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Alpha 1

Sony

Alpha 1

Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Jan 2021

vs

Sony

Alpha 7R V

61MP resolution champion with AI-based AF and 8-stop IBIS for landscape and studio work.

$3,899

Launch price

Released Oct 2022

Alpha 7R V is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

Alpha 1

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

4categories

Alpha 7R V

Video & HybridLandscape

9 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 1 wins 4 categories·Alpha 7R V wins 1 categories
  • BAlpha 7R V 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 RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 68 frames)
  • AAlpha 1 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
  • AAlpha 1 has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 1Alpha 7R V
Resolution50.1 MP61 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max32,00032,000
Burst30 fps10 fps
4K120 fps60 fps
IBIS5.5-stop8-stop
Weight737 g723 g
Battery530 shots530 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 1 front view

Alpha 1

129 × 97 × 81 mm

737 g (1.62 lb / 26.00 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 7R V

131 × 97 × 82 mm

723 g (1.59 lb / 25.50 oz)

Alpha 1 is 2mm narrower and 2mm thinner than Alpha 7R V.

Alpha 1 is 14 g heavier than Alpha 7R V.

Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 82mm Alpha 7R V

Back view, to scale

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

Alpha 1 back view

Alpha 1

129 × 97 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7R V

131 × 97 mm

Top view, to scale

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

Alpha 1 top view

Alpha 1

129 × 81 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7R V

131 × 82 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 1

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

Alpha 7R V

35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

850 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 1

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7R V

✓ 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 1Alpha 7R V
Portrait
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.5Excellent✓ wins
9.0Excellent
Landscape
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Travel
6.0Good
6.0Good
Wildlife
7.5Good✓ wins
7.0Good
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 1

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 128.9, 80.8

  • RAW buffer depth

    200 frames vs 68 frames — 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

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 693 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7R V

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 82.4

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane

  • IBIS effectiveness

    8 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better

  • Resolution

    61 MP vs 50.1 MP — higher is better

  • Weight

    723 g vs 737 g — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • 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

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 7R V

Pros

  • 61MP — exceptional detail and crop flexibility
  • AI-based subject recognition (AI Processing Unit)
  • 8-stop IBIS compensation
  • 9.44M dot EVF — highest on market

Cons

  • 10fps burst limits sports/action use
  • Large RAW files (61MB+ each)
  • No internal RAW video

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V 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
Alpha 7R V
Resolution
50.1 MP
61 MP+22%
Sensor type
Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 24.0 mm
35.7 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 1
Alpha 7R V
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
Alpha 1
Alpha 7R V
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
32,000
32,000
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
Alpha 1
Alpha 7R V
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, Alpha 1 or Alpha 7R V?

Alpha 1 scores 8.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Alpha 7R V — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V?

Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 7R V is 61 MP, so the Alpha 7R V captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7R V has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 7R V?

Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7R V reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V?

Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 7R V weighs 723 g, so the Alpha 7R V is 14 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V record 4K video?

Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7R V: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V weather sealed?

Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 7R V: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 530 shots for the Alpha 7R V, giving the Alpha 7R V the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 7R V at $3,899. The Alpha 7R V is $2,600 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs Alpha 7R V vs X comparison.

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

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.