Sony A7R vs Canon SL2

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7R vs Canon SL2

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7R II
Compare A7R vs A7R II

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3

Compare SONY A7R II vs CANON SL3

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Differences

Sony A7R advantages over Canon SL2

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7R test data on DxO Mark SL2 test data on DxO Mark

2,746 vs 1,041 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
48 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
36.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
15 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL2 advantages over Sony A7R

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$549 vs $1799*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

650 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.36 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7R

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

Review Excerpt

Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Resolution that rivals a medium-format camera; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Decent performance bearing in mind its extremely high resolution; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.
Extreme resolution makes focus and lens quality critical; Modest performance; Loud shutter; Lacks hybrid autofocus of the A7; Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Slow X-sync; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7R Review

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7R

Sony A7

$1799
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More pixels

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7

Canon SL2

Sony A7

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$748
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A7

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A7R

Sony A7R II

$1799
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$2898
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7R II

Canon SL2

Sony A7R II

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2898
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7R

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1799
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer exposure

Compare Sony A7R vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Canon SL2

Leica M (Typ 262)

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL2 vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7R

Sony A9

$1799
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$3147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A9

Canon SL2

Sony A9

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3147
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A9

Compared to Nikon D3500

Sony A7R

Nikon D3500

$1799
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compare Other Cameras?