Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Released Jun 2024
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 5 months newer.
Wins
Z6 III
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- AZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 273)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 24.5 MP)
- AZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 32,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
Z6 III is 9mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 2mm wider and 5mm taller.
Z6 III is 17 g heavier than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 74mm Z6 III · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z6 III
Nikon Z
90+
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
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 273 — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
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
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
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
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, Z6 III or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for Z6 III — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Z6 III and Alpha 1 II?
Z6 III is 24.5 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z6 III and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
Z6 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 Z6 III or the Alpha 1 II?
Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z6 III and Alpha 1 II?
Z6 III weighs 760 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Alpha 1 II is 17 g lighter.
Do the Z6 III and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z6 III and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
Z6 III: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 380 shots (CIPA) for the Z6 III and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z6 III launched at $2,499 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The Z6 III is $4,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.