Decision tools · Compare
GFX 50S II vs A1
Quick take: The GFX 50S II has the highest resolution at 51MP; the GFX 50S II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
GFX 50S II — Studio & Portrait Specialists: Medium format quality at the most accessible price ever — 51MP detail and tonal richness no APS-C or full-frame body can replicate.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
GFX 50S II (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers stepping into medium format for the first time
- Landscape and commercial shooters who want 51MP at an accessible medium-format price
- Studio photographers upgrading from full-frame who want a resolution jump
- GFX system buyers who want IBIS and medium-format quality without GFX 100S II pricing
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | GFX 50S IIFujifilm · 2021 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,929Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 51.4MPBest | 50.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/30p only | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 425 points, face and eye detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~455 shots (CIPA, normal mode)Best | ~430 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g (body only) | 737g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
GFX 50S II
A1
Portrait
7.0/10
8.2/10
Street
5.2/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.2/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
6.7/10
7.9/10
Documentary
5.7/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
4.2/10
8.8/10
Landscape
7.8/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
4.4/10
8.7/10
Casual
3.9/10
4.8/10
Food
6.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
6.5/10
7.3/10
Architecture
8.2/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
6.8/10
Filmmaking
—
7.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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