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Sony A9 vs Sony a1

Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Refreshed by Sony A9 II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise 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
  • Introduced January 2021
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Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Sony A9 and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the A9 (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The A9 was unveiled 4 years before the a1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A9 matches up against the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony a1

 A9 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A9

 a1 A9 
IntroducedJanuary 2021April 2017Newer by 45 months

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony a1

 A9 a1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution1440k1440kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony A9 features external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Look at the Sony A9 and Sony a1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the A9 against the a1.

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A9 and a1 is 65 and 61 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A9 and a1.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony a1 to offer you greater detail having an extra 26MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A9 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
84
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
89
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
great sensor resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
91
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (530 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with Sony a1
74
good battery pack (650 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
74
great battery life (530 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
great sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
86
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery pack (650 shots)
has dual storage slots
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (530 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A9
Vlogging with Sony a1
37
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
37
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sony A9 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A9 Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2017-04-19 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 area 847.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 51200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 693 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,440 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 673 gr (1.48 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 3517 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 530 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Dual
Launch price $4,498 $6,498