Canon 5D Mark III
full-frame DSLR · 2012
Sony Alpha 7 IV
33 MP full-frame · 4K60 · Hybrid
Sony Alpha 7 IV takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Canon 5D Mark III lands at 78 and Sony Alpha 7 IV at 92. That puts Sony Alpha 7 IV ahead by 14 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Canon 5D Mark III if…
- ✓Mature system, great used market
- ✓Proven lens lineup
- ✓Often on sale
Pick Sony Alpha 7 IV if…
- ✓Great hybrid stills + video
- ✓Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- ✓Dual card slots
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testErgonomics
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on ergonomics (88 vs 86).
Photo
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the photo sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on photo (94 vs 78).
Autofocus
Sony Alpha 7 IVCompared on the autofocus sub-score
Sony Alpha 7 IV leads on autofocus (96 vs 74).
Value for money
Sony Alpha 7 IVSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony Alpha 7 IV more score per dollar ($2,498 vs $3,499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Canon 5D Mark III | Sony Alpha 7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Format | full-frame DSLR | — |
| Release year | 2012 | — |
| Sensor | — | 33 MP Exmor R CMOS |
| Mount | — | Sony E |
| Video | — | 4K60 (Super35), 4K30 full-frame |
| Stabilization | — | 5-axis IBIS |
Canon 5D Mark III
- +Mature system, great used market
- +Proven lens lineup
- +Often on sale
- −Older AF system
- −Heavier than modern mirrorless
- −Firmware updates trailed off
Sony Alpha 7 IV
- +Great hybrid stills + video
- +Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- +Dual card slots
- −4K60 is Super 35 crop
- −Menus still dense
- −Heats with long 4K recording
FAQ: Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony Alpha 7 IV
Which is better, Canon 5D Mark III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 14. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Canon 5D Mark III worth the price? +
At $3,499, Canon 5D Mark III delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in ergonomics.
Is Sony Alpha 7 IV worth the price? +
At $2,498, Sony Alpha 7 IV delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in autofocus.
Does Canon 5D Mark III or Sony Alpha 7 IV last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for ergonomics, Canon 5D Mark III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV — leads on ergonomics (88 vs 86). Compared on the ergonomics sub-score.
Which is better for photo, Canon 5D Mark III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony Alpha 7 IV — leads on photo (94 vs 78). Compared on the photo sub-score.