Sony a99 vs Canon EOS 5D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a99 and Canon EOS 5D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a99 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 5D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a99 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 5D was released 2005. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a99 2012
Canon EOS 5D 2005

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a99 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a99 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D has 12,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a99 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912

Sony a99 has a 89 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a99 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Sony a99 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a99 100-25600
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a99
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a99 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a99 6
Canon EOS 5D 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a99. Unfortunately Canon EOS 5D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 10% heavier than Sony a99 and its 812 gr (or 1.79 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a99 812 gr
1.79 lb
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb

Sony a99 vs Canon EOS 5D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a99 and Canon EOS 5D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Name Sony a99 Canon EOS 5D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Release Year 2012 2005
Release Date 2012-09-12 2005-08-22
MSRP 2799 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4368 x 2912 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 12,7 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 2
Image
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 19 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 1229000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Frames per second 6 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a99
Canon EOS 5D
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 400 shots
Width 147 mm 152 mm
Height 111 mm 113 mm
Depth 78 mm 75 mm
Weight 812 gram 895 gram