In today’s smartphone-heavy world, the “best camera” is often the one you carry around with you. While flagship mobile devices are getting better and better when it comes to cameras, there are still limits that they can’t reach. The new Sony Alpha 1 II is here to remind us why the professional camera segment is still very much alive.
The mirrorless Sony Alpha 1 II succeeds the original 2021 model. The camera integrates improvements that we have seen in models such as the A7R V and A9 III. It promises outstanding performance in practically any condition, both for photos and videos. However, this is normal considering its hefty price tag and the niche market it is targeting.
The Sony Alpha 1 II keeps the same sensor, but greatly improves the experience and integrates AI
The Sony Alpha 1 II maintains the same 50.1 MP stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor from the original model. This is good news, as it still boasts the 15 stops of HDR. It excels at shooting moving subjects thanks to its up to 30 fps blackout-free continuous shooting. A new “Pre-Capture” feature will create a buffer of images 1 second before you press the shutter. This ensures that you’ll never miss the ideal moment.
In the artificial intelligence era, almost every flagship tech product has AI-powered features, and the Alpha 1 II is no exception. Sony integrated a dedicated AI chip to boost subject recognition capabilities. This is in addition to Sony’s Bionz XR ISP that boosts the performance of the Eye Autofocus feature—which focuses on a subject while tracking its eye—by up to 50% for birds and 30% for other animals (and humans).
Both the ISP and the 759 autofocus points, which cover 92% of the sensor, have improved overall autofocus performance. The camera makes image capture easier by automatically setting the ideal parameters based on the subject and scene.
Video recording of the highest level
Sony’s new Alpha 1 II also offers impressive professional video recording capabilities. There’s support for 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps and Full HD/240fps (ideal for slow motion). Professionals will appreciate the user LUT support and up to 8.5 stops of stabilization thanks to the improved IBIS (in-body image stabilization) system. You can enable extra stabilization assistance via the “gimbal-like” option that slightly crops the image.
Sony has improved the ergonomics of its new camera for more comfortable use and a better grip. There’s a redesigned 3.2-inch LCD screen and a 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder (240Hz refresh rate). The more comfortable user experience carries over to the redesigned menu layout. The camera even integrates an additional customizable button for greater versatility.
The Sony Alpha 1 II offers support for 5G connectivity and real-time image transfer via LAN, among other useful features for professionals. Adobe Creators’ Cloud includes integration with Lightroom and Google Drive to make things even easier for you.
Connectivity options
For the connectivity section, you will find HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet ports. The latter has been improved, now supporting 2.5Gbps of bandwidth for even faster transfers. You can use UHS-II SD cards to store all your photos and videos thanks to the CFexpress Type-A card slot.
Sony is one of the companies pushing standards that facilitate tracking AI-manipulated content. In line with this, the company announced that the Alpha 1 II will support detailed metadata through its Camera Authenticity system. The feature will arrive in a future update, although there is no date yet.
Sony Alpha 1 II price and availability
The new Sony Alpha 1 II mirrorless camera is priced at $6,499.99 in the US. The company has kept the same launch price as the original model announced a few years ago. It will be available in December.
