Pick
Canon R6 III
Cleaner rolling shutter, stronger IBIS, great AF for action and handheld video.
TL;DR picks
Runner-up
Sony A7 V
Massive lens ecosystem, flexible color tools, improved thermals and AF variety.
Budget
Consider A7 IV / R6 II
Still excellent hybrids if you don’t need the latest codecs and rolling shutter gains.
Quick comparison
| Category | Sony A7 V | Canon R6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Hybrid, lens flexibility | Hybrid/action, handheld video |
| Video | 4K60 HQ, 10-bit, better rolling shutter than A7 IV | 4K60 oversampled, strong motion handling |
| Stabilization | IBIS + Active (crop) | IBIS stronger for handheld |
| AF | Great subject variety, improved tracking | Excellent human/animal tracking |
| Thermals | Improved heat handling | Solid for long takes |
| Lenses | Huge E-mount options | RF lenses pricier, fewer third-party |
Scores
Key differences
Autofocus
Both excellent; Canon is stickier for humans/animals. Sony strong across varied subjects and lenses.
Rolling shutter
A7 V improves over A7 IV but R6 III remains cleaner for fast motion and pans.
Stabilization
R6 III IBIS better for handheld video; Sony Active helps but crops.
Heat
Both improved; Canon still reliable for longer 4K sessions. Sony better than older A7 IV.
Lenses
Sony: massive third-party and native options. Canon RF: great glass but pricier, fewer third-party AF choices.
Choose Sony A7 V if…
You want the deepest lens ecosystem, flexible color options, and improved thermals over A7 IV. Ideal for hybrid shooters who mix talking heads, events, and photo work.
Choose Canon R6 III if…
You shoot fast-moving subjects, need strong IBIS for handheld video, and want cleaner rolling shutter. Great for weddings, documentary, and action hybrids.
Bottom line
A7 V wins on lenses and flexibility; R6 III wins on motion handling and IBIS. Pick based on your subjects and whether you want lens variety or the cleanest handheld video.
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