Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2024
Z CAM
E2-M4
Compact MFT cinema box with 4K 120p, ZRAW, ProRes, and interchangeable MFT lenses.
$1,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2023
Alpha 1 II is 1.4 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1 II
Wins
E2-M4
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 10.28 MP)
- AAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- AAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- BE2-M4 has lower Weight (370 g vs 743 g)
- AAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
E2-M4
91 × 66 × 72 mm
370 g (0.82 lb / 13.05 oz)
Alpha 1 II is 45mm wider, 31mm taller, and 11mm thicker than E2-M4.
Alpha 1 II is 373 g heavier than E2-M4.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 1 II · 72mm E2-M4
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
E2-M4
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
E2-M4
Micro Four Thirds
130+
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
Alpha 1 II
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 10.28 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Reasons to choose
E2-M4
AF low-light limit
-6.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds ZRAW, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 91, 66, 72
Weight
370 g vs 743 g — lower is better
AF points / zones
1053 vs 759 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — 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.
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
E2-M4
Pros
- ✓Tiny MFT cinema box
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓ZRAW internal
- ✓Affordable cinema entry
Cons
- –No screen
- –MFT sensor
- –Manual focus workflow
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 1 II
Z CAM E2-M4
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 1 II or E2-M4?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for E2-M4 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4?
Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP and E2-M4 is 10.28 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while E2-M4 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 II or the E2-M4?
Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic. E2-M4 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4?
Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g and E2-M4 weighs 370 g, so the E2-M4 is 373 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4 record 4K video?
Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. E2-M4: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 1 II and E2-M4 weather sealed?
Alpha 1 II: Yes. E2-M4: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 II and 640 shots for the E2-M4, giving the E2-M4 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 II launched at $6,499 and E2-M4 at $1,299. The E2-M4 is $5,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 II vs E2-M4 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony and Z CAM press materials.