Astrophotography Comparison: Five Cameras, One Lens - Sony a7RV, a6500, Canon EOS R6, 6D, and T3i

With the lessons learned from last year's shootout, I went back out again to photograph the Milky Way with every camera I could get my hands on for the weekend. But this time, each camera makes use of the exact same full frame lens, leaving no room for doubt when the results arrive. See for yourself! Let me know which one impressed you the most and whether or not this helps you make your next camera buying decision.

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Cameras in this video:
Canon EOS Rebel T3i, Canon EOS 6D, Canon EOS R6, Sony a6500, Sony a7RV

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[Astrobloke]

I have a Canon 6D Mk1 and its such a great camera for astro. I think its the pixel size that makes it so good, a whopping 6.54.

[echoauxgen]

Thanks for showing the A7RV - SURPRISED!! I have both the A7RV and A7SM3 as well as A7S and A7SM2 and A7RM2. I have been doing Astro MW since '15 and started with the A7S then went A7SM2 and A7R2 '17 But was very surprised with the A7RM2 at the Grand Canyon getting the deep dark canyon as well as star filled sky. The reason to keep the Mod 1 and 2's is the on camera apps like the "Digital Filter" lets you get sky over bright skies areas.

[volcomvw]

As a 6Dmkii and classic 6D shooter, ever year I think that I am going to upgrade to mirrorless and every time I end up sticking with my current bodies. Strictly in terms of ISO strength ( in my humble opinion ) one has to jump up to the R5 or a7Rv to gain a difference worth the money.

[lancealbon]

According to DXOMark, the best low light Sony Alpha is the Sony a7iii (3730), while the Sony a7rv (3187) is actually much better than the Sony a7siii (2520), and second best is the very old Sony a7s (3702). Thank you for this video. It was very informative and very well presented.

Personally, I have the Sony a7s and a7r ii … and I just love my Sony a7r ii for Milky Way photography : )

[Mr.BobbyBrown]

It's actually incredible how well the 6D still does, being so old. Truly one of the best cameras that Canon has ever produced.

[mobius]

A7RV vs A7IV would be very timely and interesting considering all the rumors about upcoming A7CII and A7RC bodies from Sony, repackaging that same tech

[andrewtreloar]

The Canon 6D is still a brilliant low-light camera even today. It still continues to punch well above its weight with regard to light capture and low noise!

[seangaffney]

Just picked up the a7rv and headed to Utah for astrophotography. Got some good glass so I can't wait to compare the results. 16mm f1.8 Viltrox 20mm Sony G f1.8 G and sigma 14 24 f2.8..I will also bring my sony a7rii. 12 day shoot out whew lol

[jharrelphoto]

I love and use a modded 6d for astro. However I wish it was iso invariant. With the 6d you really need to nail the exposure in camera. Other than that it is great. I am looking at the Sony a7r5 and this video helped. I also shoot with nikon z7ii and zf and want to test the zf out for astro because it is suppose to be a beast. But I really want one camera that can do it all well. and that is looking like the a7r5. thanks for the video

[Nikthestick]

Dude ur videos Are amazing keep up the work and u will be one off the biggest camera youtubers:)

[anonymous.]

You might want to change/randomize the test images' left to right order. T3i, 6d always start from the left...

[Fotogoscar]

I was on the fence about upgrading from a7riii to the a7rV. I do both landscape and astro but was afraid of the higher megapixel for astro.

[pauljoels]

I’m still using canon 6d’s and have a full range of EF lenses I use with them. I’ll be honest I love my 6d’s for what they do but am always impressed when I see results from some of the newer mirrorless Sony’s (in particular) but also canon’s. I see mixed reviews of the r6 as an upgrade from the 6d. I mostly shoot Milky Way/Aurora but am Not sure if the extra cost of any mirrorless is warranted really - maybe I’m just being attracted by something newer and shinier?!

A point in your video made me curious though - can you adapt ef lenses for Sony bodies?

I’m using:
Samyang 14mm manual
Samyang 14mm AF
Tamron 24-70mm f2.8
Sigma 35mm f1.4 art

[CelebrityLyrics]

It would be nice to do a comparison of newest Sony lineup: a74, a7rv, a9iii, a7c, a7siii. Thank you! I really want to get into astrophotography.

[jmart_]

Thanks for doing this comparison! I'm a 6d owner and have been considering an upgrade. I like the performance overall, but the nice to have features are just missing. I typically shoot tracked milkyway > 2 minute exposures. How would this comparison hold doing longer exposure?

[EmmanuelOkorie]

Well, we now have the Sony a6700! So a good test with that camera would be welcome. Great video!

[josemhernandez]

All are excellent! Edition is a personal matter!!

[midorfaceroll]

For getting into AP, would you recommend the a6500 over the 6D?

[CountDorkula]

first time watching your page, great test video love what you doing with the camera shootout, also I'm looking for purchase a DSLR for Astrophotography and have taken astro pictures with my cell for a few years now off & on, Now I'm looking for commit to a real setup other then my dobsonian & a cell phone. I do have a T3i with a shutter count of only 203 & a T5i shutter count of 843 both very low & almost new. I was thinking of getting a better newer Canon weather-sealed camera body, I would jump on a Canon 6D if the price was right and in excellent to mind condition, but locally everyone I've seen is fair to good condition and the price is still too high at over $600. any other newer Canon Non R models I should consider crop or full frame? fyi that Rokinon lens is on my hit list... The Sony a7RV picture is amazing, Now I see why people are moving to Sony.

[TLOverlander]

Was in-body noise reduction used in the test?