Sony a1 - Amazing 50MP at 30fps + 8K Video

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Sony has announced a new camera and it is a clear class leader in so many categories.

Preorder the Sony A1 at B&H Photo

The Sony Alpha 1

The Sony Alpha 1

Canon has the 1Dxiii, Nikon has the D6 and now Sony has the A1 - a clear class leader, frankly blowing the other flagship models out of the water. Comparison chart below.

In short Sony has taken the idea of the a9 cameras and added more megapixels, faster burst rates and 8k movie recording up to 30 minutes. They also claim no overheating issues with the 30minute 8K recording, a clear nod to Canon’s recent overheating issues with the R5 when shooting 8k.

Sony a1 Specs -

  • 50.1MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor

  • NEW to Sony cameras - Lossless Compressed RAW

  • PixelShift Multi Shooting 199 MP

  • BIONZ XR Image Processor

  • Up to 30 fps Shooting, ISO 50-102400

  • 8K 30p and 4K 120p Video in 10-Bit up to 30 minutes

  • 9.44m-Dot EVF with 240 fps Refresh Rate

  • 759-Point Fast Hybrid AF w/ real time EYE AF and new bird eye-af

  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization

  • Dual Drive Mech. Shutter, 1/400 Sec Sync

  • 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 1000BASE-T Ethernet

  • Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots

Price: $6,498.00 [B&H Preorder Link] [Amazon]

Sony a1 Specs Explained -

  • 50.1MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor -
    This Back Side Illuminated (BSI) sensor will continue Sonys excellent low light performance. It is a stacked sensor which means extremely fast readout times - this allows silent shooting up to 30 fps without worry about distortion.

  • Pixel Shift Multi Shooting 199.0 MP -
    16-image composites with approx 17,280 x 11,520 RAW files and 5x faster than a7Riv

  • APS-C Crop Mode at 21MP and Oversampled M-size FF at 21MP

  • BIONZ XR Image Processor -
    8x more processing power than previous generations - allows for faster AF/AE and Face/Eye Detection processing

  • Up to 30 fps and 1/32000 second maximum shutter speed
    Shooting silently (if desired and with no shutter wear and BLACKOUT-FREE) and with AF/AE tracking at 30fps. Continuous shooting at 30fps the buffer will allow 165 JPEGs or 155 Compressed RAW. Assignable fps of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30fps. World’s first Anti-flicker shooting with Electronic shutter - shooting silently under LED lighting

  • ISO 50-10240, 15-stops Dynamic Range & 10-bit HEIF Format

  • 8K 30p and 4K 120p Video in 10-Bit up to 30 minutes -
    Full frames, full pixel readout without pixel binning 8.6k oversampling. 8k 30fps is 4:2:0 10bit. 5.6k oversampling for 4k movies in Super 35mm format. 4k at 60fps and slower possible with active mode image stabilization for smooth hand-held video.

  • 9.44m-Dot EVF with 240 fps Refresh Rate -
    Also used in A7siii and it is a beautiful EVF - now w/ 240fps Refresh rate for extremely smooth experience.

  • 759-Point Fast Hybrid AF w/ real time EYE AF -
    FAST AF 120/sec calculations with 759 points = 92% coverage. -4 EV low light focusing working up to f/22! Improved eye tracking in animals and humans and new bird eye-af that works in flight (stills only)

  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization -
    Improvements for the 50MP sensor.

  • Dual Drive Mech. Shutter, 1/400 Sec Sync -
    Spring and electromagnetic-drive actuator with a Carbon Fiber shutter curtain for strength and durability. Fastest flash sync speed at 1/400 second. Remember with the option to shoot silently you do not use mechanical shutter.

  • 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 1000BASE-T Ethernet -
    Fastest wifi in existing camera with FTP transfer

  • Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots
    Supports UHS-I and UHS-ii SDXC/SDHC cards as well as new CFexpress Type A cards.

    Price: $6,498.00 [B&H Preorder Link] [Amazon]

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While Battery life looks like a clear lose for the Sony the reality with the a9 series camera - rated at 690 from CIPA I regularly get 2,000 more shots when using and with silent shutter the potential for an even higher shutter count from a single battery is possible. I am disappointed that they went with the flip out screen and not the fully articulated screen used on the new Sony a7Siii. Otherwise this is an incredibly impressive camera and while it might seem expensive when compared to the offerings from Nikon and Canon it is a clear class leader.

Did you read this far? I’d love to know your thoughts. Is this a camera you plan to purchase in 2021! As I look at my scheduled trips later this year and next, this really seems like a camera that would suit me well - everything from wildlife to landscapes. I am gathering my dollars as we speak … and maybe selling anything I don’t REALLY need anymore.

Sony Press Release and Additional Photos