Sony Alpha A7 III vs Canon EOS R
Sony Alpha A7 III has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A7 III is the better pick for travel, astrophotography, vlogging.
Choose the Alpha A7 III for
- faster bursts (10fps vs 8fps)
- better low-light performance
- a lighter body (650g vs 660g)
- a lower price (from £339)
- in-body image stabilisation
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 36)
Choose the EOS R for
- more resolution (30MP vs 24MP)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A7 III | EOS R |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24MP | Full frame, 30MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2018 | 2018 |
| Burst | 10 fps | 8 fps |
| Readout | ≈65 ms | — |
| Max ISO | 51,200 | 40,000 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | Lens only |
| Video | 4K 30p | 4K 30p (1.7× crop) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 650 g | 660 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Canon LP-E6NH |
| Card slots | 2× SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | No longer sold new | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £339–904 | £504–754 |
| Native lenses in our database | 105 (82 third-party) | 36 (14 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | Alpha A7 III |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | About equal |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | Alpha A7 III |
| Vlogging & video | Alpha A7 III |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The Alpha A7 III uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the EOS R uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Canon LP-E6NH.
Alpha A7 III compatible lenses → · EOS R compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A7 III better than the Canon EOS R?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A7 III offers faster bursts (10fps vs 8fps), better low-light performance, a lighter body (650g vs 660g); the EOS R offers more resolution (30MP vs 24MP).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A7 III or the EOS R?
They are closely matched for video (4K 30p vs 4K 30p (1.7× crop)); stabilisation and lens choice will decide it.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A7 III or the EOS R?
The Alpha A7 III costs No longer sold new new and from £339 used at MPB; the EOS R costs No longer sold new new and from £504 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A7 III lenses on the EOS R?
Not directly. The Alpha A7 III uses Sony E / FE and the EOS R uses Canon RF / RF-S; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.