Sony A1 II: two-minute overview
Mix a splash of the Sony Alpha A1, a splash of the Sony A9 III, a sprinkling of all-new refinements, give it a stir, and voilà… you’ve got acquired the Sony A1 II, Sony’s best-ever Alpha digital digital digicam, and one in all many greatest hybrid knowledgeable cameras available on the market.
It isn’t fairly as fast because of the A9 III with its worldwide shutter, limitless flash sync tempo and 120fps burst capturing, nor does it fairly produce the same highly-detailed footage because of the 61MP A7R V; however the A1 II is the proper Sony has to provide for issue and tempo in a single digital digital digicam.
That sprint of the A1 is analogous full-frame back-illuminated 50MP stacked sensor, powered by Sony’s Bionz XR processor for 30fps burst capturing and 8K video as rather a lot as 30fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour depth, plus 4K 120fps slow-motion video.
The sprinkling of the A9 III (that upgrades this digital digital digicam over the A1) is a like-for-like design, which suggests a a lot greater handgrip with a nicely-angled shutter button, a a lot greater 3.2-inch multi-angle touchscreen with bigger colour depth, additional smart picture stabilization now rated as rather a lot as 8.5EV, Sony’s AI processing chip, plus an extra custom-made button for the likes of an on the spot enhance in tempo for burst capturing.
Lastly, the sprinkling of the all-new incorporates a brand new ‘Auto’ subject-detection autofocus mode, which suggests you don’t want to manually choose the topic kind forward of time, although you proceed to can inside the event you’d significantly. Purchasers can even import custom-made LUT colour profiles, along with Sony’s widespread S-Log3 and S-Cinetone colour profiles which could be built-in.
The message correct proper right here is that there is practically nothing new contained in the A1 II, which is awfully uncommon for a Sony flagship digital digital digicam, considerably after such a quiet 2024 for the digital digital digicam huge, with this being the primary new full-frame Alpha this yr.
The A1 II combines excellent A1 and A9 III attributes in a single digital digital digicam, however there’s little correct proper right here to get eager about. Sony has barely diminished the launch value as in contrast with the A1 when it was launched practically fours beforehand, in order that’s one issue on the very least. Nonetheless, Sony’s hand has been considerably compelled by cheaper rivals coming onto the scene on condition that A1 – the Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II, and as in contrast with them it feels overvalued. For instance, on the time of writing you will get two Z8’s on sale for a similar value as one A1 II.
Finally, Sony has created a elegant improve over the first-gen mannequin that is additional extra prone to please professionals who rely on their gear day by day in robust conditions. It is possibly not an thrilling improve, however the Sony A1 II is up there with the very greatest cameras we have examined.
Sony A1 II: value and launch date
- Physique-only value is $6,500 / £6,300 / AU$10,989
- Obtainable since late November
- New BC-ZD1 charger and VG-C5 grip (bought individually)
The Sony A1 II went on sale from late November 2024 with a list value of $6,500 / £6,300 / AU$10,989. Which may be a fraction decrease than the launch value of the A1 from all the best approach as soon as extra in 2021. In a single sense that is commendable on Sony’s half, however however the market has modified, and the A1 sequence has now has achieved rivals that supply maybe 90% of the all-round bundle however value tons rather a lot a lot much less. Sony wished to be aggressive with its pricing, and it has been to an extent, however the Nikon Z9 significantly appears to be like very low-cost by comparability and the Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II are cheaper nonetheless.
Sony A1 II: specs
| Sensor: | Full-frame, 50MP stacked CMOS |
| Video: | 8K 30p / 4K 120p |
| Cont. capturing | 30fps for as rather a lot as 153 uncooked photos |
| Viewfinder: | 9.44m-dot EVF |
| LCD: | 3.2-inch mulit-angle touchscreen 2.1m-dots |
| Battery: | 520 photos |
| Weight: | 24.7oz / 700g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions: | 136.1 x 96.9 x 82.9mm |
Sony A1 II: design and dealing with
- Comparable design because of the A9 III
- Sensible administration development with useful shortcuts to recurrently used decisions
- New devoted mic for voice memos
By means of change from the A1, you get a a lot greater 3.2-inch multi-angle touchscreen, with the twin hinge enabling prospects to tilt and angle the present show for straightforward viewing at excessive or low angles whether or not or not or not they’re capturing vertical or horizontal. That dual-hinge design furthermore lets you pull the present show additional away from the physique and its chunky viewfinder eye-piece, which may in one other case partially hinder the present show (the A1 II comes with two eye-pieces, one in every of which has a a lot greater cup).
Whereas we’re on the viewfinder, it’s as quickly as additional a 9.44m-dot OLED current which is nonetheless to be bettered, nonetheless this time the refresh price is doubled from 60fps to 120fps for a smoother expertise, or smoother maxi um 240fps refresh price, albeit the selection of the current drops.
The A1 II’s handgrip is additional rounded and all-round chunkier, and I really actually really feel want it slots into the hand bigger than the grip on the A1, although they’re comparable in depth. There are little refinements too, such because of the shutter button being angled barely in any other case and easier to press.
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As on the A9 III, there’s an extra custom-made button on the doorway of the A1 II, which is factory-set to behave as a tempo enhance for normal burst capturing. The concept is that you do not all the time need to be capturing on most likely probably the most physique price, which on this case is 30fps, however it’s possible you’ll instantly want that tempo, and the button lets you tick over at a decrease physique price and get an on the spot injection of additional frames while you want it.
One attribute that caught my eye inside the real A1, and has as quickly as additional correct proper right here, is the max flash sync tempo of 1/400 sec. That beats the Nikon Z9 for instance, making the A1 II an extra versatile digital digital digicam for flash photographs, considerably inside the event you need utilizing a giant aperture. Nonetheless, Sony’s non-public A9 III is additional versatile nonetheless, with what’s effectively has an unlimited flash sync tempo.
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The A1 II will even be an significantly rugged weatherproof digital digital digicam, with appropriately designed inflexible doorways on the connection ports that keep out of the best approach when the ports are in use, whereas the twin reminiscence card door incorporates a push lock and is a greater design than Nikon’s, which may merely be knocked open.
Try our A9 III overview to be taught additional regarding the A1 II’s design – the 2 cameras share practically the same design.
Sony A1 II : decisions and effectivity
- Improved picture stabilization, as rather a lot as 8.5EV
- Comparable 759-point AF array, now with AI processing unit for topic detection
- 30fps burst capturing for as rather a lot as 153 uncooked photos, now with pre-capture
Sony has delivered one notable {{{hardware}}} enchancment over the A1, along with an AI processing unit that was debuted contained in the A7R V. This would possibly ship bigger subject-detection autofocus for picture and video as in contrast with the A1, although we have not examined the A1 II within the course of the A1, each of which share the same 759 AF stage array, to see merely how a great deal of a distinction it makes.
Having used Sony’s earlier knowledgeable Alphas, I used to be most eager to try the mannequin new Auto subject-detection autofocus mode. Pissed off by what really actually really feel to me like unnecessarily superior topic detection picks that you should manually choose forward of time – people, birds, animals, automotive, bugs, planes, trains and so forth, I’ve usually often called on producers so as in order so as to add an auto mode that simplifies the expertise. Cue the A1 II and its new mode.
As in contrast with the devoted topic detections modes which could be nonetheless available on the market, there’s little or no to resolve on between the effectivity of the mannequin new Auto mode. The Auto likelihood carried out equally correctly for me when capturing portraits of individuals, locking reliably onto my topic’s eyes, and through a soccer recreation capturing the fast-paced expert avid players in motion. That talked about, I’ve not at all conjured up a state of affairs considerably for the sake of testing potential weaknesses the Auto mode may need.
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Sony furthermore says the next-gen autofocus is ready to acknowledge the pinnacle and physique of people / animals, and that its effectivity is 30% additional smart than the A1’s for detecting human and animal eyes, whereas the digital digital digicam’s autofocus can function effectively in low light correct proper right down to -4EV. Till not too long ago inside the event you’d requested me the proper autofocus system available on the market I’d say Sony with out hesitation, however Canon‘s newest efforts contained in the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II are mightily spectacular too, considerably the mannequin new sports activities actions actions precedence modes. I could not inform you which of them is best now with out working a direct comparability.
One completely different similarity between this digital digital digicam and its predecessor is that each can shoot at a burst price of as rather a lot as 30fps for the same measurement of time ahead of slowing down – a bit little bit of over 150 uncooked frames or near 180 JPEGs. For such events, that speed-boost button is infinitely useful for enhancing effectivity and workflow by enabling you to adapt your capturing price.
The A1 II furthermore will get a useful pre-capture attribute. Pre-capture is nothing new, though Sony was late to the celebration, solely introducing it to an Alpha digital digital digicam with the A9 III. Put merely, pre-capture can buffer as rather a lot as one second’s value of photos – on this case 30 footage – ahead of you fully press the shutter button to start out capturing a high-speed sequence. That one second of grace while you are sluggish to react might presumably be the excellence between capturing the second and lacking it completely.
- Selections and effectivity rating: 4.5/5
Sony A1 II: picture and video fine quality
- 50MP stills and 8K/30p video
- 4:2:2 10-bit colour depth and Sony’s S-Log3, S-Cinetone, plus LUT imports
- Pixel Shift and Noise Low price capturing modes
Sony’s 50MP full-frame stacked sensor is a confirmed performer, delivering sharp stills with as rather a lot as 15EV of dynamic differ. The A7R V’s 61MP sensor will get you marginally bigger issue, however the A1 II is a tons sooner performer. Moreover, in-body picture stabilization is improved over the A1, and chances are high you will normally get barely sharper finish outcomes when capturing handheld, relying on the digital digital digicam’s shutter tempo and the best way through which frequent your hand is.
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Versus the 24MP Sony A9 III for sports activities actions actions, I actually appreciated the upper willpower 50MP sensor which supplies you extra scope for cropping into photos, and which allows a 21MP APS-C mode – with which you effectively lengthen the focal measurement of your lens by 1.5x. The soccer footage beneath have been taken from appreciable distance with a 400mm lens, however I am going to crop in and physique precisely how a 600mm lens might look.
As rapidly as as quickly as additional Sony’s Pixel Shift Multi Taking footage mode decisions, combining as rather a lot as 16 photos for one bigger 199MP composite picture. It isn’t as surroundings pleasant as Canon’s new in-camera AI upscaling attribute contained in the EOS R1 / EOS R5 Mark II, considerably if there’s any motion in your shot. Nonetheless, in conditions reminiscent of nonetheless lifes contained in the studio it will enhance issue by as rather a lot as 400%. Sony has furthermore added a mannequin new Noise Low price capturing mode that, like Pixel Shift, combines plenty of photos however on this case for a cleaner picture, considerably in low light.
Outright picture fine quality is, in impression, the comparable as from the A1, which is an surroundings pleasant subject, with clear photos as rather a lot as ISO 12,800 from the A1 II’s ISO 100-32,000 differ. The practically four-year-old sensor has stood the confirm of time. The place we actually see enhancements in picture fine quality is contained in the optimistic impression of improved picture stabilization for handheld photos and much more dependable subject-detection autofocus for capturing animals, automobiles, folks, and so forth.
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As for video fine quality, as quickly as additional it is largely as you’ve got gotten been from 2021’s A1: 8K as rather a lot as 30fps, 4K 60fps in 4:2:2 10-bit from the full-width of the sensor, or 4K as rather a lot as 120fps with a slight crop. Fortunately, the A1 was forward of its time and the A1 II nonetheless holds up as we talk, plus it throws in some new decisions reminiscent of 1/48sec and 1/96sec physique costs for true 180-degree shutter angle at widespread cinematic physique costs. It furthermore brings LUT imports (with assist for monitor LUT current), plus AI-based Auto Framing à la ZV-E1.
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- Picture and video fine quality rating: 4.5/5
Sony A1 II: testing scorecard
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Cheaper than predecessor, however new rivals are tons cheaper. | 3/5 |
| Design | Sony’s best-ever mirrorless digital digital digicam design, borrowed from the A9 III. | 5/5 |
| Effectivity | Tempo and fine quality, with improved autofocus and film stabilization. | 4.5/5 |
| Picture and video fine quality | Shows merely how forward of the occasions the Sony A1 was – with tons the same fine quality three years later the A1 II nonetheless holds its non-public. | 4.5/5 |
Ought to I purchase the Sony A1 II?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Sony A1 II: furthermore take into accounts
The Nikon Z9 ought to be the A1 II’s rival, however the smaller and cheaper-still Z8 has an similar kind concern to the A1 II and quite a lot of comparable decisions, on the very least on paper. The 2 full-frame mirrorless cameras shoot high-resolution stills at 45MP (Z8) to 50MP (A1 II), 8K video, and each address fairly properly. Every digital digital digicam has minor benefits over the opposite, however possibly most likely probably the most inserting distinction of all is value – chances are high you will resolve up two Nikon Z8s for the worth of 1 Sony A1 II.
Examine our in-depth Nikon Z8 overview
For tempo and fine quality, Canon affords the EOS R5 Mark II, TechRadar’s Digital digital digicam of the yr 2024 winner. It was an unlimited improve of the EOS R5, along with excessive energy beneath the hood to the 45MP stills and 8K video expertise. A newly-designed stacked sensor and second processor improved tempo, whereas new autofocus expertise – together with sports activities actions actions precedence modes – are a match if not bigger than Sony. Canon’s all-in-one full-framer is cheaper than the A1 II too, though Nikon’s Z8 is cheaper nonetheless. Full, the mannequin new Canon mannequin might presumably be possibly most likely probably the most compelling of the three. Professionals are spoilt for varied!
Examine our in-depth Canon EOS R5 Mark II overview
How I examined the Sony A1 II
- I examined a full-production mannequin with closing firmware, over two single week intervals
- Used with plenty of lenses, together with the FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens and 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
- I used it with Sony’s Creator Cloud app
I examined a closing firmware model of the Sony A1 II forward of launch, along with the mannequin new Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens, for per week. I consequently used it after launch for sports activities actions actions photographs. The A1 II’s uncooked recordsdata weren’t readable in modifying software program program program on the time of testing.
I have been capturing with a CFexpress Kind A card to get the absolute best effectivity from the digital digital digicam, and recorded burst sequences at TechRadar’s customary digital digital digicam testing settings: 1/250 sec, ISO 200, and common AF.
Sony’s Creator Cloud app works with the A1 II, and I used the app to remotely shoot photos with the digital digital digicam and add photos too. I shot portraits of people and animals with the quite a few subject-detection autofocus modes.
I’ve furthermore examined the A1 II for expert sports activities actions actions, and in various native climate circumstances and diverse occasions of day / evening time time.
First reviewed November 2024