Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Camera Body

Sony continues to challenge the limits of conventional imaging tools with innovative technology that delivers an unprecedented combination of resolution and speed plus intuitive operation.

The α1 offers new dimensions of imaging performance as well as efficient workflow, giving the user new creative freedom.

• 50MP Full-Frame Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
• Up to 30 fps Shooting, ISO 50-102400
• 8K 30p and 4K 120p Video in 10-Bit
• 4.3K 16-Bit Raw Video Output, S-Cinetone
• 9.44m-Dot EVF with 240 fps Refresh Rate
• 759-Pt. Fast Hybrid AF, Real-time Eye AF
• 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• Dual Drive Mech. Shutter, 1/400 Sec Sync
• 5 GHz MIMO Wi-Fi, 1000BASE-T Ethernet
• Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots

50.1 megapixel1 Exmor RS™ image sensor

The α1 features a full-frame stacked back-illuminated CMOS Exmor RS™ sensor with 50.1 effective megapixels and integrated memory. In addition to delivering outstanding image quality, this allows the α1 to shoot continuously at up 30 frames per second while offering fast, precise phase-detection AF and top-quality 8K movies with full-frame 8.6K oversampling for the first time in the α series. Unprecedented performance for a new era of image making.

Advanced BIONZ XR engine boosts speed by up to 8x2

The α1 features a revised system architecture with greatly enhanced processing performance from image capture through all signal processing stages. Processing latency is minimised while image processing power is dramatically increased for extraordinary image quality. User interface, network, and file management processing is distributed so that fast, stress-free control response is maintained regardless of real-time processing load.

Continuous shooting at up to 30 fps3

High speed readout from the 50.1-megapixel image sensor and a large buffer memory make it possible to shoot up to approximately 165 full-frame JPEG images4 or 155 full-frame compressed RAW images5 at up to 30 frames per second3 with the electronic shutter while maintaining full AF and AE tracking performance. This can be a huge confidence-booster when timing is critical for sports and other moving subjects.

Blackout-free shooting

The α1 viewfinder does not black out when an exposure is made, so you have an uninterrupted view that allows smooth, seamless framing and tracking even during continuous shooting. High readout speed from the new image sensor makes it possible to refresh the live-view EVF display 2406 times per second while shooting continuous bursts, overcoming the distracting time lag that is usually associated with EVF viewing.

Up to 120  calculations per second for smooth AF/AE tracking

The high sensor readout speed of the α1 allows up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second7 at the focal plane, even while shooting continuously at up to 30 fps8. Complex, erratic subject motion is tracked with higher precision than ever, and exposure can be automatically adjusted even through sudden brightness changes. AF response latency is as low as 0.033 second3 for consistently accurate exposure.

Silent, vibration-free electronic shutter

The electronic shutter9 operates silently, without mechanical noise that can be disruptive when shooting sports or events in a quiet environment. The electronic shutter is also vibration-free, minimising the likelihood of vibration-induced blur and further contributing to superior image quality. And since it has no moving components the electronic shutter is much more durable than any mechanical counterpart.

Anti-flicker shooting with electronic shutter

High-speed readout from the new image sensor has made it possible to provide Anti-flicker Shooting with an electronic shutter for the first time10. This enables blackout-free shooting, up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, up to 30 fps continuous shooting11, silent shooting, and other advantages of the electronic shutter without flicker issues when shooting under fluorescent, LED or other flicker-prone types of artificial light.

High resolution and sensitivity with 15-stop  dynamic range

The α1 employs highly efficient noise reduction processing to deliver extraordinary resolution from its 50.1 effective megapixel image sensor. That resolution is complemented by high sensitivity with low noise, plus approximately 15 stops12 of dynamic range at lower sensitivities for smooth, natural gradations from shadows to highlights.

5-axis optical in-body image stabilization for a 5.5-step14 shutter speed advantage

A high-precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors, plus optimized image stabilization algorithms, achieve up to a 5.5-step shutter speed advantage, maximizing the quality of the high-resolution images derived from the camera’s 50.1-megapixel sensor. The α1 also features an Active Mode that offers outstanding stabilization for handheld movie shooting.

Real-time Eye AF bird mode

In addition to Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, the α1 employs high-level subject recognition technology to provide Real-time Eye AF for birds15. Select the bird to be tracked, and the camera will automatically detect and focus on that bird’s eye whether the bird is still or in flight. Optimized algorithms ensure that tracking is maintained even if a sitting bird suddenly takes flight, or the framing suddenly changes16.

759 point full-area phase detection AF

75917 phase detection points in a high-density focal plane phase-detection AF system cover approximately 92% of the image area, ensuring accuracy and unfailing focus in scenes where focusing might otherwise be difficult. The 759-point focal plane phase-detection AF system works with a 425-point contrast AF system to ensure precise AF operation in any environment.

Stunning realism with 8K 30p movies

For the first time in the α series, the α1 offers 8K 30p18 XAVC HS recording with 8.6K oversampling for extraordinary resolution and realism. Combined with superior α1 AF, gradation, and colour reproduction performance, 8K resolution brings the world to life. 8K footage is also ideally suited to flexible 4K editing. Low-bit-rate proxy files with HD resolution can be recorded simultaneously with 8K. 8K 4:2:2 10bit recording is available as of α1 Ver. 1.3, allowing more varied expression and high-level editing capability at 8K resolution.

4K movie recording at up to 120 frames per second

The α1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second19. Extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery20 at 4K resolution provides new expressive capability. In addition to supporting 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, this feature can be used with efficient Long GOP inter-frame compression or high-quality Intra (All-I) intra-frame compression.

Full pixel readout without binning for high-res 4K

Full frame and Super 35 formats can be selected for 4K movie recording. Full pixel readout in the Super 35 mode (approx. APS-C 16:9), without the need for pixel binning, makes it possible to condense approximately 2.3 times the amount of data required for 4K movies, resulting in high-resolution, high-detail 4K with minimal moiré and jaggies. Bit rates up to 600 Mbps can be used for 4K XAVC HS, XAVC S, and XAVC S-I recording.S-Cinetone for that expressive cinematic look

The α1 includes S-Cinetone, the same colour matrix that produces the highly regarded FX9 and FX6 colour and skin tones. Based on technology acquired through development of Cinema Line cameras such as FX9, S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin colour, plus soft colours and gorgeous highlights. S-Cinetone responds to a growing need for more expressive depth.

High-resolution viewfinder with the widest view in its class

A 9.44 million-dot (approx.) electronic viewfinder with high-definition OLED display and refined optics delivers the highest resolution in its class24. It also offers 0.90x viewfinder magnification, a 41° diagonal FOV, and a 25mm high eyepoint for clear, low-distortion viewing from corner to corner. This advanced viewfinder also features up to 240 fps refresh rate with UXGA FOV for super-smooth display.

Comprehensive touch operation

A revised menu structure provides easier navigation, and touch-responsive menu operation offers faster, more intuitive control. All main and function menus are touch responsive. Even more intuitive control is provided by Touch Focus and Touch Tracking. With Touch Tracking enabled, all you have to do is touch a subject on the monitor to initiate Real-time Tracking for that subject, for both stills and movies.

Two CFexpress Type A compatible media slots

The α1 has two media slots that both support UHS-I and UHS-II SDXC/SDHC cards as well as new CFexpress Type A cards for higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds. CFexpress Type A cards are ideally suited to high-speed continuous still shooting as well as high-resolution, high-bitrate movie recording. Recorded stills and movies can be saved to the memory media in numerous ways, to match a wide range of applications and needs.

Improved dust and 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.

Durable magnesium alloy chassis

A light, rigid magnesium alloy enhances the durability of the top, front, and rear covers as well as the internal frame. 6 lens mount attachment screws add even more strength and rigidity.