Sony a1 vs a1 II

Both Sony flagships use the same 50.1MP stacked sensor and shoot 30 fps blackout-free with 120 AF/AE calculations per second. The 2024 a1 II adds Pre-Capture, a dedicated AI processing unit, stabilization rated at 8.5 stops, a better grip and a 4-axis screen. The Verge called it "not very different from the original A1".

A cormorant drying its outstretched wings on a log — **Sony a1**50.1MP stacked, 30 fps · Sony: Launched at about $6,500 in 2021 (US, body only)Photo: Roman.ubl via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

An Angolan giraffe silhouetted against an orange sunrise beside a tree — **Sony a1 II**Adds Pre-Capture and AI AF · Sony: Launched at $6,499.99 in 2024 (US, body only)Photo: Giles Laurent via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Side-by-side specs

	Sony a1	Sony a1 II
Sensor	50.1MP stacked Exmor RS full frame	50.1MP stacked Exmor RS full frame (same)
Bursts	30 fps blackout-free, 120 AF/AE calculations per second	30 fps blackout-free, 120 calculations per second (same), plus Pre-Capture up to 1 s and Speed Boost
Autofocus	Real-time Eye AF for humans, animals and birds	Dedicated AI processing unit: Auto, human, animal, bird, insect, car, train and airplane; human pose estimation
Stabilization	5-axis, 5.5 stops	8.5 stops center / 7.0 periphery; Dynamic Active mode for video
Video	8K30 10-bit 4:2:0; 4K120 10-bit 4:2:2	8K30 and 4K120 10-bit 4:2:2; Breathing Compensation, Auto Framing, user LUT import
Body	Original a1 body	Updated grip (a9 III style), about 743 g; 4-axis multi-angle screen
Noise reduction	Original processing	Updated mid and high-ISO noise reduction
Launch price (US)	About $6,500 (2021)	$6,499.99 (2024)

Sources: Sony a1 release (Jan 26, 2021); Sony a1 II release (Nov 19, 2024); Sony a1 II specifications; The Verge.

Sample photos

Two photos taken with each camera, shared on Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses. The photos at the top are also from each camera.

The Milky Way rising over the Matterhorn, reflected in a still mountain lake at night — Taken with the Sony a1. Photo: Giles Laurent via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

A brown historic-site marker sign on a lawn in front of trees — Taken with the Sony a1. Photo: Richard N Horne via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Weathered white branches in the foreground above a rocky cove — Taken with the Sony a1 II. Photo: Guy Churchward via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Layered red canyon walls and peaks seen from a green rim — Taken with the Sony a1 II. Photo: Grand Canyon National Park via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Who should buy which

Buy the a1 II if

You shoot birds, sports or events, where Pre-Capture and the AI unit's broader subject recognition pay off.
You want stabilization rated at 8.5 stops at the center.
You want the better grip and the 4-axis screen.

Buy the a1 if

You want the same 50MP, 30 fps and 8K core for less.
You can live without Pre-Capture and the newer autofocus and stabilization.

Same 50.1MP stacked sensor and 30 fps top speed, so the choice is Pre-Capture, AI autofocus, stabilization and handling against price. See our full a1 and a1 II reviews.

Where to buy

Sony a1

a1 · body (new or Renewed)

Sony: Launched at about $6,500 in 2021 (US, body only)

Check price (new) Check price (Renewed)
Read the full Sony a1 review

Sony a1 II

a1 II · body (new)

Sony: Launched at $6,499.99 in 2024 (US, body only)

Check price
Read the full Sony a1 II review

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