Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless Digital Camera | Body Only

The Sony a1 stands as a true flagship model, meticulously engineered to excel in every aspect. This full-frame mirrorless camera is crafted without compromise, delivering exceptional high-resolution capabilities for still photography, remarkable 8K video recording, rapid performance, enhanced sensitivity, and robust connectivity to meet the rigorous demands of professional workflows.

50.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ XR

The newly engineered 50.1MP Exmor RS full-frame sensor incorporates a stacked back-illuminated architecture with integrated memory, ensuring exceptional image clarity. It supports an expandable sensitivity range up to ISO 102400 and boasts a dynamic range of 15 stops, facilitating rapid shooting at 30 frames per second and phase-detection autofocus. This sensor also allows for the recording of lossless compressed raw files, providing flexibility in post-production editing while keeping file sizes relatively manageable. Furthermore, the 50.1MP resolution is advantageous not only for still photography but also enables full-frame 8.6K oversampling for 8K video capture.

An upgraded BIONZ XR engine significantly enhances the image processing capabilities across the camera system, achieving processing speeds up to eight times faster, minimizing rolling shutter effects, and improving the fluidity of the interface and file management operations.

Up to 30 fps Shooting and Updated Shutter

The design and processing of the sensor facilitate high-speed shooting capabilities of up to 30 frames per second at the full resolution of 50.1 megapixels, while maintaining complete autofocus and autoexposure functionalities when utilizing an electronic shutter. In contrast, when employing the mechanical shutter, the shooting speed remains impressive at 10 frames per second. Additionally, the substantial buffer memory allows for the recording of up to 155 compressed raw images or 165 JPEGs in a single burst at 30 frames per second.

To accommodate rapid continuous shooting, the viewfinder experience is blackout-free, featuring a refresh rate of 240 frames per second for smooth eye-level viewing. The enhanced electronic shutter provides silent and vibration-free operation, along with support for anti-flicker shooting, making it suitable for environments with fluorescent, LED, or other flicker-sensitive artificial lighting, even while capturing images at 30 frames per second with autofocus speeds of 120 frames per second. Thanks to accelerated readout speeds, electronic shutter flash synchronization is achievable up to 1/200 second. Furthermore, even higher flash sync speeds can be attained with the improved mechanical shutter, which can synchronize at 1/400 second in full-frame mode or 1/500 second with an APS-C crop.

8K 30p and 4K 120p Video

8K 30p and 4K 120p Support

Utilizing the advanced high-resolution sensor and rapid processing capabilities, UHD 8K 30p XAVC HS 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording can be achieved across the entire sensor width, providing 8.6K oversampling that enhances sharpness and realism. To facilitate the management of this high-resolution recording mode, low bit-rate proxy files at HD resolution can be recorded simultaneously, allowing for quicker playback. Furthermore, 8K video can be recorded at 400 Mb/s on a V90-rated UHS-II SD card, or at 200 Mb/s on a V60 card, with the option to output 8K over HDMI in an 8-bit 4:2:0 format.

Recording capabilities extend to UHD 4K with frame rates reaching up to 120p; at 60p, the a1 provides full pixel readout, while at 120p, a 10% crop is utilized. Oversampled 4K recording is achievable through a 5.8K capture area, employing a Super 35 crop. Internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling is available across all recording modes, and when recording externally via the full-size HDMI A port, 16-bit raw output can be obtained from a 4.3K capture, offering enhanced tonal reproduction and greater flexibility in post-production.

Recording Flexibility

The a1 utilizes two distinct codecs to accommodate various workflows: XAVC HS, which employs HEVC/H.265 encoding to preserve greater detail at reduced bitrates, and XAVC S-I, an intraframe codec designed for reliable performance and quality at bitrates reaching up to 600 Mb/s. The capability for high-speed recording at 120 fps facilitates 4x and 5x slow-motion video capture, with playback frame rates adjustable to either 30p or 24p. Additionally, when operating at Full HD resolution, an effective frame rate of 240p is available for enhanced motion control. The absence of a recording time limit permits unlimited clip lengths, and the camera's design incorporates an advanced heat-dissipating structure to support extended recording durations, exceeding 30 minutes for 8K 30p or 4K 60p videos, as well as for recordings made at 10-bit 4:2:0.

Advanced Color Control

S-Cinetone is designed to provide vibrant colors and a healthy skin tone representation that aligns with the FX9 and FX6 cameras, drawing on technology from the professional Cinema Line, including the VENICE model. This color profile is characterized by its natural mid-tones, gentle hues, and particularly well-managed highlights.

With a wide array of customizable color and gamma settings, users can modify parameters such as gamma, black level, knee, and color level, among others. Additionally, the S-Log2 Gamma Curve, which is utilized in high-end Sony Cinema cameras, allows for the capture of up to 1300% more dynamic range in the video signal compared to traditional REC709, thereby enhancing post-production versatility.

Support for HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is also included, along with the BT.2020 color space, enabling recording within an extensive color gamut. Furthermore, S-Log3 is available alongside S-Log2, facilitating the production of a dynamic range exceeding 15 stops, which provides greater control during grading, particularly in the shadow to mid-tone areas of the image.

Fast Hybrid AF System

• Occupying 92% of the image area, the Fast Hybrid AF system features 759 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection zones, facilitating rapid and accurate focusing across diverse lighting environments, with sensitivity reaching as low as -6 EV. This advanced focusing mechanism is applicable in all recording modes, enhancing both video and still photography.
  
  
• The system's rapid sensor readout and enhanced processing capabilities allow for up to 120 AF and AE calculations per second, resulting in quicker, more responsive tracking and precise outcomes.
  
  
• Utilize Real-time Tracking for AI-driven tracking of moving subjects, or opt for touch tracking to manually select your subject.
  
  
• Real-time Eye AF, effective for both humans and animals, guarantees critical sharpness in portrait photography.
  
  
• The specialized Real-time Eye AF Bird Mode enables the selection of a bird for tracking, with the camera automatically identifying and following the bird's eye, whether it is in flight or stationary. This mode remains effective even when a perched bird takes off.
  
  
• To optimize the performance of the focusing system, users can adjust the seven-step AF transition speed and five-step AF subject shift sensitivity controls, allowing for precise management of focus shifts between points and ensuring smooth transitions during focusing.
  
  

Tru-Finder EVF and Tilting Touchscreen LCD

The QXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts an impressive resolution of 9.44 million dots and a magnification of 0.9x, providing exceptionally bright, clear, and detailed visuals at eye level. It includes a specialized 240 fps High Quality+ mode for smooth motion rendering. The physical design of the EVF features a generous 25mm eye point and a 41° field of view, along with a fluorine coating on the outermost element to facilitate easy cleaning.

Additionally, the 3.0-inch tilting screen, with a resolution of 1.44 million dots, enhances usability when shooting from both high and low angles. This LCD also functions as a touchscreen, allowing for intuitive control over shooting settings and menu navigation.

The updated menu structure is designed to be more user-friendly, accommodating various workflows and settings for both movie recording and still photography. This menu system is further enhanced by its compatibility with the touchscreen interface of the rear LCD.

Versatile and Durable Design

The device features dual memory card slots that are compatible with both CFexpress Type A and SD-type memory cards. This dual-slot configuration facilitates versatile file storage and management, allowing users to partition file types or utilize the slots for overflow recording. Furthermore, both slots are designed to support UHS-II memory cards, enabling enhanced transfer speeds.

The camera is powered by a high-capacity NP-FZ100 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers approximately 430 shots or 90 minutes of recording time per charge when utilizing the viewfinder, and up to 530 shots or 95 minutes of recording time when using the rear LCD screen.

Additionally, the camera is equipped with an advanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system, which effectively counteracts five distinct types of camera shake that may occur during handheld shooting of both still images and video. For video recording, there is also an Active IS mode that provides even more refined stabilization techniques, resulting in exceptionally smooth footage directly from the camera.

The magnesium alloy chassis provides exceptional rigidity, durability, and stability while maintaining a lightweight profile. Additionally, the lens mount has been upgraded to offer enhanced support for heavier lenses, and the grip has been reinforced to ensure a more comfortable handling experience. Comprehensive weather-sealing measures, including improved sealing around the battery cover, terminal cover, and chassis joints, have been implemented to protect against dust and moisture, ensuring reliable performance in challenging weather conditions.

Ports and Interface

The full-size HDMI A port ensures a more dependable connection when interfacing with external recorders. Additionally, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port has been incorporated alongside a micro-USB port to enhance tethering capabilities with increased speed and reliability. This USB Type-C connection enables the camera to be charged or powered directly from the host power source during use. A PC sync terminal is available for wired flash synchronization with strobe packs or wireless radio remotes. The inclusion of both 3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports allows for enhanced control over audio recording. The Multi Interface Shoe is compatible with the optional ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adapter Kit, which deliver superior audio quality by transmitting a digital audio signal to the camera rather than an analog one. Furthermore, the Ethernet port supports a 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection, facilitating file transfers via FTP.

Connectivity

The a1 is equipped with integrated Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing for immediate sharing of images to mobile devices for online distribution. It supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands, facilitating wireless tethered shooting. The 5 GHz band features 2x2 MIMO technology, which enhances communication speeds, while dual antennas provide a stable connection. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity enables the acquisition of location data. The Ethernet port supports speeds of up to 1000BASE-T, ensuring efficient wired LAN sharing and remote operation. When utilizing a wired LAN, the Remote Camera Tool 2.1 application has been improved to minimize release time lag and live view delays, and it now includes features for remote SD card formatting, FTP server switching, and adjustments to the still image storage location. Transfers over wired or wireless LAN can occur in the background while shooting continues. Imaging Edge Remote for desktop facilitates PC Remote shooting through a Wi-Fi connection or via a wired USB Type-C connection. An updated data transfer control allows for the transfer of files from an SD card over Wi-Fi using the Imaging Edge Mobile app, even when the camera is turned off. The Transfer & Tagging add-on application can transmit FTP setting parameters from a mobile device to the camera, provides automatic data uploads to an FTP server with accompanying metadata, and offers automatic voice-to-text conversion capabilities.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting

This distinctive compositing mode enables the attainment of a resolution that surpasses the capabilities of the 50.1MP sensor. By collaborating with the sensor-shift image stabilization, this mode shifts the sensor while capturing 16 consecutive images, resulting in the collection of approximately 199MP of data. This process enhances color accuracy and detail beyond what can be achieved with a single exposure. Subsequently, these files can be combined in post-production utilizing the Sony Imaging software suite.