Sony Alpha 7R IV vs Canon R5 Mark II – Which one is better?
Sony Alpha 7R IV vs Canon EOS R5 Mark II – Which One Is Better?
The Sony Alpha 7R IV and Canon EOS R5 Mark II are two of the most advanced full-frame mirrorless cameras available today, each designed for high performance.
While they both cater to professionals, their strengths lie in slightly different directions: the 7R IV emphasises ultra high resolution for stills, while the R5 Mark II is very much a modern hybrid powerhouse designed to excel in both photography and video.
So which should you choose? Let’s find out.
⚙️ Overview – Ultra-Resolution Specialist vs Hybrid Powerhouse
Sony Alpha 7R IV:
A 61 MP full-frame camera built for photographers who prioritise maximum detail, cropping flexibility, and large-format work. It’s ideal for commercial, landscape, and studio work where resolution is key.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II:
A 45 MP full-frame camera (with stacked BSI CMOS sensor) designed for hybrid creators who shoot both high-end stills and professional video (8K, 4K120, etc). It’s built to be a do-it-all workhorse.
In short:
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7R IV = Best for maximum resolution, stills-first professionals.
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R5 Mark II = Best for hybrid creators needing both high-end stills and video.
📸 Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Sony Alpha 7R IV | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 2019 | July 2024 |
| Camera Type | Full-Frame Mirrorless | Full-Frame Mirrorless |
| Sensor Resolution | 61 MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 45 MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | Dual BIONZ X | Dual DIGIC X + Dedicated AI Processor |
| Lens Mount | Sony E-Mount | Canon RF Mount |
| Native ISO Range | 100 – 32,000 (expandable 50 – 102,400) | 100 – 51,200 (expandable 50 – 102,400) |
| In-Body Stabilization (IBIS) | ✅ 5-axis, up to 5.5 stops | ✅ 5-axis, up to 8 stops (with coordinated IS) |
| Autofocus System | 567 Phase-Detection Points | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with AI Subject Detection |
| AF Subject Recognition | Humans / Animals (Eye AF) | Humans / Animals / Vehicles / Airplanes / Trains / Insects |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 10 fps | 30 fps (electronic) / 12 fps (mechanical) |
| Shutter Type | Mechanical / Electronic | Mechanical / Electronic / Pre-Release Burst |
| Shutter Speed Range | 1/8000s to 30s | 1/16,000s to 30s |
| Viewfinder | 5.76M-dot OLED EVF (0.78x) | 5.76M-dot OLED EVF (120Hz, blackout-free) |
| LCD Screen | 3.0” Tilting LCD (1.44M dots) | 3.2” Fully Articulating Touch LCD (2.1M dots) |
| Video Recording | 4K 30p (8-bit 4:2:0, full pixel readout) | 8K 60p RAW / 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 Internal |
| Color Profiles | S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG | Canon Log 3, HDR PQ, 10-bit HEIF |
| Internal Bit Depth | 8-bit | 10-bit |
| RAW Video Output | ❌ No | ✅ 8K 12-bit RAW via HDMI |
| Recording Limit | 29 min (approx.) | Unlimited (enhanced heat management) |
| Storage Media | Dual SD UHS-II | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, Micro HDMI | Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 3.2, Full-Size HDMI |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250s | 1/200s |
| Dynamic Range (approx.) | 15 stops | 14+ stops |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | LP-E6NH |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | ~670 shots | ~450 shots |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy with improved heat dissipation |
| Weather Sealing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (enhanced) |
| Weight (Body Only) | 665 g | 740 g |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 129 x 96 x 78 mm | 138 x 98 x 88 mm |
| PC Sync Port | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Headphone / Mic Jack | ✅ Yes / Yes | ✅ Yes / Yes |
| Hot Shoe Type | Standard ISO | Multi-Function Smart Shoe (digital audio compatible) |
| Price (Body Only) | ~$2,999 (check on Amazon) | ~$4,299 (check on Amazon) |
🧱 Build and Handling
The 7R IV brings premium construction with a robust magnesium alloy body, excellent weather sealing, and a high-resolution viewfinder that makes critical focusing and composition a pleasure.
The R5 Mark II continues Canon’s strong build tradition — offering a comfortable grip, large controls, dual card slots geared for professional workflows, and modern usability features like advanced video menus and heat management.
👉 Verdict:
-
7R IV: Excellent for photographers who prioritise stills with demanding conditions and heavy lenses.
-
R5 Mark II: Better for hybrid users who switch between stills and video and want streamlined professional handling.
🎯 Autofocus and Performance
Sony’s 7R IV offers a reliable and accurate autofocus system, excellent for stills. But when compared to newer systems, it lacks some of the advanced subject recognition found in the latest models.
The R5 Mark II incorporates Canon’s latest AF technologies: deep subject recognition (humans, animals, vehicles), extremely high burst speeds with electronic shutter, and top-tier video AF.
👉 Verdict:
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7R IV: Still excellent for controlled and still-focused shooting.
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R5 Mark II: Superior for tracking moving subjects, hybrid action, and video use.
🎥 Video Capabilities
If video is a priority, the R5 Mark II clearly has the advantage. It supports 8K internal recording, high frame-rate 4K, and professional codecs geared for video production.
The 7R IV, though capable, is more stills-oriented — 4K up to 30p and fewer advanced video features.
👉 Verdict:
-
7R IV: Adequate for stills with occasional video.
-
R5 Mark II: Outstanding for professional video workflows and hybrid shooters.
🧠 Image Quality
The 7R IV’s 61 MP sensor delivers outstanding detail, dynamic range and cropping flexibility — ideal for high-resolution work, large prints and demanding clients.
The R5 Mark II’s 45 MP stacked sensor offers excellent resolving power but pairs that with modern features like faster readout, better low-light handling, and advanced video capabilities.
👉 Verdict:
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7R IV: Best for stills-first photographers needing maximum resolution.
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R5 Mark II: Best for creators who need high image quality and modern performance for stills + video.
🔋 Battery Life and Workflow
The 7R IV is known for strong battery life and long shoots in stills mode, especially when paired with its resolution-first sensor.
The R5 Mark II brings state-of-the-art connectivity, dual card medium support (CFexpress + SD) for fast data streams, and details tailored for professional workflows. Battery life may be shorter when using high-end video modes.
👉 Verdict:
-
7R IV: Better for extended stills sessions and large-file workflows.
-
R5 Mark II: Superior connectivity and workflow for mixed content — but expect heavier demands.
💰 Price and Value
The 7R IV remains a very strong value for serious photographers focused on detail and stills workflows.
The R5 Mark II commands a higher price but delivers premium hybrid performance — stills + video + advanced AF + future-proof tech.
👉 Verdict:
-
7R IV: Better value for photography specialists.
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R5 Mark II: Better investment for multimedia / hybrid professionals.
Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒
📷 Canon R5 Mark II — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
📷 Sony A7R IV — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
Note: camerafight.com participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
🏁 Final Verdict — Sony Alpha 7R IV vs Canon EOS R5 Mark II
| Type of User | Recommended Camera |
|---|---|
| Landscape / high-resolution photographer | Sony Alpha 7R IV |
| Studio / commercial stills work | Sony Alpha 7R IV |
| Hybrid creator (photo + video) | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
| Event / wedding shooter needing video + photo | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
| Sports / wildlife hybrid shooter | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
| Photography-only specialist | Sony Alpha 7R IV |
✅ In short:
Choose the Sony Alpha 7R IV if you’re primarily a photographer requiring maximum resolution, detail and image quality.
Choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II if you’re a hybrid creator who needs a camera that excels at stills and demands advanced video, autofocus, and workflow tools.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Both of these cameras are outstanding in their domains.
If your work lives in high-pixel stills — large prints, commercial detail, cropping freedom — the 7R IV remains a benchmark.
If you need a camera that can handle stills by day and cinema-quality video by night, the R5 Mark II offers a complete toolkit with modern features.
Choose based on what you shoot most — extreme resolution or versatile hybrid performance — and you’ll be confident in your decision.
