Sony Alpha A1 II vs Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Sony Alpha A1 II has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot.
Choose the Alpha A1 II for
- more resolution (50.1MP vs 45MP)
- faster sensor readout (≈4ms vs ≈6ms)
- a lighter body (743g vs 746g)
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 36)
Choose the EOS R5 Mark II for
- a lower price (from £3,199)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A1 II | EOS R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 50.1MP | Full frame, 45MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2024 | 2024 |
| Burst | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| Readout | ≈4 ms | ≈6 ms |
| Max ISO | 32,000 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 8K 30p / 4K 120p | 8K 60p RAW |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 743 g | 746 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Canon LP-E6P |
| Card slots | 2×CFexpress A/SD | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £5,699 | £4,399 |
| Used at MPB | £4,519–4,599 | £3,199–3,499 |
| Native lenses in our database | 105 (82 third-party) | 36 (14 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | About equal |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The Alpha A1 II uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the EOS R5 Mark II uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Canon LP-E6P (about £99).
Alpha A1 II compatible lenses → · EOS R5 Mark II compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A1 II better than the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A1 II offers more resolution (50.1MP vs 45MP), faster sensor readout (≈4ms vs ≈6ms), a lighter body (743g vs 746g); the EOS R5 Mark II offers a lower price (from £3,199).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A1 II or the EOS R5 Mark II?
They are closely matched for video (8K 30p / 4K 120p vs 8K 60p RAW); stabilisation and lens choice will decide it.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A1 II or the EOS R5 Mark II?
The Alpha A1 II costs £5,699 new and from £4,519 used at MPB; the EOS R5 Mark II costs £4,399 new and from £3,199 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A1 II lenses on the EOS R5 Mark II?
Not directly. The Alpha A1 II uses Sony E / FE and the EOS R5 Mark II uses Canon RF / RF-S; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.