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Alpha 1 II

Sony

Alpha 1 II

50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Nov 2024

vs
Alpha 6400

Sony

Alpha 6400

Popular APS-C body with fast AF and 11fps burst for enthusiasts.

$899

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

Alpha 1 II is 5.8 years newer.

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Wins

12categories

Alpha 1 II

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

Alpha 6400

Travel

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 1 II wins 5 categories·Alpha 6400 wins 0 categories
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 46 frames)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 fps)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,359,296)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 1 IIAlpha 6400
Resolution50.1 MP24.2 MP
SensorFull FrameAPS-C
ISO max32,00032,000
Burst30 fps11 fps
4K120 fps29.97 fps
IBIS8.5-stopNo
Weight743 g403 g
Battery520 shots360 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 1 II front view

Alpha 1 II

136 × 97 × 83 mm

743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 6400 front view

Alpha 6400

120 × 67 × 60 mm

403 g (0.89 lb / 14.22 oz)

Alpha 1 II is 16mm wider, 30mm taller, and 23mm thicker than Alpha 6400.

Alpha 1 II is 340 g heavier than Alpha 6400.

Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 1 II · 60mm Alpha 6400

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Alpha 1 II

136 × 97 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 6400 back view

Alpha 6400

120 × 67 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Alpha 1 II

136 × 83 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 6400 top view

Alpha 6400

120 × 60 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 1 II

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

Alpha 6400

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 1 II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 6400

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseAlpha 1 IIAlpha 6400
Portrait
8.5Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
10.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.5Excellent✓ wins
2.0Limited
Landscape
9.0Excellent✓ wins
3.0Limited
Travel
6.0Good
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
9.5Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair✓ wins
4.0Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 1 II

  • AF low-light limit

    -4 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better

  • 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

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265…

  • RAW buffer depth

    200 frames vs 46 frames — higher is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    9,437,184 vs 2,359,296 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 6400

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 120, 66.9, 59.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD

  • Weight

    403 g vs 743 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    1.07 × vs 0.9 × — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    11 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 32,000
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 1 II

Pros

  • 50MP stacked sensor
  • 30fps blackout-free burst
  • 8K 30p video
  • Best Sony AF

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Complex menus
  • Large files

Alpha 6400

Pros

  • Fast AF
  • Compact
  • Great value

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Older design
  • No headphone jack

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 1 II
Alpha 6400
Resolution
50.1 MP2.1× more
24.2 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 24.0 mm
23.5 x 15.6 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
Alpha 1 II
Alpha 6400
Processor
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
BIONZ X
Alpha 1 II
Alpha 6400
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
32,000
32,000
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
Alpha 1 II
Alpha 6400
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/4000
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Alpha 1 II or Alpha 6400?

Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 2.0/10 for Alpha 6400 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400?

Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP and Alpha 6400 is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 6400 does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 II or the Alpha 6400?

Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 6400 reaches 11 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400?

Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g and Alpha 6400 weighs 403 g, so the Alpha 6400 is 340 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400 record 4K video?

Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 6400: 4K up to 29.97p.

Are the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 6400 weather sealed?

Alpha 1 II: Yes. Alpha 6400: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 II and 360 shots for the Alpha 6400, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 1 II launched at $6,499 and Alpha 6400 at $899. The Alpha 6400 is $5,600 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 II vs Alpha 6400 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.