Canon 5D Mark IV vs Sony A7R III Camera

Last Updated: February 18, 2019

Making the decision to switch from a DSLR camera body to a mirrorless model can be challenging. This Canon 5D Mark IV vs. Sony a7R III guide should help you decide which is better suited to meet your needs.

The Canon 5D Mark IV is a reliable, high-performance DSLR. However, mirrorless cameras have advanced by leaps and bounds over the past ten years.

The Sony a7R III has built-in 5-axis image stabilization, advanced video capabilities and a compact size. However, the Canon still has the better battery life. It has less shutter lag and built-in GPS. We’ll explore these differences and many more in this guide.

Side-by-side Comparison

	Canon 5D Mark IV	Sony A7R III

Best For	Everyday Photography	Video, Travel photography
Price	See Price on Amazon	See Price on Amazon
Internal System	DSLR	Mirrorless
ISO	100 - 32,000	100 - 32,000
Continuous Shooting Speed	7 fps	10 fps
Focus Points	61 AF points	425 AF points
Video Resolution	4096 x 2160	3840 x 2160
Built-in Wireless	Yes	Yes
LCD Screen	3.2" fixed type	3" tilting screen
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes
LCD Screen Resolution	1.620k dots	1.440k dots
Sensor Resolution	30.4 MP	42 MP
Built-in Flash	No	No
Battery Life	900 shots	650 shots
Weight	890 grams	657 grams

Here’s what we cover in the review:

DSLR vs. Mirrorless

Mirrorless full-frame cameras have only been on the market since 2008. They have advanced significantly since their release. In addition, they operate with digital viewfinders and LCD screens. They are able to offer significantly faster continuous shooting speeds and autofocus systems

That is because they don’t have to reflect light from a mirror up into the viewfinder. The lack of a mirror box inside the camera allows camera manufacturers to create camera bodies. They are much lighter and more compact than their DSLR cousins.

However, DSLR cameras have been on the market considerably longer. That means they have flushed a lot of the bugs out. They have been testing the technology for years and have improved it.

The battery life is also much more robust for DSLR cameras, and there tends to be less shutter lag.

There is one area that may make it difficult for photographers to make the switch to mirrorless. That is the fact that there aren’t nearly as many lenses available – yet.

They are likely to correct this in the next several years, though. So this is not necessarily a reason not to choose the Sony if you really love the mirrorless technology.

Physical Comparison

As with most mirrorless cameras, the Sony a7R III is much smaller than its DSLR counterpart. That is, the Canon 5D Mark IV.

The Sony weighs 657 grams. That is 26% less than the Canon’s weight of 890 grams.

It also measures at 127 mm x 96 mm x 74 mm. That is considerably smaller than the Canon’s measurements of 151 mm x 116 mm x 76 mm.

Many photographers like the lighter weight since it makes the Sony easy to carry on long walks. However, some photographers also find the smaller size awkward and uncomfortable to use.

This complaint has been voiced often enough that Sony has created a grip extender. You can screw it onto the bottom of your mirrorless camera body. If you have the ability to test a mirrorless body before committing to it to see if you have this problem, I would definitely recommend doing it.

Another criticism of the a7R III is the short battery life. While the Canon’s battery charge lasts for 900 shots, the Sony’s only lasts for 650 shots. That necessitates carrying more fully-charged batteries than if you have the Canon or a similar DSLR.

This technology with mirrorless cameras is likely to improve in the next several years, though. So this isn’t a reason not to buy the Sony. That is, if the differences between the a7R III and the 5D Mark IV make it the better setup for you.

Shooting Capabilities

The Sony a7R III shows how far mirrorless technology has advanced when the shooting capabilities are compared to those of the Canon 5D Mark IV. The Sony has a continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second, compared to the Canon’s speed of 7 fps. It also has a sensor resolution of 42 MP vs. 30 MP.

Since the mirrorless body has an entirely different internal structure, certain systems are completely different and difficult for the DSLR cameras to compete with. This is obvious when you look at the autofocus systems, with the Sony having 425 Fast Hybrid AF points, which combine phase-detection and contrast-detection AF points, and the Canon having 61 AF points with 41 being cross-type points.

The technology is so different that it is hard to compare the two, but the Sony’s system gives almost full coverage of the scene and works very quickly. The system on the Canon is quick and reliable too though, making this difference interesting but minor when viewed overall.

Video Capabilities

Video is another area where mirrorless cameras really show off their technological advances. While both cameras can shoot in 4K at 30p, the 5D Mark IV does so with an added crop of 1.74x.

On the other hand, the Sony is able to film in 4K at full sensor width without a crop, which definitely makes the mirrorless body the best choice for you if you need to record in wide angle, 4K video frequently.

The Sony camera can also capture Full HD video (1080p) at 120 frames per second, whereas the Canon can only record Full HD up to 60 frames per second. Another major benefit the Sony offers videographers is the 5-axis stabilization that is built into the framework. This allows videographers to capture smoother, steadier video regardless of which lens they are using.

Finally, the a7R III also has Hybrid Log Gamma Picture Profiles and S-LOG, while the Canon Log is an expensive upgrade for the 5D Mark IV. These features and improvements all make the Sony a much better option for videographers than the DSLR body.

Built-In Extras

Mirrorless cameras tend to shine when it comes to bonus features, but this is only slightly true when you compare the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Sony a7R III. While both have certain features like built-in Wi-Fi, weather sealing and microphone and headphone ports, the Sony only has a few added technologies above and beyond the Canon that photographers will enjoy.

These include an articulating screen, built-in image stabilization, built-in Bluetooth, a digital viewfinder and a bigger raw buffer. It also has several technology benefits, like high-resolution composition, which allows you to combine multiple shots to create a very high-resolution image.

There are fewer differences in terms of built-in extras between the 5D Mark IV and the a7R III than many DSLRs and mirrorless camera bodies however. In addition to features listed above, both have touch screens, flash sync ports, dual image storage slots and smartphone remote control.

The Canon does have less shutter lag which allows it to focus and photograph quickly, a top deck display, which the Sony lacks, and built-in GPS so photographers can geotag their images.

The Verdict

While there are several elements that make the Sony a7R III desirable for videographers and travel photographers, the Canon 5D Mark IV is certainly a strong competitor for the newer technology. It really comes down to personal preference when choosing between the two if you aren’t one of the few photographers who would be positively affected by being able to shoot 4K in full frame at higher filming rates or other specific improvements the Sony mirrorless body has to offer.