Canon
EOS R5
45MP full-frame hybrid with 8K RAW, 4K 120p, strong AF, and 8-stop in-body stabilization.
$3,899
Released Jul 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 4.3 years newer.
Wins
EOS R5
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R5 has higher Max video bit rate (2600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 5,760,000)
- AEOS R5 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 32,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R5
139 × 98 × 88 mm
738 g (1.63 lb / 26.03 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
EOS R5 is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 1 II.
EOS R5 is 5 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS R5 · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R5
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 R5
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 R5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 97.5, 88
Max video bit rate
2600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds RAW
AF points / zones
1053 vs 759 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF refresh rate
240 Hz vs 120 Hz — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 5,760,000 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R5
Pros
- ✓45MP sensor balances resolution and speed
- ✓8K RAW and 4K 120p internal video
- ✓Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with advanced subject tracking
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓CFexpress Type B plus SD UHS-II storage
Cons
- –Heat limits can matter for extended high-end video
- –Battery life is modest
- –Still expensive versus newer enthusiast bodies
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 R5 or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for EOS R5 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R5 and Alpha 1 II?
EOS R5 is 45 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 R5 and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R5 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 R5 or the Alpha 1 II?
EOS R5 reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R5 and Alpha 1 II?
EOS R5 weighs 738 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the EOS R5 is 5 g lighter.
Do the EOS R5 and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
EOS R5: 8K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R5 and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
EOS R5: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 490 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R5 and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R5 launched at $3,899 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The EOS R5 is $2,600 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Sony press materials.