Sony Alpha A9 II vs Canon EOS R5
Sony Alpha A9 II has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A9 II is the better pick for wildlife, sports, astrophotography; the EOS R5 is better for portraits, landscapes, vlogging.
Choose the Alpha A9 II for
- better low-light performance
- a lighter body (678g vs 738g)
- a lower price (from £1,189)
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 36)
Choose the EOS R5 for
- more resolution (45MP vs 24.2MP)
- stronger video (8K 30p)
- a newer design (2020)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A9 II | EOS R5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24.2MP | Full frame, 45MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2019 | 2020 |
| Burst | 20 fps | 20 fps |
| Readout | ≈6 ms | — |
| Max ISO | 51,200 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 4K 30p | 8K 30p |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 678 g | 738 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Canon LP-E6NH |
| Card slots | 2× SD (UHS-II) | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | No longer sold new | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £1,189–1,419 | £1,239–2,009 |
| 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 | EOS R5 |
| Landscape | EOS R5 |
| Wildlife & animals | Alpha A9 II |
| Sports & action | Alpha A9 II |
| Astrophotography | Alpha A9 II |
| Vlogging & video | EOS R5 |
| 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 A9 II uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the EOS R5 uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Canon LP-E6NH.
Alpha A9 II compatible lenses → · EOS R5 compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A9 II better than the Canon EOS R5?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A9 II offers better low-light performance, a lighter body (678g vs 738g), a lower price (from £1,189); the EOS R5 offers more resolution (45MP vs 24.2MP), stronger video (8K 30p), a newer design (2020).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A9 II or the EOS R5?
The EOS R5 is stronger for video: Alpha A9 II records 4K 30p, EOS R5 records 8K 30p.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A9 II or the EOS R5?
The Alpha A9 II costs No longer sold new new and from £1,189 used at MPB; the EOS R5 costs No longer sold new new and from £1,239 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A9 II lenses on the EOS R5?
Not directly. The Alpha A9 II uses Sony E / FE and the EOS R5 uses Canon RF / RF-S; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.