OM System
OM-3 ASTRO
Astrophotography-focused OM-3 variant with 20.4MP stacked sensor, H-alpha-friendly filter tuning, IP53 sealing, and 7.5-stop Sync IS.
$2,499
Released Jul 2025
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
OM-3 ASTRO is 7 months newer.
Wins
OM-3 ASTRO
Wins
Alpha 1 II
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 32,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 20.4 MP)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
OM-3 ASTRO
139 × 89 × 46 mm
496 g (1.09 lb / 17.50 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
OM-3 ASTRO is 8mm shorter and 37mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 3mm wider.
OM-3 ASTRO is 247 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 46mm OM-3 ASTRO · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
OM-3 ASTRO
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-3 ASTRO
Micro Four Thirds
130+
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
OM-3 ASTRO
AF low-light limit
-8 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139.3, 88.9, 45.8
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds MOV
Weight
496 g vs 743 g — lower 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
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 20.4 MP — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 10 fps
- ✓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.
OM-3 ASTRO
Pros
- ✓Astro-tuned sensor filter
- ✓20.4MP stacked BSI Live MOS
- ✓IP53 weather sealing
- ✓7.5-stop Sync IS
Cons
- –Specialized astro variant
- –Micro Four Thirds sensor
- –Premium price
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 landscape, OM-3 ASTRO or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for OM-3 ASTRO — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-3 ASTRO and Alpha 1 II?
OM-3 ASTRO is 20.4 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-3 ASTRO and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
OM-3 ASTRO has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-3 ASTRO or the Alpha 1 II?
OM-3 ASTRO reaches 120 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-3 ASTRO and Alpha 1 II?
OM-3 ASTRO weighs 496 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the OM-3 ASTRO is 247 g lighter.
Do the OM-3 ASTRO and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
OM-3 ASTRO: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the OM-3 ASTRO and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
OM-3 ASTRO: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-3 ASTRO and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the OM-3 ASTRO the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-3 ASTRO launched at $2,499 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The OM-3 ASTRO is $4,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System and Sony press materials.