Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Sony Alpha SLT-A99

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Sony Alpha SLT-A99, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III was introduced in May 2012 and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 was introduced in December 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III Highlights

      • 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 Highlights

      • 24.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 19 Focus Points (19 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 1,229k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 2,359k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in GPS
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 22.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 81
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)

      Advantage of Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5D Mark III over Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Sony Alpha SLT-A99
      More Focus Points 61 vs 19
      More Cross-type Focus Points 41 vs 11
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Partial Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2293 vs 1555
      Longer Battery Life 950 shots vs 500 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A99 over Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Sony Alpha SLT-A99
      Cheaper Body only: $3499, €3299, £2999 with 24-105mm: $4299 vs $2,800/£2,480 body only
      Higher Sensor Resolution 22.3 Megapixel vs 24.3 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 5760 x 3840 vs 6000 x 4000
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Screen Type Fixed vs Fully Articulated
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 1,229k dot
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/250 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.0 vs 25.0
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.7 vs 14.0
      Higher DxO Overall Score 81 vs 89
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Built-in GPS vs
      Lighter 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) vs 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS 5D Mark III Sony Alpha SLT-A99
        Video Capture
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        HDMI Output Mini Mini Type C
        Environmental Sealing
        Many Storage Slots22
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5D Mark III Sony Alpha SLT-A99
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional WFT-E7 transmitter
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 1,229k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Sony Alpha SLT-A99 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha SLT-A99 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III features a 22.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600 and expands to 50 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 features a 24.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.8 x 23.8 mm and a total area of 566.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with DIGIC 5+ processor and can take pictures up to 5760 x 3840 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2560, 2880 x 1920, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 6000 x 3376, 3936 x 2624, 3936 x 2216, 2640 x 1760, 2640 x 1488 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has Canon EF lens mount and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has Sony A lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in GPS on Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a Mini HDMI and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 950 shots and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 500 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC and one for CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA 7). Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has two card slots - one for Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo and one for .

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A99. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has 19 (11 cross-type) focusing points. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 5D Mark III ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5D Mark III and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha SLT-A99.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Canon EOS 5D Mark III and via Hot Shoe to Sony Alpha SLT-A99. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 body has dimensions of 147 x 111 x 78 mm (5.79 x 4.37 x 3.07"). Canon EOS 5D Mark III weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 weighs 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz).

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      152 mm

      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      147 mm

      111 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      111 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      76 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      78 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      EXCELLENT
      90
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      73
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      74
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      78
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Large Sensor
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and give them scores of 71 and 75 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      OVERALL
      71
      OVERALL
      75

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 22.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 81
      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89

      Photo

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      GOOD
      77
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      75
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      GOOD
      81
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      79
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      84
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 5D Mark III

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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