Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2021
Sony
FX3
Compact full-frame cinema line camera with S-Cinetone and pro video ergonomics.
$3,899
Launch priceReleased Feb 2021
Released within a month of each other.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
FX3
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 12.1 MP)
- BFX3 has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BFX3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 32,000)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- 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
FX3
130 × 78 × 85 mm
715 g (1.58 lb / 25.22 oz)
Alpha 1 is 1mm narrower and 4mm thinner than FX3 but it is also 19mm taller.
Alpha 1 is 22 g heavier than FX3.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 85mm FX3
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
FX3
130 × 78 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
FX3
130 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
FX3
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FX3
✓ 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
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird
AF points / zones
759 vs 627 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FX3
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 32,000 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
80 vs 100 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
580 shots vs 530 shots — higher is better
Weight
715 g vs 737 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 10 fps
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 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
FX3
Pros
- ✓Cinema form factor
- ✓S-Log3 / S-Cinetone
- ✓Compact for gimbals
- ✓Full-frame sensor
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Still photo ergonomics limited
- –Single card slot
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and FX3 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 1
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 1 or FX3?
Alpha 1 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for FX3 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and FX3?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and FX3 is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX3 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX3 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the FX3?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. FX3 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and FX3?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and FX3 weighs 715 g, so the FX3 is 22 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX3 record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. FX3: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 1 and FX3 weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. FX3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 580 shots for the FX3, giving the FX3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and FX3 at $3,899. The FX3 is $2,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs FX3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.