So, can the Canon R5 replace the Sony A7R IV, the EOS R5 is the better camera for almost everything else different types of photography and videos.
If we look side by side with Canon R5 vs Sony A7R IV what the dynamic range is, how much of the highlight they can hold, how much of the shadow they can hold and where the color start to shift and see if that actually makes a difference in write speeds, buffer, and stabilization.
So, if you can not make any difference between the Canon R5 which is 45 megapixels and is one of the best top-of-the-line cameras from Canon, and the Sony A7R IV which is 61megapixels it’s more than anyone really needs.
There are many other great camera brands like Fujifilm or Panasonic but if you finally have decided to switch from Canon to Sony or already own Canon EOS R and want to upgrade your camera.
This is a pros and cons of each camera brand to help you decide which camera is good enough for you Canon or Sony.
So, the reason to switch from Canon to Sony is that they add a flip-out screen to Sony, the second reason to switch to Sony is definitely S-log 3 and the third reason to switch to Sony is the low light capabilities because Sony is incredible at low light.
And the big point is that you can get the dynamic range and cinematic look in S-log 3 without paying a higher price.
If we look at the crop they are both 600 millimeters if we look at the difference in the zoom I would say that the canon has at least another 100 to almost 200 millimeters worth of zoom.
Table of Contents
Body
So, both cameras are roughly the same size the EOS R5 is slightly larger than the A7R IV it also weighs slightly more on the back of the camera bodies.
there’s a couple of differences like the joystick on the back of the A7R IV moves the focus point around but the one on the R5 is definitely a little bit smoother.
When it comes to body capabilities the grip is just much better on the R5 and it feels really nice in the hands. So, both systems are great and you can’t go wrong with either one they are both fine except for some pros and cons.
So, both cameras have battery grip options, and both charge the batteries by USBC writing camera.
Menu
the menus are a bit different all the buttons that you can assign everything is already preset for you.
Screen Type
he Canon R5 features a fully articulating flipout LCd touchscreen while the A7R IV only comes with the tilt out screen and having the screen folded out is just kind of a hassle.
So the EOS R5 has one advantage over A7R IV the touch screen is way more usable than the A7R IV so it makes transitioning between functions and shooting modes a lot faster because on the sony the touch screen is pretty much useless.
With R5 you can go through the whole menu on the touchscreen you can go into the regular shooting mode versus the time mode versus the continuous mode versus you can even change the white balance in this same menu whereas on the Sony you would have to go through all the buttons.
Autofocus
The EOS R5 and A7R IV have got fast burst rates state-of-the-art autofocus and good image quality.
The A7R IV has excellent video autofocus but unfortunately, it’s only 8-bit to an external recorder and there’s no option for 4K 60.
Image Quality
When it comes to image quality everything is sharp everything is in focus there’s no optical advantage in image quality the center of the image is very sharp.
If you look at the outskirts we will see a big difference in depth of field different which makes some of the comparisons not quite as equal the canon’s going to look a little sharper if we take a look at the image quality.
When it comes to Color is always a little warmer with Canon R5 and A7R IV is always a little more muted look at the reds and on that flower in the back, it’s just like there are certain tones that are more muted.
However the color for both cameras is holding really well minus 5 stops there is some shift in the image look at the color checker on the Canon R5 it really kind of has a magenta or warm-like weird cast to its look.
the color checker for A7R IV looks pretty good but if you look at her skin it’s feeling a little green so minus 5 is where both these cameras tap out well.
the EOS R5 is the best full frame stills camera the A7R IV still competes with Canon’s latest offering but with R5 you’re going to get a beautiful large plate you can do high-resolution photos.
There are some differences in resolution if you shoot a lot photos and shooting is your priority then you can try using the A7R IV but if you’re mostly shooting video then the R5 may be the better option.
Nikon announced the Nikon Z7 II and already compete extremely well again R5 and A7R IV with a great looking picture that really focuses on still photography cameras
Image Stabilization
If we compare in-body stabilization between Sony and the R5 I definitely think the A7R IV is the winner also A7R IV is way better in low-light capabilities like unmatched overheating it’s not as bad as it is on the R5.
Low Light
So, the other differences between the two cameras in terms of focusing the EOS R5 is actually pretty good but not better than the A7R IV so, both cameras feels on par in terms of low light focusing.
Sensor
the A7R IV is the clear winner when it comes to megapixels even the sensors are the same size the A7R IV has a 61 megapixel sensor whereas the R5 only has a 45 megapixel sensor.
the sensor readout speed on the EOS R5 is near as fast as the Sony A9 or the Sony A9 II because those cameras have a fast sensor readout speed that enables the camera to focus and expose 60 times per second which you can shoot 20 frames per second with no distortion in the images.
the EOS R5 is capable of pushing a lot of data through it has very high data throughput clearly because its the ability to shoot 8K video.
Those cameras are really great when it comes to sensor but Sony’s sensors are better in their dynamic range because you are not going to get the same amount of dynamic range on a Canon than you are on or Sony but with A7R IV is going to be the best dynamic range that you’ve seen ever.
So, its another difference where A7R IV is a winner is the backside eliminated sensor which gives an extra boost in terms of dynamic range and high ISo performance.
If you’re using a 45 megapixel camera such as the Panasonic S1R, the Nikon Z7 and the Canon R5 you’re really not missing out on much features that makes the biggest step up between and you probably have a better chance of getting the shot with a Sony A7R IV.
ISO
So, with its new image sensor A7R IV has much better ISO performance on other side because of high megapixel you will see a lot more noise at certain ISO levels.
the Canon R5 is very clean at high ISO compared to other high megapixel cameras it’s fairly close to that A7R IV but it’s going to be a little bit cleaner in most situations.
the R5 has a higher native ISO range maxing out at 51,200 whereas the A7R IV tops out at ISO 32 000 but both can be extended to ISO 100 and 2000 both cameras feature a 5-axis in-body stabilization system.
So, they both go to 1600 so, 3200 still looks really beautiful there is a little bit of texture a little grittier a little more on the A7R IV.
the grains build a little more on the A7R IV at 60 at 3200 than the R5. the A7R IV starts to build quicker at 6400 you definitely see the Sony is a little more grainy you start to see some red blocks starting to show up a little bit.
You can shoot either of these the 6400 and print an eight by ten easily in 12800 you could print this in an eight by ten which is mind-blowing.
Video Quality
In terms of the video quality the R5 is a clear winner it can shoot 8k 12 bit raw internally as well as 4k 120 frames per second while the A7R IV doesn’t shoot 8k it can record 4k up to 30 frames per secondand Full HD 120 frames per second.
The difference is that the EOS R5 is a better hybrid video and still shooter whereas the A7R IV does give you an awesome 60-megapixel resolution for pure image quality.
So, generally, if you want to do videos A7R IV is not for you its a high-resolution stills camera and it’s very hard for them to downsample those high-res images.
Canon R5 and A7R IV looking at it as far as versatility goes they are great all-around cameras for video, especially EOS R5.
But if you want high video quality 4K 60 without overheating Panasonic S1R is a solid choice if you don’t care about autofocus performance and you want to take advantage of that multi-shot capability for landscape photography this could also be a good choice.
Shutter
the R5 can shoot up to 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter and 20 frames per second with the electronic shutter while the A7R IV can only shoot 10 framesper second in both mechanical and electronic shutter modes.
So, when you compare it to the A7R IV which can shoot 10 frames per second with mechanical and electronic it seems that the EOS R5 is better.
It’s more capable in terms of burst rates but the thing is that 20 frames per second is a little bit like the 8K. the Canon R5 captures one raw file whereas the Sony A7R IV also captures one. In terms of resolution Canon R5, it’s not really as good as the A7R IV.
Buffer
The buffering is very slow on A7R IV which means you have to wait for probably 60 seconds for support whereas with the canon R5 you can do one of these and then you could go back and do it again right away.
Exposure compensation
When it comes to exposures compensation the Canon R5 raw file at ISO 6400 and A7R IV at ISO 6400 you will see it’s close enough with the exact details and we can see more points on the Sony and more of the grain but Sony is going to show more noise than R5.
the canon scanner is usually pretty good at underexposure so even at minus 4 stops it looks like the cam might have a slight edge and overexposure so the A7R iV has a slight edge.
Both cameras are different on their compensation ratings the EOS R5 gets a rating of 8 stops of compensation and can be enhanced when paired with the image stabilized lens whereas the A7R IV on the other hand has a lower compensation rating of just 5.5 stops.
EVF
the A7R IV has EVF resolution out of the bunch and a 60 frame-per-second refresh rate but it’s not that much better than the EOS R5.
the EVF on the canon R5 is so much better than on the A&R IV when It comes to the architecture they don’t really make much of a difference because you’re focusing manually you’re shooting at high ref stops usually f10 or f11.
Although R5 gets a nicer 5.76 million dot EVF it is only using that highest resolution in playback mode not really when you’re shooting as well it has a low-res LCD panel.
Media Types
Both cameras have dual memory card slots the r5 has one slot compatible with CFexpress memory cards and the other slot is dedicated to SD cards.
the Sony on the other hand provides just two SD card slots both cameras have a micro hdmi output a USB C port a microphone input and a headphone output.
Batteries
In terms of battery life both cameras feels pretty much the same but I think the battery is a lot better than it’s rated on the R5 as well and obviously the battery life on the A7R IV is fantastic.
the EOS R5 is able to 490 shots if you’re using the back panel whereas the A7R IV is able to 670 shots off the back panel and 530 shots off the EVF.
The batteries drain like crazy on A7R IV and the last thing is definitely no record limits on Sony while the R5 still has a record limit. So, those are a few reasons to choose which camera makes a good choice for you and make a purchase.
Weight
In terms of weight, there’s a considerable weight difference between both cameras Canon R5 is about 750g and A7R IV is about 650g.
If we look at the dimensions R5 is about 15 inches and A7R IV is about 13 inches but the reach is very similar between them.
Price
the Canon R5 is a really expensive camera it’s coming at around $4000 the price hasn’t budged since it first came out whereas A7R IV is priced at $3,500.
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for a 35mm full-frame camera you need a 61-megapixel camera you need clean files because A7R IV files have generally been much better than the Canon R5.
A7R IV is a 61 megapixel camera with no filtering and Canon R5 features 45 something like the Sony A7R III so if you are comfortable with that range you can stay with A7R III.
You need a larger buffer, faster shooting times, and in-body stabilization for shooting, you didn’t really have any other choice you can definitely go with A7R IV.
But after Canon released EOS R5 it’s clearly the hottest camera these days the Panasonic Lumix S1R is, of course, the third option in my opinion.
Conclusion
so what is my conclusion with these two cameras they are head to head they both are very good in autofocus, they both have the same dynamic range.
If you’re deciding to go for one of the Sony cameras like Sony A7R IV, Sony FX3, or maybe Sony A7S III, or if you were deciding to go for Canon EOS R or EOS R5 or Canon R6.
So, you would go with Sony if you prefer S-log 3 file workflow is definitely better than the EOS R5 you will get more range and lens choices with A7R IV than you would with R5.
So, if those cameras do not fit your needs the Panasonic S1R is a little heavier but you’re getting a solid grip fantastic customizability lots of buttons.
It has an excellent touchscreen interface and the screen not only tilts but also has a flip-out option. Panasonic S1 just gives you a little bit more customizability and edge and handling out of all the cameras
If you are interested in buying some you can find the purchase link below or you can check my full review about A7R IV and Canon R5 and you will find more buying options.
Canon R5 VS Sony A7R IV Comparison Table
Release Date | 9 July 2020 | 16 July 2019 |
Body type | SLR Style Mirrorless | SLR Style Mirrorless |
Sensor type | CMOS Full Frame | BSI CMOS Full Frame |
Sensor size | 36 x 24 mm | 35.7 x 23.8 mm |
Processor | Digic X | BIONZ X |
Sensor resolution | 8192 x 5464 | 9504 x 6336 |
Sensor pixels | 45 | 61 |
Color filter array | Primary color filter | Primary color filter |
ISO | Auto 100-51200 Expand 50-102400 | Auto 100-32000 Expands to 50-102400 |
Image stabilization | 5 axis 8.0 stop | 5 axis 5.5 stops |
Focus type | Dual Pixel CMOS | Fast Hybrid |
Focus points | 1053 | 567 |
Lens mount | Canon RF | Sony E |
Focal length multiplier | 1x | 1x |
Screen type | Fully Articulated LCD Touch | Articulated tilting LCD touch |
Screen size | 3.2″ | 3.0″ |
Screen resolution | 2,100,000 dots | 1,440,000 dots |
Viewfinder type | Electronic Oled | Electronic Oled |
Viewfinder resolution | 5,760,000 dots | 5,760,000 dots |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.76x | 0.78x |
Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Shutter speed | Min 30 sec Max 1/8000 sec Electronic 1/8000 sec | Min 30 sec Max 1/8000 |
Continuous drive | 20.0 fps | 10.0 fps |
Shutter type | Electronic Shutter, Mechanical focal plane | Electronic Shutter, Mechanical focal plane |
Build in Flash | NO | NO |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Sync Speed | 1/200 sec | 1/250 sec |
Exposure compensation | +/- 3 at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps | +/-5 (3,5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps |
AE Bracketing | +/-6 (2,3,5,7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps | +/-6 (2,3,5,7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps |
WB Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
Video Resolution | 8K UltraHD 30 4K 60 Full HD 120 | 4k 30 Full HD 240 |
Log Gamma | Log Gamma | S Log2, S Log3 |
Video Format | MPEG 4, H.264, H.265 | MPEG 4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 |
Storage type | SD/CFexpress UHS-II | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II dual slots |
Connectivity | USB 3.2 GEN2- 10 Bit/sec | USB 3.2 GEN 1 5GBit sec |
Ports | HDMI Microphone Headphone | HDMI Microphone Headphone |
Wireless Transmitter | 802.11b/g/n/ac 5 GHz | 802.11b/g/n/ac 5 GHz |
Build in Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
NFC | NO | Yes |
Battery life CIPA | 320 | 670 |
Weight | 738g | 665g with battery |
Dimensions | 138 x 98 x 88 mm | 129 x 96 x 78 mm |
Recording Limit | Limited | Unlimited |
Is Canon R5 better than Sony A7R IV?
They both have very good in low light, and both look amazing Canon R5 shoots a higher frame rate it has less of a buffer has more autofocus points so I would say canon is a real winner.
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