I was very excited when Sony released its new flagship camera, the A1.
Since then, I’ve spent time testing it and have only come to appreciate its impressive list of specs even more.
A true flagship camera, the Sony A1 is packed with high-performance features. From the high-resolution sensor to the impressive autofocus system, it tops the charts in so many ways.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sony A1 Camera
The ultimate camera for professionals, offering unparalleled autofocus, 50MP stills and 8k video in a compact build.
If you want the best camera from one of the most innovative camera brands, I highly recommend you check out this one.
As a commercial photographer and filmmaker, I find the Sony A1 to be a near-perfect camera.
Check out my review below and learn why I think this is one of the most impressive camera releases.
Sony A1 Review Intro
Pros
High performance
Impressive image quality
Excellent Autofocus
Up to 8k video
Cons
Expensive
No flip-out screen
Some limitations to impressive specs
The Sony A1 camera is for photographers who want top-of-the-line performance. With the ability to capture 50MP stills at blazing fast speeds, not to mention 8k video, this camera is a powerhouse!
It’s an excellent hybrid camera for capturing photos and videos of fast-moving subjects in excellent quality. With the A1, you certainly get what you pay for.
Whether you shoot sports or wildlife, this camera is going to deliver amazing results. It gets out of its own way and allows you to focus on the action.
Specs
Sensor: 50.1-megapixel full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor
ISO Range: 50-102,400
Continuous Shooting: Up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter, up to 10 fps with the mechanical shutter
Viewfinder: 9.44 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.90x magnification
LCD Screen: 3.0-inch 1.44 million-dot tilting touchscreen LCD
Video Recording: 8K video recording at 30p, 4K video recording at up to 120p
Image Stabilization: 5-axis IBIS with 5.5 stops of compensation
Dual Card Slots: CFexpress Type A and SD UHS-II
Weather Sealing: Dust and moisture-resistant magnesium alloy body
Dimensions: 5″ (129 mm) x 3.8″ (97 mm) x 2.7″ (70 mm)
Weight: Approximately 737g (with battery and memory card)
Build & Appearance
Sony A1 with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens.
The A1 is similar in size and build to other Sony mirrorless cameras. Despite its jump in performance, it takes a similar form factor.
First up, you might notice the addition of a dial for drive modes and autofocus modes. Similar to the dials on the A9, this allows you to quickly change modes without using the touchscreen menu.
As expected, this camera retains all the buttons of many other past Sony cameras. The dials felt comfortable and familiar once I customized them to match my preference.
Sony A1 with the screen flipped out.
Sony opted for a more traditional style screen on the back without incorporating the flip-out screen.
Because this camera is targeted at more professional users, I think the vlog-style screen was deemed less desirable for the build.
As someone who has gotten very comfortable with the flip-out screen, this was somewhat frustrating. Switching between the Sony A7S III and the A1 was less comfortable because of the different ergonomics.
Compared to a cinema camera that shoots 8k video, the A1 has an incredibly compact build. It’s amazing how many features are packed into this camera.
The impressive balance of size and features is what makes this camera so expensive.
Some might argue that you can get a Sony A7R V and an A7S III for the price of an A1, but getting the features of both in a compact form is what you’re paying for.
Sony took all their best specs and features and put them in one camera, the A1. With a 9.4 million dot electronic viewfinder, you’ll have no trouble nailing the focus on your images.
Pair that with 30 fps shooting with no blackout, and you’ve got an incredible shooting experience!
The 1.4 million dot screen on the back isn’t quite as impressive but still allows efficient viewing of images overhead or down low to the ground.
The overall look and feel of the Sony A1 is just what I would expect out of a modern mirrorless camera. It feels balanced but not bulky and is comfortable to use.
Ergonomics & Handling
Sony A1 with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 lens.
The ergonomics of the Sony A1 felt very familiar and comfortable. If you’ve ever used a Sony mirrorless camera, you’ll be quite at home.
The button layout is thoughtful and the addition of a slightly larger grip is quite comfortable. With fully customizable buttons, this camera can be optimized for a variety of shooting styles.
Because it’s optimized for hybrid photo/video capture, that’s the way I tested this camera. I brought it on several commercial shoots where I was capturing stills and videos one after another.
While the A1 lacks the mode switch between photo and video, you can still use the film icon on the main dial to have different settings for capturing photo vs video.
As expected of a camera with incredible specs on paper, there are some limitations during normal use.
First off, the super-fast 30 fps capture of photos is limited to certain lenses (most Sony GM and G lenses) and file formats (JPEG or compressed raw).
The 200MP pixel shift technology requires you to use proprietary Sony software to combine the images into a super-resolution image.
Although this camera is packed with features, it can be difficult to understand what everything means. Sony would do well to have better descriptions in the menu system.
Overall, the Sony A1 is the most high-performance camera I’ve ever used and it handled well. It exceeds my needs in most cases and the core features are impressively powerful!
Focus Performance
Sony A1 + Sony 35mm f/1.8 | 1/1000 f/2 ISO 100
Focus performance is an area where the Sony A1 stands above the competition. It can shoot up to 30 fps, all while continuously auto-focusing and adjusting for exposure changes.
It does all this without a single blackout in the viewfinder. This means that you can shoot images without missing a single moment and more easily track moving subjects.
While the recently released Sony A9 III can do 120 fps, it has about half the resolution. The Sony A1 stands apart because of its combination of speed and resolution.
The A1 also boasts the ability to lock onto eyes and track subjects of all sorts: humans, animals, and birds.
While using this camera, I found it extremely fast and sticky. To get maximum performance, you must use Sony GM and G lenses.
The reality is that if you’re using a flagship camera, you’re likely using high-end lenses as well.
Sony has been a leader in autofocus technology for years, and the A1 upholds this reputation. It performed incredibly well, even while tracking fast-moving off-road vehicles.
If you want the best high-resolution autofocus system, the Sony A1 is your camera!
Low Light Performance
Sony A1 + Sony 20mm f/1.8 | 1/8 f/2 ISO 12800
The Sony A1’s low-light performance is surprisingly good! You’ve likely heard that the Sony A7S III is the king of low light with its 12MP sensor, but the A1 is nearly as good.
When shooting video, the A1 has the least noise of any Sony camera up to ISO 12800, at which point the A7S III footage starts to look better, but only slightly.
The other note is that the footage looks cleaner than the A7S III below ISO 12800, so if you shoot in moderate low light, the A1 might be the better choice!
When it comes to photos, I found that images up to 12800 looked acceptable. I delivered several images to clients that were captured at ISO 12800 that looked very clean after a bit of noise reduction in Adobe Lightroom.
If the absolute best low light performance is your concern, the Sony A7S III might be a better choice, but you make a significant resolution sacrifice (50MP down to 12MP).
Overall I was very impressed with the low light performance of the Sony A1. The files/footage are clean and it never had any issues focusing even in the darkest environments.
Now that we have such impressive cameras on the market, the best low-light performance often has more to do with lens choice than it does with camera selection.
Getting an f/1.2 lens might give you more of an advantage than a sensor that can go to ISO 25600.
Image Quality
Sony A1 + Sony 35mm f/1.8 | 1/3200 f/2 ISO 160
Image quality is where the Sony A1 shines. With a 50MP sensor, it can capture almost as many pixels as the A7R V (61MP).
It also offers the ability to capture 8k video, which future-proofs the footage and images you capture. In addition, it gives you significant flexibility to crop in.
Sony claims this camera has an industry-leading 15 stops of dynamic range. In reality, most people test it to be somewhere in the range of 13.7.
Still, nearly 14 stops of dynamic range is significant. It allows you to capture very high-contrast scenes with ease and edit the images to nicely balance the exposure.
The raw files coming out of this camera are impressive. They have really nice color and detail.
Pair the Sony A1 with any of the recently released GM lenses and you’ll get superbly sharp images. The level of detail that 50MP gives you will really shine.
As I mentioned above, when you push this camera to the limit of 30 fps, you will need to switch to the compressed raw file format or JPEG output.
In my opinion, the compressed raw files are very good quality. I rarely recommend shooting in JPEG, especially with a camera this powerful, but it is an option if you prefer.
Another impressive feature is the ability to use the pixel shift technology to capture 200MP still images. This only works well with your camera on a tripod and a static subject.
Additionally, you’ll have to use the Sony software to combine the files, but it gives you the ability to have a super high resolution image.
People capturing landscape images to make massive prints or certain commercial photographers may find this feature useful.
In summary, as you would expect with a flagship camera, the Sony A1 has impressive image quality!
Overall Performance
The Sony A1 is a very fast camera. From autofocus to high frame rates, it is exceptional.
One note is that if you’re going to be pushing the limits of what this camera can do, expect to wait for some buffering.
I highly recommend the Sony Tough CF Express Type A cards if you want to maximize speed on this camera. They will help clear the buffer more quickly and allow you full access to the best video features.
The overall performance of this camera is great. Despite its top-of-the-line specs, the battery life was still quite good. Despite having twice the resolution, it uses batteries about as quickly as my A7 IV.
Sony claims to offer 530 exposures on a single battery but I found the number to be higher, especially when using the electronic shutter and turning off the screen.
On the other hand, 8k video capture will quickly use up batteries. Despite this, it has minimal overheating issues.
The Canon R5 claimed to capture 8k video, but it was plagued with overheating. For the longest 8k video capture times (over an hour continuous), you might look into a dummy battery.
With every new camera release, there are caveats to the list of specifications, but I appreciate that the Sony A1 does a good job of following through on its promises.
Other Useful Features
One cool feature of the Sony A1 is the increased flash sync speed. You’re no longer limited to 1/250; you can now push it to 1/400.
This may seem like an incrementally small change but sometimes it’s all you need to balance out the flash and ambient light sources.
Another cool feature on this camera is the jump up to a max shutter speed of 1/32000! This is four times faster than most other Sony mirrorless cameras
This feature is available with the electronic shutter, but it may not be ideal for moving subjects. As the sensor readout is not global, you will see some warping.
Despite this limitation, it’s highly useful to be able to capture images with a very fast lens (f/1.2) wide open in bright conditions without an ND filter.
How I Tested the Sony A1
Shooting a commercial project with the Sony A1
I tested the Sony A1 during several commercial photo/video shoots. The ability to capture high-resolution images and super high-quality video with incredible autofocus in a small mirrorless body is unbeatable.
Being able to use this camera alongside my other Sony mirrorless cameras without having to learn a completely new system was also very nice.
I am impressed that so many features can be packed into a camera body that feels the same as my other far less powerful cameras.
The main thing I realized with this camera is that I need to upgrade my lenses. Having a 50MP sensor makes the imperfections in my non-GM lenses stand out more than I would like.
It makes sense that if you’re buying a flagship camera, you should have top-of-the-line lenses, but this is something you must factor into your gear budget.
Additionally, the A1 is an “all-in-one” camera body (no pun intended). If you want all the best Sony features in one camera, this is the camera for you.
Sample Images
Here are some sample images I took with the Sony A1 and a variety of Sony lenses:
Sony A1 + Sony 70-200mm f/4 G | 1/400 f/4 ISO 200
Sony A1 + Sony 70-200mm f/4 G | 1/640 f/4 ISO 100
Sony A1 + Sony 70-200mm f/4 G | 1/200 f/4 ISO 800
Sony A1 + Sony 70-200mm f/4 G | 1/200 f/4 ISO 100
Sony A1 + Sony 35mm f/1.8 | 1/500 f/2 ISO 160
Alternatives to Sony A1
In my opinion, there are several contenders for your dollars in the category of the Sony A1.
First off, the Canon R5 has many of the same features as the A1 for about $2,500 less. The caveat is that it may overheat while shooting 8k video, it has a little less resolution, and it is bulkier.
The Canon is less customizable but the reality is that it probably comes down to price and brand loyalty between these two.
Within the Sony brand, you might look at the A7R V or the A7S III. Buy both of these cameras and you have almost all the features of the Sony A1, for a similar price. If you want separate cameras, this might be an even better option.
If you only want one camera that does it all, the Sony A1 is your best option.
If you don’t need high resolution but still want all the speed of the A1, the Sony A9 III is another great option. With blazing-fast image capture and impressive video specs as well as a global shutter, the Sony A9 III is worth a look.
From Nikon, the Z9 is also a contender in this category. It has a variety of similar specs but the main downside is that the benefit of a compact mirrorless camera is lost because of the large grip. This makes it less of a contender in my opinion.
With so many amazing cameras on the market today, it can be difficult to choose. Despite this, the Sony A1 is an impressive camera!
Value for Money
Sony A1 with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens.
For over US$6,000, this is an expensive camera, no doubt about it! This flagship camera from Sony is not targeted at the budget shopper.
The Sony A1 is for the photographer who wants the best camera that Sony can make! If you want all the features packed into one compact mirrorless body, this is the camera for you.
Suppose you’ve already invested in some expensive Sony lenses. In that case, this camera will allow you to get some of the best photo and video features of any camera on the market today.
With this in mind, I think the Sony A1 offers decent value for photographers. It’s very expensive, but if you look at the video features (8k!), it’s actually quite good value for filmmakers.
It really comes down to what you’re trying to capture and what cost you’re willing to pay to get the job done.
FAQ’s
Does the Sony A1 overheat when capturing 8k video?
In my experience, no. I live in a relatively cool climate, so it may be an issue if you film in hotter locations.
Why is the Sony A1 so expensive?
A 50MP stills camera is nothing new, but capturing 8k video is quite impressive! Packing all the features this camera has into a small mirrorless body – things are going to get pricey!
What is the Sony A1 good for?
The true beauty of this camera is that it can do it all, very well! A master of all trades, the Sony A1 is a powerhouse camera. You get what you pay for. 🙂
Sony A1 Review | Conclusion
Sony A1 with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 lens.
To sum up my impressions of the Sony A1: the king of photography and videography in the Sony mirrorless lineup.
This camera can do it all and it appears Sony has held nothing back in their design of this camera. Sometimes manufacturers will hamstring a camera, giving it artificial limitations to fit it into a price category.
The Sony A1 is the most powerful camera in the Sony mirrorless category and rightfully takes its place as the flagship camera. Just look at the name. It’s not the A1 for nothing!
Well, at least until the A1 mark II is released… 🙂
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sony A1 Camera
The ultimate camera for professionals, offering unparalleled autofocus, 50MP stills and 8k video in a compact build.
