Canon
EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon flagship DSLR for sports and news with 20fps and legendary reliability.
$6,499
Released Feb 2020
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 4.8 years newer.
Wins
EOS-1D X Mark III
Wins
Alpha 1 II
6 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 191)
- AEOS-1D X Mark III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 32,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 20.1 MP)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS-1D X Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
EOS-1D X Mark III is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 1 II.
EOS-1D X Mark III is 23 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS-1D X Mark III · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
EOS-1D X Mark III
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon EF
300+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS-1D X Mark III
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
Burst (mechanical)
16 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds RAW
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 191 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 20.1 MP — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS-1D X Mark III
Pros
- ✓20fps DSLR
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Dual CFexpress
- ✓Excellent AF
Cons
- –DSLR platform
- –20MP
- –Very heavy
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, EOS-1D X Mark III or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for EOS-1D X Mark III — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and Alpha 1 II?
EOS-1D X Mark III is 20.1 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
EOS-1D X Mark III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS-1D X Mark III or the Alpha 1 II?
EOS-1D X Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS-1D X Mark III and Alpha 1 II?
EOS-1D X Mark III weighs 720 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the EOS-1D X Mark III is 23 g lighter.
Do the EOS-1D X Mark III and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
EOS-1D X Mark III: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS-1D X Mark III and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
EOS-1D X Mark III: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the EOS-1D X Mark III and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $6,499.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Sony press materials.