Key Features
Jan 26 2021
Announced
50 megapixels
Resolution
| Brand | Sony |
| Sensor Type | Full frame |
| Sensor | Stacked CMOS |
| Weight | 737g |
| MSRP | $6498 |
Other similar cameras
Sony Alpha A9 II
Released Oct 03 2019 | 24MP resolution
Sony Alpha A7S III
Released Jul 21 2020 | 12MP resolution
Sony Alpha A7R V
Released Oct 26 2022 | 61MP resolution
Overview of the Alpha A1
Professional photographers are always on the lookout for the best gear to capture their stunning images. With Sony Alpha A1, they need not look any further. This camera is a marvel of technology, designed for those who demand the best in performance, speed, and image quality. Whether you are shooting sports events, weddings, or landscapes, the Alpha A1 is the ultimate camera that can help you create unparalleled masterpieces. Let's dive deep into its features and find out why photographers worldwide are eager to get their hands on it.
The Sony Alpha Series Lineup
Sony Alpha A1
Released Jan 26 2021 | 50MP resolution
Sony Alpha A1 Pros and Cons
Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A1 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!
Pros
Cons
Build and Construction
Body and dimensions
Sony Alpha A1
| Weather sealed | |
| Dimensions | 129 x 97 x81mm |
| Weight | 737g |
| Thickness | 81mm |
Weather Sealing
The Sony Alpha A1 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Alpha A1 is an excellent choice.
Design and Handling
Main design features
| View Finder | Electronic |
| Screen Type | Tilting |
| Screen Resolution | 1,440k dots |
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
Suitable for:
| Photography | Excellent |
| Videography | Excellent |
| Travel | Above Avg. |
LCD Screen
This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,440k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A1 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.
Viewfinder
Alpha A1 includes a electronic viewfinder with 9,437k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.9x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.
Image Quality
Sony Alpha A1 has a 50MP sized Stacked CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 50 pixels. Sony Alpha A1 has a native ISO range of 100 - 32000 which can be boosted to 50 - 102400. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.
Key Features
Jan 26 2021
Announced
100 - 32000
ISO Range
| Sensor | Full frame |
| Extended ISO | 50 - 102400 |
| Max resolution | 8640 x 5760 pixels |
DXO Sensor Scores
Overall
98 / 102
Color Depth
25.9 / 26.5
Dynamic Range
14.5 / 14.8
Low Light ISO
3163 / 4505
DXO mark sensor scores
The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A1 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha A1 is excellent
Crop Factor
Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.
Size comparison
Crop factor calculator
Crop factor
1x
Full frame equivalent
24mm
This camera: Full frame
24mm
Connectivity, storage, battery
| Storage | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
| Battery Life | 530 shots |
| Battery Model | NP-FZ100 |
| HDMI | |
| USD | |
| Wireless Connectivity |
Storage
The Sony Alpha A1 supports Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A1 is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.
Battery
The Sony Alpha A1 uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 530 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.
Photography Features
Flash
The Sony Alpha A1 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.
Shutter
The Sony Alpha A1 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.
With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of 10.0 fps or an electronic shutter speed of 30.0 fps, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.
Autofocus
The Sony Alpha A1 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 759 number of focus points.
While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.
Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.
On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.
FAQ
The Sony Alpha A1 features a Stacked CMOS sensor
Yes the Alpha A1 does have weather sealing.
The Sony Alpha A1 was announced on Jan 26 2021
Yes the Alpha A1 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.
The Alpha A1 has a native ISO range of 100-32000, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102400 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.
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