Sony has officially launched its latest flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Alpha 1 II (A1 II). The new model incorporates performance enhancements from Sony’s A7R V and A9 III, aiming to improve handling and user experience for professional photographers.
At its core, the A1 II retains the 50.1-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor from the original, offering 15 stops of dynamic range for still photography. Paired with Sony’s Bionz XR image processor, the camera now includes a dedicated AI processor to enhance autofocus and subject recognition capabilities. The A1 II continues to deliver up to 30 frames per second with its electronic shutter and boasts 759 autofocus points, covering 92% of the sensor.
The new AI processor significantly improves autofocus performance. According to Sony, eye autofocus accuracy has increased by 50% for birds and 30% for humans and other animals. Users no longer need to switch between subject detection modes, as the camera automatically adjusts based on the scene. Additionally, a pre-capture feature provides a one-second buffer, saving up to 30 frames before the shutter is fully pressed.
One of the standout features is the improved in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which now offers 8.5 stops of stabilization—the best in Sony’s lineup. This marks a three-stop improvement over the original A1, enhancing stability for both stills and video shooting.
The A1 II excels in video capabilities as well, supporting 8K recording at 30 fps with full sensor readout, 4K at 120 fps, and Full HD at 240 fps for slow-motion. Super 35 users can also enjoy 5.8K oversampling. The camera supports 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, user-generated LUTs, and Sony’s breathing compensation for smoother focus transitions. Sony’s auto-stabilization feature offers “gimbal-like” footage with a slight crop.
In terms of ergonomics, the A1 II borrows the improved grip and control layout from the A9 III. It features a 3.2-inch four-axis LCD screen and a 9.44-million dot OLED viewfinder with a 240Hz refresh rate. Sony has also updated the menu layout and includes two interchangeable eyecups in the package. Connectivity options include a full-sized HDMI port, USB-C, and an upgraded Ethernet port with 2.5Gbps transfer speeds. The camera offers dual CFexpress Type A card slots, compatible with UHS-II SD cards.
In the US, the Sony A1 II is set to ship out at a retail price of US$6,499 (~RM29,039) for body only, which is the same launch price as the original back in January 2021. Availability-wise, Sony Malaysia has confirmed that its new flagship camera will be arriving locally in December, but has yet to reveal the pricing.
Alongside the A1 II, Sony introduced a new 28-70mm f/2 G Master lens, which offers a constant f/2 aperture and weighs under a kilogram. The lens will also launch in December, priced at US$2,900 (~RM12,958).
(Source: Sony press release / official website)
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