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Canon EOS RP vs Sony Alpha 9

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEOS RPSonyAlpha 9
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2019May 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBack-illuminated stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution26.2 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6240 × 41606000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–40000100–51200
Sensor detailApproximately 26.2 million effective and 27.1 million total pixels; 35.9 × 24 mm CMOS sensor with automatic dust removal and Dust Delete DataApproximately 28.3 million total pixels; stacked sensor with integral memory and backside illumination.
Image formatsJPEG, 14-bit RAW and C-RAW in CR3 format; simultaneous RAW+JPEG and in-camera RAW processingJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed RAW.
ISO detailStandard still-photo ISO 100–40000, expandable to ISO 50–102400; manual 4K movie ISO 100–12800 or Full HD/HD ISO 100–25600, with expansionMechanical-shutter stills use standard ISO 100–51200, expandable to 50–204800. Electronic-shutter stills use ISO 100–25600 with expanded ISO 50. Movie ISO 100–51200, expandable to 102400.
Image processorDIGIC 8BIONZ X with front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountCanon RFSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps20 fps
Lens detailNative RF and adapted EF/EF-S lenses, excluding EF-M; EF-S lenses use approximately 1.6× crop and 10.2 MP output (Amateur Photographer)–
AutofocusDual Pixel CMOS AF for stills and Full HD, contrast AF for 4K; up to 4779 selectable positions or 143 automatic areas; human face/eye detection with Servo AF; maker −5 EV claim at centre point, f/1.2 non-DS lens, ISO 100, One-Shot AF and room temperatureCurrent Sony specification lists 693 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points; contrast points increased from 25 through firmware. Phase coverage approximately 93%; sensitivity EV −3 to 20 with an F2 lens at ISO 100. Current features include Real-time Tracking and Eye AF; launch reviews describe earlier firmware.
ShutterElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter, 30–1/4000 second plus Bulb; electronic silent shooting restricted to an automatic scene mode–
Burst detailUp to 5 fps with fixed focus or 4 fps with Servo AF; maker ISO 100 full-frame high-speed test gives 50 RAW or 42 RAW+JPEG on a 32 GB UHS-I card, versus card-full RAW or 98 RAW+JPEG on its 32 GB UHS-II test card; speed depends on settings and conditionsUp to 20 fps electronic Hi with AF/AE tracking under Sony's supported-lens and exposure conditions; up to 12 fps with uncompressed RAW, or 5 fps mechanical. Maker buffer claim is 241 compressed RAW or 362 JPEG frames using a UHS-II card under its stated test conditions.
Stabilisation detailNo in-body sensor-shift stabilisation; compatible lens optical IS and Movie Digital IS supportedFive-axis sensor shift; Sony claims 5.0 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off.
FlashNo built-in flash; compatible EL/EX Speedlites, E-TTL II metering and 1/180-second sync; no PC sync terminal–
Exposure controlsP/Tv/Av/M/Fv, Bulb and C1/C2/C3 modes; 384-zone metering and ±3 EV exposure compensation–
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 25 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailInternal UHD 3840×2160 at 25/23.98 fps with a central crop and contrast AF; Full HD up to 59.94 fps with Dual Pixel AF; H.264 MP4, 8-bit recording, no Canon Log (Photography Blog); Movie Digital IS adds cropping. Separate 4K/Full HD time-lapse modesXAVC S 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p in NTSC mode or 25p PAL, up to 100 Mbps; Full HD 120p NTSC or 100p PAL is lower resolution. HDMI supports 8-bit 4:2:2 output. No video picture profiles or S-Log.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and headphone output with adjustable volumeBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone and headphone sockets; compatible Multi Interface Shoe audio accessories.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots1,040,0001,440,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detail3-inch vari-angle capacitive touchscreen, approximately 1.04 million dots and 100% coverage; opens 175°, rotates 90° forward or 180° backwardRear TFT LCD tilts approximately 107° upwards and 41° downwards.
Viewfinder detail0.39-inch OLED EVF with approximately 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage and 0.70× magnification with 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 dioptre0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, 3686400 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable 60/120 fps display.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)250 photographs650 photographs
Body weight440 g588 g
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records March 2019 marketing; no exact first-sale day inferredSony Japan lists 26 May 2017 for ILCE-9; this is the Japanese first-sale date, not a UK release claim.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II/UHS-I slot shared with the battery compartmentSlot 1 accepts UHS-I/UHS-II SD; slot 2 accepts UHS-I SD or Memory Stick Duo. Simultaneous and separate-format recording supported.
PortsUSB-C Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, and RS-60E3 remote-release terminalMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI Type D, wired LAN, sync terminal, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth Low Energy 4.1; BR-E1 wireless remote supported; current UK page says optional security firmware disables image.canon uploads and YouTube livestreaming via image.canonWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC; smartphone location linkage supported.
Battery life detailOne LP-E17; approximately 250 shots at 23°C or 240 at 0°C under maker/CIPA testing conditionsNP-FZ100; CIPA approximately 650 photographs with LCD or 480 with viewfinder; USB charging and power supported.
ChargingSupplied external LC-E17E charger; compatible PD-E1 enables in-camera USB charging; household AC power requires separate accessories–
DimensionsApproximately 132.5 × 85 × 70 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 63.0 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 440 g body only or 485 g with battery/card; photographed kit lens and optional 86 g EG-E1 extension grip excludedSony Japan specifies approximately 588 g body only or 673 g with battery and memory card, excluding lens. The UK page labels 588 g as including battery/card, conflicting with the explicit Japanese split.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy chassis with plastic exterior and dust/splash protection described by Amateur Photographer; no water-resistance rating inferred–
In the boxUK maker lists body, R-F-5 camera cover, neck strap, LC-E17E charger, LP-E17 battery, AC cable and user manual kit; lens/adapter depend on kitNP-FZ100 battery, BC-QZ1 charger, power cord, cable protector, AC-UUE12 AC adaptor, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony UK.

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