offer high performance and reliability. These cameras are some of the best in the price range and suitable for most people, whether you are always shooting stills or recording videos. The camera performs well in various applications, but they are not identical. To know what they can offer, let’s see the comparison below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Why Buying a Full Frame Camera
- What are Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
- How is the Design of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
- How are the Specs of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
- How is the Image Quality of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
- How is the AF Performance on Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
- How are the Canon EOS R and Sony a7III for Video Recording
- Canon EOS R Vs Sony a7III
Full Frame Cameras
Many good cameras come from different companies, whether it is their older system or the newest iterations. Our choice can be different depending on what you look for, and one of the most popular systems lately is full-frame cameras. The full-frame refers to the sensor size, usually marketed for enthusiasts and professionals alike. It is not a must for everyone, but you may need one because it offers several noticeable benefits over smaller sensors.
Full frame sensors don’t have a crop, so you get the most out of the field. Shooting the same object with APS-C and full-frame, you will notice that APS-C applies cropping that makes the object appear bigger on the frame. For example, using a 50mm lens on a full-frame gives you a true 50mm field of view, while in APS-C, you will need to multiply the focal length by 1.6x, making it like an 80mm lens. A full-frame sensor creates a better bokeh or soft blur background.
Full-frame cameras need to use a longer focal length to get the equivalent focal length of an APS-C sensor. Due to how the optical system works, the longer focal length creates a more shallow depth of field, and the shallower it is, the better or smoother the bokeh will be. Full frame cameras also produce better low-light pictures because the sensor is physically larger than the crop sensor. The size makes the full-frame sensor capture more light, translating into cleaner images.
| Canon EOS R | Sony a7III | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 3.3 x 5.3 x 3.9 inches | 5 x 3.88 x 3 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.46 pounds | 1.44 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Canon EOS R and Sony a7III
Do you need a full-frame camera? If these qualities are necessary for your shooting application or you want to upgrade the gear, then a full-frame camera can be ideal. It is not required for beginners or casual users because the cost can be too high, and we have so many better options in the entry to mid-range. Full-frame cameras typically cost above $1,500 depending on the model and how long the product has been on the market.
You will need to spend more because it is not including the lens, which can be equally costly. Because the cameras are pretty expensive, it is wise to consider the options carefully before deciding to invest in one. If you want to shop quickly, it is convenient to see what similar users choose. Today, some of the most popular full-frame cameras are Canon EOS R and Sony a7III, which should already be familiar in many people’s ears because they are pretty famous and have been around since 2018.
Back then, the retail price for Canon EOS R and Sony a7III were higher, and EOS R used to be more expensive than a7III, but today it is cheaper. The EOS R is a favorite option, especially for hybrid users, because it has a rotating rear screen. The overall performance of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III is impressive as expected from a camera in this price range, but they are not identical.
Sony a7III is noticeably pricier, but one aspect that we love about this camera is the lens availability because many third-party manufacturers are making fantastic lenses for this camera. We also think if you want a fast camera or need a camera that focuses quickly and shoots clear pictures, then a7III’s AF system is still hard to beat. Of course, it doesn’t mean that EOS R is bad because it is not. Yet AF performance is not as impressive as this Sony camera. Read also: Panasonic G95 Vs Sony a7III here.
Canon EOS R and Sony a7III Design
Next, let’s see the bodies, which are essential to affect the handling and overall ease of use. Subjectively we love the grip on EOS R because it is substantial and feels secure on our hand. The buttons and controls are all high-quality and feel expensive. This camera is relatively straightforward, so many people will get used to it quickly. Another best point is the fully articulating screen with a higher resolution than a7III. The viewfinder is thick, so it keeps your nose from touching the rear screen.
The Sony a7III, on the other hand, only has a decent screen resolution, and the screen is tilting upward or downward, so it is difficult to monitor the image when you want to self-record or shoot at a tricky angle. We also find the viewfinder resolution inferior to EOS R, and the camera’s body is small, so it doesn’t have the best grip. However, these drawbacks are justified since it gives you two memory slots and a wide range of great lenses it can use.
Canon EOS R and Sony a7III Specs
Next, let’s see the basic specs of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III so we know what the cameras can offer. The two are full-frame cameras, but they have different effective pixels at 30 MP and 24 MP. You can set the ISO to auto or from 100 to 51,200, and for EOS R, it is expandable to 102,400. You can take pictures in JPEG or RAW sensor, and there are several modes to choose from. In addition, the a7III has in-body 5-axis image stabilization.
Canon EOS R and Sony a7III Image Quality
The image quality of Canon EOS R and Sony a7III are about the same. The level of details is identical, and it is to be expected, but the color looks slightly different. The RAW picture looks sharper on the EOS R as you peek into the detail. The color is more saturated, and we think it is more pleasing even before processing. They also look very similar in skin tone, but the EOS R gives you a more natural skin color.
While EOS R looks sharper, it has a lower dynamic range than the a7III. Sony looks better in low light at the same setting because it produces less noticeable noise than EOS R. We think you need to increase the ISO level of a7III at one elevation to produce the same result or lower the ISO level of EOS R to reduce the noise. Both are impressive for low-light shooting, thanks to the large sensor.
Canon EOS R and Sony a7III Autofocus Performance
Now come to the Autofocus system, as this is one of the essential parts to consider in a camera. Both Canon EOS R and Sony a7III already use a hybrid AF system with phase detection. But, Sony is still the more reliable choice. The a7III was already a fantastic camera with an excellent AF when it first came, and the firmware update introduced an improved performance. The real-life tracking is not as awesome as the higher Alpha series, but it is impressive, even in low light conditions.
The EOS R has a good AF system, too, and it tracks well, but it is not the fast camera that you want to shoot moving objects with because it can only do three frames per second. Depending on what you want to use the camera for, it can be sufficient, but for most people, probably not. With a7III, you can shoot at 10fps or 8fps with Live View. The hit rate is also impressive, with most shots able to capture the subject sharply.
Canon EOS R and Sony a7III for Video
We also want to talk about how the Canon EOS R and Sony a7III perform as video cameras since they are advertised as a hybrid model. In comparison between these two, we think Sony is a better choice if you will record video often. There is no major upgrade for the EOS R, and one main complaint is the crop which is significant in 4K when you compare it to the 1080p.
However, the video AF is better on this camera than in the a7III because the Sony often lags; Canon is still more reliable for the video autofocus. While a7III doesn’t have the best video autofocus, it is still very usable, and it can record in S-Log 2, S-Log 3 HLG, and the firmware update also gives you time-lapse.
Canon EOS R Vs Sony a7III
Both Canon EOS R and Sony a7III are impressive, and we think most people will be happy with any of the two. You can fix the image color in the post if you don’t like the camera’s color processing. The AF system is comparable, and while Sony a7III is both accurate and fast for stills, it is lacking behind in video mode. The EOS R is slow on stills, but it is more reliable for video and has a rotating screen even though the camera lacks professional features.
Conclusion
The decision is all yours because the two are comparable. We recommend Canon EOS R for its value because it is now far more affordable than similar full-frame cameras. It offers more pixels, a good AF system, and is reliable for video purposes. It is an all-rounder at a lower cost if you invest in the lens.