Sony Alpha A9 III vs Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Sony Alpha A9 III has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A9 III is the better pick for astrophotography; the EOS R5 Mark II is better for portraits, landscapes, vlogging.
Choose the Alpha A9 III for
- faster bursts (120fps vs 30fps)
- faster sensor readout (≈0ms vs ≈6ms)
- better low-light performance
- a lighter body (702g vs 746g)
- a lower price (from £2,999)
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 36)
Choose the EOS R5 Mark II for
- more resolution (45MP vs 24.6MP)
- stronger video (8K 60p RAW)
- a newer design (2024)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A9 III | EOS R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24.6MP | Full frame, 45MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Burst | 120 fps | 30 fps |
| Readout | 0 (global) ms | ≈6 ms |
| Max ISO | 25,600 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 4K 120p | 8K 60p RAW |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 702 g | 746 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Canon LP-E6P |
| Card slots | 2×CFexpress A/SD | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £5,699 | £4,399 |
| Used at MPB | £2,999–3,189 | £3,199–3,499 |
| 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 | About equal |
| Portraits | EOS R5 Mark II |
| Landscape | EOS R5 Mark II |
| Wildlife & animals | About equal |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | Alpha A9 III |
| Vlogging & video | EOS R5 Mark II |
| 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 A9 III uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the EOS R5 Mark II uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Canon LP-E6P (about £99).
Alpha A9 III compatible lenses → · EOS R5 Mark II compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A9 III better than the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A9 III offers faster bursts (120fps vs 30fps), faster sensor readout (≈0ms vs ≈6ms), better low-light performance; the EOS R5 Mark II offers more resolution (45MP vs 24.6MP), stronger video (8K 60p RAW), a newer design (2024).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A9 III or the EOS R5 Mark II?
The EOS R5 Mark II is stronger for video: Alpha A9 III records 4K 120p, EOS R5 Mark II records 8K 60p RAW.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A9 III or the EOS R5 Mark II?
The Alpha A9 III costs £5,699 new and from £2,999 used at MPB; the EOS R5 Mark II costs £4,399 new and from £3,199 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A9 III lenses on the EOS R5 Mark II?
Not directly. The Alpha A9 III uses Sony E / FE and the EOS R5 Mark II uses Canon RF / RF-S; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.