Sony Alpha A7S III vs Canon EOS R5 C
Sony Alpha A7S III has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A7S III is the better pick for astrophotography; the EOS R5 C is better for landscapes, wildlife, sports.
Choose the Alpha A7S III for
- better low-light performance
- a lighter body (699g vs 770g)
- a lower price (from £1,789)
- in-body image stabilisation
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 36)
Choose the EOS R5 C for
- more resolution (45MP vs 12.1MP)
- faster bursts (20fps vs 10fps)
- stronger video (8K 60p RAW)
- a newer design (2022)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A7S III | EOS R5 C |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 12.1MP | Full frame, 45MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
| Burst | 10 fps | 20 fps |
| Readout | — | — |
| Max ISO | 409,600 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | Lens only |
| Video | 4K 120p 10-bit | 8K 60p RAW |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 699 g | 770 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Canon LP-E6NH |
| Card slots | 2×CFexpress A/SD | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £3,389 | £3,299 |
| Used at MPB | £1,789–2,249 | £2,049–2,209 |
| Native lenses in our database | 105 (82 third-party) | 36 (14 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | EOS R5 C |
| Wildlife & animals | EOS R5 C |
| Sports & action | EOS R5 C |
| Astrophotography | Alpha A7S III |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The Alpha A7S III uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the EOS R5 C uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Canon LP-E6NH.
Alpha A7S III compatible lenses → · EOS R5 C compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A7S III better than the Canon EOS R5 C?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A7S III offers better low-light performance, a lighter body (699g vs 770g), a lower price (from £1,789); the EOS R5 C offers more resolution (45MP vs 12.1MP), faster bursts (20fps vs 10fps), stronger video (8K 60p RAW).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A7S III or the EOS R5 C?
The EOS R5 C is stronger for video: Alpha A7S III records 4K 120p 10-bit, EOS R5 C records 8K 60p RAW.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A7S III or the EOS R5 C?
The Alpha A7S III costs £3,389 new and from £1,789 used at MPB; the EOS R5 C costs £3,299 new and from £2,049 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A7S III lenses on the EOS R5 C?
Not directly. The Alpha A7S III uses Sony E / FE and the EOS R5 C uses Canon RF / RF-S; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.