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Sony A9 II vs Sony a1

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Superseded the Sony A9
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Sony A9 II vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are produced by Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the A9 II (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The A9 II was announced 16 months before the a1 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the A9 II grades vs the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Sony a1

 A9 II a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A9 II

 a1 A9 II 
RevealedJanuary 2021October 2019Fresher by 16 months

Common features in the Sony A9 II and Sony a1

 A9 II a1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution1440k1440kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A9 II features outer measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check out the Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the A9 II versus the a1.

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A9 II and a1 is 62 and 61 respectively.

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A9 II and a1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony a1 to resolve more detail with its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older A9 II is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 II Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
88
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
MP count high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A9 II Street photography info
Sony a1 Street photography info
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 II Sports photography factors
Sony a1 Sports photography factors
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery pack (690 shots)
supports phase detect AF
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
great battery (530 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 II Travel photography information
Sony a1 Travel photography information
73
good battery pack (690 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is good (24MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
73
great battery (530 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count high (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good battery pack (690 shots)
has dual storage slots
88
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great battery (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 II Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
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Sony A9 II vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 II and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A9 Mark IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Mark II Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-10-03 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 51200 32000
Highest boosted ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 693 759
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678g (1.49 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 690 photos 530 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $4,498 $6,498