Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2021
Sony
Alpha 99 II
42MP A-mount flagship with translucent mirror, 12fps, and 5-axis IBIS for Sony/Minolta lenses.
$3,199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2016
Alpha 1 is 4.3 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
Alpha 99 II
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- 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)
- AAlpha 1 has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)
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 99 II
143 × 105 × 82 mm
849 g (1.87 lb / 29.95 oz)
Alpha 1 is 14mm narrower, 8mm shorter, and 1mm thinner than Alpha 99 II.
Alpha 1 is 112 g lighter than Alpha 99 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 82mm Alpha 99 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 99 II
143 × 105 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 99 II
143 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 99 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 99 II: mount data unavailable
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
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 1 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF refresh rate
240 Hz vs 120 Hz — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 99 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 142.6, 104.8, 81.6
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 99 II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 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 99 II
Pros
- ✓42MP A-mount
- ✓5-axis IBIS
- ✓12fps
- ✓Huge Minolta lens library
Cons
- –A-mount declining
- –Translucent mirror system
- –Large body
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 1
Sony Alpha 99 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 99 II?
Alpha 1 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Alpha 99 II — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and Alpha 99 II is 42.4 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 99 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the Alpha 99 II?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 99 II reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and Alpha 99 II weighs 849 g, so the Alpha 1 is 112 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 99 II: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 1 and Alpha 99 II weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. Alpha 99 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 640 shots for the Alpha 99 II, giving the Alpha 99 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 99 II at $3,199. The Alpha 99 II is $3,300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs Alpha 99 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.