Description
A flagship in the truest sense, the Sony Alpha 1 is the one camera designed to do it all. Built without compromise, this full-frame mirrorless offers high-resolution for stills shooting, impressive 8K video recording, speed and sensitivity, and connectivity for the most demanding professional workflows.
At its core, the Alpha 1, or a1, is distinguished by a newly designed 50.1MP full-frame Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor and the BIONZ XR processing engine. Pairing the efficient stacked sensor design with optimized processing means the a1 is capable of 30 fps continuous shooting at full-resolution, 8K 30p and 4K 120p 10-bit video recording, and still offers versatile sensitivity up to ISO 102400 for low-light shooting. The sensor’s design also includes a 759-point Fast Hybrid AF system, which offers advanced subject tracking and Real-time Eye AF on humans and animals, even including a dedicated Bird Mode.
Despite the connotations of a high-resolution sensor, the a1 is a strong contender in the video arena, offering 8K and 4K recording resolutions along with full pixel readout, internal 4:2:2 10-bit sampling, and 16-bit raw output via the full-size HDMI. No recording limit allows for extended takes and, matching with professional cine cameras, the a1 includes S-Cinetone support for smooth skin-tone rendering along with well-controlled highlights and soft colors.
Physically, the a1 has a familiar shape, but internally it reaps the best tech of the Alpha series with some notable upgrades, including a 9.44m-dot OLED EVF that touts a 240 fps refresh rate for fluid motion rendering and greatly reduced blackout when shooting continuously. The camera’s shutter design has also been revised and now offers full-frame flash sync speeds up to 1/400 sec, and flash sync up to 1/200 sec is even supported when working with the silent electronic shutter. At the rear of the camera is a 3.0″ tilting touchscreen LCD and both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, with 2×2 MIMO support, offer wireless remote control and file transferring capabilities. Additionally, the a1 includes dual memory card slots, both of which support working with CFexpress Type A or SD UHS-II memory cards for flexible and high-speed file storage.
The One
Sony continues to challenge the limits of conventional imaging tools with innovative technology that delivers an unprecedented combination of resolution and speed plus intuitive operation. The α1 offers new dimensions of imaging performance as well as efficient workflow, giving the user new creative freedom.
The α mission
The α mission is to give creators the power to realize their dreams. The α1 is its most potent expression to date.
50 MP at 30fps
The latest Sony technology delivers unprecedented speed and resolution for new creative possibilities and workflow.
50.1 megapixels at up to 30 frames/second
The α1 offers an extraordinary combination of high resolution and blazing speed. Ultra-fast readout from the 50.1-MP sensor allows continuous bursts at up to 30fps with AF and AE tracking using the electronic shutter. Perfect for sports or any situation where the critical action is over in an instant.
Blackout-free for an uninterrupted view
An interrupted blackout-free view of the subject lets you respond instantly and seamlessly. The EVF is updated to minimize latency during continuous shooting.
(A) Blackout-free Shooting (B) Shooting with blackouts
120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
Fast sensor readout enables 120 AF/AE calculations per second, even during 30fps bursts, for pinpoint AF tracking precision with fast and erratic subjects. AE latency is less than 0.033 s.
(1) AF/AE calculations (2) 60 times/s (3) 20 frames/s
Silent, vibration-free shutter
A silent electronic shutter provides greater opportunities for shooting sports and other subjects where noise is not tolerated. Vibration-free operation contributes to high image quality.
Anti-distortion Shutter
Fast sensor readout minimizes still-image distortion when using the electronic shutter. The BIONZ XRTM engine and a large buffer achieve about 1.5x less distortion than the α9 II.
[1] Conventional electronic shutter [2] Anti-distortion shutter
Flicker-free electronic & mechanical shutters
Another world-first: flicker-free electronic and mechanical shutters. You get flicker-free shooting under fluorescent/artificial lighting with all the benefits of the electronic shutter.
Anti-flicker [1] OFF [2] ON
Full-frame stacked 50.1-MP Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor with integral memory
A stacked architecture in this back-illuminated 50.1-MP full-frame image sensor contributes to high resolution and speed. Separate pixel and circuit layers and advanced A/D conversion mean faster processing
All-new architecture and BIONZ XR image processing engine
The new BIONZ XR engine features advanced architecture that delivers 8x greater processing power. The result is outstanding image quality as well as improved camera interface response.
All-new architecture and BIONZ XR image processing engine
The new BIONZ XR engine features advanced architecture that delivers 8x greater processing power. The result is outstanding image quality as well as improved camera interface response.
Dual driven shutter drive for flash sync up to 1/400 s.
The world’s first dual driven shutter system allows flash sync up to 1/400 s., making it easier to capture dynamic action, and opening the door to new creative possibilities.
Breathtaking resolution and image quality
The new 50.1-MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor delivers high resolution and sensitivity with low noise, plus up to 15 stops of dynamic range. A new image processing engine achieves even better color accuracy than previous models.
Real-time Eye AF for birds
High-level subject recognition technology now makes it possible for Sony’s Real-time Eye AF function to track and accurately focus on bird eyes, even if the bird suddenly takes flight or the framing changes. This innovative function easily meets the many challenges of bird photography.
Improved Real-time Eye AF for animals
Primarily designed for cats and dogs, this feature employs advanced subject recognition technology to reliably track and focus on animal eyes. It even works if the animal’s face is upside-down.
Real-time Eye AF
Combining state-of-the-art AI technology and evolved Fast Hybrid AF algorithms, Real-time Eye AF in the α1 tracks and focuses on human eyes with approximately 30% greater precision than the α9 II.
Real-time Tracking
Select a subject, half-press the shutter, and the camera will track and maintain focus automatically. Turn on AF face/eye priority for seamless AI-based tracking of human, animal, or bird eyes.
Wide, fast, precise AF tracking
The α1 features focal plane phase-detection AF that is sensitive, fast, and precise. The 50.1-MP sensor and BIONZ XR engine provide 759 selectable phase-detection points covering about 92% of the image.
Next-generation 8K 30p recording
The new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine in the α1 deliver 8K 30p movie recording capability for extraordinary realism. Four times the resolution of 4K with full Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF functionality. 8K footage is also ideally suited to flexible 4K editing.
4K movies at a high 120fps frame rate
The α1 supports high frame-rate internal 4K movie recording at up to 120fps, for smooth, expressive slow-motion playback at up to 5x. 10-bit 4:2:2 chroma subsampling can be used with Long-GOP or Intra (All-I) compression for outstanding image quality, while the new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine minimize image distortion.
The cinematic S-Cinetone look
The α1 includes the same S-Cinetone color matrix that produces beautiful color and skin tones in the VENICE, FX6, and other Cinema Line cameras. S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin color, plus soft colors and gorgeous highlights, responding to a growing need for more expressive depth.
“Active Mode” image stabilization
A new Active Mode dedicated to movie shooting makes 5-axis optical image stabilization highly effective for handheld shooting. It uses the BIONZ XR engine’s real-time processing capability to apply optimum compensation in all formats, including 4K22. All of this is realized without compromising the compact size and mobility of the α system.
High-performance electronic viewfinder
The 9.44 million-dot (approx.) OLED viewfinder in the α1 offers the highest resolution in the industry at this time23. It features 0.90x magnification24 with a 41 ° FOV for a clear, wide view, and an updated structure that results in a 25-mm-high eyepoint. A 240fps refresh rate with UXGA FOV is another world-first, for a clear view of fast action.
Panning shots with electronic shutter
Using electronic shutter at low shutter speeds can reduce display response, making it difficult to follow fast subjects. Turn [Low Frame Rate Limit] ON to improve display response and allow panning shots.
Seamlessly switch full-frame and APS-C formats
M and S size images have the same number of pixels and AF area in the full-frame and APS-C modes, so you can switch seamlessly between full-frame [M:21MP] and APS-C [M:21MP] while shooting the same scene.
[1] Full Frame [2] APS-C
Touch menu control
Touch-responsive main and function menus with menu tabs on the left of the display, and related parameter groups and parameters on the right, make for easy navigation and tracking control.
Camera front view
High-reliability mechanical shutter
Shutter vibration is minimized while allowing continuous bursts at up to 10fps. The new shutter unit with advanced motor, brake, and dampers is good for more than 500,000 cycles.
Two CFexpress Type A-compatible media slots
Dual media slots support UHS-I and UHS-II SDXC/SDHC cards as well as new CFexpress Type A cards for higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds.
High-capacity Z-series battery for extended recording
Shoot up to 530 stills per charge. Components and circuitry have also been designed to optimize power use. Get more capacity with two Z batteries in the VG-C4EM grip.
Improved dust- and moisture-resistant design
Sealing is provided at all body seams and the battery cover. The media slots have a double sliding cover and lock that keep water out. A lens lock button and mount cushion help too.
Durable magnesium alloy chassis
A light, rigid magnesium alloy enhances the durability of the top, front, and rear covers as well as the internal frame. 6 lens mount attachment screws add even more strength and rigidity.
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