Test the Sony A1
Our VerdictThe Sony A1 is a truly remarkable camera that covers nearly every photographic niche thanks to its high-resolution sensor, super-fast burst shooting,...
08/10/2021
Our Verdict
The Sony A1 is a truly remarkable camera that covers almost all photographic niches thanks to its high-resolution sensor, super-fast burst shooting, super-fast AF, professional connectivity and 8K Raw Video. It's a stunning camera to use and the image quality is second to none, but the price puts it out of reach for most photographers.
For
Capture Incredible Detail
Incredibly fast AF
Ultra-fast burst shooting
Rare mix of speed and resolve
Versus
Cost prohibitive
Overkill for most photographers
The menu system is complicated
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Two minute review
The Sony A1 is, in social media parlance, the equivalent of a "flex" camera. With its rare blend of speed, hi-res stills and 8K video, it aims to be the ultimate mirrorless camera and Sony's undisputed flagship, even if that translates into a whopping price tag. a car.
Its key selling point, if you're in a position to buy, is that it's probably the most versatile professional camera ever made. Not content to specialize in just one area of photography, the A1 (or Alpha 1, as it's otherwise known) is equally capable in the studio, on the sidelines at a professional sporting event, tapping celebrities , into the jungle to photograph wildlife and even shoot videos on a Hollywood movie set.
Go to...
(Image credit: Future)
Release date and price
Features
Design, manufacture and handling
Performance and autofocus
Image quality
Should I buy it?
The Sony A1's closest competitor is the Canon EOS R5, which also shoots 8K video (read more in our
Canon EOS R5 Detailed Review
). But it's safe to say that in the stills department, the Alpha 1 trumps the R5 in several areas. This includes continuous frame rate with the A1 offering 30fps compared to the R5 at 20fps and resolution at 50.1MP compared to 45MP. Although realistically, neither device will cause photographers and videographers invested in either system to jump ship.
The only real problem with the Sony A1 is its price; At $6,500 / £6,500 / AU$10,499 body-only, it's a hugely expensive camera. If you only need high resolution photos, you can go for the 61MP
Sony A7R IV
. Alternatively, if speed and professional connectivity are what you need, then the 24.2 MP
Sony A9II
costs $4,500 / £4,800 / AU$7,299 and offers continuous shooting speeds of up to 20 fps.
By matching your needs with one of Sony's other full-frame cameras, you could save a considerable amount of money. On the other hand, you won't be able to shoot 8K video with these cameras and the Sony F65 Cinema Camera costs the same as the A1, but it's a much larger and more specialized camera.
But if you're shooting a wide range of subjects and need both high speed and high resolution, this could be the one-box solution for you.
Sony A1 release date and price
Available from late March for $6,500 / £6,499 / AU$10,499 (body only)
This makes it more expensive than some medium format cameras
Specialty cameras like Sony A7R IV or Fujifilm GFX100S offer better value
Announced in January 2021, the Sony A1 will go on sale at the end of March with pre-orders currently available at several retailers.
With a price that would make even hedge fund managers cringe, the Alpha 1 is likely to be a niche camera, despite its features that make it suitable for shooting virtually any photographic subject imaginable - and that's even before. to take into account the raw 8K and 4K video features.
(Image credit: Future)
At just $6500 / £6499 / AUD10499, this camera is a serious investment that even some pros will struggle to justify. As a full-frame/35mm equivalent camera, the price encroaches on that of medium-format cameras. Of course, you won't find any sports or press photographer taking anything like a
Fujifilm GFX100S
, but landscape and portrait photographers are a completely different story. p>
Just to put that into perspective, the Fujifilm GFX100S costs $5,999 / £5,499 / AU$9,499 and offers just over double the resolution on a 1.7x larger sensor. But where the Sony A1 takes a leap forward is with its all-around shooting power. For photographers shooting a wide range of subjects, the Alpha1 will still be a hugely attractive proposition despite that hefty price tag.
Features of the Sony A1
50.1MP full-frame sensor produces incredible image quality
Dual Bionz XR processors help produce 30fps continuous shooting
Also records 8K/30p and 4K/120p video with 10-bit color depth
At the heart of any camera is the sensor and processor, around which other features and functions revolve - and the Sony A1 is like a supercharged cross between a
Sony A9II
and
Sony A7R IV
. Its 50.1-megapixel full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, powered by dual Bionz XR image processors, delivers incredible image quality and speed.
This combination not only allows for images rich in detail, but also allows the A1 to shoot at up to 30 fps with a buffer that can capture up to 155 compressed raw files or 165 JPEGs with the electronic shutter. When shooting uncompressed raw files with the mechanical shutter, in testing we were able to capture around 67 frames in each burst.
Another feature that this suit takes into account is the ability to shoot video up to 8K at 30 fps in 10-bit 4:2:0 and 4K at 120/60 fps in 10-bit 4:2:2, recording in several raw formats, including S-Cinetone and S-Log3. The latter is claimed to provide over 15 stops of dynamic range. The inclusion of S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine also allows footage to be matched with select Sony professional cinema cameras and camcorders. Additionally, there is a 16-bit raw output to an external recorder via HDMI.
(Image credit: Future)
It's not often you hear much about a camera's shutter, but the Alpha1's dual-drive mechanical shutter is a marvel. It offers both standard and silent shooting, although even when not using the silent option the shutter is silent which is fantastic when shooting portraits, events and , of course, wild animals. The electronic shutter is, as you'd expect, quiet and vibration-free.
For photographers using flash, the mechanical shutter sync speed is 1/400s, which is fantastic for high-speed photography and also provides creative possibilities for portrait photographers. When shooting with the electronic shutter, the sync speed is 1/200s, which is a first for Sony's A-series cameras.
Despite the Alpha 1's speed and resolution, the camera offers 15 stops of dynamic range for stills and over 15 stops for video. Combined with five-axis optical in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which gives you a 5.5-speed shutter speed advantage, and high ISO settings available between ISO 100 and 32,000 in the standard and extended range of ISO 50 to ISO 102,400, the Alpha 1 is perfectly configured for shooting even in the most difficult conditions.
Design, construction and handling
Looks and sounds great like the Sony A9 II
The incredible 9.44 million dot OLED EVF makes up for the average screen
Claims of better weather sealing compared to Sony A7 and A9 series
Take off its Alpha 1 badge and the A1 looks very similar to the
Sony A9II
. That's a good thing, because this camera scored a sweet spot between its Sony A7 and A9 cameras.
Like the A9 II, the A1 has autofocus and drive mode dials on the left side of its top plate. On the A7 models, these controls are hidden away in menus, but the direct-access dials on the A1 make changing these settings quick and easy.
In the hand, the camera looks a lot like other full-frame Sony mirrorless bodies and it uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as the new Sony Alpha models of the last two years, which means the camera runs smoothly. will fit perfectly into existing Sony kits. At 737g with memory card and battery, the A1 is comfortable to hold with standard lenses, but when using larger telephoto lenses, a battery grip offers a better balance between camera and lens. objective and ultimately increases comfort.
(Image credit: Future)
The camera button and wheel layout is what you'd expect from A-series cameras and there's nothing new here. In fact, it's virtually identical to the A9 II. To the right at the rear of the handle is the memory card door, which has a latch and opens to reveal two slots compatible with SD and CFexpress type A memory cards - a nice feature which means that you don't have to invest in new memory cards as soon as you buy the camera.
Moving to the left, there are connections hidden behind four tabs for a microphone, headset, PC sync for flash, HDMI, USB-C, USB multiport and 1000BASE-T Ethernet providing super-fast connectivity. This is in addition to Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band WiFi connectivity and shows that this camera is designed to transfer images quickly and easily as part of a high-speed professional workflow.
(Image credit: Future)
< p>The LCD screen on the rear is fully capable, although the resolution is 1.44 million dots (800 x 600 pixels) so it's not the sharpest. Still, it's the 9.44 million-dot Quad-XGA OLED electronic viewfinder that more than makes up for it, not least because it offers a 240fps refresh rate.As a professional camera aimed in part at sports and wildlife photographers, it made much more sense for Sony to focus on the quality of the EVF, as this will be used far more than the rear LCD when shooting. the shooting.
Performance and autofocus
Incredibly powerful hybrid autofocus system covering 93% of the sensor
Real-time AF modes for humans, animals and birds
Sony's notoriously cavernous menu system remains a downside
Whether you're shooting wildlife, sports, portraits, landscapes or anything else, the A1 is certainly no slouch and is more than capable of handling all of these shooting situations. The camera is fast and capable in several areas, but the autofocus system in particular is incredibly powerful.
The A1 features 759-point hybrid AF that covers 92% of the sensor, so you can place the active focus point(s) in almost any position in the viewfinder. Not to mention, the phase-detection points in a high-density focal-plane phase-detection AF system are designed to deliver reliable autofocus in the most challenging situations.
(Image credit: Future)
The sensor readout is said to hit 120 AF/AE calculations per second, twice the speed of the Sony A9 II. This allows the A1 to focus successfully in difficult situations, but also to provide real-time eyepiece autofocus of humans, animals and birds. For the latter, the algorithms maintain tracking even when a bird is moving quickly or the composition of the photo is changed.
Autofocus and AF tracking are simply amazing. But he is not necessarily better than his stable mates in all situations. When we shot in a studio with just modeling lamps on the flash heads on for focus, plus a three-stop ND filter on the lens to allow shooting at f/2.8 with flash, the 'A1 did no better than other Sony A-series full-frame cameras. It wasn't a scientific test and it's an incredibly tricky shooting situation for most cameras, but given the A1's high-speed credentials and generally impressive AF, it's been a small surprise.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony's menu system for A-series cameras has long been a source of criticism. First there's its size, then there's the fact that the settings aren't always where you'd expect. Getting used to it remains a steep learning curve. However, the A1 uses the same menu as the
Sony A7S III
, which provides color-coded sections for better navigation and, oddly, a vertical design.
(Image credit: Future)
Unfortunately, the color coding makes no difference to accessibility, as this new menu sits vertically on a landscape screen. The result of this is that menu items are smaller and harder to see, but more importantly, it makes the notoriously cavernous and hard-to-navigate menus even harder to use. Not exactly a good idea for a camera that's touted for its speed, and ultimately a step back from the old menu that was far from popular.
Image quality
Stacked sensor captures incredible amounts of detail
Impressive ISO performance, with ISO 12800 producing usable results
8K and 4K/120p video modes give filmmakers great flexibility
When it comes to image quality, the A1 certainly doesn't disappoint. The 50.1 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor captures incredible amounts of detail that even studio photographers would be more than happy with.
Not to mention the 15 stops of dynamic range and excellent high ISO noise response that contribute to excellent image quality.
Image 1 of 3
To test the dynamic range of the Sony A1, we took this measured exposure, compared it to...
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
...a three-stop underexposed version. Followed by...
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
...a photo overexposed by three stops. When correct in Adobe Camera Raw, this shot naturally struggled to retain highlight detail.
(Image credit: Future)
To test dynamic range, we took images with the camera metered exposure as well as under- and overexposed by three stops. Underexposed and overexposed images were then corrected by three stops of exposure in Adobe Camera Raw, and the results were as expected, despite the incredible dynamic range of 15 stops.
(Image credit: Future)
With the underexposed, camera-metered exposures, the highlight detail remained in the sky, but with the overexposed photo, when corrected, the sky just turned a muddy gray with no detail.
This is normal because when the highlights are overexposed, there is no image data in those areas, while the highlight data of the metered exposure and the underexposed shot remains intact , so the details remain available.
Image 1 of 11 p>
You can see our ISO tests here - with this shot taken at ISO 100...
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Image 2 of 11
ISO200
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Image 3 of 11
ISO 400
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Image 4 of 11
ISO 800
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Image 5 of 11
ISO1600
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Image 6 of 11
ISO 3200
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Image 7 of 11
< p>ISO 6400(Image credit: Future)
Image 8 of 11
ISO12800
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Image 9 of 11
ISO 25600
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Image 10 of 11
ISO 51200
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Image 11 of 11
And finally, ISO 102400.
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of ISO, noise is virtually undetectable up to ISO 3200. In fact, even ISO 12,800 is still usable. Beyond this setting, ISO 25600 is just about usable, but higher settings show high levels of chroma (color) and brightness (grain) noise.
These higher settings can be useful for press photographers for whom getting the shot can be more important than ISO noise, although sports and wildlife photographers will get the best results staying around and below ISO 12800.
Video quality is, as you'd expect, equally impressive, and the ISO capabilities are extremely welcome in this area as well. As of this writing, there are few mainstream apps for 8K video.
But in professional workflows, it's a different story, as videographers and cinematographers future-proof their footage by also shooting in 8K. taking advantage of the best picture quality you can get by shooting at a higher resolution and then downscaling the footage to the final output resolution. For example, downscaling from 8K to 4K or from 4K to 1080p.
Should I buy the Sony A1?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it though. ..
Money is not a problem
If you're looking to shed the cash and have a passion for photography, the Sony A1 won't disappoint in any department. The image quality, shooting speed, autofocus speed, fantastic high ISO response and weather resistance will allow you to shoot in almost any condition.
You photograph a wide range of subjects
If you're a professional photographer who shoots a range of subjects, such as sports and studio portraits, this camera is more than capable of covering both subjects, and more. Additionally, 5GHz Wi-Fi and 1000BASE-T Ethernet will be welcome by agency and press photographers.
You need 8K video
If you're a current Sony user with an investment in Sony Glass and need to shoot 8K at 30fps or 4K at 120fps, the A1 is exactly what you need. The camera will give you the shooting experience you are used to, and it will work naturally with all your lenses.
Don't buy it if...
You mainly only shoot landscapes or portraits
If you mainly shoot portraits or landscapes, you'll save a small fortune by opting for the Sony A7R IV, which offers slightly higher resolution but is considerably cheaper. Alternatively, you can opt for the Fujifilm GFX100S medium format camera and save a great deal of change.
You go from APS-C to full frame
If you've shot with an APS-C camera so far, the Sony A1 offers more than you might need in a camera at this point in your photographic journey. A much more appropriate, and indeed very capable, model would be something like the
Sony A7III
. Although it should be kept in mind that a
Sony A7 IV
is rumored for 2021.
You only shoot sport
If you're only shooting sports and don't need a 50.1MP sensor, the 24.2MP Sony A9 II costs considerably less than this camera. The A9 II's frame rate is slower at 20fps compared to the A1's 30fps but, in reality, very few sports photographers spray and pray, so 20fps is more than enough.
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James Abbott
James Abbott is a professional portrait and landscape photographer, and freelance photojournalist producing words and images for the UK's top photography magazines. James is also a skilled speaker and has taught photography and Photoshop to a wide range of age groups and situations, including one-on-one, group and distance learning.