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Sony a1 vs Sony FX3

Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha a1 front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Key Specs

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 Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Launched February 2021
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Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Sony a1 vs Sony FX3, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and they are both built by Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the a1 (50MP) and FX3 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The a1 was introduced at a similar time to the FX3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony FX3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the a1 matches up vs the FX3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony FX3

 a1 FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Sony a1

 FX3 a1 
Screen typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony a1 and Sony FX3

 a1 FX3 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2021Same generation
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen size3"3.00"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution1440k1440kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony a1 enjoys physical dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Contrast the Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the a1 compared to the FX3.

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the a1 and FX3 is 61 and 62 respectively.

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the a1 and FX3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony a1 to provide greater detail using its extra 38 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Portrait photography camera
88
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
sensor resolution is great (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
71
has manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sony a1 Street photography details
Sony FX3 Street photography details
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proof
good high ISO (32,000)
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather sealing
above average high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sony a1 Sports photography details
Sony FX3 Sports photography details
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery power (530 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery power (600 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony a1
Travel photography with Sony FX3
73
better than average battery power (530 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery power (600 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
screen is selfie friendly
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Landscape photography camera
88
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery power (530 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3.00 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery power (600 per charge)
two card slots
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony FX3 as a Vlogging camera
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
77
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone socket
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Sony a1 vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a1 and Sony FX3
 Sony Alpha a1Sony FX3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha a1 Sony FX3
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2021-01-26 2021-02-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 50 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8640 x 5760 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 32000 102400
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 409600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 759 759
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Available lenses 133 187
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.00 inch
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 9,437 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.9x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video format XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 737g (1.62 lbs) 716g (1.58 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 3900
Other
Battery life 530 photos 600 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots Dual Dual
Launch pricing $6,498 $3,900