On paper, the Sony A1 can do completely all the pieces. However how properly does it measure as much as Sony’s massive claims? We’re placing this beast of a digicam to the take a look at to seek out out.
Sony A1: Key specs
System: Full-frame mirrorless
Sensor: 50.1MP
ISO vary: ISO 50 to 102400
Burst taking pictures: 30FPS
AF: 425-point contrast-detection AF factors
Video: 8K 30P, 4K 120P
Storage: 2x CFexpress slots
Display screen: 7.5cm (3.0-type) kind TFT
Dimensions: 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9-inch x 5.9-inch x 3.6-inch)
Weight: 726g (1.6lb)
The A1 is probably the most technologically superior, modern Sony digicam up to now. It is one of many best mirrorless cameras ever constructed, and it must be for a whopping $6500. Subsequently, the first marketplace for this digicam is skilled sports activities, motion and wildlife photographers, the place having the ability to shoot at 30FPS is a large benefit. It is also a wonderful choice for videographers who can shoot unbelievable 8K movies. However investing in such an costly digicam is a large choice, so we’ll be operating by means of a few of its greatest options and the professionals & cons that will help you determine whether or not it’s definitely worth the sizable funding.
Sony A1 digicam evaluation
Sony A1: Design
- Helpful dials for focus and taking pictures modes
- Significantly better menu system
- Sensor cowl
The A1 has all of the design options you’d count on from a Sony digicam — mode dial, publicity compensation, customizable buttons, and many others., so we cannot go an excessive amount of into that. Nonetheless, a number of newer options make this digicam thrilling.Â
One of the important new design options is the dials on the highest of the physique. Canon has added two helpful dials on the left — one for focus and one other for taking pictures modes. Having these controls on the physique somewhat than within the menu system frees up the customized buttons for different controls, which we predict is a good function. Nevertheless, one minor niggle with the management dials is that to alter the setting, you might want to push and maintain the button when you transfer the dial. The one button that does not have that is the publicity compensation, which is a push to lock, making it a lot simpler to make use of.Â
This digicam additionally has an up to date menu system which is far more intuitive than earlier fashions. The format is a thousand occasions higher and simpler to navigate.Â
It options the identical LCD display screen that Sony has all the time used nonetheless, we’d have favored it to have been totally articulating somewhat than simply tilting. The digital viewfinder has over 9 million dots and 9x magnification.Â
A sensor cowl additionally utterly covers the sensor when the digicam isn’t in use. This can be a nice function to stop dust, sand, grime, and many others., from getting onto your sensor when altering your lenses out within the discipline. Why is that this not in each digicam!?
Sony A1: Efficiency
- Quick buffer clearing
- Spectacular dynamic vary
- Extremely correct eye af and monitoring
The A1 is Sony’s greatest digicam within the coloration division, and the dynamic vary is best than the A9 and the A2. The buffer-clearing pace is spectacular, though this largely is dependent upon what kind of reminiscence card you are utilizing. The buffer additionally clears when you shoot, so you do not have to attend to start out taking pictures once more, which makes life a lot simpler.
The A1 additionally gives lossless compressed RAW recordsdata, which no different Sony digicam does. Lossless compressed is basically the identical picture high quality as uncompressed uncooked recordsdata, however the digicam finds clever methods to do away with a few of the data which is not of any use. The file dimension of a lossless compressed file comes out at about half the dimensions of an uncompressed uncooked file with principally no high quality loss, making it far more environment friendly and fewer of a pressure in your storage system.
Nevertheless, to shoot on the 30FPS the digicam states it might do, you might want to be utilizing compressed uncooked as lossless compressed can solely hit 20FPS (t is although that’s nonetheless superb!). It is also price noting that 30FPS is not all the time achievable with each lens, together with some native Sony lenses. Many lenses can solely obtain round 15-20FPS, which is greater than sufficient for a lot of photographers.
As anticipated, this digicam’s eye autofocus and dwell monitoring are almost flawless. It is an extremely responsive digicam with no points monitoring its topic. It even has a chicken mode along with the human and animal eye AF modes.Â
Sony A1: Performance
- 8K video taking pictures
- Mechanical and digital shutter
- Can change to APS-C crop
An enormous promoting level of this digicam is its 8K video capabilities. This digicam must be on the high of your wishlist in the event you’re a photographer who additionally closely shoots video. It does have its limitations, although.
One of many extra important points this digicam faces when taking pictures 8K video is overheating. It performs properly in a temperature-controlled local weather, however the video taking pictures time dramatically reduces underneath direct daylight, even when the overheating degree warning is ready to excessive. It averages round 90 minutes of taking pictures time earlier than it shuts down on account of overheating. That is positive for a lot of of what customers would wish it for, however it might not be ultimate in case you are taking pictures lengthy podcasts or live shows. It does have a quick restoration time although — it solely wants about 5 minutes earlier than you can begin taking pictures once more and you ought to be good for one more hour. One other factor price noting is that 8K eats up the battery life about 30 p.c quicker than 4K.Â
The Sony A1 additionally helps the s-cinetone recording profile borrowed from its cinema digicam lineup. The s-cinetone profile delivers a lovely dynamic vary and appears good proper out of the digicam.
One other newer function of this digicam is the power to decide on whether or not you need to use a mechanical or digital shutter. Switching to an digital shutter means you possibly can entry the upper body charges this digicam is able to with barely any distinction in picture high quality. It additionally means you possibly can remove shutter shake, which is useful in the event you’re taking pictures at slower speeds and not using a tripod. The A1 may also change to APS-C crop mode with pictures of over 20MP.Â
Ought to I purchase the Sony A1?
Except you make a dwelling as a photographer, the A1 will possible be far too costly. It is an absolute powerhouse for video and images, in a position to shoot huge 50.1MP stills images utilizing lossless compressed RAW recordsdata at 20FPS max burst speeds and as much as 30FPS utilizing compressed RAW recordsdata. It excels as a hybrid digicam although because of its 8K 30P video taking pictures decision and s-cinetone recording profile. Nevertheless, its worth will make it inaccessible for a lot of photographers, which is a disgrace for all people who do not personal it. That mentioned, in the event you can afford it, you will not remorse it.
If the Sony A1 is not for you
The Sony A1 is commonly in comparison with the Sony A7S III (opens in new tab). Though the A7S III solely has a 12MP sensor, it is nonetheless receiving rave buyer evaluations. It is $3000 lower than the A1, so it is a terrific various in the event you’re not on the lookout for such a powerhouse.Â
The one actual direct competitor to the Sony A1, we predict, is the Canon EOS R5. The efficiency of the Sony is on par with the R5, however because of the larger sensor, the A1 ‘wins’ by way of picture high quality. The Sony has 5 and a half stops of shake discount as an alternative of Canon’s eight stops, however the Sony A1 can shoot extra frames per second. The R5 is an unbelievable comparable digicam for nearly half the worth, try our hands-on Canon R5 review to see what we considered it.
One other nice various could be the Sony A7R IV (opens in new tab). If you happen to aren’t too fussed about having the ability to shoot as much as 30FPS and are extra keen on greater picture high quality, the A7R IV could be a terrific choice with its whopping 61MP sensor. The A7R IV can be far more reasonably priced than the A1. You possibly can learn our full Sony A7R IV review right here.
