• APS-H 518.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Sony A65

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-H vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.70 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,320 vs 717 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1500 vs 510 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    39 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    45 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A65 advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $4999 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1D Mark IV

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A65

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3X
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A65
Nikon D3X
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3S
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A65
Nikon D3S
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 7D
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 24p video
Sony A65
Canon 7D
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D3200

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3200
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • More dynamic range
  • Internal flash
Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5200

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D5200
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Compare Other Cameras?