Sony a9 III vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturer

Sony a9 III is made by Sony, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III is made by Canon. Both brands have unique strengths and specializations, catering to different photography needs.

Release Year

Sony a9 III was released in 2023, making it a newer model compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which was released in 2007.

Release Date

Sony a9 III was released on 2023-11-07, making it a newer option than Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which was released on 2007-02-22.

MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price)

The MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) helps compare the original cost of the camera, offering insight into its market position.

Sony a9 III is priced higher at $5998, compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III which has an MSRP of $3999. This suggests Sony a9 III may offer additional features or higher-quality components.

Camera Type

The camera type (DSLR, mirrorless, etc.) affects size, handling, and features, impacting its usability for different photography styles.

Sony a9 III is a mirrorless camera, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III is a dslr camera. These differences could affect their performance and suitability for different types of photography.

Sensor Size

Sensor size influences image quality, depth of field, and low-light performance, with larger sensors generally producing better results.

Sony a9 III has a Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) sensor, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III uses a APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm) sensor. These differences can impact image quality, low-light performance, and depth of field.

Sensor Type

The sensor type (e.g., CMOS, CCD) determines how light is captured, affecting image quality, speed, and power consumption.

Sony a9 III uses a Stacked CMOS sensor, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III is equipped with a CMOS sensor. The differences in sensor types can influence image quality, dynamic range, and overall performance.

Resolution and Megapixels

Higher megapixels allow for larger prints and more detailed images but may result in larger file sizes.

Sony a9 III offers a higher resolution with 24,000,000 pixels and 25,2 megapixels, compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which has 10,077,696 pixels and 10,1 megapixels.

Processor

The image processor affects camera speed, image processing quality, and power efficiency.

Sony a9 III uses the BIONZ XR processor, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III is powered by the DUAL DIGIC 3 processor. These differences could impact overall speed, performance, and image processing quality.

ISO Range

The ISO range measures the camera’s sensitivity to light, impacting performance in low-light environments and image noise levels.

Sony a9 III provides a broader ISO range (125 - 51200) compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III's ISO range (50 - 6400). This allows Sony a9 III to perform better in low-light situations.

White Balance Presets

White balance ensures colors are accurately represented by adjusting the camera for the lighting conditions.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III offers more white balance presets (8) than Sony a9 III, which has 0 presets. This gives Canon EOS 1D Mark III an edge in fine-tuning color accuracy in different lighting environments.

Custom White Balance

Custom white balance allows users to manually adjust color tones, ideal for achieving precise color in challenging lighting conditions.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III offer custom white balance, allowing for precise color adjustments in challenging lighting conditions.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization reduces camera shake, allowing for sharper images, especially in low light or handheld shooting.

Sony a9 III offers image stabilization, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III lacks this feature, giving Sony a9 III an advantage in low-light or handheld shooting.

Image Stabilization Details

Sony a9 III features image stabilization technology: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis.

CIPA Image Stabilization Performance

Image Stabilization CIPA Rating

8.0

N/A

Uncompressed Format Support

Uncompressed formats retain more data for higher image quality, useful for professional editing.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III support the same uncompressed format: RAW. This means they provide similar flexibility in post-processing and image quality.

Autofocus Motor

An autofocus motor allows lenses to focus automatically, improving the speed and accuracy of focusing.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III are equipped with an autofocus motor, allowing for fast and accurate focusing with a wide range of lenses.

Autofocus Modes

Autofocus modes determine how the camera focuses, with options like continuous, single, and tracking autofocus for different scenarios.

Autofocus Points

Focus points define how much of the scene can be focused automatically, impacting flexibility in composition.

Sony a9 III offers more autofocus points (759) compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III with 19 points. This may give Sony a9 III an advantage in tracking and focus accuracy.

Lens Mount Compatibility

The lens mount determines compatibility with different lenses, affecting the versatility of the camera.

Focal Length Multiplier (Crop Factor)

Focal length multipliers (crop factor) impact the effective field of view, especially for non-full-frame cameras.

Screen Dots (LCD Resolution)

The number of dots on the camera screen affects display clarity, useful for reviewing images and navigating menus.

Sony a9 III has a higher screen resolution with 2095104 dots compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III with 230000 dots, offering better viewing clarity.

Touchscreen

A touchscreen allows for easier navigation, focusing, and menu selection, providing a more intuitive user interface.

Sony a9 III has a touchscreen, giving it an edge in usability over Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which lacks this feature.

Live View

Live view allows users to see a real-time preview of their shot on the camera’s display, making it easier to compose and focus.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III support live view, making it easier to preview shots in real time on the LCD screen.

Frames Per Second (FPS)

FPS, or Frames Per Second, measures how many photos a camera can take in one second during continuous shooting. A higher FPS is particularly beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as in sports, wildlife, or action photography, where timing is critical to get the perfect shot.

Sony a9 III offers a faster burst shooting rate at 120 fps, making it better for capturing fast-moving subjects compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which shoots at 10 fps.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed determines how long your camera's sensor is exposed to light. A slower shutter speed is ideal for low-light photography and capturing motion blur, while a faster shutter speed is better for freezing fast-moving subjects like in sports or wildlife photography.

Minimum Shutter Speed

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III offer the same minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds, allowing for long-exposure shots like light trails or astrophotography.

Maximum Shutter Speed

Sony a9 III offers a faster maximum shutter speed of 1/80000, ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects, compared to Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which offers a slower maximum speed of 1/8000.

Built-in Flash

A built-in flash can be handy for quick shots in low-light environments, especially when an external flash isn't available. However, built-in flashes are typically less powerful than external ones and are best for shorter ranges.

Neither Sony a9 III nor Canon EOS 1D Mark III have a built-in flash, so an external flash is required for low-light photography.

External Flash Compatibility

An external flash provides more power and flexibility compared to a built-in flash. External flashes can be mounted on the camera’s hot shoe and offer greater lighting control, making them ideal for professional and low-light photography.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III support external flashes, providing more control over lighting for professional-grade photography.

Self-Timer Functionality

A self-timer allows you to delay the shutter release, giving you time to get into the frame for group shots, self-portraits, or to avoid camera shake when shooting on a tripod.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III includes a self-timer, providing more flexibility for solo or group photography compared to Sony a9 III, which does not have this feature.

Time-Lapse Photography

The time-lapse feature allows you to capture a sequence of photos at intervals and combine them into a video, creating stunning visual effects like speeding up slow-moving subjects such as clouds, sunsets, or cityscapes.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III supports time-lapse photography, giving it an edge over Sony a9 III, which does not offer this feature.

Metering Modes

Metering modes help your camera measure the light in a scene to determine the proper exposure. Different metering modes are useful in different situations, such as multi-pattern for general use, center-weighted for portraits, spot metering for precise areas, and more.

Video Recording Capability

Video recording is an essential feature for users who want to capture high-quality videos alongside still photography. Cameras with video recording capabilities allow for versatility, whether you're creating cinematic content, vlogging, or capturing everyday moments.

Video Recording

Sony a9 III supports video recording, giving it an advantage over Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which lacks this feature.

Built-in Microphone and Speakers Comparison

Having a built-in microphone and speakers can help you quickly capture and review audio when recording video. While they may not replace professional equipment, they are useful for casual video recording and on-the-go playback.

Neither Sony a9 III nor Canon EOS 1D Mark III have built-in microphones, so you'll need an external microphone for audio recording.

Neither Sony a9 III nor Canon EOS 1D Mark III have built-in speakers, so you'll need external headphones or speakers to listen to recorded audio.

HDMI Output, Microphone, and Headphone Ports Comparison

These ports are important for video professionals who need external monitoring and audio control. HDMI allows external display connections, while microphone and headphone ports offer superior audio recording and monitoring options.

Sony a9 III supports HDMI output for external monitoring, but Canon EOS 1D Mark III does not have this feature.

Sony a9 III has a microphone port for external mics, but Canon EOS 1D Mark III does not, making Sony a9 III more versatile for audio recording.

Sony a9 III has a headphone port for real-time audio monitoring, but Canon EOS 1D Mark III does not.

Wireless Connectivity Comparison

Wireless connectivity allows for convenient sharing of photos and remote camera control. Some cameras offer advanced wireless options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC for easy file transfer and remote shooting.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III feature wireless connectivity, making it easy to transfer photos or control the camera remotely.

Sony a9 III supports wireless features like 2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0, while Canon EOS 1D Mark III includes features like Optional with WFT-E2 II.

Remote Control Feature Comparison

Remote control functionality allows photographers to control the camera without physically touching it, which is useful for reducing camera shake during long exposures or self-portraits. Some cameras offer compatibility with dedicated remotes, while others support wireless or app-based control.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III supports remote control (Yes (N3 connector)), giving it an advantage over Sony a9 III, which does not include this feature.

Environmentally Sealed Comparison

An environmentally sealed camera is protected against dust, moisture, and sometimes freezing temperatures. This feature is important for photographers who often shoot in challenging environments like rain, snow, or desert landscapes.

Both Sony a9 III and Canon EOS 1D Mark III are environmentally sealed, making them durable options for photographers who need protection against harsh weather conditions.

Battery Life Comparison

Battery life is an important consideration, especially for photographers who shoot for long periods. The number of shots per charge is measured according to CIPA standards, giving a reliable estimate of real-world performance.

The battery life of Canon EOS 1D Mark III is rated at 2200 shots, outperforming Sony a9 III's 400 shots, making it ideal for extended shooting.

Camera Dimensions Comparison

Camera dimensions affect portability and comfort when using the camera. Here's how the two cameras compare in size.

The Sony a9 III measures 136 mm in width, 97 mm in height, and 83 mm in depth.

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III measures 156 mm in width, 157 mm in height, and 80 mm in depth.

The Sony a9 III is more compact with a total volume of 1094936 mm³ compared to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III, which has a larger volume of 1959360 mm³.

Camera Weight Comparison

The weight of a camera can affect portability and handling, especially for long shooting sessions. Here’s how the two cameras compare in terms of weight, including the battery.

The Sony a9 III weighs 617 grams including the battery.

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III weighs 1155 grams including the battery.

The Sony a9 III is lighter, weighing 617 grams, compared to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III which weighs 1155 grams.

Measurements and Weight Comparison

When choosing a camera, size and weight can play a significant role, especially for photographers who are constantly on the move. Let’s compare both the size (volume) and weight of the two cameras.

The Sony a9 III measures 136 mm in width, 97 mm in height, and 83 mm in depth.

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III measures 156 mm in width, 157 mm in height, and 80 mm in depth.

The Sony a9 III is more compact, being 78.9% smaller in volume compared to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III.

The Sony a9 III weighs 617 grams including the battery.

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III weighs 1155 grams including the battery.

The Sony a9 III is lighter by 87.2% compared to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III.

Product
	Price	Price
Name This is the official name of the camera as listed by the manufacturer.	Sony a9 III	Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Manufacturer The company that designs, manufactures, and markets this camera model.	Sony	Canon
SKU The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is a unique identifier used by retailers to track inventory. Some cameras might have multiple SKUs depending on the bundle or specific features.	ILCE-9M3
Release Date and Price
Release Year The year when this camera model was officially released to the public.	2023	2007
Release Date The exact date when this camera model was launched.	2023-11-07	2007-02-22
MSRP The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is the price at which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sells the product. This can vary by region and retailer. Here the price is listed in US Dollars.	$ 5998	$ 3999
Camera Type
Camera Type The camera type defines the fundamental design of the camera, whether it uses a mirror for its viewfinder (DSLR), a translucent mirror (SLT), or no mirror at all (Mirrorless).	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor
Sensor Size The sensor size determines the amount of light that can be captured, impacting image quality, depth of field, and low-light performance. Different sensor sizes are used for various camera types and applications.	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)	APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type The type of sensor used in the camera, which could be CCD, CMOS, or others, affecting how the image data is captured and processed.	Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution Resolution is the number of pixels used to create an image. Higher resolution allows for larger prints and more detailed images.	6000 x 4000 pixels	3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels Megapixels refer to the number of millions of pixels the sensor can capture, impacting the detail and print size of the images.	25,2 MP (24,000,000 pixels)	10,1 MP (10,077,696 pixels)
Image Processor The image processor is responsible for converting the data captured by the sensor into a viewable image, impacting speed, quality, and performance.	BIONZ XR	DUAL DIGIC 3
Image
ISO Range The ISO range indicates the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A lower ISO is ideal for bright conditions, while a higher ISO allows for shooting in low light but may introduce noise.	125 - 51200	50 - 6400
White Balance Presets White balance presets allow the camera to adjust colors to match different lighting conditions, ensuring that your photos have accurate and natural colors.	0	8
Custom White Balance Custom white balance allows you to manually set the white balance using a neutral reference, such as a gray card, ensuring accurate color reproduction in various lighting conditions.	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization Image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake, allowing you to capture sharper images, especially in low-light situations or when using longer focal lengths.	Yes (Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis)	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating The CIPA rating measures the effectiveness of image stabilization, indicating how many stops of exposure you can gain by using the stabilization feature.	8.0 stops	N/A
Uncompressed Format An uncompressed format retains all the image data captured by the sensor, resulting in higher quality images with more detail, but also larger file sizes.	RAW	RAW
Optics and Focus
Autofocus Motor The autofocus motor allows the camera to automatically focus on subjects. If 'Yes', the camera has a built-in autofocus motor, enabling faster and quieter focusing with compatible lenses.	Yes	Yes
Autofocus Different autofocus modes allow the camera to focus in various ways, such as detecting contrast, tracking moving subjects, or focusing on specific points in the frame.	Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous
Focus Points Focus points refer to the number of areas in the frame where the camera can lock focus. More focus points allow for more accurate focusing, especially in complex scenes.	759	19
Lens Mount The lens mount indicates the type of lenses that are compatible with the camera. Different mounts are used by different manufacturers and camera types.	Sony E Sony Lens Mount Adapter LA-EA5	Canon EF
Focal Length Multiplier The focal length multiplier, also known as the crop factor, affects the effective focal length of a lens when used with cameras that have sensors smaller than full frame. This value multiplies the lens's focal length, which can be beneficial for telephoto photography but limits the field of view for wide-angle lenses.	Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm	APS-H Sensor 1.3x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 31 mm 50 mm becomes 65 mm 100 mm becomes 130 mm 200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen and Viewfinder
Articulated LCD An articulated LCD allows for flexible screen movement, making it easier to capture shots from difficult angles. It can be particularly useful for vlogging, low-angle, or high-angle photography.	Fully articulated	Fixed
Screen Size The screen size is measured diagonally in inches. A larger screen can be beneficial for reviewing images and navigating menus.	3.2	3”
Screen Dots Screen dots refer to the resolution of the camera's LCD screen, with more dots generally indicating a sharper display.	2095104	230000
Touchscreen A touchscreen allows you to interact with the camera's menu and focus points directly by touching the screen.	Yes	No
Screen Type The screen type indicates the technology used in the camera's display, such as LCD, OLED, etc.	4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD	N/A
Live View Live View allows you to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder, showing a live preview of the image before you capture it.	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type The viewfinder type specifies whether the camera uses an optical viewfinder (OVF), electronic viewfinder (EVF), or has no viewfinder.	Electronic (optional)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage Viewfinder coverage indicates the percentage of the scene that is visible in the viewfinder compared to what the sensor captures. 100% coverage means you see exactly what the sensor will capture.	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification Viewfinder magnification describes the size of the image seen in the viewfinder relative to the size of the actual scene.	0.9x	0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution Viewfinder resolution refers to the number of pixels in the electronic viewfinder. A higher resolution provides a clearer and more detailed image.	9440000	N/A
Photography Features
Frames per second Frames per second (fps) measures how many frames the camera can capture in one second. Higher fps rates are useful for action photography.	120 fps	10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed The minimum shutter speed is the longest exposure time the camera can achieve, allowing for more light to enter, which is useful in low-light situations.	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed The maximum shutter speed is the shortest exposure time the camera can achieve, helping to freeze motion in fast-moving subjects.	1/80000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash A built-in flash provides additional light when shooting in low-light environments, improving image quality.	No	No
External Flash An external flash option allows you to attach a separate flash unit, providing more powerful lighting options and flexibility.	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer The self-timer feature allows you to set a delay between pressing the shutter button and when the photo is actually taken. This is useful for including yourself in photos or reducing camera shake.	No	Yes
Time-lapse Time-lapse photography allows you to capture a series of frames at set intervals, which are then combined into a video that shows a process, like a sunset, happening much faster.	No	Yes
Metering Modes Metering modes determine how the camera measures the brightness of the scene to set the exposure. Different modes are suited to different lighting conditions.	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial
Exposure Compensation Exposure compensation allows you to adjust the exposure set by the camera, making the image brighter or darker as needed.	-3.0 EV to +3.0 EV	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography Features
Video Recording Indicates whether the camera supports video recording functionality.	Yes	No
Video Format The camera supports various video formats, which determine the compression and quality of the recorded video.	XAVC-S XAVC-HS
Video Resolution The resolutions supported by the camera determine the clarity and detail of the recorded video.	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Indicates whether the camera has a built-in microphone for recording audio during video capture.	No	No
Built-in Speakers Indicates whether the camera has built-in speakers for audio playback.	No	No
Storage
Memory Card Indicates the types of memory cards that are compatible with the camera.	Compact Flash Express	Compact Flash SD/SDHC
Connectivity
HDMI Output Indicates whether the camera has an HDMI output port for connecting to external displays.	Yes	No
Microphone Port Indicates whether the camera has a dedicated microphone input port.	Yes	No
Headphone Port Indicates whether the camera has a headphone port for monitoring audio during recording.	Yes	No
Wireless Indicates whether the camera has wireless capabilities for transferring files or remote control.	Yes 2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0	Yes Optional with WFT-E2 II
Wireless SKU The specific SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) associated with the camera's wireless module or accessory.		WFT-E2 II
Remote Control Indicates whether the camera supports remote control functionality.	No	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Indicates whether the camera has built-in GPS functionality for geotagging images.	No	No
Body and Dimensions
Environmentally Sealed Indicates whether the camera is sealed against dust and moisture.	Yes	Yes
Battery The type of battery used by the camera.	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details Additional information about the battery, such as capacity or specific model details.	NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion	Battery Pack LP-E4
Battery SKU The specific SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) associated with the camera's battery.	NP-FZ100	LP-E4
Battery Life The estimated number of shots the camera can take on a full battery, based on CIPA standards. CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) sets the industry standard for measuring and comparing battery life across different camera models.	400 shots according to CIPA	2200 shots according to CIPA
Width The width of the camera body, measured in millimeters.	136 mm	156 mm
Height The height of the camera body, measured in millimeters.	97 mm	157 mm
Depth The depth of the camera body, measured in millimeters.	83 mm	80 mm
Weight The weight of the camera body, including the battery, measured in grams.	617 grams including battery	1155 grams including battery

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