Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2021
Sony
Alpha 9 II
24MP sports body with 20fps and proven pro workflow.
$4,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2019
Alpha 1 is 1.3 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
Alpha 9 II
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
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 EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)
- AAlpha 1 has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Alpha 1
129 × 97 × 81 mm
737 g (1.62 lb / 26.00 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 II
129 × 96 × 78 mm
678 g (1.49 lb / 23.92 oz)
Alpha 1 is 1mm taller and 3mm thicker than Alpha 9 II.
Alpha 1 is 59 g heavier than Alpha 9 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 78mm Alpha 9 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 1
129 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9 II
129 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 1
129 × 81 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9 II
129 × 78 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 9 II
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 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 -3 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 96.9, 80.8
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
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 1 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 96.4, 77.5
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Battery life (CIPA)
690 shots vs 530 shots — higher is better
Weight
678 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
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 10 fps
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 II
Pros
- ✓20fps silent burst
- ✓Sports AF
- ✓Dual slots
Cons
- –24MP resolution
- –Older than A9 III
- –No global shutter
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 1
Sony Alpha 9 II
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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 II?
Alpha 1 scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for Alpha 9 II — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 9 II is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 II has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 9 II?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 9 II reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 9 II weighs 678 g, so the Alpha 9 II is 59 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 9 II: 4K up to 30p.
Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 II weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 9 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 690 shots for the Alpha 9 II, giving the Alpha 9 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 9 II at $4,499. The Alpha 9 II is $2,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs Alpha 9 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.