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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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Intro

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Best for

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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.

SpecSony a7 IVCanon EOS R50
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2021-10Not published
Launch price2,499.99 USD679.99 USD1
Lens mountSony ECanon RF
High resolution pixel-shift modeNoNot published
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels33 MP24.2 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameAPS-C
Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO232,000 ISO
In-body image stabilization5.5 stops30 stops4
Sensor readout speedNot publishedNot published
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Aspect ratios3:23:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9
Lens & Autofocus

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Lens & Autofocus specs

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Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps512 fps
Continuous shooting (electronic)10 fps15 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s4,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture durationNot published0 s6
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, birdHuman, animal, bird, vehicle
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution4K4K
4K max frame rate60 fps729.97 fps
Video codecsH.264, HEVCH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)30 fps829.97 fps
Raw video recordingNone9None10
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit11
Log profile supportYesNo12
Video dynamic range (log)15 stops13Not published
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots2.36 M dots
Viewfinder magnification0.78 x0.95 x
Screen size2.95 in142.95 in
Screen articulationFully articulatedFully articulated
Rear screen resolution1.04 M dots151.62 M dots
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery life580 shots16440 shots17
Memory card slots2 slots1 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistant18None19
Weight658 g375 g20
Width131.3 mm116.3 mm
Height96.4 mm85.5 mm
Depth69.7 mm2168.8 mm
USB charging & power deliveryYes22Yes23
Minimum operating temperature0 °C0 °C24
Headphone portYesNo25
HDMI port typeFull-sizeMicro
Notes on 25 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 1Canon EOS R50, Launch price: US RRP at launch as listed by Trusted Reviews; the page does not state whether it is body-only.
  2. 2Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
  3. 3Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
  4. 4Canon EOS R50, In-body image stabilization: No in-body stabilisation; shake control relies on lens IS or Movie Digital IS.
  5. 5Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
  6. 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.
  7. 7Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
  8. 8Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
  9. 9Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
  10. 10Canon EOS R50, Raw video recording: Canon lists only MP4 recording with H.264 or HEVC; no raw video is offered internally or externally.
  11. 11Canon EOS R50, Video bit depth: Standard Rec.709 recording is 8-bit; 10-bit output requires HDR PQ to be switched on.
  12. 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.
  13. 13Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
  14. 14Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
  15. 15Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
  16. 16Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
  17. 17Canon EOS R50, Battery life: CIPA test with the supplied LP-E17 in power-saving mode; viewfinder shooting is rated at about 310 shots.
  18. 18Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
  19. 19Canon EOS R50, Weather sealing: Canon's own spec sheet also lists water/dust resistance as not provided, so treat the body as unsealed.
  20. 20Canon EOS R50, Weight: Black body with battery and card per CIPA; the white version is 376 g with battery and card.
  21. 21Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
  22. 22Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.
  23. 23Canon EOS R50, USB charging & power delivery: USB-C charging works with the supplied LP-E17; unauthenticated third-party batteries may not charge.
  24. 24Canon EOS R50, Minimum operating temperature: Rated operating range is 0–40 °C at up to 85% humidity.
  25. 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.

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Image Quality and Sensor

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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.

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Video Capabilities

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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.

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Speed and Autofocus

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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.

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Handling and Build

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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.

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Verdict

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Where to buy

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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FAQ

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