Decision tools · Compare
Q3 Monochrom vs A1
Quick take: The Q3 Monochrom has the highest resolution at 60MP; the Q3 Monochrom is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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?
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
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 | Q3 MonochromLeica · 2025 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,900 | £4,199Best |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame CMOS, monochrome (no colour filter array) | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 60.0MPBest | 50.1MP |
| Video | 8K/30p, C4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes 422 HQ (FHD) | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face, eye, body and animal (beta) detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | Digital stabilisation (Visual compensation); no IBIS or optical IS | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 15fps (5fps with AF per frame) | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | 302 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 746g (with battery) | 737g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.3 × 92.6mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.79x | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 | 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
Q3 Monochrom
A1
Portrait
2.7/10
8.2/10
Street
6.8/10
6.1/10
Travel
3.4/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
3.3/10
7.9/10
Filmmaking
5.8/10
7.8/10
Documentary
5.9/10
7.6/10
Landscape
7.6/10
7.6/10
Casual
2.5/10
4.8/10
Food
3.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
4.5/10
7.3/10
Architecture
7.8/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
6.8/10
Fun & simple
3.2/10
—
Sports & Action
—
8.8/10
Wildlife
—
8.7/10
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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