Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2021
Sony
FX30
Super 35 cinema camera with 4K 120p and affordable entry to Sony Cinema Line.
$1,799
Launch priceReleased Sep 2022
FX30 is 1.7 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
FX30
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BFX30 has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 26 MP)
- AAlpha 1 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 495)
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
FX30
130 × 78 × 85 mm
646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)
Alpha 1 is 1mm narrower and 4mm thinner than FX30 but it is also 19mm taller.
Alpha 1 is 91 g heavier than FX30.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 85mm FX30
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
FX30
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
FX30
130 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
FX30
23.3 × 15.5 mm · APS-C
361 mm² area
2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FX30
✓ 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
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 supports it
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 26 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 495 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird
Reasons to choose
FX30
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Weight
646 g vs 737 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
570 shots vs 530 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 32,000
- ✓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
FX30
Pros
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓Affordable cinema
- ✓Active cooling
- ✓Log profiles
Cons
- –Super 35 crop
- –26MP stills crop
- –No full-frame
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and FX30 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 FX30?
Alpha 1 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FX30 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and FX30?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and FX30 is 26 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX30 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX30 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 1 or the FX30?
Alpha 1 reaches 30 fps electronic. FX30 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and FX30?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and FX30 weighs 646 g, so the FX30 is 91 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX30 record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. FX30: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 1 and FX30 weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. FX30: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 530 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 1 and 570 shots for the FX30, giving the FX30 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and FX30 at $1,799. The FX30 is $4,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs FX30 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.