Sony
Alpha 99 II
42MP A-mount flagship with translucent mirror, 12fps, and 5-axis IBIS for Sony/Minolta lenses.
$3,199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2016
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 9.8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 99 II
Wins
FX5
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 99 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 99 II has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 99 II has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- AAlpha 99 II has higher Resolution (42.4 MP vs 16.6 MP)
- AAlpha 99 II has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 99 II
143 × 105 × 82 mm
849 g (1.87 lb / 29.95 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
Alpha 99 II is 5mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 10mm wider and 26mm taller.
Alpha 99 II is 115 g heavier than FX5.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm Alpha 99 II · 87mm FX5
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 99 II
143 × 105 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 99 II
143 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 99 II
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 99 II: mount data unavailable
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 99 II
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 142.6, 104.8, 81.6
ISO min (native)
100 vs 800 — lower is better
Resolution
42.4 MP vs 16.6 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 99 II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
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…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only FX5 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF resolution
7,070,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher 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
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 99 II
Pros
- ✓42MP A-mount
- ✓5-axis IBIS
- ✓12fps
- ✓Huge Minolta lens library
Cons
- –A-mount declining
- –Translucent mirror system
- –Large body
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 99 II and FX5 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 99 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 99 II or FX5?
Alpha 99 II scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FX5 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 99 II and FX5?
Alpha 99 II is 42.4 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the Alpha 99 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 99 II and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 99 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 99 II and FX5?
Alpha 99 II weighs 849 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the FX5 is 115 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 99 II and FX5 record 4K video?
Alpha 99 II: 4K up to 60p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 99 II and FX5 weather sealed?
Alpha 99 II: Yes. FX5: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 99 II launched at $3,199 and FX5 at $4,899. The Alpha 99 II is $1,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 99 II 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.