Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Released Jan 2021
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 9 months newer.
Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
7 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 200 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,686,400)
- AAlpha 1 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
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 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Alpha 1 is 2mm narrower than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 1mm taller and 1mm thicker.
Alpha 1 is 79 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ 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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
EVF refresh rate
240 Hz vs 120 Hz — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.9 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Weight
658 g vs 737 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
580 shots vs 530 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
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 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, Alpha 1 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Alpha 1 — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 79 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $4,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.