Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Sony
RX1R II
Full-frame 42MP compact with fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss lens — still unmatched for discreet high-res street work.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Oct 2015
Alpha 9 III is 8.3 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 9 III
Wins
RX1R II
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRX1R II has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BRX1R II has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 250)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
RX1R II
113 × 65 × 72 mm
507 g (1.12 lb / 17.88 oz)
Alpha 9 III is 23mm wider, 32mm taller, and 11mm thicker than RX1R II.
Alpha 9 III is 196 g heavier than RX1R II.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 9 III · 72mm RX1R II
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
RX1R II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
RX1R 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 9 III
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 9 III supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
RX1R II
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 113.3, 65.4, 72
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Resolution
42.4 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Weight
507 g vs 703 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 9 III
Pros
- ✓Global shutter 120fps
- ✓Zero rolling shutter
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Pre-capture buffer
Cons
- –24.6MP only
- –Premium price
- –Battery drain at max speed
RX1R II
Pros
- ✓42MP full-frame in pocket class
- ✓Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens
- ✓Pop-up EVF
- ✓No AA filter
Cons
- –Fixed lens
- –Slow AF by modern standards
- –Premium price when new
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 9 III
Sony RX1R II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Alpha 9 III or RX1R II?
Alpha 9 III scores 10.0/10 versus 7.0/10 for RX1R II — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II?
Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP and RX1R II is 42.4 MP, so the RX1R II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while RX1R II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 9 III or the RX1R II?
Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic. RX1R II reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II?
Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g and RX1R II weighs 507 g, so the RX1R II is 196 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II record 4K video?
Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p. RX1R II: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 9 III and RX1R II weather sealed?
Alpha 9 III: Yes. RX1R II: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 400 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 9 III and 640 shots for the RX1R II, giving the RX1R II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 9 III launched at $5,999 and RX1R II at $3,299. The RX1R II is $2,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 9 III vs RX1R II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.