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Head-to-head

Canon - EOS R1 vs Sony - α9 III

Last updated · How Mars Score works
EOS R1CANONRENDER
Probe A
Canon
EOS R1
46.0/ 100D
Sensor46· 35%
Video· 25%
Autofocus· 20%
Body & Controls· 20%
α9 IIISONYRENDER
Probe B
Sony
α9 III
46.0/ 100D
Sensor46· 35%
Video· 25%
Autofocus· 20%
Body & Controls· 20%
Quick verdict

Between the EOS R1 and α9 III, the EOS R1 comes out ahead in af points and max video, while the α9 III wins on weight. Overall, the EOS R1 scores 46 and the α9 III scores 46 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

These two are evenly matched on the broad strokes, with the decision sitting on which individual spec advantages weigh more for your use.

Pick the EOS R1 if you care most about af points and max video. The biggest gaps in its favor are af points, max video.

Pick the α9 III if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.

Both ship with comparable sensor size, megapixels, in-body stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.

Why Canon - EOS R1 wins

  • AF points — 38.74% more. 1053 vs 759.
  • Max video: 6K (vs 4K120).

Why Sony - α9 III wins

  • Weight — 412.00 g less. 703 vs 1115.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Sensor

SpecCanon - EOS R1Sony - α9 III
Sensor sizeFull FrameFull Frame
Megapixels24 MP24 MP
Max ISO204800lead51200

Video

SpecCanon - EOS R1Sony - α9 III
Max video6Klead4K120
RAW videotruetrue
Log profiletruetrue

Autofocus

SpecCanon - EOS R1Sony - α9 III
AF points1053lead759
Eye AFtruetrue
In-body stabilizationtruetrue

Body & Controls

SpecCanon - EOS R1Sony - α9 III
Weight1115 g703 glead
Weather sealedtruetrue
Dual card slotstruetrue
Reader questions

Frequently asked

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