Compare · 2 products compared
Sony a7 IVvsCanon EOS R50: Which to Buy
Both mirrorless cameras record in 4K resolution and feature fully articulated screens for flexible framing. The Sony a7 IV uses a full-frame sensor and dual memory card slots, while the Canon EOS R50 relies on a smaller APS-C sensor in a much lighter body.
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- MOST WINS
SonyBest for Professionals and hybrid shooters needing full-frame quality
14of 23 specs better
CanonBest for Travelers and beginners seeking a lightweight body
9of 23 specs better
Biggest differences
Launch price
Canon EOS R50 leads
3.68×
lower is better
- Sony a7 IV2,499.99 USD
- Canon EOS R50679.99 USD
Memory card slots
Sony a7 IV leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a7 IV2 slots
- Canon EOS R501 slots
Weight
Canon EOS R50 leads
−43%
lower is better
- Sony a7 IV658 g
- Canon EOS R50375 g
Viewfinder resolution
Sony a7 IV leads
+56%
higher is better
- Sony a7 IV3.69 M dots
- Canon EOS R502.36 M dots
Features not all of them have
Log profile support
- Sony a7 IV✓
- Canon EOS R50✕
Headphone port
- Sony a7 IV✓
- Canon EOS R50✕
Where each one wins
Sony a7 IV
- Effective pixels
- Sensor format
- Native ISO maximum
- In-body image stabilization
- Max mechanical shutter speed
- 4K max frame rate
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Log profile support
- Viewfinder resolution
- Battery life
- Memory card slots
- Weather sealing
- Headphone port
- HDMI port type
Canon EOS R50
- Launch price
- Continuous shooting (mechanical)
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- Viewfinder magnification
- Rear screen resolution
- Weight
- Width
- Height
- Depth
What both have
- Sensor typeCMOS
- Max video resolution4K
- Video codecsH.264, HEVC
- Raw video recordingNone
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Screen size2.95 in
- Screen articulationFully articulated
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Minimum operating temperature0 °C
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Sony a7 IV | Canon EOS R50 |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2021-10 | Not published |
| Launch price | 2,499.99 USD | 679.99 USD1 |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Canon RF |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | No | Not published |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 33 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | APS-C |
| Native ISO maximum | 51,200 ISO2 | 32,000 ISO |
| In-body image stabilization | 5.5 stops3 | 0 stops4 |
| Sensor readout speed | Not published | Not published |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2 | 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps5 | 12 fps |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 10 fps | 15 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | 4,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | Not published | 0 s6 |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, bird | Human, animal, bird, vehicle |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 4K max frame rate | 60 fps7 | 29.97 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC | H.264, HEVC |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 30 fps8 | 29.97 fps |
| Raw video recording | None9 | None10 |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit11 |
| Log profile support | Yes | No12 |
| Video dynamic range (log) | 15 stops13 | Not published |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 3.69 M dots | 2.36 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78 x | 0.95 x |
| Screen size | 2.95 in14 | 2.95 in |
| Screen articulation | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
| Rear screen resolution | 1.04 M dots15 | 1.62 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 580 shots16 | 440 shots17 |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 1 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant18 | None19 |
| Weight | 658 g | 375 g20 |
| Width | 131.3 mm | 116.3 mm |
| Height | 96.4 mm | 85.5 mm |
| Depth | 69.7 mm21 | 68.8 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes22 | Yes23 |
| Minimum operating temperature | 0 °C | 0 °C24 |
| Headphone port | Yes | No25 |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Micro |
Notes on 25 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Canon EOS R50, Launch price: US RRP at launch as listed by Trusted Reviews; the page does not state whether it is body-only.
- 2Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
- 3Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
- 4Canon EOS R50, In-body image stabilization: No in-body stabilisation; shake control relies on lens IS or Movie Digital IS.
- 5Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
- 6Canon EOS R50, Pre-burst capture duration: No pre-capture mode appears anywhere in Canon's official R50 specifications, so it is treated as absent.
- 7Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
- 8Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
- 9Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
- 10Canon EOS R50, Raw video recording: Canon lists only MP4 recording with H.264 or HEVC; no raw video is offered internally or externally.
- 11Canon EOS R50, Video bit depth: Standard Rec.709 recording is 8-bit; 10-bit output requires HDR PQ to be switched on.
- 12Canon EOS R50, Log profile support: No Canon Log profile; HDR PQ (a PQ gamma curve) is available instead, which is not a log curve.
- 13Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
- 14Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
- 15Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
- 16Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
- 17Canon EOS R50, Battery life: CIPA test with the supplied LP-E17 in power-saving mode; viewfinder shooting is rated at about 310 shots.
- 18Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
- 19Canon EOS R50, Weather sealing: Canon's own spec sheet also lists water/dust resistance as not provided, so treat the body as unsealed.
- 20Canon EOS R50, Weight: Black body with battery and card per CIPA; the white version is 376 g with battery and card.
- 21Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
- 22Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.
- 23Canon EOS R50, USB charging & power delivery: USB-C charging works with the supplied LP-E17; unauthenticated third-party batteries may not charge.
- 24Canon EOS R50, Minimum operating temperature: Rated operating range is 0–40 °C at up to 85% humidity.
- 25Canon EOS R50, Headphone port: Canon's full port list covers USB-C, mic-in, HDMI micro and the shoe only — no headphone jack.
Image Quality and Sensor
The Sony delivers higher resolution with 33 MP and captures more detail in low light thanks to its native ISO maximum of 51,200. It also provides built-in image stabilization rated at 5.5 stops.
In contrast, the Canon relies on a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor with a native ISO maximum of 32,000 and zero stops of in-body stabilization, meaning it depends entirely on lens or digital stabilization.
Video Capabilities
Both models record video using H.264 and HEVC codecs with 10-bit color depth available. The Sony takes the lead for advanced filmmakers by supporting log profiles and reaching 60 fps in 4K, though that higher frame rate applies only with a Super35mm crop.
The Canon limits its 4K recording to 29.97 fps across the full width and omits log profile support entirely, providing HDR PQ instead.
Speed and Autofocus
Action shooters get faster bursts from the Canon, which reaches 12 fps with its mechanical shutter and 15 fps electronically. The Sony trails slightly with 10 fps for both mechanical and electronic modes.
When tracking subjects, both bodies detect humans, animals, and birds, but the Canon adds vehicle detection to its autofocus repertoire.
Handling and Build
At 375 g, the Canon is significantly lighter and smaller than the Sony, making it easier to carry all day. However, the Sony counters with dust and drip resistance, dual memory card slots, a larger battery rated for 580 shots, and a full-size HDMI port with a headphone jack.
The Canon features a single memory card slot, a micro HDMI port, no headphone jack, and an unsealed body with a 440-shot battery life.
The Verdict
Buy the Sony a7 IV if you need professional full-frame video features, dual card slots, and robust weather sealing. Buy the Canon EOS R50 if you want a lightweight, compact setup for casual shooting and faster burst rates.
Where to buy
Sony a7 IV
Best for Professionals and hybrid shooters needing full-frame quality
Canon EOS R50
Best for Travelers and beginners seeking a lightweight body
FAQ
Do both cameras have a headphone port for audio monitoring?
No, only the Sony a7 IV includes a headphone port. The Canon EOS R50 lacks a headphone jack.
What is the launch price of the Canon EOS R50?
The launch price is $679.99.
Can I charge both cameras via USB?
Yes, both models support USB charging and power delivery through their USB Type-C ports.
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