Canon EOS 5D vs Sony Alpha 7

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7
      58
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      72
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5D and the Sony Alpha 7, 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 was introduced in November 2005 and Sony Alpha 7 was introduced in January 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5D Highlights

      • 13.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha 7 Highlights

      • 24.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 50 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 117 Focus Points (117 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 1,230k dot Tilting Screen
      • 2,359k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS 5D
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha 7
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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 and Sony Alpha 7.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   50 Lowest Native ISO
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 90
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 13.3 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots


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

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 71
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Advantage of Canon EOS 5D

      Canon 5D
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5D over Sony Alpha 7.

      Canon EOS 5D vs Sony Alpha 7
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Longer Battery Life 800 shots vs 340 shots

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

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon 5D III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      22.3 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon 5D II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Canon 5D IV
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      30.4 MP

      Nikon Z9
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Panasonic GH5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-E4
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Panasonic G9 II
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      25.21 MP

      Nikon D500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon 4000D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Fujifilm X-E1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 7

      Sony a7
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 7 over Canon EOS 5D.

      Canon EOS 5D vs Sony Alpha 7
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 13.3 Megapixel vs 24.3 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 50
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 25,600
      Max Image Resolution 4368 x 2912 vs 6000 x 4000
      Timelapse Recording vs With downloadable app
      More Focus Points 9 vs 117
      Center Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 1,230k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 96% vs 100%
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/250 sec
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1368 vs 2248
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.9 vs 24.8
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.1 vs 14.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 71 vs 90
      HDMI Output vs Micro
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Headphone Output vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Lighter 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) vs 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 7.

      Sony a7 IV
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      Full Frame

      33.0 MP

      Sony a7 II
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Panasonic GX8
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Nikon D800
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Pentax ist DL2
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Nikon Z6
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a6500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon S620
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      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      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 Sony Alpha 7
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5D Sony Alpha 7
        No Image Stabilization
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5D has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution and Sony Alpha 7 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 1,230k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha 7 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony Alpha 7 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5D has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha 7 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution. Canon EOS 5D has 96% coverage with 0.71x magnification and Sony Alpha 7 has 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5D features a 13.3 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 - 3,200. Sony Alpha 7 features a 24.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.8 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 50 - 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 is equipped with DIGIC II processor and can take pictures up to 4368 x 2912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3168 x 2112, 2496 x 1664 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha 7 is equipped with BIONZ X 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, 3008 x 1688, 3008 x 2000 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS 5D has Canon EF lens mount and Sony Alpha 7 has Sony E 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.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS 5D it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony Alpha 7 nothing can be done. On Sony Alpha 7 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 5D nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi on Sony Alpha 7

      Sony Alpha 7 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      NFC on Sony Alpha 7

      Sony Alpha 7 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5D comes with BP-511A battery pack with battery life of 800 shots and Sony Alpha 7 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 340 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5D has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II) card slot. Sony Alpha 7 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Sony Alpha 7 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5D, and up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha 7. Canon EOS 5D can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Sony Alpha 7 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5D has 9 focusing points and Sony Alpha 7 has Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detection / Contrast-detection) system with 117 (25 cross-type) focusing points..


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5D and 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha 7.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5D body has dimensions of 152 x 113 x 75 mm (5.98 x 4.45 x 2.95") and Sony Alpha 7 body has dimensions of 127 x 94 x 48 mm (5 x 3.7 x 1.89"). Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) and Sony Alpha 7 weighs 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz).

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      152 mm

      113 mm

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      127 mm

      94 mm

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      113 mm

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      94 mm

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      75 mm

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      48 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5D and Sony Alpha 7

      Canon EOS 5D and Sony Alpha 7 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

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      77
      •   Large Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Large Sensor
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 5D and Sony Alpha 7 and give them scores of 58 and 72 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

      Sony Alpha 7

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      72

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      72
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 13.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 71
      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   50 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 90

      Photo

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      79
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      74
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      EXCELLENT
      91
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 5D

      Sony Alpha 7

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots


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

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