fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2021 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III

  
 
sofandi
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Hi, I would like some feedback from you guys for my next camera purchase. I read a lot online and am still undecided. I recently sold my Sony A7C due to poor ergonomics and lackluster stabilization.

These are my use cases

Private use:

family & travel photo/video with a 3-year-old, indoors & outdoors
some street & urban photography

Professional use:

photos for social media & print in political public relations
video for clients in political & non-profit ads (short clips for YouTube & social media)
I don't get paid for individual jobs professionally, but I do need my own equipment for the professional use cases.

I am now trying to decide between the R5 and the Sony A7S III and the accompanying lenses.

Scenario 1: Canon R5 with 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8

With the R5 I really like the quality, ergonomics and optical build quality of the 2.8 zooms. I wouldn't need 45MP photos all the time, but occasionally the cropping would be quite welcome. I definitely welcome the stabilization offered by the R5, even compared with the active mode in the A7S III. However, the lenses are quite big, heavy and especially expensive. There is also overheating-worries, although I don't shoot 60-120fps all that often and only in short bursts and I would shoot the HQ only occasionally.

Scenario 2: Sony A7S III wit Sony 20mm 1.8, Sigma 28-70 f2.8 and 85mm 1.8

This is a more lightweight, affordable and overall smaller package. I do a lot of run-and-gun video work handheld and without a gimbal and am unsure whether the missing weight and active stabilization is enough for that. I don't want to rig up a cage and top handle every time, this would defeat the run and gun purpose. I do think that I could live with the 12 MP stills most of the time, however, I would miss cropping at times.

Which setup of camera and lenses would you favor in my situation?



Jun 16, 2021 at 03:16 AM
jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


First, I'd decide how many MPx I want, then I'd select candidate models. The resolution of the R5 and A7S III are so different that they're probably best-suited for different purposes. If you seek a compromise between the R5 and A7S III, then maybe a third camera should appear in your list of candidates.


Jun 16, 2021 at 06:26 AM
Jman13
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #3 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


I'm curious on your reasoning for the two kits. While Canon doesn't have any RF 20/21mm primes at the moment, so that isn't comparable, why not the 24-70 and the RF 85/2 to compare to the kit you've set up on the Sony side (or the 24-70 Sigma + 70-200GM or Tamron 70-180/2.8)?

As to the cameras, considering the other option is the A7S III, I'm not sure why the R6 isn't on your radar. Still higher resolution stills, excellent 4K video, less overheating concern than the R5, and way less expensive. As it is now, the R5 kit you are proposing is massively more expensive...but an R6+ 24-70 + 85/2 is a lot closer in price and performance to what you've suggested for the Sony side.

That said the A7S III as a body will be the superior video camera, while the R5/R6 will be the superior stills camera, so I'd weigh on how much each of those matters, plus if there are things in the Sony lineup now that are available that you'd really want that won't be available natively for a while in RF mount (though the EF system works flawlessly as well and has a vast array of glass, though it's generally bigger.

As a long term Sony shooter who switched to the R5/R6 last year, I can say I find the ergonomics a nice step up, as well as the IBIS, which I have found to be about 2-3 stops better than Sony's. AF is also improved over the non A9/A1 bodies. Also, so much less dust on the sensor with the Canons.



Jun 16, 2021 at 06:32 AM
deepbluejh
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Are you currently invested in either Sony or Canon ecosystems? If so, then just stay within the brand. Both options here are very capable and can handle your usage. It doesn't sound like you are pushing the limits of what either brand has to offer.

While the A7sIII is a phenomenal video camera... if you aren't doing serious professional video shoots with lots of 4K and/or high framerates, then its likely overkill. Let's be clear though, the A7sIII is a professional video camera first and foremost. It can also take pictures, but that's not the point here.

The R5's philosophy is largely the opposite. That is... its a stills camera that can also do some video.



Jun 16, 2021 at 07:44 AM
Elusivesouls
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


deepbluejh wrote:
Are you currently invested in either Sony or Canon ecosystems? If so, then just stay within the brand. Both options here are very capable and can handle your usage. It doesn't sound like you are pushing the limits of what either brand has to offer.

While the A7sIII is a phenomenal video camera... if you aren't doing serious professional video shoots with lots of 4K and/or high framerates, then its likely overkill. Let's be clear though, the A7sIII is a professional video camera first and foremost. It can also take pictures, but that's not the point here.

The R5's philosophy is largely
...Show more

Yep, just wish Canon had marketed as such. If they had focused on how great it is at stills photography while mentioning it can do 8K video, they wouldn't have had all the backlash that it initially got when it released. It's recovered IMO now that people have figured out what its good at, but they failed at the marketing for launch.

It's one of the best stills photography cameras I've ever used - easily.



Jun 16, 2021 at 08:12 AM
gdanmitchell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


If your experience in the Sony ecosystem makes you feel that you'd like the Sony camera again, then I'd recommend that you trust your instincts on this and return to Sony.

If your experience with Sony left you feeling dissatisfied/disappointed, then it probably makes sense to give the Canon system a try.

Let's be honest. Both companies make excellent photographic equipment, and it sounds like the features you want are available from either. The effect of your choice between them on your photography will be close to nil.



Jun 16, 2021 at 09:59 AM
arbitrage
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


These cameras seem like polar opposites. Would an R6 make more sense (if going the Canon route)? It would bring the cost down significantly compared to the R5 option. It would get you 20MP for some cropping freedom compared to the measly 12MP A7SIII.


Jun 16, 2021 at 10:14 AM
sofandi
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Alright, thanks so far, good feedback and advice.

I am currently not invested in any ecosystem, that's mainly why I am overthinking it this much

Small background on my most recent experience with the Sony A7C: I researched a lot beforehand and decided on getting the most portable full-frame setup available. I used two primes, 28mm f2 & 55mm 1.8 Zeiss lenses and one general-purpose zoom Sony Zeiss 24-70f4 with OSS. My reasoning was: When I am doing family-related photography stuff, I always have a small, little camera with me with multiple focal-length options and when I am doing my professional stuff, I can do good photo and video in a small, unsuspicious package. Got all the gear used for a good price.

Then my experience was sort of disappointing: A full-frame camera, even if so small as the A7C, is not a bring-everywhere device. You still need camera straps, camera backpacks and so on to bring it along. Therefore, I really just used it, when I concentrated on getting good photos or videos -> always around the house, when on family trips, professionally on photo and video shoots. However, for these situations the A7C was severely lacking, bad viewfinder, poor grip & ergonomics, hassle changing between lenses sometimes, f4 zoom for indoors not enough and outdoors often not enough subject separation, etc.

That's why I decided to sell the A7C and the accompanying lenses and get a more let's say "mature" full-frame hybrid camera. Ultimately, it made me realize what I really wanted from such a camera:

1.) good stabilization: Who uses a gimbal for family videos or small PR-stuff, it's so cumbersome -> that's why I only consider the Sony A7S III (only acceptable with active stabilization) and the Canon R5/R6 (there is a case for the Panasonic lineup, but I just can't get into M4/3 and the ecosystem)
2.) good ergonomics: comfortable grip and support for somewhat heavy standard zoom lenses, best possible viewfinder and lcd screen, etc.
3.) good video options: 10-Bit video no crop 4k, custom video modes, high frame-rate, good auto-white-balance, minimal rolling-shutter, good low-light capabilities, since I mainly have poorly or naturally lit scenes without extra lights
4.) I am not as picky with the photo options as with video: high MP for crop is nice, good detail, I mainly shoot people inside and outside in the standard range (24-max 200mm outside) and would eventually get an ultra-wide for some occasional travel, architecture and landscapes -> no pets, wildlife and such
4.) high-quality lens selection: I value high-quality lens haptics, ergonomics and functionality, that's why I love the RF-lens-lineup at first sight -> the zooms seem really practical, lens-stabilized, uniform look and feel -> Sony has much more options and much more lightweight, but the RF-glass seems very intriguing. However, RF-system is very expensive and heavy and the low-end options do not seem as good as the L-glass, there is a Sigma brand missing as a midtier-lens supplier

That's why I am trying to decide between the R5 or maybe even R6 and the A7SIII. The RF-2.8 L trinity looks very intriguing. However, lenses such as the new Sigma 28-70 2.8 contemporary, a standard 2.8 zoom that weighs only 490g, is also very interesting. I can't possibly rent both systems with the lenses and really have trouble deciding. That's my fairly long reasoning



Jun 16, 2021 at 10:43 AM
AmbientMike
Offline
• • • • • •
[X]
p.1 #9 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III



sofandi wrote:
Hi, I would like some feedback from you guys for my next camera purchase. I read a lot online and am still undecided. I recently sold my Sony A7C due to poor ergonomics and lackluster stabilization.

These are my use cases

Private use:

family & travel photo/video with a 3-year-old, indoors & outdoors
some street & urban photography

Professional use:

photos for social media & print in political public relations
video for clients in political & non-profit ads (short clips for YouTube & social media)
I don't get paid for individual jobs professionally, but I do need my own equipment for the professional use cases.

I am now
...Show more

You're just comparing 2 very different set ups imo. And then saying one is lighter and less expensive. Yes, a wider lens set up is likely to be lighter.

First off, the R5 + 70-200/2.8 RF is much lighter than the A7S3 + 70-200/2.8 Sony. The R5 is only slightly heavier than the A7S3 (1.54 vs 1.62 lbs.,) in spite of the fact it has 45mp & 8k video!!! Vs 4k & 12mp.

The 70-200/2.8 Canon RF is a lot lighter than the Sony, though. And I'm not sure how good the Sony is optically, looking at the Sony board. Even though prices are pretty comparable!!!



Jun 16, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Jesse Evans
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #10 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Just FYI the R6 has overheating problems in every 4k mode. If I were making money from video, I’d be looking at the A7s III. If I were not making money from video and it’s okay to have the camera prevent you from recording sometimes, then an R5 or R6 would be just fine.

Posting pics to social media / political ads and taking photos of your family, I’m guessing you’ll be happy with either solution.



Jun 16, 2021 at 02:53 PM
aut0maticdan
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


The R5 is the hybrid of the two and you seem to be a hybrid shooter. I would go that route. Instead, I’d get the 15-35 + 70-200 and get one of the smaller primes like the 35 or 50 to cover the middle and when you want something light.

The a7s is going to be awesome for video and have a great rendering. Its output will be fine for social and snaps, but in an editor, you will feel the missing resolution, even if you aren’t cropping. However, you can use cpus and storage from 10 years ago. This could be another area of potential savings. It also shoots 240fps.

I had the first two iterations of the a7s. It overall has a beautiful aesthetic, but doesn’t pack much punch in resolution. Low light video is off the charts.

I have an r5 now. It is a total beast. The HQ and up video are much sharper than the a7s (noticed the same with my over sampled z6 footage being sharper). R5 footage falls apart much faster at higher isos compared to the a7s. You start to feel it at 6400.

I personally can’t get the r5 to overheat. I shot HQ and 120 on the beach last week for an hour in 5 minute bursts, mixed in with photos. Didn’t notice warnings or counters or anything. I don’t know. If you are shooting 20+ minute clips, maybe turn off HQ, but I would just use it and see.

I felt the need to pick up an m1 Mac mini to edit my r5 footage. I also spent a lot on cards and a reader. My 2019 iPad Pro cannot process 10 bit or raw from the r5. Something to consider.

I’d personally feel the need to have an a7s and an a7r/a1, if I were to go with Sony. The R5 makes me happy on its own and I don’t have to think about which camera to bring with me. Canon also nailed the lens lineup. That’s why I went with the r5.



Jun 23, 2021 at 09:03 AM
shrigg
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Based on your stated priorities, I’d try an R6 and some well-chosen RF glass. Great ergonomics, outstanding 4K video including 60p, excellent stills without any 45+ megapixel overhead and the exciting RF lens system as well as the existing EF ecosystem that works well adapted. Lots of good aspects to this approach.


Jun 27, 2021 at 07:09 AM
Pixel Perfect
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


If you aren't in a hurry I'd wait for the Sony A7IV announcement. Looking at a 30MP according to sources, probably 4K60p and possibly 6K30p as it looks to challenge the R6. All new sensor, much faster read speed like the R6, latest tracking improvements. A7III already a good video camera, the mk IV should handily beat it across the board, now Sony actually has strong competition.

A7IV wouldn't top $2499, so like the R6 would leave a good chunk of money for glass. At the moment Sony glass is a lot better value IMO too with few exceptions and has a crap load of wonderful third party glass available something that may never happen for Canon.



Jun 27, 2021 at 08:33 PM
sofandi
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


Thanks for the advice everybody. I am still quite undecided and switch almost daily between my preference for the R5/R6 and the Sony A7S III.

I am looking around for used prices and just the other day I almost bought an R5 for 2900€ (it's 4500€ new in Germany), so a pretty sweet deal, however, ultimately, it didn't work out. I get good prices on used bodies for the r5 and the a7s iii, around 3000€ over here.

However, with Canon's RF glass, especially the L-series, it's just on a completely different price level. I am mainly interested in the R5/R6 for their better ergonomics, stabilization and the superior build and optical quality of the RF-L-lenses. But I gotta say - you pay dearly for that, especially in comparison to Tamron, Sigma lenses over at the E-mount. I know there are also the STM 1.8 "silver" versions, but I must say, those don't interest me that much and certainly don't sway me from the Sony system.

Another concern is size and weight. An A7S III can be paired with a so far good-value Sigma 28-70 f2.8, which is small and only 490g. Throw in a used 20mm 1.8 and the quite cheap 85mm 1.8 FE or a Tamron 70-180f2.8 and it would make a pretty compact, light and much cheaper combo than the Canon trinity. On the other hand, when trying it out in store, I do love the feel of the R5 and the solid 2.8 zoom lenses. Really hard to decide.

Canon really needs to come out with a couple more affordable 1.4 L-series primes. The only "budget" solution in the RF-ecosystem right now is paring the R5 with the. admittedly quite good, RF 24-105 f4. I am thinking about this solution regularly, especially since it is a bit lighter and more compact, but I don't think that f4 is gonna cut it for my purposes in video and portrait work. I would need a fast prime alongside and then I "have" to buy into heavy and expensive 1.2 prime-L-lenses or opt for the subpar STM-lenses.

Waiting for the A74 could be an option as well, but used prices for the A7S III have come down so much here that the upgrade is not that much above a rumored price-point of the A74.

Tough decision: I am thinking about renting the two bodies with a representative lens and compare them side-by-side for a day. Even though this would set me back a couple hundred euros, it's quite expensive to rent here in Germany.



Jun 28, 2021 at 05:58 AM
3catsinky
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III


buy a used A9 and A7sIII and call it done. The A9 excels for still photos, and it shoots beautiful video as well. If you're only posting to social media, the A7sIII's 12mp is perfectly fine, it's photos are gorgeous.


Jun 28, 2021 at 06:16 AM
Howie4life
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #16 · Canon R5 vs. Sony A7S III




3catsinky wrote:
buy a used A9 and A7sIII and call it done. The A9 excels for still photos, and it shoots beautiful video as well. If you're only posting to social media, the A7sIII's 12mp is perfectly fine, it's photos are gorgeous.


I've done something like this before and it's not ideal when also dealing with young kids. Those special moments can come and go quickly and you don't want to be having to switch cameras or prioritize videos vs photos. Unlike paid work, you'll actually be coming back to your family videos for years to come and will appreciate the higher resolution and quality. The A9 does take nice looking video, but Sony crippled it by not including log and it also isn't 10 bit and doesn't do 4k 60.



Jun 28, 2021 at 07:28 AM





FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account