Canon
EOS R
Canon’s first full-frame RF mirrorless — launched the RF mount ecosystem.
$2,299
Released Sep 2018
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 6.3 years newer.
Wins
EOS R
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R has higher AF points / zones (5655 vs 759)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 8 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R
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 R is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 1 II.
EOS R is 23 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS R · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R
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 R
Canon RF
105+
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 R
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AF points / zones
5655 vs 759 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
ISO max (native)
40,000 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — 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
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 8 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
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
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R
Pros
- ✓First Canon RF body
- ✓Dual Pixel AF
- ✓Fully articulating screen
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Single card slot
- –Superseded by R6/R8
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 R or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for EOS R — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R and Alpha 1 II?
EOS R is 30.3 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 R and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R or the Alpha 1 II?
EOS R reaches 8 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R and Alpha 1 II?
EOS R weighs 720 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the EOS R is 23 g lighter.
Do the EOS R and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
EOS R: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
EOS R: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the EOS R the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R launched at $2,299 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The EOS R is $4,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Sony press materials.