Sony A7R IV has a
61.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. On the other hand, Canon 1Ds has a
11.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Sony A7R IV's sensor provides 50MP more than Canon 1Ds's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony A7R IV's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the A7R IV and 1Ds sensor size comparison.
Sony A7R IV and Canon 1Ds have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Canon 1Ds has 447% larger pixel area (77.53µm2 vs 14.15µm2) compared to Sony A7R IV, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony A7R IV and Canon 1Ds sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, A7R IV has scored 99, 36 points higher than 1Ds.
Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
Sony A7R IV |
99 |
26.0 bits |
14.8 Evs |
3344 ISO |
Canon 1Ds |
63 |
21.8 bits |
11.0 Evs |
954 ISO |