Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Released Jan 2021
Sony
Alpha 9
First stacked-sensor mirrorless sports camera with 20fps blackout-free shooting.
$4,499
Released Apr 2017
Alpha 1 is 3.8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
Alpha 9
5 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,686,400)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 24.2 MP)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)
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 9
127 × 96 × 63 mm
673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
Alpha 1 is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 18mm thicker than Alpha 9.
Alpha 1 is 64 g heavier than Alpha 9.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 63mm Alpha 9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 1
129 × 97 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 1
129 × 81 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 63 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 9
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 9
✓ 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 -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 1 supports it
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.6, 63
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Battery life (CIPA)
650 shots vs 530 shots — higher is better
Weight
673 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
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
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 9
Pros
- ✓Stacked sensor pioneer
- ✓20fps silent burst
- ✓Pro sports AF
Cons
- –Superseded by A9 II/III
- –24MP
- –Expensive when new
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 1
Sony Alpha 9
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 1 or Alpha 9?
Alpha 1 scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for Alpha 9 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 9 is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 9 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 9?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 9 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 9 weighs 673 g, so the Alpha 9 is 64 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 9: 4K up to 30p.
Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 650 shots for the Alpha 9, giving the Alpha 9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 9 at $4,499. The Alpha 9 is $2,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.