Sony
Alpha 1
Original 50MP stacked flagship for sports and wildlife pros.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2021
Sony
FX5
2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.
$4,899
Launch priceReleased Aug 2026
FX5 is 5.6 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 1
Wins
FX5
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 1 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- AAlpha 1 has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 16.6 MP)
- AAlpha 1 has higher ISO max (native) (32,000 vs 12,800)
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
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
Alpha 1 is 3mm narrower and 6mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 18mm taller.
Alpha 1 is 3 g heavier than FX5.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 1 · 87mm FX5
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
FX5
132 × 79 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
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
FX5
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 1
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FX5
✓ 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
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
ISO min (native)
100 vs 800 — lower is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 16.6 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 12,800 — higher is better
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
FX5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95
Codecs
Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Weight
734 g vs 737 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓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
FX5
Pros
- ✓5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
- ✓Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
- ✓15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
- ✓5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
- ✓Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots
Cons
- –Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
- –Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
- –4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
- –No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 1 and FX5 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 FX5?
Alpha 1 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for FX5 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 1 and FX5?
Alpha 1 is 50.1 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the Alpha 1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 1 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 1 and FX5?
Alpha 1 weighs 737 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the FX5 is 3 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 1 and FX5 record 4K video?
Alpha 1: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 1 and FX5 weather sealed?
Alpha 1: Yes. FX5: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 1 launched at $6,499 and FX5 at $4,899. The FX5 is $1,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 1 vs FX5 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.