Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i – Detailed Comparison

In this article, we get to see a detailed Sony a7 vs Canon T7i comparison. The idea is to help you decide which of these cameras has the right combination of features and functions to suit your specific needs.

This is why we have carefully compared the features of one camera against those of the other. Seeing as the cameras are not from the same manufacturer, there is a possibility of having more differences than similarities. But you’ll find out whether that’s right or not when you read this article.

Furthermore, we’ve found out that you might be looking to make as quick a decision as possible. This is kinda why we have the comparison overview and comparison table section. They contain a quick rundown of the basic ideas of this article and it’ll take you no time at all to run through them.

We also recommend that you check out some of our other Sony-Canon comparisons, like the Sony a5000 vs Canon 60D, for a broader frame of reference.

Comparison Overview — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Here is a quick rundown of the basic ideas of this article:

Overall Rating Of The Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

In our opinion, both cameras are actually pretty decent and the differences between them are very slight. We consider both cameras a good idea for those who are looking to let go of their training wheels and try some big boy stuff. Simply put, they are both decent semi-pro cameras.

Rating Of The Features Of The Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

As we earlier hinted at, the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i share a lot of features in common. They both have an inbuilt wireless connection, Near Field Communication connection and can be controlled using a smartphone.

Also, both cameras have a 1920 by 1080 video resolution and a 24 megapixel sensor resolution. They both have a microphone port, an external flash port, the face detection feature and can shoot in RAW.

Both cameras also happen to have an articulating screen. However while that of the Sony a7 is tilting, that of the Canon T7i is full-flex.

Now, we already mentioned that the differences between the cameras are pretty slight and few. The Canon T7i has a video resolution feature, a touch screen and a built-in flash while the Sony a7. On the other hand, the Sony a7 has a headphone port and weather sealing while the Canon T7i doesn’t.

Both cameras also have a few instances where they do better than the other. For the Canon T7i, you have the better battery life (600 vs 340) and time-lapse recording (you don’t have to download an app to do this.

On the other hand, the Sony a7 has the better maximum shutter speed (1/8000s as against 1/4000s) and more focus points (117 as against 45).

Unfortunately, they both do not have the in body image stabilization feature. However, you can get optical stabilization lenses for either camera to stabilize the sensor.

Which has the better price-value ratio: Sony a7 or Canon T7i?

The Sony a7 has the better price-value ratio of the two. It costs about a hundred bucks less than the Canon T7i, and it is arguably the more efficient camera of the two. By the way, the fact that it is a professional camera and still costs less than the T7i which is an entry-level camera makes it an even more interesting bargain.

About The Brands

Sony

The Sony brand is a pretty popular brand for more than cameras. It has its hands in entertainment and gaming too. However, for cameras, Sony happens to be the leading producer of mirrorless cameras. Its cameras are known for having an impressive sensor and a not very impressive battery life.

Canon

The Canon brand happens to be the leading producer of DSLR cameras (a position it shares with Nikon). Canon’s strength lies in its longevity in the industry; because of how long it has been around, Canon has a way more impressive collection of lenses and other accessories than Sony.

Comparison Table — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

	Sony a7	Canon T7i
Weight	1.04 pounds	1.17 pound
Dimensions	5 by 3.7 by 1.9 inches	5.2 by 3.9 by 3 inches
Sensor Size	Full Frame	APS-C
Viewfinder	Electronic	Optical
Weather Sealing	Yes	No
Continuous Shooting	5 frames per second (fps)	6 frames per second
Battery Life	340 shots per charge	600 shots per charge
Screen Type	3 inch tilting screen	3 inch full-flex screen
Touch Screen	No	Yes
Inbuilt Flash	No	Yes
Video Stabilization	No	Yes
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000s	1/4000s
ISO Range	100 to 25600	100 to 25600

Which Is Better For What — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i?

Sony a7	Canon T7i
The Sony a7 is a weather sealed camera. So, we would consider this over the Canon T7i if a majority of our shooting was done in the outdoors.	On the other hand, this camera is probably the better camera for recording videos. We say this because despite the fact that both cameras have the same video resolution, the canon T7i actually has a video stabilization feature.
Also, this camera has more focus points than the Canon T7i. So, it would be the camera that auto focuses faster.	Also, this camera supports the use of the UHS-I memory. And using a UHS-I memory card allows this camera quickly transfer files.

Common Features — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Here are the features common to both the Sony a7 and the Canon EOS Rebel T7i:

i. Viewfinder

ii. 24 mega pixel maximum sensor resolution

iii. Auto exposure bracketing

iv. Built-in Wi-Fi

v. 25600 maximum ISO range

vi. Articulating screen

vii. External flash hot shoe

viii. Continuous shooting

ix. Microphone port

x. Light weight

xi. RAW support

xii. Face detection focus

We will now look at each of them in detail now…

1. Viewfinder

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have a built-in viewfinder. And while this is a given for DSLRs like the Canon T7i, not all mirrorless cameras have their own viewfinders. If you ever get one that doesn’t, just know that you’ll be using the camera’s screen to frame your photos.

Which brings us to the function of this viewfinder. The work of the viewfinder is to help you frame your photos.

So basically, you’re looking through the viewfinder at the subject you want to shoot and getting an idea of what the actual picture will look like. If what you see isn’t what you’re going for, you can make changes to the subject, the camera or whatever to get the right photo.

Now, there are basically two kinds of viewfinders, the optical kind and the electronic kind. The optical viewfinder is the kind that you’ll usually find with a DSLR and presents images the way they are or the way your lens sees it.

On the other hand, the electronic viewfinder, which is the mirrorless camera’s viewfinder of choice, presents images digitally which is the way your sensor sees it.

That said, the electronic viewfinder is the one that actually gives the closer representation of what the final product will look like seeing as photos are digital. However, the optical viewfinder gives a close enough representation without using so much battery power.

Finally just to be clear, the Sony a7 has an electronic viewfinder while the Canon T7i has an optical viewfinder. And despite the differences between the kinds, the fact that they both have one is enough for us.

2. Sensor Resolution

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon t7i have a 24 megapixel sensor resolution which is pretty decent and we’ll tell you why that’s a good thing.

You might not appreciate the need for a high sensor resolution until you have to crop your photo or print it larger than it is. In fact, a good number of photographers diligently avoid cropping their photos because in cropping a photo, it loses some of its details thereby reducing the overall quality of the photo.

However, there are times when cropping your photo is practically inevitable. At those times, you’ll definitely appreciate a high sensor resolution (which, in our opinion, is anything from 20 megapixels).

Here is how it works. Because your camera has an impressive sensor resolution, the photos taken will have a lot of details. This way, even when the photos are cropped and lose some of their details, they’ll still have enough left to look awesome.

Same goes for printing. Blowing up your photo in order to print it large will cause it to lose some of its details. Having a decent sensor resolution will help a lot. And 24 megapixels will definitely do a lot for you.

3. Auto Exposure Bracketing

Exposure is basically about how bright or dark a photo is and is something that you set by adjusting the values of the ISO, the aperture and the shutter speed.

Different lighting situations require different exposures. So, you cannot just lock your camera unto one exposure and use it to shoot whenever and wherever. You’ll probably have to switch things around when you go to a new setting or as the ay progresses.

That said, there are times when it might be difficult to determine what the right exposure for a particular photo ought to be. It could be because you are new to the whole photography or because the lighting on your set is just tricky.

Whatever the reason, the Auto Exposure Bracketing will be of help. Switching this mode on tells your camera to take the same shot in a number of different exposures. You then get to decide which of the exposures you’re comfortable with.

This is certainly a better idea than having to adjust and shoot until you get the right exposure. And thankfully, both cameras have this feature.

4. Wireless Connection

In this age of the internet, it sometimes feels like a throwback to the stone ages when one sees a device that doesn’t have internet access. And apparently, camera makers are getting the idea.

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have an inbuilt wireless connection. So, not only do they offer internet access, the feature is actually built-in. As a result, you do not need a device (like an Eye-Fi) to serve as a go-between.

Now via this access, you can download apps off the internet directly to your camera. You can also swiftly and wirelessly transfer your files from your camera to an online location.

In addition, both cameras have the Near Field Communication (NFC) connection. This one is also a connectivity feature, howbeit, offline. It allows you connect with a smartphone that is NFC enabled. So, you can transfer your files from your camera to your smartphone wirelessly and without an internet connection.

Finally, both cameras can be smartphone controlled. What you need do is download the camera app on your phone and then connect camera and phone via the app.

Once that’s done, you can place your camera where it will pick the subjects you want to shoot and the go to a comfortable location to do your shooting. This one is more interesting than the basic remote control because with your smartphone you can actually see what your camera sees on your screen.

5. ISO Range

The ISO is what determines how much light your camera lets in. So, your maximum ISO is the highest your camera can go in allowing light. And whether or not you want to have that dark effect on your photo, your camera sensor needs to see in order to capture the image, so you’ll need some light.

That said, both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have the exact same ISO range which is between 100 and 25600.

Finally, bear in mind that the darker the place you’re shooting in, the higher the ISO you need so that your camera can compensate for the lack by letting in as much light as is need.

Which automatically means that the brighter the place you’re shooting in, the lower the ISO you want to go because you do not need all the light the sun can give in your photo.

6. Articulating Screen

The idea of an articulating screen is to afford you ease in shooting from what you might term impossible angles. This is why an articulating screen can be turned or angled in certain directions without having to move the camera body itself.

There are different kinds of articulating screens. The tilting screen (which is what you’ll find on the Sony a7) can only be moved up and down again. On the other hand, the full-flex screen (which you’ll find on the Canon T7i) is favored by DIYers because it can be rotated and so can be used to shoot or record oneself by oneself.

Just to be clear, the Sony a7 has a tilting screen while the Canon T7i has a full-flex screen.

7. External Flash Port

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have an external flash port. And as a result, you can use an external flash with either of the camera.

This is a nice idea, not only because one of these cameras doesn’t have an inbuilt flash, but because the external flash is actually a better light source than the inbuilt flash. With the external flash, you’ll be able to cover a longer distance than the inbuilt flash can.

8. Continuous Shooting

This mode allows your camera to shoot as quickly as possible. So, you choose the continuous shooting mode and your camera is able to take more than one shot in just one second.

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have a decent continuous shooting rate. With the Sony a7’s 5 frames per second or the Sony a7’s 6 frames per second, you could use either camera in certain situations where speed is of the essence like wildlife or sports photography.

9. Microphone Port

Both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i also have a microphone port. And yes, the inbuilt microphone isn’t much good. You might actually be able to manage shooting with it indoors. But if you’ll be shooting outside, you’ll need something else.

This is because the external microphone is better at isolating the sounds you want it to capture and eliminating unnecessary sounds. Also, with the external microphone, you can capture sounds without having to practically swallow the microphone. Just place the camera at a comfortable place and record your videos.

10. Weight

Not exactly a feature but a camera’s weight is definitely something you want to consider as you get a camera. If you’ll be moving around a lot, you’ll want to get a camera that isn’t heavy at all even if lenses are attached to them.

That said, both cameras actually almost weight the same thing. The Sony a7 weighs 1.04 pounds while the Canon T7i weighs 1.17 pounds. Neither camera is especially light but they are also not heavy at all. You’d probably really like the weight of either camera.

Furthermore, the Sony a7 has a full frame sensor while the Canon T7i has an APS-C sensor. As a result, the Sony a7 will require lenses that are bigger and heavier than those of the Canon T7i for the same aperture and focal length.

The implication of this is that adding lenses to both cameras could actually narrow down the weight difference between the cameras.

11. RAW Support

Both cameras have the option to shoot in RAW and we are here for it. There are basically 2 kinds of formats that a camera can shoot in: jpeg and RAW.

Jpeg is the more popular of the two as basically every digital camera can shoot in jpeg. Now, jpeg usually compresses photos probably in order to conserve space. And while this is a really laudable thing, a number of people are not excited about this because the compression usually makes the photos lose some of their quality.

On the other hand, RAW saves photos as they are; no compression, no editing. As a result, RAW photos tend to be large files and take up quite some space in the camera storage.

Photos taken in jpeg are actually alright; it’s not like they lose their quality totally. However, if you’ll be doing some really professional shooting, you’ll want to get as much quality as possible. So, the RAW format is something to have handy.

12. Face Detection Focus

Finally, both the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i have the face detection focus feature. This feature is what helps the camera detect and focus on human faces. In doing this, the camera is able to make the face the center of attention irrespective of the surrounding subjects.

A Sony a7 Demonstration Video

Unique Features — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Mirrorless ss DSLR: Sony a7 vs Canon T7i?

The anchor difference between the Sony a7 and the Canon T7i is the fact that the Sony a7 is a mirrorless camera while the Canon T7i is a DSLR. And the basic difference between these two kinds of cameras is in how light is distributed.

For a DSLR, light passes through the lens and has to hit the mirror before splitting and going on to the auto focus sensor and viewfinder (which is usually optical). On the other hand, when light passes through an electronic viewfinder, it goes on straight to the sensor. And this is because mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror. The sensor then sends a digital image to the viewfinder (which is usually electronic) or the LCD screen (if the camera doesn’t have a viewfinder).

Finally, because of the absence of a mirror, mirrorless cameras are able to have as much functionality as their DSLR counterparts while being considerably lighter. However, possibly because mirrorless cameras have to process digital images, they usually have a battery life that isn’t as impressive as that of their DSLR counterparts.

Which is weather sealed: Sony a7 vs Canon T7i?

The Sony a7 is weather sealed; specifically, it is dust resistant and weather resistant. What this means is that they are not exactly weather element warriors but they can slightly hold their own against the elements. Just don’t use this camera to shoot while you take a dive. This sealing is a pretty important one if you do a lot of outdoor shooting.

However, the weather sealing feature gives you the leeway to continue your shooting outside irrespective of what the weather elements are up to. But then again, it all depends on the kind of weather sealing that the camera has. A weather sealed camera could be dust resistant or dust-proof, water resistant or weatherproof.

Which has the faster mechanical shutter: Sony a7 or Canon T7i?

The Sony a7 has a 1/8000s maximum shutter speed while the Canon T7i has a 1/4000s maximum shutter speed. This is an interesting aspect and actually happens to be one of the most important features of photography. The shutter speed is what determines how long your camera will take a single shot and it is measured in fractions of a second.

Now, aside being one of the factors that determines the speed of your camera, the shutter speed is necessary for blurring up your photos or freezing a moment. And yes, there could be times when you want to blur up your photo; like when you want to give an illusion of speed.

So basically, if you want that blurry effect, you’ll need to use a slower shutter speed while for an illusion of speed, you’ll need a faster shutter speed. As a result, you’ll agree that it makes sense to have a shutter speed that can go reasonably high for a wide frame of options.

Which comes with a built-in flash: Sony a7 or Canon T7i?

Of the two cameras, only the Canon T7i has a built-in flash. And while the built-in flash isn’t as good as the external flash in supplying light, it is sure a nice thing to always have handy. Plus, because it is built into the camera, it doesn’t affect the camera’s weight.

Which has more available lenses: Sony a7 or Canon T7i?

The Canon T7i has more lenses available with it than the Sony a7. With the canon T7i, you could get 319 lenses while the Sony a7 only offers 102. Furthermore, because neither camera has an in body image stabilization feature, you’ll have to get optical stabilization lenses. The in body image stabilization feature is supposed to help eliminate the possibility of having blurry photos if the camera is jostled mid-shot. That said, the Sony a7 has 23 optical stabilization lenses available while the Canon T7i has 91.

A Canon T7i Demonstration Video

Unique Pros — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Pros Of The Sony a7

• First off, the Sony a7 is both dust and water resistant.
• Furthermore, this camera has the more impressive maximum shutter speed.
• Also, this camera has a headphone port which means you can use your headphones with the camera.
• The Sony a7 has a slightly better screen resolution (1230k dots) than the Canon T7i (1040k dots).
• Furthermore, this camera has a way wider sensor pixel space than the Canon T7i.
• Finally, this camera has more focus points (117) than the Canon T7i (45). As a result, the Sony a7 will focus faster than the Canon T7i.

Pros Of The Canon T7i

• First off, the Canon T7i has a built-in flash which is always handy.
• Furthermore, this camera has a more impressive battery life (600 shots) than the Sony a7 (340 shots).
• Also, this camera can do the time-lapse recording thing without having to download any special app.
• The Canon T7i has a screen that is touch sensitive which could actually be a swifter way of navigating through the menu than buttons.
• Furthermore, this camera has a video stabilization feature. So, you can shoot your videos and not have them come out blurry, even if your hand isn’t very steady as you shoot.
• Also, this camera supports the use of the UHS (Ultra-High Speed)-I memory card. This memory card allows the camera to transfer files at ultra-high speeds.
• Finally, this camera has way more lenses available with it than the Sony a7.

Unique Cons — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Cons of The Sony a7

• The Sony a7 does not have a video stabilization feature. So, you’ll have to place the camera on a surface as you shoot videos in order not to have blurry videos.

Cons Of The Canon T7i

• The Canon T7i is not weather sealed and you’d probably miss this feature if you do a lot of outdoor shooting.

Check out these other articles:

• Sony Alpha 7 Vs Canon 5D Mark II – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a5000 vs Canon m100 – Comparison Article
• Sony a6300 vs Fujifilm Xa3 – Detailed Review
• Sony a6000 vs Sony RX100 – Detailed Review
• Sony a6500 Vs G85 – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3300 – Which Should You Go For?

Common Pros — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

	Sony a7	Canon T7i
Viewfinder	We like that the Sony a7 has an electronic viewfinder which is a better idea for framing than the LCD screen.	Same as the Sony a7. However, that of the Canon T7i is an optical viewfinder.
Sensor Resolution	Also, this camera has an impressive sensor resolution. 24 megapixels affords enough room to crop and print large photos.	Same as the Sony a7.
Articulating Screen	The Sony a7 has an impressive tilting screen which will allow you take some interesting shots from some interesting angles.	Same as the Sony a7. However, that of the Canon T7i is a full-flex screen. So, you can actually use this camera to take shots of yourself by yourself.
Wireless Connection	The Sony a7 has an inbuilt wireless connection via which files can be downloaded off and uploaded to the internet. Furthermore, this camera has the Near Field Communication feature which will allow you wirelessly transfer files to a smartphone without internet access. Finally, this camera can be controlled using a smartphone. This comes in handy when you want to be discreet.	Same as the Sony a7.
Microphone Port	You can attach a microphone to this camera. And you would want to if you seriously wanted to shoot videos with this camera.	Same as the Sony a7.
External Flash Port	You can also use an external flash with this camera. And you’d probably want to in very dark settings.	Same as the Sony a7.
RAW Support	The Sony a7 supports the RAW format. So, in addition to shooting in jpeg, this camera can shoot RAW. It’s just right to have that option for those times when you really want to go pro.	Same as the Sony a7.
Face Detection	Finally, this camera has the face detection feature. So, you’ll like this camera if you shoot a lot of portraits because it is able to make the detected face the center of attention.	Same as the Sony a7.

Common Cons — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

	Sony a7	Canon T7i
Image Stabilization	The Sony a7 does not have an in bod stabilization feature to prevent it from producing blurry photos. We do concede, though, that you can prevent the blur by making use of optical stabilization lenses.	Same as the Sony a7.

What People Think About Both — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Sony a7	Canon T7i
A lot of people seem to be really excited about the weight of the camera. And it seems to be primarily because the camera has a lot of functionality built into its portable body. People also say that the camera auto focuses pretty quickly. And yes, the weather sealing is something people are really excited about, especially those whose photography cup of tea has to do with the outdoors. Then there is the camera’s full frame sensor. The fact that this camera offers the option of a full frame sensor on a not heavy camera is something people seem down for.	A lot of people seem to consider this camera a really good ‘in-between’ camera; not exactly a beginner camera and not exactly a professional camera. Some of the features that have been mentioned severally by people who have used the camera include the full-flex screen, the sensor resolution, the Wi-Fi connection and the auto focus. Also, one customer mentioned that the camera assistant made it easy for them to get into the swing of things.
However, the battery life of this camera is one of those things that people are not happy about. Also, some have complained that the lenses of this camera cost a bit.	However, some have complained that the camera cannot shoot 4K videos while a few others have complained about the absence of a headphone port.

Our Take — Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i

Sony a7	Canon T7i
The Sony a7 was introduced to the market as a pro camera and it probably fit as at that time which was 2014. However, for right now, we consider the Sony a7 a really decent semi-pro camera. And if at all it will serve as a pro camera, it will make for a really good backup camera.	On the other hand, the Canon T7i was introduced to the market as an entry-level camera and we actually believe it would make for a decent semi-pro camera. It has a lot of pretty decent features including a decent sensor resolution, video stabilization and the support for the UHS-I memory card.
Maybe an in body image stabilization feature and a higher video resolution would have bumped it up to a pro camera for us.	A number of things could have been added or improved on, of course. But for an entry-level camera, this is pretty impressive.

Sony a7 Vs Canon T7i — FAQs

What is the difference between the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and T7i?

	Canon EOS Rebel T7	Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ISO range	100 – 6400 (further expandable to 12800)	100 – 25600 (further expandable to 51200)
Touch screen	No	Yes
Video stabilization	No	Yes
Battery capacity	500 shots per full charge	600 shots per full charge
Screen resolution	921k dots	1.040k dots
External microphone jack	No	Yes
Continuous shooting	3 frames per second	6 frames per second
Bluetooth	No	Yes

Is the Canon T7i a good camera?

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a good camera. It is designed with a 24 mega pixel APS-C CMOS sensor and it shoots RAW images, so, you are sure you will be able to get the best of qualities when shooting with this camera.

The T7i will also be doing well in low light; it has an ISO range of 100 – 25600 (which is further expandable to 51200). An if you didn’t already know, the wider a camera’s ISO range, the better its performance in low light. Also, not to forget that this camera has a built-in flash and is compatible with external ones.

In addition to that, the Canon T7i is lightweight and has a well functioning optical viewfinder, making it great for street and daily photography.

Is the Canon T7i good for beginners?

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a great camera for beginners. As a matter of fact, it was designed for the amateur photographer. This camera is so intuitive that even if you have never held a camera in your hands before, you won’t have much trouble navigating through it for the first time.

The T7i comes with a touch screen, so, navigating through the menu and functions will feel like you’re using your smartphone. It is also lightweight for a DSLR camera, so, it won’t be an encumbrance if you want to take this with you everywhere.

Is the Sony a7 a good camera?

The Sony a7 is a good camera. It has a 24 mega pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a 1.230k dots screen resolution, and a hundred percent viewfinder coverage. We could really go on and on with the features of this camera; it really is solid, especially for how affordable it is.

The a7 is also good to record videos with. It shoots full HD and is compatible with external microphones and even headphones, so, you can get the best audio quality shooting with this one.

And on top of all these things, this camera does not even cost up to 700 dollars; such a great deal, this one.

Does the Canon T7i have wireless connectivity?

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i comes with built-in Wi-Fi via which you can easy create a wireless connection with a smart device and transfer files. It also comes with near field communication which allows you create that wireless connection with just one touch.

Even more so, the T7i is equipped with good old Bluetooth, which is not something you see in many entry-level cameras. Of course, you know the many advantages you get with Bluetooth in your device. Well, one major one here is that it works even when your battery is low; the Wi-Fi will not.

Is the Canon T7i good for vlogging?

The Canon EOS T7i is a good camera to vlog with. It shoots full HD and that is good enough quality for YouTube and any other social media platform. This camera also has video stabilization, so, you are good even when you have to record videos on the move.

What makes the T7i a favorite among vloggers and YouTubers is its LCD screen. It is fully articulated, which means that self-recording will not be an issue at all. It is also touch sensitive which makes it easy to use and easy to focus while you record.

More so, you are good on sound with this one as the T7i is compatible with external microphones.