About Sony Alpha 1

Sony Alpha 1.
Capture What You’ve Never Been Able To Before.

The most technologically advanced, innovative camera that Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 combines high-resolution and high-speed performance at a level never previously reached. A 50.1-megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RS image sensor capable of up to 30 fps continuous shooting with up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second4, 8k 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video and muchmore, the Alpha 1 will allow creators to capture what they’ve never been able to before.

Introducing The Alpha 1.

The Alpha 1 features a newly developed stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor, built with integral memory and paired with an upgraded BIONZ XR imaging processing engine, making it capable of shooting 50.1-megapixel images continuously at anastounding 30fps with up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second. The Alpha 1 shooting capabilities are further enhanced by a 9.4 million dot OLED Quad-XGA electronic viewfinder, with a refresh rate of upto 240 fps, ensuring no black out. Additionally, for the first time in an Alpha series camera, 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video is available, along with 4K 120p 1510-bit 4:2:2 recording and S-Cinetone color. The Alpha 1 is also packed with features that support field professionals with faster workflow, including 3.5x faster wireless FTP transfer speed and more.

50.1 MP Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS Sensor W/ Integral Memory.

The innovative full-frame Exmor RS image sensor delivers an overwhelming combination of resolution and speed with 50.1 effective megapixels in a stacked CMOS architecture with integral memory. The sensor’s stacked structure and advanced A/D (analogue to digital) conversion provides significant improvements over the α9II, allowing a huge amount of data to be read from the pixel area at high speed, then temporarily store it in the chip’s integrated memory so that high-speed processing can proceed without delays. Despite the large volume of data produced by the sensor’s 50.1 million pixels (approx.twice the pixel count of the α9 II), the Alpha1 can shoot continuous bursts at up to 30 frames per second (1.5x the speed of the α9 II) while offering fast, precise phase-detection AF.

Continous Shooting Up To 30 FPS W 120 AF/AE Calculator Per Second.

The Alpha 1 captures moments that would otherwise be lost thanks to its high-speed read out from the 50.1-megapixel image sensor, making it possible to shoot up to 30 full-frame images per second,using the electronic shutter, with full AF (auto focus) and AE (auto exposure) tracking up to an astonishing 120 calculations per second, with AE response latency as low as 0.033 second, even with sudden changes in brightness. A large buffer memory and increased overall system speed allow up to approximately 165 JPEG images or 155 compressed RAW images to be captured in one continuous 30 fps burst and at 20 frames per second, users can shoot up to 238 full-frame compressed RAW images or 400 full-frame JPEG images. This can be a huge confidence-booster when timing is critical for sports, wildlife, and other moving subjects.

8X More Powerful, Next Generation BIONZ XR Image Processing Engine.

The Alpha 1 incorporates the next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine which performs 8x fasterprocessing compared to the BIONZ X processing engine found on previous models. The BIONZ XR handles all of AF, image recognition, image quality adjustments, development, and more in real time, minimizing processing latency while markedly boosting still imageand movie processing power. Furthermore, user interface, network, and file management processing are distributed so that fast, stress-free control response is maintained regardless of real-time processing load.

Selectable Continous Shooting Speeds With Electronic Shutter.

The Alpha 1 offers a range of selectable continuous shooting speeds: 20, 15, 10, or 5 fps assignable to the Hi, Mid, and Lo drive modes. Continuous shooting is fixed at 30 fps in the Hi+ mode. This makes it easier to set a continuous shooting speed that best suits the subject and shooting environment, while an expanded range of speed and compression combinations offers new flexibility. A continuous shooting speed of 15 fps coupled with the “M:21M JPEG + Compressed RAW” recording mode, for example, will allow more than 1000 still images to be shot in one burst in APS-C mode.

Blackout-Free For An Uninterrupted View.

An interrupted blackout-free view of the subject lets you respond instantly and seamlessly. The EVF is updated at 240fps to minimize latency during continuous shooting.

(A) Blackout-free Shooting
(B) Shooting with blackouts

Silent, Vibration-Free Shutter.

A silent electronic shutter provides greater opportunities for shooting sports and other subjects where noise is not tolerated. Vibration-free operation contributes to high image quality.

Anti-Distortion Shutter.

Fast sensor readout minimizes still-image distortion when using the electronic shutter. The BIONZ XR engine and a large buffer achieve about 1.5x less distortion than the α9 II.

[1] Conventional electronic shutter
[2] Anti-distortion shutter

Flicker-Free Electronic & Mechanical Shutters.

Another world-first: flicker-free electronic and mechanical shutters. You get flicker-free shooting under fluorescent/artificial lighting with all the benefits of the electronic shutter.

Anti-flicker [1] ON [2] OFF

Flash Sync With Electronic Shutter.

For the first time in an α camera, electronic shutter flash sync is possible thanks to high readout speed from the stacked CMOS sensor. All electronic shutter advantages remain available for flash shooting.

Dual Driven Shutter Drive For Flash Sync Up To 1/400s.

The world's first dual driven shutter system allows flash sync up to 1/400 s., making it easier to capture dynamic action, and opening the door to new creative possibilities.

Breathtaking Resolution & Image Quality.

The new 50.1-MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor delivers high resolution and sensitivity with low noise, plus up to 15 stops of dynamic range. A new image processing engine achieves even better color accuracy than previous models.

Wide ISO 100–32000 Sensitivity Range.

Despite the sensor's high pixel count, a sensitive back-illuminated structure with gapless on-chip lenses and an AR coated seal glass allows a standard ISO range of ISO 100–32000, expandable to ISO 50–102400.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting.

Up to 16 images shot with precise in-body image stabilization control can be combined via computer software to create photos with up to 199 million pixels for extraordinary resolution, color, and atmosphere.

[1] Normal Shooting
[2] 16-image Pixel Shift Multi Shooting

Creative Look Supports Varied Expression.

The Creative Look feature provides 10 presets that can be used unmodified or edited to create a variety of "looks" that can help creators fine-tune the mood of their stills or movies in-camera.

5-Axis Optical In-Body Image Stabilization For A 5.5-Step Advantage.

A precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors plus the latest image stabilization algorithms deliver a 5.5-step shutter speed advantage, maximizing the quality of high-resolution images.

[1] Yaw [2] Pitch [3] Roll

Improved Real-time Eye AF For Animals.

Primarily designed for cats and dogs, this feature employs advanced subject recognition technology to reliably track and focus on animal eyes. It even works if the animal's face is upside-down.

Real-Time Eye AF.

Combining state-of-the-art AI technology and evolved Fast Hybrid AF algorithms, Real-time Eye AF in the α1 tracks and focuses on human eyes with approximately 30% greater precision than the α9 II.

Real-Time Tracking.

Select a subject, half-press the shutter, and the camera will track and maintain focus automatically. Turn on AF face/eye priority for seamless AI-based tracking of human, animal, or bird eyes.

Wide, Fast, Precise AF Tracking.

The α1 features focal plane phase-detection AF that is sensitive, fast, and precise. The 50.1-MP sensor and BIONZ XR engine provide 759 selectable phase-detection points covering about 92% of the image.

4K Movies At A High 120fps Frame Rate.

The α1 supports high frame-rate internal 4K movie recording at up to 120fps, for smooth, expressive slow-motion playback at up to 5x. 10-bit 4:2:2 chroma subsampling can be used with Long-GOP or Intra (All-I) compression for outstanding image quality, while the new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine minimize image distortion.

The Cinematic S-Cinetone Look.

The α1 includes the same S-Cinetone color matrix that produces beautiful color and skin tones in the VENICE, FX6, and other Cinema Line cameras. S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin color, plus soft colors and gorgeous highlights, responding to a growing need for more expressive depth.

"Active Mode" Image Stabilization.

A new Active Mode dedicated to movie shooting makes 5-axis optical image stabilization highly effective for handheld shooting. It uses the BIONZ XR engine's real-time processing capability to apply optimum compensation in all formats, including 4K. All of this is realized without compromising the compact size and mobility of the α system.

Panning Shots With Electronic Shutter.

Using electronic shutter at low shutter speeds can reduce display response, making it difficult to follow fast subjects. Turn [Low Frame Rate Limit] ON to improve display response and allow panning shots.

Seamlessly Switch Full-Frame & APS-C Formats.

M and S size images have the same number of pixels and AF area in the full-frame and APS-C modes, so you can switch seamlessly between full-frame [M:21MP] and APS-C [M:21MP] while shooting the same scene.

[1] Full Frame [2] APS-C

New Menu Structure.

Another feature requested by professional photographers and videographers: a revised menu structure for easier navigation, and touch-responsive menu operation for more intuitive control.

Customizable Functions.

164 Functions are assignable to 17 custom keys as well as the front and rear dials. Independent function sets can be assigned for stills, movies and playback.

High-Capacity Z-Series Battery For Extended Recording.

Shoot up to 530 stills per charge. Components and circuitry have also been designed to optimize power use. Get more capacity with two Z batteries in the VG-C4EM grip.

Improved Dust & Moisture-Resistant Design.

Sealing is provided at all body seams and the battery cover. The media slots have a double sliding cover and lock that keep water out. A lens lock button and mount cushion help too.