Sony vs Canon mirrorless: which should you buy
Pick the system by the lenses you will buy, not by the camera brand name. Sony uses the E mount and Canon uses the RF mount, and you cannot swap lenses between them. Within a system, the cameras are close in quality at each price, so the lens range and how the camera feels in your hands decide it.
Both companies make excellent cameras. The real decision is the lens mount you commit to, because the lenses cost more than the body and you keep them through several camera upgrades.
The pairs, side by side
| Sony A6400 | Canon EOS R50 | Sony A6700 | Canon EOS R10 | Sony A7 IV | Canon EOS R6 Mark II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | Full frame | Full frame |
| Mount | E | RF | E | RF | E | RF |
| Card slots | 1 (SD) | 1 (SD) | 1 (SD) | 1 (SD) | 2 (CFexpress A + SD) | 2 (SD) |
| Battery | NP-FW50 | LP-E17 | NP-FZ100 | LP-E17 | NP-FZ100 | LP-E6NH |
| Burst | 11 fps | 12 fps | 11 fps | 15 fps | 10 fps | 12 fps |
| 4K 60p | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 403g | 375g | 493g | 429g | 658g | 670g |
| Flip screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lowest local price | ₹82,990 | ₹66,350 | ₹1,42,490 | ₹79,995 | ₹1,98,990 | ₹1,59,990 |
Starter bodies: Sony A6400 and Canon R50. Both are light APS-C bodies with a flip screen. The maker spec lists neither with in-body stabilisation, so handheld video relies on lens stabilisation or a gimbal.
Enthusiast APS-C: Sony A6700 and Canon R10. The A6700 lists in-body stabilisation and uses the larger NP-FZ100 battery, and it is the heavier body. The Canon R10 lists none and uses the LP-E17 battery.
Full frame: Sony A7 IV and Canon R6 Mark II. Both list in-body stabilisation and two card slots, and they weigh close to each other.
What differs in daily use
- Lens range. Our lens list for Sony E includes Sony's own lenses plus Sigma, Tamron and Viltrox. Check each maker's compatibility list for the lens you want on Canon RF before you buy.
- Stabilisation. Look at the model, not the brand. Some bodies in each range have it and some do not.
- Battery. Sony's A6700 and A7 IV use the NP-FZ100. Canon's R6 Mark II uses the LP-E6NH, and the R10 and R50 use the LP-E17. Batteries are not interchangeable between brands.
- Handling. How the grip and the menus feel is personal. Hold both at a shop if you can.
How to decide
- List the lenses you want in the next two years, such as a portrait prime, a travel zoom and a telephoto.
- Check which system has those lenses at a price you accept.
- Within that system, pick the body at your budget.
Sony A6400Sony E mount · from ₹82,990
Canon EOS R50Canon RF mount · Out of stock, last seen price · from ₹66,350
Sony A6700Sony, stabilised · from ₹1,42,490
Canon EOS R10Canon RF mount · from ₹79,995
Sony A7 IVSony full frame · from ₹1,98,990
Canon EOS R6 Mark IICanon full frame · from ₹1,59,990Before you buy
Choose the lenses first, then the body. Compare the live prices for each camera in the tiles, and check what is in the box, because kits differ between stores.
Talk to the shop before you pay
These are camera stores in India, with the price and stock from their own websites. Pick one you can phone, ask your question, then decide.
Sony A6700
Your message is written for you. Press send in WhatsApp, come back, and tap again for the next store.
Out of stock at a store? Most can arrange it quickly. Call or WhatsApp to ask.
Canon EOS R10
Your message is written for you. Press send in WhatsApp, come back, and tap again for the next store.
Out of stock at a store? Most can arrange it quickly. Call or WhatsApp to ask.
Stores change prices often, so confirm on the store's page. See every store we track.
Questions
Is Sony or Canon better?
Neither wins on everything. Sony E mount has a wide range of lenses, including third-party ones. Canon RF bodies are known for their handling and colour. Pick the lens system you want, then compare the camera at your budget.
Can I use Canon lenses on a Sony camera?
Not directly. Sony E mount and Canon RF mount are different, and adapters between them are limited, so choose the system first.
Which has better battery life?
It depends on the model. Check the maker's rated number of shots for the exact camera, and plan to carry a spare battery either way.
Where the specs come from
These are the manufacturer pages behind the specs here. How we check them.
Read next
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Best camera for beginners in IndiaChoose by the lens system you will live with, then let the budget pick the body.
Canon R8 vs R6 Mark IIThe R8 is the lighter camera. The R6 Mark II is the one for work you cannot redo.