Specifications & Features

The α1 II is the second generation of Sony’s flagship α1 mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. With enhanced AI-based subject recognition, and the high resolution and speed of the original α1, even higher capture success rates are now yours, realising unrivalled efficiency and freedom for professional workflows.

• 50.1 megapixel 35mm full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor

• BIONZ XR image processing engine with blackout-free viewing and full AF/AE tracking at up to 30 fps

• Real-time Recognition AF recognises a wide variety of subject types for both stills and movies

• Optical 5-axis image stabilisation achieves 8.5-step central / 7.0-step peripheral effect

• Movie recording capability at up to 8K 30p and 4K 120p

SENSOR TYPE

35mm full frame (35.9 x 24.0 mm), Exmor RS CMOS sensor

NUMBER OF PIXELS (EFFECTIVE)

Still images: Approx. 50.1 megapixels max.,Movies: Approx. 42.0 megapixels max.

FOCUS POINT

Still images: Max. 759 points (phase-detection AF), Movies: Max. 759 points (phase-detection AF)

ISO SENSITIVITY

Still images: ISO 100 - 32000 (expandable to ISO 50 - 102400), AUTO (ISO 100 - 12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100 - 32000 equivalent, AUTO (ISO 100 - 12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit)

Memory Card Slot

SLOT1: Multi slot for SD (UHS-I/II compliant) memory card / CFexpress 2.0 Type A card, SLOT2: Multi slot for SD (UHS-I/II compliant) memory card / CFexpress 2.0 Type A card

Monitor Type

8.0 cm (3.2-type) type TFT

Another leap at the top

The α1 II gives users everything they need to achieve a higher capture success rate and more, including 50MP high resolution, AI-based subject recognition AF, high-speed continuous shooting, and an advanced workflow from capture to delivery that provides professionals with unrivalled efficiency and freedom.

• Fast, smart and detailed

• Stunning high resolution

• Advanced movie functionality

• Comfortable operation and high reliability

• Fast delivery and broad expandability 

• Environmental consideration and accessibility    

A fusion of leading technologies delivers overwhelming performance

The massive volume of data from the approximately 50.1 effective megapixel full frame Exmor RS™ image sensor is processed in real time by Sony’s BIONZ XR™ image processing engine. An advanced AI processing unit applies high-level subject recognition to reliably recognise a wide range of subjects. These state-of-the-art technologies come together to make it easy to capture even the most challenging subjects in extraordinary resolution, with blackout-free viewing and full AF/AE tracking performance at up to 30 fps.

Advanced AI processing unit for high-level subject recognition

The α1 II features a dedicated AI processing unit that helps to recognise people more accurately based on human pose estimation, and also supports recognition of a wide range of subjects other than people, such as animals, vehicles and insects, with high accuracy. This results in a dramatic improvement in Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking capability, and higher overall AF performance.

Human eye recognition improved by up to approximately 30%

Real-time Recognition AF has improved human eye recognition by approximately 30%, with human pose estimation improving recognition of subjects facing away from the camera, wearing sunglasses, or with the face obscured. Recognition of distant human subjects occupying only a small part of the frame has been notably improved, and subjects can be tracked better across occlusions.

A wide variety of subjects accurately recognised

A wider variety of subjects is now recognised for stills and movies, with a new [Auto] mode letting the camera select. Recognition of animals overall is improved by approximately 30%, with eyes of some small animals added, and the eyes, heads and faces of animals like dogs and cats recognised. Recognition of birds is improved by 50%.

AF tracking response settable to match subject speed changes

Fast Hybrid AF provides 759 phase-detection points for tenacious tracking and pinpoint focusing, now with adjustable tracking response speed, useful for example in bird photography, and in light levels down to EV-4.0 in AF-S mode.

Flexible focus area settings

XL and XS focus area spot sizes are now available as well as L, M, and S. XS can be useful to avoid focusing on foreground objects such as branches. It is also possible to create a custom focus area of specified size and aspect ratio.

Selectable release time lag

Selectable release time lag modes are available via the [Release Lag] / [Start Display] menu. With blackout occurring on only the first image in a continuous burst, [Fastest Release/On] provides the shortest possible release time lag, while [Stable Release/On] minimises variations in release time lag making it easier to release the shutter at the intended moment. The default [Auto/Off] setting gives no blackout when shooting is started.

High-speed continuous shooting at full 50.1 MP resolution

High-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps with full AF/AE tracking is possible at 50.1 MP resolution, with up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second. Blackout-free shooting with no loss of viewfinder image allows seamless framing and capture of the subject as if viewed with the naked eye.

More control over timing to capture decisive moments

Pre-capture retroactively captures moments that occurred before the shutter was released, without compromising resolution, even when shooting continuously at up to 30 fps with selectable recording time options. Continuous Shooting Speed Boost can temporarily change the burst speed. Both features reduce the chance of missing that vital instant.