Sony a1 vs Sony a900
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Sony a900. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a1 were released 2021 and Sony a900 was released 2008. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a1 | 2021 |
Sony a900 | 2008 |
Type of camera
Sony a1 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a900 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a1 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a900 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a900 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a1 |
50 MP
49766400 pixels 8640 x 5760 |
Sony a900 |
25 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Sony a1 has a 104 % larger resolution than Sony a900. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony a1 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Sony a1 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a1 | 100-32000 |
Sony a900 | 100-1600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a900
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Sony a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a1 | 30 |
Sony a900 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a1. Unfortunately Sony a900 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a900 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 21% heavier than Sony a1 and its 737 gr (or 1.62 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a1 | 737 gr 1.62 lb |
Sony a900 | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Sony a1 vs Sony a900 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Sony a900, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Name | Sony a1 | Sony a900 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2021-01-26 | 2008-09-09 |
MSRP | 6499 USD | 2999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 8640 x 5760 pixels | 6048 x 4032 pixels |
Megapixels | 50 MP | 25 MP |
Image Processor | Dual Bionz XR | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 1600 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 7 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-shift) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 759 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 921600 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× | 0.74x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 9437184 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Frames per second | 30 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | No |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
H.264 H.265 XF-AVC XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Connectivity |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a1 |
Sony a900 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 530 shots | 880 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 156 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 117 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 82 mm |
Weight | 737 gram | 895 gram |