Canon
EOS R3
Pro 24MP full-frame stacked-sensor body built for sports, news, wildlife, and high-speed hybrid capture.
$5,999
Released Sep 2021
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Released within a month of each other.
Wins
EOS R3
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 150 frames)
- AEOS R3 has higher Max video bit rate (2600 Mbps vs 600 Mbps)
- AEOS R3 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- AEOS R3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
- AEOS R3 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R3
150 × 143 × 87 mm
1015 g (2.24 lb / 35.80 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
EOS R3 is 19mm wider, 46mm taller, and 7mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.
EOS R3 is 357 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 87mm EOS R3 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS R3
Canon RF
105+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS R3
AF low-light limit
-7.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150, 142.6, 87.2
Max video bit rate
2600 Mbps vs 600 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 150 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Weight
658 g vs 1015 g — lower is better
Resolution
33 MP vs 24.1 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.78 × vs 0.76 × — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R3
Pros
- ✓30fps electronic burst from a stacked full-frame sensor
- ✓Exceptional low-light AF down to -7.5 EV
- ✓Integrated pro body with large LP-E19 battery
- ✓6K RAW video and 4K 120p
- ✓Rugged weather-sealed construction
Cons
- –24MP resolution trails higher-detail rivals
- –Large integrated-grip body
- –Expensive compared with enthusiast full-frame bodies
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, EOS R3 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for EOS R3 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R3 and Alpha 7 IV?
EOS R3 is 24.1 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS R3 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R3 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R3 or the Alpha 7 IV?
EOS R3 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R3 and Alpha 7 IV?
EOS R3 weighs 1015 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 357 g lighter.
Do the EOS R3 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
EOS R3: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the EOS R3 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
EOS R3: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 620 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R3 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the EOS R3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R3 launched at $5,999 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $3,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Sony press materials.