Canon
EOS R3
Pro 24MP full-frame stacked-sensor body built for sports, news, wildlife, and high-speed hybrid capture.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Sep 2021
Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Alpha 9 III is 2.3 years newer.
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Wins
EOS R3
Wins
Alpha 9 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R3 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- AEOS R3 has higher Max video bit rate (2600 Mbps vs 600 Mbps)
- AEOS R3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AEOS R3 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 250)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareEOS R3
150 × 143 × 87 mm
1015 g (2.24 lb / 35.80 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
EOS R3 is 14mm wider, 46mm taller, and 4mm thicker than Alpha 9 III.
EOS R3 is 312 g heavier than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 87mm EOS R3 · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS R3
Canon RF
105+
native lenses available
Alpha 9 III
✓ 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 -5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats…
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150, 142.6, 87.2
Max video bit rate
2600 Mbps vs 600 Mbps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 III
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 9 III supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF refresh rate
240 Hz vs 120 Hz — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 5,760,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
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 9 III
Pros
- ✓Global shutter 120fps
- ✓Zero rolling shutter
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Pre-capture buffer
Cons
- –24.6MP only
- –Premium price
- –Battery drain at max speed
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III at major authorized retailers.
Canon EOS R3
Sony Alpha 9 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, EOS R3 or Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 9 III scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for EOS R3 — 120fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III?
EOS R3 is 24.1 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R3 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R3 or the Alpha 9 III?
EOS R3 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III?
EOS R3 weighs 1015 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the Alpha 9 III is 312 g lighter.
Do the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
EOS R3: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R3 and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
EOS R3: Yes. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 620 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R3 and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the EOS R3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $5,999.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way EOS R3 vs Alpha 9 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.