Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg
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
FX3

Sony

FX3

Compact full-frame cinema line camera with S-Cinetone and pro video ergonomics.

$3,899

Launch price

Released Feb 2021

Alpha 1 II is 3.8 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

5categories

Alpha 1 II

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

6categories

FX3

Video & HybridPortrait

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 1 II wins 3 categories·FX3 wins 2 categories
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 12.1 MP)
  • BFX3 has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
  • BFX3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 32,000)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
  • AAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 1 IIFX3
Resolution50.1 MP12.1 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max32,000102,400
Burst30 fps10 fps
4K120 fps120 fps
IBIS8.5-stop5.5-stop
Weight743 g715 g
Battery520 shots580 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

FX3 front view

FX3

130 × 78 × 85 mm

715 g (1.58 lb / 25.22 oz)

Alpha 1 II is 2mm thinner than FX3 but it is also 6mm wider and 19mm taller.

Alpha 1 II is 28 g heavier than FX3.

Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 1 II · 85mm FX3

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

FX3 back view

FX3

130 × 78 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

FX3 top view

FX3

130 × 85 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 1 II

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

FX3

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 1 II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

FX3

✓ 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 IIFX3
Portrait
8.5Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
10.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.5Excellent✓ wins
8.0Excellent
Landscape
9.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Travel
6.0Good
6.0Good
Wildlife
9.5Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 1 II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9

  • Resolution

    50.1 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Alpha 1 II supports it

  • RAW buffer depth

    200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    8.5 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 627 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

FX3

  • AF low-light limit

    -6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 32,000 — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    80 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    580 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better

  • Weight

    715 g vs 743 g — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Burst (mechanical)Both 10 fps
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 120 fps

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

FX3

Pros

  • Cinema form factor
  • S-Log3 / S-Cinetone
  • Compact for gimbals
  • Full-frame sensor

Cons

  • No EVF
  • Still photo ergonomics limited
  • Single card slot

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 II and FX3 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 1 II
FX3
Resolution
50.1 MP4.1× more
12.1 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 24.0 mm
35.6 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 1 II
FX3
Processor
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
BIONZ XR
Alpha 1 II
FX3
ISO min (native)
100
80−20 less
ISO max (native)
32,000
102,400+1.7 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
409,600
Alpha 1 II
FX3
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, Alpha 1 II or FX3?

Alpha 1 II scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for FX3 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 II and FX3?

Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP and FX3 is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 1 II and FX3 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX3 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 II or the FX3?

Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic. FX3 reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 II and FX3?

Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g and FX3 weighs 715 g, so the FX3 is 28 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 1 II and FX3 record 4K video?

Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. FX3: 4K up to 120p.

Are the Alpha 1 II and FX3 weather sealed?

Alpha 1 II: Yes. FX3: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 II and 580 shots for the FX3, giving the FX3 the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 1 II launched at $6,499 and FX3 at $3,899. The FX3 is $2,600 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 II vs FX3 vs X comparison.

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

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.