Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Released Jan 2021
Sony
Alpha 7 II
First affordable IBIS full-frame mirrorless that changed the industry.
$1,999
Released Nov 2014
Alpha 1 is 6.2 years newer.
Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
Alpha 7 II
3 categories tied
Check current prices
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TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 117)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 5 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,359,296)
- AAlpha 1 has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 1
129 × 97 × 81 mm
737 g (1.62 lb / 26.00 oz)
Alpha 7 II
127 × 96 × 60 mm
599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
Alpha 1 is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 21mm thicker than Alpha 7 II.
Alpha 1 is 138 g heavier than Alpha 7 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 60mm Alpha 7 II
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 7 II
35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
856 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 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
Alpha 1
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 117 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,359,296 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.7, 59.7
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds AVCHD, MP4
Weight
599 g vs 737 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓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.
Alpha 1
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked
- ✓30fps burst
- ✓8K video
- ✓Pro AF
Cons
- –Superseded by A1 II
- –Very expensive
- –Large files
Alpha 7 II
Pros
- ✓Historic IBIS FF
- ✓Affordable used
- ✓Huge lens catalog
Cons
- –Very dated AF
- –No 4K
- –Superseded many times
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 1 or Alpha 7 II?
Alpha 1 scores 9.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for Alpha 7 II — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 II?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 7 II is 24.3 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 7 II?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 II reaches 5 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 II?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 7 II weighs 599 g, so the Alpha 7 II is 138 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 II record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7 II: Full HD.
Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 II weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 7 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 350 shots for the Alpha 7 II, giving the Alpha 1 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 7 II at $1,999. The Alpha 7 II is $4,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.