Canon
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pro 30MP full-frame DSLR still used for weddings, events, and studio work.
$3,499
Released Aug 2016
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 8.3 years newer.
Wins
EOS 5D Mark IV
Wins
Alpha 1 II
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 61)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 7 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AEOS 5D Mark IV has higher Battery life (CIPA) (900 shots vs 520 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 × 76 mm
890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
EOS 5D Mark IV is 7mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 15mm wider and 20mm taller.
EOS 5D Mark IV is 147 g heavier than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm EOS 5D Mark IV · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 mm
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 76 mm
Alpha 1 II
136 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
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 5D Mark IV
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 5D Mark IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150.7, 116.4, 75.9
Card types
Adds CF, SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds Motion JPEG
Battery life (CIPA)
900 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 61 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 32,000
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pros
- ✓30MP proven sensor
- ✓Dual Pixel AF in live view
- ✓Rugged pro build
- ✓Huge EF lens ecosystem
Cons
- –DSLR platform aging
- –4K video limited
- –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 wildlife, EOS 5D Mark IV or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for EOS 5D Mark IV — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and Alpha 1 II?
EOS 5D Mark IV is 30.4 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 5D Mark IV and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
EOS 5D Mark IV does not have IBIS, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS 5D Mark IV or the Alpha 1 II?
EOS 5D Mark IV reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and Alpha 1 II?
EOS 5D Mark IV weighs 890 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Alpha 1 II is 147 g lighter.
Do the EOS 5D Mark IV and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
EOS 5D Mark IV: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS 5D Mark IV and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
EOS 5D Mark IV: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 900 shots (CIPA) for the EOS 5D Mark IV and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the EOS 5D Mark IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS 5D Mark IV launched at $3,499 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The EOS 5D Mark IV is $3,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Sony press materials.