Canon R6 II vs Sony A7 IV - In-Depth Comparison

Check price of the Canon R6 II and Sony A7 IV on B&H Photo Video*:

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Birds in Flight Test:

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:47 Design
4:23 Image Quality
7:40 Autofocus
11:54 Drive Speed
14:55 Image Stabilisation
18:24 Video
22:43 Features, Price, Lenses
25:27 Conclusion

[bryanbuff]

I tried both and went with the A7IV and couldn’t be happier. I might be in the minority, but I like the form factor better and it’s more compact. More buttons and customization too, and I feel like everything is in the right place (photo/video switch doesn’t require my other hand). And Sony’s cheaper lenses are better and weather sealed (for example, the Sony FE 35mm 1.8 vs the Canon RF 35mm 1.8). I also like having more megapixels so I can crop a bit more. And S-Log3 is better than C-Log3. I also like how I can update the firmware with an SD card on my iPad, rather than needing EOS Utility on a PC. Two great cameras, but for me it was an easy choice to go with Sony (and I was a long time Canon user).

[fsi]

R6 ii looks more impressive to me but no third party lenses are too big to ignore.

[LeoSavantt]

Very useful comparison and very well done. I bought an A7IV at the weekend, the main reason being that it felt so comfortable in my hand, I have had the little finger amputated, so I have to hold everything with three fingers and a thumb, which just goes to show how individual ergonomics can be. The second reason, I wear glasses with varifocal lenses, is the view finder, it worked for me. I sadly said goodbye to my Olympus EM1 iii, which I still think has the best ergonomics out there and really excellent pro series lenses, although the sensor and autofocus tracking are outdated.

[rawmotionfitness]

This was the best comparison review I have found online so far!

[s-trapYT]

I love your autofocus comparisons, especially because you check actual pictures not only boxes on LCD.

[jm]

The R6 II seems like a terrific camera with a lot of great features, but, as a long time Sony shooter (A7RV), I just can't get past the lens situation. With my Sony, I feel free to shoot either my FF lenses or APS-C depending on circumstances and requirements, pretty much without penalty. Right now, my lens selection consists of a combination of Sony and Sigma lenses with a couple Tamrons (with the 50-400 on my shopping list) and one Samyang. These 3rd party lenses were chosen to fill a particular need that Sony didn't fill. I haven't even started on the small, high quality prime lenses that are available from Sony and Sigma in the E or FE mount that are not available on R mount, nor will they be in the foreseeable future. The lack of 3rd party support isn't, as perhaps you suggested, a matter of time. It's a corporate decision made by Canon and will not change with additional time unless Canon changes it's policy. It's unfortunate, because I know that if Canon's lens selection were the same as Sony, I'd likely be shooting an R5 right now. Sorry for the rant.

[onlysublime]

the biggest problems with the A74 is it's a slow shooter where you only get 6 fps in uncompressed raw. the canon is 12 mechanical to 40 fps with same uncompressed raw. the A74 also has a major crop in 4k60. and the rolling shutter is bad.

[vincentv]

Very professional and useful comparison! Confirms my decision to go with the R6! Thank you Mathieu.

[mbismbismb]

i also would prefer the r6ii, it takes breathtaking pics and easy to hold...its important to own a camera that you would love to hold and use in a long run

[davey]

Just got an R6mkii upgraded from a 5D mk 1, yeah it was worth the upgrade. The image quality is like getting a DSLR after using a cell phone your whole life. The learning curve is a different story - all the new controls and menu's

[wymanair]

The reviews rarely ever mention the support system with these brands. Canon is, hands down, the best in the industry. Everything is forwards and backwards compatible. You call canon and get a live person on the phone straight away -and- they have solutions. Fast. Post-sale support should be an absolute priority for any working professional.

Regarding third party lenses…. They are generally backwards compatible but no guarantee to be forwards compatible. Secondly, they just do not meet the standards of Canon EF and RF L glass, which all work
On the RF bodies. For me, that means it is a non-issue.

[ForrestWest]

Small rig makes a great little L bracket with a removable side piece that creates a good grip extension for the Sony A7iv. It makes it fit and feel much better in the hand

[jonathand]

best comparisons video on youtube. Exactly what i need to see to make a decision. thumbs and following you

[ORW]

I'm a Sony a7iv user and I must say that your test covers perfectly with my observations after 16 months of daily use.
Af struggles frequently when photographing little and dark subjects, but face detection is fantastic. Also, noise is visible at 3200 iso and it is not very nice. On my old Nikon D750, noise at 6400 didn't disturb me. Here, it does. The only clear advantage of the Sony is dynamic range, and it makes really a difference.

[mostafaeinauan]

Very clear explanation, one of the best comparisons. Helped me with making my choice. I'm going for the Canon R6II.

[paulomateus]

Thanks! Great as always! I find interesting the fact that for the autofocus test you use the RF 85mm F2 which known for not being a great lens in autofocus, but even so the R6II still beats the Sony on your tests!

[michellatendresse]

I'm a long time Canon 5D Mk II shooter. I do not do video (so far, but I'm considering starting in the future). My 5D is about shot at this time and I need a new camera. I am very tempted by the Sony a7 iv, particularly because of the 33MP sensor, but I have a large investment in canon EF lenses which means I would have to use an adaptor on the Sony camera and so far all the reviews I have seen say that the EF-E adaptors are not fully reliable, particularly for auto-focus and in video mode. I would also need a EF-R adaptor for a R6 II, but for what I have read there is no issue with the adaptor since it is Canon to Canon. Any observation/ idea, particularly from someone who had to make similar decision, would be appreciated. Great video btw. Thank you for that

[ScopeDK]

Do you think the colors on sony is an issue? Colors still looks kind of better on Canon.
Which of the two is easist to use?

[clairedunning]

Thank you for the in-depth video! Much appreciated!!

[kifley]

I hope Canon adds 4.2.2 in standard mode.