Canon R6 vs Sony A7 IV
Side-by-side specs, features and our lab-measured performance for the Canon R6 and the Sony A7 IV.
Sony A7 IV
Key differences
Why pick the Canon R6
- Higher native ISO ceiling: ISO 102,400 vs ISO 51,200
- On-sensor phase-detect autofocus
- Costs less (street price when tested): $2,149 vs $2,598
Why pick the Sony A7 IV
- More resolution: 33 MP vs 20.1 MP
- Sharper screen: 3,680,000 dots vs 1,620,000 dots
- Lighter: 658 g vs 680 g
- Newer model (2021 vs 2020)
Worked out from the spec sheets and our lab measurements. Image quality, handling and autofocus tracking are judged in the reviews.
| Specification | Canon R6 | Sony A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Camera Format | Compact System Camera | Compact System Camera |
| Date Available | 2020-08-31 | 2021-12-31 |
| Currently Manufactured | Yes | Yes |
| Retail Price | $2499.00 | $2500.00 |
| Street Price | $2,149.00 | $2,598.00 |
| Weight | 24.0 oz (680 g) includes batteries | 23.2 oz (658 g) includes batteries |
| Size | 5.4 x 3.8 x 3.5 in. (138 x 98 x 88 mm) | 5.2 x 3.8 x 3.1 in. (131 x 96 x 80 mm) |
| Waterproof | No | No |
| Predecessor | – | Sony A7 III |
| Successor | Canon R6 Mark II | – |
| Sensor | ||
| Effective Megapixels | 20.1 | 33.0 |
| Sensor Format | 35mm | 35mm |
| Sensor size | 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm) | 858.01mm2 (35.90mm x 23.90mm) |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch | 6.58 microns | 5.12 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.0x | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Anti Aliasing Filter | Fixed | None |
| Sensor shift image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Image Resolution | 5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2), 4368 x 2912 (12.7 MP, 3:2), 3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2), 2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2) | 7008 x 4672 (32.7 MP, 3:2), 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2), 3504 x 2336 (8.2 MP, 3:2), 7008 x 3944 (27.6 MP, 16:9), 4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3504 x 1968 (6.9 MP, 16:9), 6224 x 4672 (29.1 MP, 4:3), 4096 x 3072 (12.6 MP, 4:3), 3120 x 2336 (7.3 MP, Other), 4672 x 4672 (21.8 MP, 1:1), 3072 x 3072 (9.4 MP, 1:1), 2336 x 2336 (5.5 MP, 1:1) |
| Image File Format | JPEG (EXIF v2.3); HEIF, RAW (14 bit); C-RAW; RAW+JPEG; RAW+HEIF; C-RAW+HEIF | JPEG (8-bit), HEIF (10-bit), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF |
| RAW Capture Support | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | ||
| Auto Focus Type | Phase Detection AF: Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Max. 6072 points (selectable); Face+Tracking AF (with face/eye detection, animal detection), 1-point AF ([AF frame size] can be set to [Small]), Expand AF Area (Above, below, left and right/Around); Zone AF Large Zone AF (Vertical/Horizontal) | Fast Hybrid 4D AF: 759 points (PDAF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF); Wide (759 points (PDAF), 425 points (CDAF))/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot/Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect | Yes | No |
| Focus Peaking | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Speed (Imaging Resource lab tests) | ||
| Continuous-mode frames/second | – | 10.0 |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution) | – | 10.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution) | – | 828 |
| Viewfinder and screen | ||
| Viewfinder | EVF / LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type | EVF; 0.5-inch OLED, 3.69 million dots, 120fps refresh rate, 100% coverage, 0.76x magnification, 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor | EVF: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) 3.68M-dot UXGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, 23mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens |
| EVF Resolution | 3,690,000 dots | 3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels) |
| Rear Display Size (inches) | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution | 1,620,000 dots (540,000 px) | 3,680,000 dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Articulating Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Top Deck Display | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Minimum ISO (native) | 100 | 100 |
| Maximum ISO (native) | 102400 | 51200 |
| ISO Settings | Auto, 100-102400 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 204800 (H1) | Auto, 100 - 51200, expandable to 50 - 204800 |
| Shutter Speed Range | 1/8000 - 30 sec | 1/8000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes | Real-time metering with image sensor; 384 [24x16] zone Evaluative (AF point-linked), Center-weighted, Partial (center 5.8% of frame), Spot (center 2.9% of frame; AF point-linked spot metering not provided.) | 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot (Standard/Large), Entire Screen Avg., Highlight |
| White Balance Settings | Auto (Ambience priority/White priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 57-step Magenta/Green and 29-step Amber/Blue compensation), Underwater |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer) | Yes | – |
| High Resolution Composite | No | No |
| Self Timer | 2, 10 seconds | 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds |
| Creative Exposure Modes | Custom shooting mode C1, C2, C3; Multiple-exposure; HDR | 3 Custom Settings; Creative Look; Slow & Quick Motion; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step) |
| Video | ||
| Can take movies | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution | 3840x2160 (60p/​30p/​23.98p) 1920x1080 (120p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p/​23.98p) | 3840x2160 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p) 1920x1080 (120p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p) |
| Movie File Format | Video: RAW (CRM); H.265/HEVC; MPEG4 AVC/H.264 Variable (averaged) bit rate; Audio: ALL-I/IPB: Linear PCM/AAC | XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4) |
| HD Video Out | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection | HDMI | HDMI |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Lens | ||
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Lens | Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM | Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870 |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent) | 24 - 105mm | 28 - 70mm |
| Focal Length (actual) | 24 - 105mm | 28 - 70mm |
| Zoom Ratio | 4.38x | 2.50x |
| Aperture Range | f/4 - f/22; with 9 blades | f/3.5-22 (W) / f/5.6-36 (T) |
| Optical Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Filter Thread | 77.0mm | 55.0mm |
| Digital Zoom | – | Yes |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Max Flash Sync | 1/250s | 1/250 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe | Enhanced Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control | No | No |
| Storage and connectivity | ||
| Usable Memory Types | SD / SDHC / SDXC | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC / CFexpress |
| UHS Support | UHS-II | UHS-I |
| Dual Card Slots | Yes | Yes |
| Built-In Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Built-In GPS | No | No |
| External Connections | USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi | USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi |
| Remote Control | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type | Via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or optional wired | Yes, via USB or Wi-Fi |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Form Factor | Proprietary LP-E6NH/LP-E6N/LP-E6 | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types | Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E22 battery grip | NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Internal Charging Supported | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter) | Yes | Yes |
| Other | ||
| Tripod Mount | Yes | Yes |
| Color Filter Type | RGBG | RGBG |
| Composite Video Out | No | No |
| Integrated ND Filter | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range | 39 cm to Infinity 15.4 in to Infinity | 40 cm to Infinity 15.7 in to Infinity |
| Auto Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Eye-level Viewfinder | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display | Yes | Yes |
| Max Playback Zoom | 10.0x | 13.3x |
| Auto ISO Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Program Auto Exposure | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes | – | Auto, Fill Flash, Hi-Speed Sync, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync |
| Uncompressed Format | RAW (14 bit); C-RAW; RAW+JPEG; RAW+HEIF; C-RAW+HEIF | RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF |
| Included Memory | No memory included | No memory included |
| PictBridge Compliant | No | No |
| DPOF Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Connections (extended) | Micro HDMI (Type D), USB-C SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 2), 3.5mm stereo microphone and headphone jacks, remote jack | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2, 10Gbps), Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-A HDMI, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone jacks |
| Batteries Included | 1 x Proprietary LP-E6NH Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included | Yes | Yes |
| Alternate Model Number(s) | – | ILCE-7M4 |
| Digital Zoom Values | – | Up to 4x; 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom |
| Other Memory | – | 2x:CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II |
| Included Software | – | Capture One Express (for Sony) free download |
| OS Compatibility | – | Windows, Mac OS X |
Highlighted cells mark the better figure where one is clearly better. Timings and buffer depths come from our lab tests; DxOMark scores are DxOMark's own.