Canon vs Sony – Which Camera is a Better Investment?
It’s a whole new world for cameras. The past few years have ushered in a practically endless release cycle with new models coming out constantly. Still, some of the biggest brands have retained their place at the top – namely Canon and Sony if you need some blend of stills and video specs. So, if you are in the market for a new camera, you’ll want to make sure your investment is worth it.
Creator Matti Haapoja takes a look at these two brands and the main options available today. It’s not a definitive answer since everyone has their own particular preferences, but it’s worth getting an overview from someone who has worked extensively with the various options.
Matti has a lot of both Canon and Sony in his kit. Like, a lot. So he has some opinions on what the key differences are and which might matter the most. While he has a bunch of cameras, the ones he shows off are the Canon R5 and Sony FX3.
One of the first things to consider is the lenses. You might only buy one or two cameras, but you will likely have a boatload of lenses over time.
Canon historically has a ton of lenses, which is great. Unfortunately, since they are newer to mirrorless, the stellar RF lineup for their newer cameras is still growing and might be missing some key options. Sony, on the other hand, has been with mirrorless for a while and has a ton of native options for their cameras.
Image Credit: Canon
If Matti had to make a quick call on the cameras, he does give Canon a clear win on the photography front. Canon is just better at the photo-shooting experience.
Matti is putting more stock in video performance as many platforms are heading that way. And for video, the Sony cameras are in the lead when it comes to features across the board (and they don’t overheat as much as Canon).
Doubling down on Sony’s camera tech is that Sony makes the sensors for plenty of other devices, including many iPhones. Sony sensors are almost an industry standard for other brands. Canon has also been fairly quiet with banner releases, with the R5 being the latest big hit. Sony just keeps the release cycles going with fun stuff.
Image Credit: Sony
Where do we land after all that? Matti thinks that Sony is the more reasonable investment these days. I honestly would disagree today since Canon has been making some serious changes recently and could be just as good if not better very soon. It’s looking good for Canon – plus the photo advantage is huge if you need that.
What do you think? Would you pick Canon or Sony if you were starting from scratch?
[source: Matti Haapoja]
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About The Author
Shawn studied both cinema and photography with a strong focus on photojournalism and documentary work. You can check out his Instagram, as well as most other social media accounts, @shawncsteiner to see more of his work.
FAQs
In general, Canon cameras last longer. Depending on the photographing conditions, you can take between 150 and 550 photos or 100 minutes of video. Compare that to the less than 300 pictures and 60 or 70 minutes of filming you can do with a Sony before reloading the battery.
Why do most photographers use Sony? ›
In summary, with their image quality, speed, autofocus capabilities, video features and compact size, it's easy to see why Sony's mirrorless cameras have been so revolutionary. Models like the a6100, a7 III and a9 offer something for photographers at every experience level and budget.
Do Sony cameras shoot 4k? ›
Otherwise, the Sony α7 IV is another great option for 4k video, with a very wide range of lens options, including more affordable third-party lenses. It also has a more reliable autofocus system than the S5 II.
Why do most photographers use Canon? ›
Depth of Field in lenses – This is a huge perk for some people that love a lens that can go to 1.2 and get that extra depth of field. Canon Glass has also been at the top of the list for many photographers. Workhorse Bodies – Canon builds them strong and they feel strong!
Does Canon or Sony have better autofocus? ›
Autofocusing capability
In regards to autofocus, the Canon has the most autofocus points, although, with the AI-based autofocus in the Nikon and Sony, you could argue that the number of AF points doesn't mean as much.
Which camera type is the best quality? ›
The best camera for photography 2024
- Sony A7 IV. The best full-frame hybrid for enthusiasts. ...
- Sony A7R V. The best photography camera for most professionals. ...
- Canon EOS R10. The best camera for beginners overall. ...
- Canon EOS R7. The best APS-C camera for enthusiasts. ...
- OM System OM-1. ...
- Fujifilm X100V.
Do professional photographers use Sony? ›
Many professionals are moving to Sony mirrorless cameras. The main reason that others do not, is that they already have a host of kit from another manufacturer and it would cost them a lot of money to switch systems.
Why is the Sony camera the best? ›
Sony cameras, especially its APS-C lineup, are generally a little more compact than alternatives from other brands. Excellent image quality. Sony cameras generally take sharp images, have a wide dynamic range, and perform well in low light. Lens availability.
Is Canon good for videography? ›
If you are looking at doing video work (filming a movie) then the first thing I would make sure to do is focus on using mirrorless instead of DSLR cameras. The mirrorless cameras are lighter weight. They also have better autofocus for video. Yes Canon will work, so will Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, and Olympus.
Which Sony camera shoots 4K? ›
If you want a compact vlogging camera with class-leading video, we think the ZV-E1 should be top of your list. In our review, it delivered Sony's best-quality 4K footage, harnessing the superlative 12.1MP sensor from the A7S III to deliver clean 4K/60p footage in any light.
All Reviews
Product | Body Body Type | Raw Photo Performance |
---|
RICOH GR III | Large Sensor Compact | 8.8 |
Fujifilm X100V | Large Sensor Compact | 7.9 |
Canon EOS R6 Mark II | SLR-Style | 8.6 |
Panasonic LUMIX S5 II | SLR-Style | 8.9 |
9 more rowsApr 18, 2024
Which is better, Nikon or Canon or Sony? ›
At the top of the telephoto range, Nikon now has a 400mm f/2.8 and a 600mm f/4. And although Canon and Sony also have such lenses, Nikon's versions have a huge advantage: a built-in 1.4X teleconverter, that makes these lenses even more versatile when shooting wildlife.
What is the advantage of Canon? ›
One thing that Canon consistently excels at is ergonomics. The company's cameras are known for their comfortable and intuitive design, making them a pleasure to use for photographers. One major advantage of Canon is their high-quality lenses, which are widely recognized as some of the best in the industry.
Which camera is best for photography? ›
Or, take a look at the best cameras we've tested overall.
- Best Camera For Photography. Canon EOS R6 Mark II 8. ...
- Best APS-C Camera For Photography. Fujifilm X-T5 10. ...
- Best Mid-Range Camera For Photography. Sony α6700 17. ...
- Best Entry-Level Camera For Photography. Canon EOS R10 9. ...
- Best Budget Camera For Photography. Canon EOS R50 9.
Does Canon make the best cameras? ›
While Canon produces a wide range of imaging products, from printers to MRI machines, it's probably best known as one of the world's leading manufacturers of cameras. Canon's long history of producing high-quality lenses and cameras has made it a favorite among professional photographers and enthusiasts.