Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Sony
ZV-1 II
Creator compact with 18–50mm zoom, Product Showcase, and vlog-first controls.
$899
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Alpha 9 III is 8 months newer.
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Wins
Alpha 9 III
Wins
ZV-1 II
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZV-1 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (24 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 24 fps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 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
ZV-1 II
106 × 60 × 47 mm
292 g (0.64 lb / 10.30 oz)
Alpha 9 III is 31mm wider, 37mm taller, and 36mm thicker than ZV-1 II.
Alpha 9 III is 411 g heavier than ZV-1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 9 III · 47mm ZV-1 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1 II
106 × 60 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 9 III
136 × 83 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1 II
106 × 47 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
ZV-1 II
13.2 × 8.8 mm · 1-inch
116 mm² area
7.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
ZV-1 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
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 24 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
ZV-1 II
Burst (mechanical)
24 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 105.5, 60, 46.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…
Weight
292 g vs 703 g — lower is better
ISO min (native)
125 vs 250 — lower is better
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC
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
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
ZV-1 II
Pros
- ✓Built for vlogging
- ✓18–50mm versatile zoom
- ✓Bokeh Switch
Cons
- –1-inch sensor
- –Fixed lens
- –No EVF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 9 III
Sony ZV-1 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 9 III or ZV-1 II?
Alpha 9 III scores 7.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for ZV-1 II — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II?
Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP and ZV-1 II is 20.1 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while ZV-1 II does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 9 III or the ZV-1 II?
Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic. ZV-1 II reaches 24 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II?
Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g and ZV-1 II weighs 292 g, so the ZV-1 II is 411 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II record 4K video?
Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p. ZV-1 II: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the Alpha 9 III and ZV-1 II weather sealed?
Alpha 9 III: Yes. ZV-1 II: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 400 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 9 III and 290 shots for the ZV-1 II, giving the Alpha 9 III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 9 III launched at $5,999 and ZV-1 II at $899. The ZV-1 II is $5,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 9 III vs ZV-1 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.