Canon 300D versus Sony A7S II

The Canon EOS 300D (called Canon Rebel in some regions) and the Sony Alpha 7S II are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2003 and September 2015. The 300D is a DSLR, while the A7S II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (300D) and a full frame (A7S II) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 6.3 megapixel, whereas the Sony provides 12 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 300D vs Sony A7S II

The physical size and weight of the Canon 300D and the Sony A7S II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the 300D – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7S II is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Canon 300D. Moreover, the A7S II is slightly lighter (3 percent) than the 300D. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7S II is splash and dust-proof, while the 300D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (300D) and the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7S II). Mirrorless cameras, such as the A7S II, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the 300D gets 400 shots out of its BP-511 battery, while the A7S II can take 370 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 300D»	142 mm	99 mm	72 mm	649 g	400	n	Aug 2003	899	-		Canon 300D
	Sony A7S II«	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	627 g	370	Y	Sep 2015	2,999			Sony A7S II
	Canon 77D« »	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899			Canon 77D
	Canon G1 X Mark II« »	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon 700D« »	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649	-		Canon 700D
	Canon 650D« »	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849	-		Canon 650D
	Canon G1 X« »	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon 400D« »	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799	-		Canon 400D
	Canon 350D« »	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon 350D
	Canon 20D« »	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Canon 10D« »	150 mm	107 mm	75 mm	850 g	500	n	Feb 2003	1,999	-		Canon 10D
	Nikon D70« »	140 mm	111 mm	78 mm	679 g	400	n	Jan 2004	999	-		Nikon D70
	Sony A7R III« »	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199			Sony A7R III
	Sony A9« »	127 mm	96 mm	63 mm	673 g	650	Y	Apr 2017	4,499			Sony A9
	Sony A7R II« »	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199	-		Sony A7R II
	Sony A7 II« »	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	599 g	350	Y	Nov 2014	1,999	-		Sony A7 II
	Sony A7S« »	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	489 g	380	Y	Apr 2014	2,499	-		Sony A7S
Convert to Imperial

The camera’s price is obviously a critical decision-making factor. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 300D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the A7S II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison: Canon 300D vs Sony A7S II

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 300D features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A7S II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7S II is 147 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 12MP, the A7S II offers a higher resolution than the 300D (6.3MP), but the A7S II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 8.40μm versus 7.38μm for the 300D) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7S II is a much more recent model (by 12 years) than the 300D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the A7S II offers substantially better image quality than the 300D (overall score 30 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.6 bits higher color depth, 2.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The A7S II indeed provides for movie recording, while the 300D does not. The highest resolution format that the A7S II can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 300D vs Sony A7S II

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7S II has an electronic viewfinder (2400k dots), while the 300D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 300D and Sony A7S II along with similar information for a selection of comparators. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or in the dpreview camera hub.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 300D has one, while the A7S II does not. While the build-in flash of the 300D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The 300D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the A7S II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

The A7S II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the 300D has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 300D was succeeded by the Canon 350D.

Review summary: Canon 300D vs Sony A7S II

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 300D or the Sony A7S II – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 300D:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2003).

Advantages of the Sony Alpha 7S II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (12 vs 6.3MP), which boosts linear resolution by 38%.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (30 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.6 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.5 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (2.5 stops ISO advantage).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 118k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (127x96mm vs 142x99mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• Easier file upload: Has wifi build in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More modern: Reflects 12 years of technical progress since the 300D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7S II is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 300D or the A7S II. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 300D»	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Aug 2003	899	-		Canon 300D
	Sony A7S II«	Rec	-	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Sep 2015	2,999			Sony A7S II
	Canon 77D« »	-	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899			Canon 77D
	Canon G1 X Mark II« »	Rec	77/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon 700D« »	-	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649	-		Canon 700D
	Canon 650D« »	HiRec	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	-		Canon 650D
	Canon G1 X« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon 400D« »	HiRec	HiRec	rev	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2006	799	-		Canon 400D
	Canon 350D« »	80/100	HiRec	rev	rev	-	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon 350D
	Canon 20D« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Canon 10D« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Feb 2003	1,999	-		Canon 10D
	Nikon D70« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Jan 2004	999	-		Nikon D70
	Sony A7R III« »	HiRec	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199			Sony A7R III
	Sony A9« »	HiRec	89/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Apr 2017	4,499			Sony A9
	Sony A7R II« »	HiRec	90/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199	-		Sony A7R II
	Sony A7 II« »	Rec	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Nov 2014	1,999	-		Sony A7 II
	Sony A7S« »	-	86/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2014	2,499	-		Sony A7S

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

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