The new Sony Alpha 1 is a masterpiece, combining all of Sony’s years of perfection mirrorless technology into one small body. It features a new 50.1-megapixel full-frame Exmor RS CMOS image sensor in combination with Sony’s upgraded BIONZ XR imaging processing engine that reportedly has eight times more processing power compared to the BIONZ X processor, making the camera capable of shooting up to 30 frames per second in burst mode (first time ever on any camera) whilst combining Sony’s autofocus technology that enables up to 120 autofocus calculations per second, which is double the speed of the a9 II so your images are always in focus.
The Alpha 1 offers high sensitivity with low noise (even with a 50MP sensor), plus 15+ stops of dynamic range for video and 15 and pictures, so recovering details from highlights and shadows is a breeze.
The Alpha 1 features AF points that cover 92% of the sensor, with an updated eye tracking AF system and real-time eye AF system for birds photography at aperture as close as f/22, exceeding that of Sony’s A9 series which is considered the best in the industry.
Sony also mentions that the Alpha 1 is a “professional movie camera” as it is capable of 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, a first in the Alpha line. It’s 8K video is captured by oversampling 8.6K down to 8K (oversampling and condensing is a hallmark of Sony video features). Additionally, it can shoot at up to 4Kp120 in 10 bit 4:2:2: All-I compression. Oversampled, higher-quality 4K is also available in Super 35 mode. The Alpha 1 also supports S-Cinetone, which is on the cinema line, which delivers cinema color, as well as 10-bit S-Log3 which delivers 15+ stops of dynamic range.
As expected, the a1 also supports 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization for 5.5 stops of stabilization, and a heat-dissipating structure for extended recording: 30 minutes in 4Kp60 or 8K. It can also export 16-bit raw video via HDMI.
The Alpha 1 has two media slots that both support UHS-I and UHS-II SDXC/SDHC cards, as well as new 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 which can be extended using the optional VG-C4EM Vertical Grip (sold separately), an improved dust removal feature, shutter close function on power-off to protect image sensor, plus dust and moisture resistance that maximizes reliability in challenging environments. It includes a durable, reliable HDMI Type-A connector, and USB PD (Power Delivery) support, allowing higher power to be supplied from an external source so that users can record for extended periods with minimal internal battery usage.
The Sony Alpha 1 will be available in March of 2021 for $6,500. To learn more about the Alpha 1, click here. Watch Jared Polin give an indepth preview into the camera below;
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