Sony announces Alpha 1 full-frame 50.1-megapixel 8K and S-Cinetone camera
Today Sony announced its new flagship mirrorless camera. The Alpha1 is a 50.1 megapixel camera that can shoot up to 30 frames per second. As for the video, the...
18/01/2022
Today Sony announced its new flagship mirrorless camera. L'
Alpha1
is a 50.1 megapixel camera that can take up to 30 frames per second. As for video, the alpha 1 shoots an XAVC HS 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 recording with 8.6K oversampling. The Alpha 1 is also capable of recording 4K 120p/60p 10-bit 4:2:2 and includes S-Cinetone color.
The Alpha 1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120fps. In addition to supporting 4:2:2 10-bit recording, this feature can be used with efficient Long GOP inter-frame compression or high-quality Intra (All-I) frame compression.
The Alpha 1 includes S-Cinetone, the same color matrix that produces the popular FX9 and FX6 colors and skin tones. The S-Log3 gamma curve achieves over 15 stops of dynamic range, while the S-Log3 and S-Gamut3. Cine color gamut settings make it easy to match Alpha1 footage to video shot on a VENICE cine camera, FX9, and other professional cine cameras.
Alpha1 Key Features
New 50.1-megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RSTM CMOS image sensor (approx., effective) in combination with an upgraded BIONZ XRTM image processing engine with eight times the processing power
Continuous shooting without blackout up to 30 frames per second
Fast sensor readout enables up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second, twice the speed of the Alpha 9 II, even during continuous shooting at 30 fps
Bright and large 0.64 9.44 million-dot (approx.) Quad-XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with world's first 240 fps refresh rate
Quiet, vibration-free electronic shutter
World's first anti-flicker shooting with both mechanical and electronic shutter
Electronic shutter flash synchronization up to 1/200 sec. for the first time in the AlphaTM series
World's fastest flash synchronization with mechanical shutter
v
up to 1/400 sec.
8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS video recording with 8.6K oversampling for extraordinary detail and resolution, in addition to 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording capabilities
Wide dynamic range of 15 stops for photos and over 15 stops for video
Improved real-time eye autofocus (autofocus) for humans and animals, and new real-time eye autofocus for birds, plus real-time tracking that automatically maintains focus at the precise point
5-axis optical in-body image stabilization for a 5.5-step shutter speed advantage
S-Cinetone color matrix as in FX9 and FX6 to deliver an expressive cinematic look
Support business workflow with the industry's fastest built-in Wi-Fi, 10Gbps SuperSpeed USB, 1000BASE-T Ethernet and more
Video features
Sony certainly didn't shy away from giving the Alpha 1 a lot of very useful video features.
For the first time in the α series, the α1 offers 8K 30p XAVC HS recording with 8.6K oversampling. Low-bitrate proxy files with HD resolution can also be simultaneously recorded in 8K.
The α1 also lets you record in 4K at up to 120 frames per second. In addition to supporting 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, this feature can be used with efficient Long GOP inter-frame compression or high-quality Intra (All-I) frame compression.
In Super 35 mode, QFHD 4K is acquired via full-frame readout without pixel binning from a 5.8K portion of the sensor. Since Sony doesn't mention it, it's probably safe enough to assume that full-frame 4K/UHD isn't downsampled from full-frame playback. Pixel bunching is likely to occur.
S-Log2 and S-Log3 are included. S-Log3 is supposed to provide a dynamic range of more than 15 stops. S-Gamut, S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine color spaces are also supported.
Below you can see the various recording formats, resolutions, picture profiles and frame rates included. p>
RECORDING FORMAT
XAVC S, XAVC HS
VIDEO COMPRESSION
XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC HS: MPEG-H HEVC/H.265
COLOR SPACE
Rec. Compatible with the ITU-R BT.2100 standard (BT.2020 range)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC HS 8K)
7680 x 4320 (4:2:0, 10bit, NTSC) (approx.):30p (400Mbps/200Mbps), 24p (400Mbps/200Mbps)
7680x4320 (4:2:0, 10bit, PAL) (approx.): 25p (400Mbps / 200Mbps)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC HS 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (200Mbps), 60p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps / 30Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10-bit, PAL) (Approx.: 100p (200 Mbps), 50p (150 Mbps / 75 Mbps / 45 Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (280Mbps), 60p (200Mbps / 100Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (approx.): 100p (280Mbps), 50p (200Mbps / 100Mbps)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8-bit, NTSC) (Approx.: 120p (200 Mbps), 60p (150 Mbps), 30p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 24p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8-bit, PAL) (approx.): 100p (200 Mbps), 50p (150 Mbps), 25p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10-bit, NTSC) (approx.): 120p (280 Mbps), 60p (200 Mbps), 30p (140 Mbps), 24p (100 Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10-bit, PAL) (approx.): 100p (280 Mbps), 50p (200 Mbps), 25p (140 Mbps)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S HD)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 60p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps), 30p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps), 24p (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8-bit, PAL) (approx.): 100p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 50p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps), 25p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (approx.): 60p (50 Mbps), 30p (50 Mbps), 24p (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (approx.): 50p (50 Mbps), 25p (50 Mbps)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC SI 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10-bit, NTSC) (approx.): 60p (600 Mbps), 30p (300 Mbps), 24p (240 Mbps)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10-bit, PAL ) (approx.): 50p (500 Mbps), 25p (250 Mbps)
FILM RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S -I HD)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10-bit, NTSC) (approx.): 60p (222 Mbps), 30p (111 Mbps), 24p (89 Mbps) p>
1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10-bit, PAL) (approx.): 50p (185 Mbps), 25p (93 Mbps)
SLOW & QUICK MOTION (SHOOTING FRAME RATE)
NTSC mode: 1fps, 2fps, 4fps, 8fps, 15fps, 30fps, 60fps, 120fps, 240fps,
PAL mode: 1fps, 2fps, 3fps, 6fps, 12fps, 25fps, 50fps, 100fps, 200fps
PICTURE PROFILE
Yes (Disabled / PP1-PP11) Settings: Black Level, Gamma (Film, Still, S-Cinetone, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 (800%), S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3) , Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset< /p>
CREATIVE LOOK
ST, PT, NT, VV, VV2, FL, IN, SH, BW, SE, Custom Look (1-6)
MOVIE FUNCTIONS
Audio level display, audio recording level, PAL/NTSC selector, proxy recording (1280 x 720 [6 Mbps], 1920 x 1080 [9 Mbps], 1920 x 1080 [16 Mbps]), TC / UB, slow shutter automatic, display gamma. Support, RAW output (HDMI)
16-bit RAW output
The α1 lets you output 16-bit RAW to an external recorder via HDMI RAW output via HDMI is available during 4K recording internally.
Full-frame 4332 x 2448 16-bit image output easily covers 4096 x 2048 DCI-4K, with a choice of frame rates and color spaces. It is also possible to output RAW via HDMI while recording XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K or XAVC SI 4K to internal card media. Proxy recording is also available.
As with other Sony cameras that output RAW via HDMI, no current camera can record 16-bit linear RAW. Instead, it will be recorded in RAW ProRes 10 or 12 bit format on a compatible Atomos device.
New sensor
The newly developed image sensor is built with built-in memory and paired with an enhanced BIONZ XR image processing engine, making it capable of shooting 50.1 megapixel images continuously at 30 fps with up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second.
Quad-XGA OLED electronic viewfinder
The Alpha 1's shooting capabilities are further enhanced by a 9.44 million dot OLED Quad-XGA electronic viewfinder, with a refresh rate of up to 240 fps, ensuring no blackouts .
Audio
The Alpha 1 has an accessory shoe so that all current Sony XLR interfaces work with the camera.
There's also a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, a built-in stereo microphone and a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack.
Durability & Weight
The Alpha 1 tips the scales at approx. 1 lb 10.0 oz (737 g) with battery and memory card.
Heat dissipation structure
A unique heat dissipation structure keeps the temperature of the image sensor and image processing engine within their normal operating range, preventing overheating while maintaining compact body dimensions. This allows
record 8K/30p video continuously for approximately 30 minutes.
Batteries
The Alpha 1 uses high capacity Z-series batteries.
According to Sony, you can take up to 530 photos per charge. The components and circuits have also been designed to optimize energy consumption. If you need longer battery life, you can use two Z batteries in the VG-C4EM grip.
High resolution
Alpha 1 offers high sensitivity with low noise, plus 15+ stops of dynamic range for video and 15 stops for photos, for smooth and natural gradations from shadows to highlights thanks to its processing system, on a wide ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 32,000 (expandable to 50 to 102,400, when taking photos).
Additionally, the new camera features an advanced Pixel Shift multiple shot mode that composes up to 16 full-resolution images. In this mode, the camera precisely shifts the sensor in one-pixel or half-pixel increments to capture 16 separate pixel-shifted images containing a total of 796.2 million pixels of data, which are then composited to 199 million pixels (17,280 x 11,520 pixels) using Sony's Imaging Edge desktop application. With flash synchronization up to 1/200 sec. in this mode it is ideal for photographing architecture, art or any other still life subject with a high level of detail and color accuracy.
Media
The Alpha 1 has two media slots that support cards
UHS-I and UHS-II SDXC/SDHC
, as well as news
CFexpress Type A
cards for higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds. It also features a durable magnesium alloy chassis, long battery life with the Z-battery that can be extended using the optional VG-C4EM vertical grip (sold separately), 'Enhanced dust removal feature, power-off shutter close feature to protect image sensor, plus dust and moisture resistance that maximizes reliability in harsh environments .
In-body image stabilization
A high-precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors, along with optimized image stabilization algorithms, achieve a shutter speed advantage of up to 5.5 steps, maximizing the quality of high-resolution sensor-derived images. 50.1 megapixel camera.
The Alpha 1 also features an active mode that provides improved stabilization for handheld movie shooting. When using Sony's Catalyst Browse or Catalyst Prepare desktop apps for post-production, a precise image stabilization feature is available that uses metadata generated by the camera's built-in gyroscope.
Electronic shutter
The new image sensor's high-speed readout reduced shutter speed by up to 1.5 times when shooting stills, compared to the Alpha 9 II. It also offers silent, anti-flicker continuous shooting with an electronic shutter for the first time in the world.
The electronic shutter operates silently, without mechanical noise and without vibration. Continuous shooting is now possible even in difficult lighting situations with fluorescent lighting or other types of artificial lighting prone to flicker. And for the first time in an Alpha camera, electronic shutter flash synchronization of up to 1/200s is possible.
The fast sensor readout is meant to minimize still image distortion when using the electronic shutter. The BIONZ XR engine and a large buffer which is said to produce around 1.5 times less distortion than the α9 II.
New menus
The Alpha 1 has separate settings for photos and movies. This means that a subset of settings now change depending on whether you've selected video or photo mode. This is great when you want to use different apertures, shutter speeds, and other settings to shoot photos and videos.
Another user-requested feature was to create a new menu structure for easier navigation. A touch menu is also available.
164 functions can be assigned to 17 custom keys as well as the front and rear dials. Independent function sets can be assigned for photos, movies and playback.
Entries exits
It features a durable and reliable HDMI Type-A connector and USB PD (Power Delivery) support, enabling higher power delivery from an external source so users can record for long periods of time with minimal internal energy usage of the battery.
Press and sports photographers will appreciate the 3.5 times faster wireless FTP transfer speed.
What you need to know
Approximately 10% of the angle of view is cropped when recording 4K 120p and 8K video
When recording videos in 4K 120p and 8K, [APS-C shooting] is set to [Off]
When using active mode, the shooting angle of view is slightly narrower. If the focal length is 200mm or more, it is recommended to set it to standard. Active mode is disabled when recording 8K movies
At 240fps, the viewing angle changes from QXGA to UXGA
During video recording, Real-time Eye AF does not work when shooting animals and birds
You can browse 8K shooting material with PC application "Catalyst Browse" or "Catalyst Prepare".
Thoughts
The new Alpha 1 looks like an impressive new flagship camera for Sony. 50-megapixel stills and 8K video in a camera that doesn't catch fire is an incredible feat. Just ask Canon.
Some will be disappointed that the new camera doesn't have a fully articulating LCD screen. Instead, it uses the traditional tilt version seen in other Sony cameras. Sony says the reason for this is that it caters to stills photographers first and video second. At US$6,500, it's very expensive if you want it for video. The photography features are extensive, the question is whether it's worth the high price.
If you're about to get an 8K-capable high-megapixel camera, is the Alpha 1 worth $2,600 over the Canon R5?
The Alpha 1 is Sony's answer to a $6,500 Canon 1DX MK III type camera. It will be the best bread in the Sony range with impressive specifications. Canon hasn't released the 1DX mirrorless version yet, so it will be interesting to see what happens because you know it will. Photojournalists tend to like fewer megapixels. Will Canon be interested in a 50-megapixel 8K camera with a news-focused mirrorless camera?
Price and availability
the
Alpha1
The full-frame interchangeable lens camera will be available in March 2021 for approximately
6500$USD and 8500$ CA.
Full specifications are available
HERE
.
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