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Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Comparison

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Sony A7R V

61 MP | Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony A7R V
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Sony A1

50 MP | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) Stacked CMOS Sensor

Sony A1
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Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the A7R V and the A1, two Pro Mirrorless cameras by Sony. Sony A7R V was introduced to the market in October 2022 and Sony A1 was launched in January 2021. There is 21 months difference between A7R V and A1 so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger A7R V, especially in sensor tech.

We can expect this to be a close match up because both models are ranked amongst the best in Pro Mirrorless cameras. Out of 68 cameras in this class, Sony A7R V is ranked #1 with an overall score of 100 and Sony A1 is ranked #5 with an overall score of 95.

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Sony A7R V and Sony A1 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony A7R V Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2022-10-26
  • 61MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • ISO 100 - 32000 ( expands to 50 - 102800)
  • Sony E Mount
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3.20" Fully articulated Screen
  • 9440k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0fps (7.0fps Electronic) continuous shooting
  • 8K - 7680 x 4320 video resolution
  • 120fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 723g. 131 x 97 x 82 mm
  • Weather-sealed Body
  • Replaced Sony Alpha A7R IV Compare

Sony A1 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2021-01-26
  • 50MP - Full frame Stacked CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 32000 ( expands to 50 - 102400)
  • Sony E Mount
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 9437k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0fps (30.0fps Electronic) continuous shooting
  • 8K - 7680 x 4320 video resolution
  • 240fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 737g. 129 x 97 x81 mm
  • Weather-sealed Body

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Sony A7R V and Sony A1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Sony Alpha A7R V over Sony Alpha A1
Dedicated Video/Still Switch
Yes vs No Easily switch between Photo and Video Modes
Lens Breathing Correction
Yes vs No Corrects Lens Breathing for supported lenses
Tilt and Flip Screen
Yes vs No Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
Sensor Resolution
61 MP vs 50 MP 21% more pixels
LCD Screen Size
3.2″ vs 3″ 0.2 inches larger display
LCD Resolution
2.360k dots vs 1.440k dots 63% higher resolution screen
Battery Life
600 shots vs 530 shots 70 more frames with a single charge
Weight
723 g vs 737 g 14 g lighter
Focus Bracketing
Yes vs No Take multiple photos shifting focus point
IS Stop Effectivity
Up to 8.0-stop vs Up to 5.5-stop 2.5 stop more Effective Stabilization
Focus Mapping
Yes vs No Alternate Method to Focus during Video recording
Vehicle Tracking AF
Yes vs No Easily lock and track racing cars and bikes
Insect Tracking AF
Yes vs No Great for Macro photography
CHECK A7R V PRICE


Reasons to choose Sony Alpha A1 over Sony Alpha A7R V
Stacked Sensor
Yes vs No High sensor read out speed and less rolling shutter
Zero Blackout Viewfinder
Yes vs No No Blackout during continuous shooting
Crop at 8K 24p Video
No crop vs 1.24x No extra crop applied while recording video
Crop at 4K 60p Video
No crop vs 1.24x No extra crop applied while recording video
Viewfinder Max Refresh Rate
240fps vs 120fps Higher refresh rate viewfinder
Focus Coverage
92% vs 79% AF points covers bigger percent of the scene
Processor Quantity
Dual vs Single More Processing power
Number of Focus Points
759 vs 693 66 more focus points
Continuous Shooting
30.0fps vs 10.0fps 20 fps faster
Sensor Pixel Area
17.31µm2 vs 14.15µm2 22% larger pixel area
CHECK A1 PRICE

Common Strengths of Sony Alpha A7R V and Sony Alpha A1
Gyroscopic Stabilization
Yes vs Yes Stabilize video in post process
Anti-dust Shutter Mechanism
Yes vs Yes Shutter is closed to protect the sensor
Video Record Limit
Unlimited vs Unlimited Record clips longer than 30 minutes
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Yes vs Yes Connect to other devices via Bluetooth
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs Sensor-shift Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Adjustable LCD Screen
Fully articulated vs Tilting Flexible shooting positions
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs Yes Better for flash photography
Touch Screen
Yes vs Yes Easy control of camera functions
Viewfinder
Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Max Resolution
61 MP vs 50 MP Bigger prints and more details
Microphone Port
Yes vs Yes High quality audio recording option
Headphone Port
Yes vs Yes better video control
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs Yes shoot at tough conditions
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs Yes creative shooting
AE Bracketing
Yes vs Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Flash Sync Port
Yes vs Yes Connect off-camera flash
Full-size HDMI Port
Yes vs Yes Use standard HDMI cables without adapters
Shutter Life Expectancy
500000 cycles vs 500000 cycles High Shutter Rating
Pixel Shift High Resolution Mode
Yes (241.0MP) vs Yes (199 MP) Increased resolution with Pixel Shifting
Dual-axis Electronic Level
Yes vs Yes Level the camera easily in two axis
Storage Slot
2 vs 2 Extra Storage Slot
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Min Focus Sensitivity
EV -4 vs EV -4 Autofocus in very low light
UHS Card Support
UHS-II vs UHS-II Read/Write in High Speeds
CFexpress Card Support
Type A vs Type A Read/Write in Ultra High Speeds
Webcam Function
Yes vs Yes Use your camera as a Webcam
Anti flicker
Yes vs Yes Reduced uneven color and exposure under flickering light
Eye Tracking Focus
Yes vs Yes Autofocus system locks on the eye and tracks the subject
Common Weaknesses of Sony Alpha A7R V and Sony Alpha A1
Built-in Flash
No vs No Require external flash
Sony A7R V vs Sony A1: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Sony A7R V and Sony A1 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony A7R V has external dimensions of 131 x 97 x 82 mm (5.25 x 3.87 x 3.25″) and weighs 723 g (1.59 lb / 25.50 oz) (including batteries). Sony A1 has external dimensions of 129 x 97 x 81 mm (5.08 x 3.82 x 3.19″) and weighs 737 g (1.62 lb / 26.00 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Sony A7R V and the Sony A1. Sony A7R V has the same height with Sony A1. On the other hand, with a width of 131mm, it is 2 wider and also with a thickness of 82mm, it is 1mm thicker than Sony A1.

Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Sony A7R V and the Sony A1 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Sony A7R V and Sony A1.

Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Sony A7R V and the Sony A1 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony A7R V and Sony A1.
Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Sony A7R V and the the Sony A1 Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony A7R V is 14g lighter than the Sony A1 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Also keep in mind that body weight is not the only deciding factor when comparing two interchangeable camera bodies, you also have to take into account the lenses that you will be using with these bodies. Since both Sony A7R V and Sony A1 have the same Sony E lens mount and Full frame sized sensors, lenses will not be a differentiator on total size of the system.

Weight Comparison

Mirrorless Cameras

A7R V
A1
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Mirrorless Cameras

A7R V
A1
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Both the A7R V and the A1 have weather sealings in their bodies, making them resistant to water and dust.

LCD Screen Size and Features

Sony A7R V's 3.20" LCD screen is slightly larger than Sony A1's 3″ screen.



Sony A7R V vs Sony A1: Sensor Comparison

Sony A7R V has a 61.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz XR processor. On the other hand, Sony A1 has a 50.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized Stacked CMOS sensor and features Dual Bionz XR processor.

Sony A7R V's sensor provides 11MP more than Sony A1's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony A7R V's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.

Below you can see the A7R V and A1 sensor size comparison.

Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A7R V and Sony A1 Cameras


Sony A7R V and Sony A1 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.

Sony A7R V vs Sony A1 Comparison of Available Lenses
Which camera has more lenses?

The number of available lenses is a big deciding factor when choosing your interchangeable lens camera. In this case, both Sony A7R V and Sony A1 have the same Sony E lens mount so have 191 native lenses available. All of these lenses cover Full frame sensor.

Another important factor is the availability of image stabilization. Both Sony A7R V and Sony A1 have Sensor-based Image stabilization which means that all the lenses will be stabilized in these bodies. A7R V's built-in Image stabilization system is effective for compensating vibration up to 8.0-stops according to CIPA standards, whereas the A1's IS system is rated up to 5.5-stops.

Lens Type # of Sony A7R V Lenses # of Sony A1 Lenses
Standard Zoom 19 (14 Full Frame) 19 (14 Full Frame)
Standard Prime 34 (21 Full Frame) 34 (21 Full Frame)
Wideangle Zoom 14 (11 Full Frame) 14 (11 Full Frame)
Wideangle Prime 57 (39 Full Frame) 57 (39 Full Frame)
Telephoto Zoom 17 (15 Full Frame) 17 (15 Full Frame)
Telephoto Prime 26 (20 Full Frame) 26 (20 Full Frame)
SuperZoom 10 (2 Full Frame) 10 (2 Full Frame)
Wideangle Fisheye Prime 2 (0 Full Frame) 2 (0 Full Frame)
Macro Prime 9 (8 Full Frame) 9 (8 Full Frame)
Perspective Control Prime 2 (2 Full Frame) 2 (2 Full Frame)
Telephoto Mirror Prime n/a n/a
TOTAL 191 (132 Full Frame) 191 (132 Full Frame)

Here are some of the most popular Sony E Mount Lenses on Camera Decision:

Popular Sony E Mount Lenses for the A7R V and the A1
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
35mm FF 663gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS Lens Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
35mm FF 602gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
35mm FF 886gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
35mm FF 2115gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 50mm F1.8
35mm FF 186gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
35mm FF 680gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE
35mm FF 772gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.8
35mm FF 280gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
What types of Photography are Sony A7R V and Sony A1 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Sony A7R V and Sony A1 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony A7R V for Portrait Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A1 for Portrait Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 61.0MP
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 50.0MP
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Sony A7R V for Street Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A1 for Street Photography

EXCELLENT
Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fully articulated LCD Screen
Medium sized Body
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Medium sized Body
Read the details

Sony A7R V for Sports Photography

GOOD

Sony A1 for Sports Photography

GOOD
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
693 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 600 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
759 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 530 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Anti Flicker feature
Read the details

Sony A7R V for Daily Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A1 for Daily Photography

EXCELLENT
Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Medium size Body
723g
Body Thickness 82mm
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Anti Flicker feature
Medium size Body
737g
Body Thickness 81mm
Read the details

Sony A7R V for Landscape Photography

GOOD

Sony A1 for Landscape Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 61.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 50.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details

Sony A7R V vs Sony A1: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far, but in case you wonder how we rated Sony A7R V and Sony A1, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony A7R V and Sony A1 scores compare:

Sony A7R V
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #1 out of 111 in SLR-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #1 out of 1260 in all Cameras
Sony A1
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #3 out of 111 in SLR-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #4 out of 1260 in all Cameras

Sony A7R V is the clear winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Sony A1 in all criteria. It has better general image quality, more features, more compact body and offers more value for the money

Sony A7R V
Sony A7R V
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Sony A1
Sony A1
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Sony A1 vs Sony A7R V Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Alpha A7R V Sony Alpha A1
Brand Sony Sony
Announced 2022-10-26 2021-01-26
Body Type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS Stacked CMOS
Size Full frame Full frame
Dimensions 35.8 x 23.8 mm 35.9 x 24 mm
Area 852.04mm2 861.60mm2
Megapixels 61 megapixels 50 megapixels
Max Resolution 9504 x 6336 8640 x 5760
Max Native Light sensitivity 32,000 ISO 32,000 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity 102800 ISO 102400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 100 ISO 100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity 50 ISO 50 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 693 759
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Number of Available Lenses 191 191
Screen
Type Fully articulated Tilting
Size 3.20" 3.00"
Resolution 2,360k dots 1,440k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution 9,440k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9x 0.9x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max Electronic Shutter n/a 1/32000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift Sensor-shift
Built-in Flash
Max Flash Sync 1/250s 1/400s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps 10.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 7680 x 4320 7680 x 4320
Video Formats MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 723g 737g
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 82mm 129 x 97 x81mm
Battery Life 600 shots 530 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score not tested 98
DxO Color Depth not tested 25.9
DxO Dynamic Range not tested 14.5
DxO Low Light ISO not tested 3163
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