Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony Alpha 7

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5DS 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 5DS was introduced in February 2015 and Sony Alpha 7 was introduced in January 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5DS Highlights

      • 50.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • 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

      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 5DS and Sony Alpha 7.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   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
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      •   Price
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 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 5DS

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

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony Alpha 7
      Higher Sensor Resolution 50.6 Megapixel vs 24.3 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 8688 x 5792 vs 6000 x 4000
      More Cross-type Focus Points 41 vs 25
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Partial Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2381 vs 2248
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Dust Proof vs
      Longer Battery Life 700 shots vs 340 shots
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

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

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 7

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

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony Alpha 7
      Cheaper $3699/£2999/€3999 (body only) vs $1699.99 / £1299 (body only), $1999.99 / £1549 (with 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 lens)
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 50
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 25,600
      More Focus Points 61 vs 117
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 1,230k dot
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/250 sec
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.7 vs 24.8
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.4 vs 14.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 87 vs 90
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Headphone Output vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Lighter 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) vs 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz)

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

      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 5DS Sony Alpha 7
        Video Capture
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Many Focus Points61117
        Many Cross-type Focus Points4125
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        High DxO Overall Score8790
        HDMI Output Mini Micro
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5DS Sony Alpha 7
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5DS has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 1,040k 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.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Sony Alpha 7 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

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

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS features a 50.6 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 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. 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 5DS is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 8688 x 5792 resolution. 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 5DS 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 5DS 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 5DS 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 inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5DS has a Mini HDMI and Sony Alpha 7 has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5DS comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots and Sony Alpha 7 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 340 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5DS has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). 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 5DS, and up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha 7. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Sony Alpha 7 has Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detection / Contrast-detection) system with 117 (25 cross-type) focusing points. Canon EOS 5DS has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 5DS ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5DS and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha 7.


      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 5DS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5DS and 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha 7.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5DS body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Sony Alpha 7 body has dimensions of 127 x 94 x 48 mm (5 x 3.7 x 1.89"). Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) and Sony Alpha 7 weighs 474 g (1.04 lb / 16.72 oz).

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      152 mm

      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      127 mm

      94 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      94 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      76 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      48 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5DS and Sony Alpha 7

      Canon EOS 5DS 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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      74
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      82
      •   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
      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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      79
      •   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 - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      76
      •   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 - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 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 5DS and Sony Alpha 7 and give them scores of 73 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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      OVERALL
      73
      OVERALL
      72

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      BAD
      32
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      79
      •   117 Focus Points
      •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      GOOD
      74
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      77
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   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 5DS

      Sony Alpha 7

      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      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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