Compare the Sony A1, A1 II and A9 III

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Comparison of the powerhouses: Sony A1 vs A1 II vs A9 III – Which camera suits you?

Sony continues to push the boundaries of camera innovation with its powerful Alpha series. The Alpha series has become a household name and offers a wide range of cameras known for their unrivalled speed, innovative technology and impressive image quality. Whether you are a wildlife photographer, sports enthusiast or content creator, Sony has something to offer everyone. With the arrival of the Sony A1 II, the choice becomes even more complex, alongside the already impressive Sony A1 and A9 III. But what exactly are the differences? Which camera best matches your creative ambitions? We are happy to help by placing the key specifications and features of these three powerhouses side by side.

Sony A1 : ultimate powerhouse for photography and video

The Sony A1 is a revolutionary mirrorless camera that pushes boundaries in both photography and videography. With an impressive 50.1 MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the powerful BIONZ XR processor, the A1 delivers stunning image quality and lightning-fast performance. The camera excels with a continuous shooting speed of up to 30fps, without compromising on resolution or autofocus accuracy. The advanced autofocus system with 759 phase-detection points and Real-Time Eye AF, even for animals and birds, makes it perfect for fast action and wildlife photography. Videographers are also well served, thanks to the ability to film in 8K 30fps or 4K 120fps with professional codecs.

Sony A1 II : innovation and precision for the demanding professional

The Sony A1 II combines the impressive 50.1 MP stacked EXMOR RS CMOS sensor with a new AI processing unit for pin-sharp, noise-free images, even at high ISO values. Speed is where the A1 II truly excels: with continuous shooting up to 30 fps and a pre-capture function that records images before you press the shutter, you will not miss a single moment. The AI-powered autofocus has been improved with precise tracking for people, animals, birds and vehicles. Videographers benefit from 8K recordings at 30 fps and 4K up to 120 fps, supported by 8.5 stops of image stabilisation. The A1 II offers unprecedented performance for professionals who demand both speed and image quality.

Sony A9 III : fast and reliable for action and sport

The Sony A9 III is designed with action and sports photographers in mind and delivers unrivalled speed and precision. Equipped with a 24.1 MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the powerful BIONZ XR processor, this camera offers impressive performance, including an incredible continuous shooting speed of up to 30fps without blackout in the viewfinder. The advanced autofocus system with 693 phase-detection points and Real-Time Tracking ensures extremely accurate focus, even with the most unpredictable movements. Thanks to the excellent buffer and global shutter, the A9 III is ideal for capturing fast action moments. Videographers can rely on 4K recordings with high frame rates and professional colour profiles.

What are the differences between the Sony A1, A1 II and A9 III?

With the A1, A1 II and A9 III, Sony offers three powerful mirrorless cameras, each excelling in speed, image quality and innovation. Whether you are looking for the ultimate all-rounder for both photos and videos, or a camera specifically optimised for fast action and sport, these models offer something for everyone. In the comparison table below, you will find the key differences between these top models, so you can easily determine which one best suits your needs.

Sony A1

Sony A1 II

Sony A9 III

Lens mount Sony FE Sony FE Sony FE
Megapixels 50.1 50.1 24.6
Image sensor Full Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Image processor BIONZ XR BIONZ XR BIONZ XR
ISO range 100 – 32.000 (expandable to 50 – 102.400) 100 – 32.000 (expandable to 50 – 102.400) 100 – 51.200 (expandable to 50 – 204.800)
Fastest shutter speed 1/32.000 second 1/80.000 second 1/80.000 second
Shutter Rolling shutter Global shutter Global shutter
Flash sync speed Up to 1/500 second Up to 1/400 second All shutter speeds
Continuous shooting speed 30 fps / 60 fps electronic 30 fps / 120 fps electronic 30 fps / 120 fps electronic
Image stabilisation 5.5 stops 8.5 stops 8 stops
Autofocus points 759 phase-detection + 425 contrast-detection 759 phase-detection + 425 contrast-detection 693 phase-detection + 425 contrast-detection
Coverage percentage 93% 100% 95.6%
Autofocus groups Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)
AI chip No Yes No
AF assist Yes Yes Yes
Focus Bracketing No Yes Yes
Pre-release capture Yes Yes Yes
Continuous Speed Boosting No Yes No
Maximum video resolution 8K at 30 fps 8K at 30 fps 4K at 120 fps
Video settings 10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI, S-Log 3 10-bit 4:2:2:2 HDMI, S-Log 3 10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI, S-Log 3
Dynamic range 15 stops 15 stops 14 stops
Lens breathing correction Yes Yes Yes
Gyroscopic stabilisation No Yes Yes
Video recording limit Limited (max. 13 hours) Unlimited
Screen Tilting Tilting Swivel and tilt
Screen resolution 3.0” / 1.440.000 pixels 3.2” / 2.100.000 pixels 3.2” / 2.360.000 pixels
Viewfinder resolution 3.686.400 pixels 9.440.000 pixels 9.440.000 pixels
Zero blackout viewfinder No Yes Yes
Anti-dust shutter mechanism No Yes Yes
Memory slot 2 x CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II 2 x CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II 2 x SD UHS-II
Battery NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Battery capacity 530 shots 520 shots 520 shots
Wireless connectivity Bluetooth & WiFi Bluetooth & WiFi Bluetooth & WiFi
Dimensions 129 x 97 x 81 mm 136 x 97 x 83 mm 129 x 96 x 76 mm
Weight 737 grams (incl. battery and memory card) 743 grams (incl. battery and memory card) 678 grams (incl. battery and memory card)
Introduction January 2021 November 2024 November 2023

Why choose the Sony A1?

The Sony A1 is the ultimate camera for versatile professionals who want top-quality photography and videography. With a 50.1 MP sensor and BIONZ XR processor, the A1 delivers unrivalled image quality, even in low light. The camera offers 30 fps continuous shooting with full autofocus, which is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. For videographers, the Sony A1 offers 8K video up to 30 fps and 4K up to 120 fps, with professional features such as S-CINETONE and 10-bit 4:2:2 recording. Whether you shoot photos or film video, the Sony A1 offers the speed, power and versatility you need for every creative challenge.

Why the Sony A1 II should be your next camera?

The Sony A1 II is ideal for anyone looking for the perfect combination of image quality, speed and versatility. The 50.1 MP stacked Exmor RS sensor and the BIONZ XR processor deliver beautiful colours and detailed images, even at high ISO values. The camera offers continuous shooting up to 30 fps with full autofocus and exposure, making it ideal for capturing fast moments. The advanced AI autofocus ensures pin-sharp tracking both close up and at a distance. For videographers, the A1 II is a powerhouse with 8K video recording and 4K up to 120 fps. With 8.5-stop image stabilisation, the A1 II offers an unrivalled shooting experience for both photographers and videographers.

Why is the Sony A9 III the best choice for you?

The Sony A9 III is the ultimate choice for sports and action photographers who need speed and precision. With its 24.6 MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the powerful BIONZ XR processor, this camera offers impressive performance in both photography and video. The A9 III offers 30 fps continuous shooting with full autofocus and exposure metering, and the improved Real-Time Tracking ensures that fast-moving subjects always remain sharply in focus. Thanks to the advanced autofocus and excellent image stabilisation, the A9 III is perfect for capturing the fastest moments without compromising on image quality.

Discover everything about the Sony A1 II

Discover the unrivalled image quality and speed of the Sony A1 II. With its advanced 50.1 MP sensor, impressive 30 fps continuous shooting and professional video options, this camera is the perfect choice for demanding photographers and videographers. Be inspired by the powerful features and robust build that make the A1 II a top choice for every creative challenge.