Sony A1 II Mirrorless Camera Body

Sony A1 II Mirrorless Camera Body Summary

The second-generation flagship Sony A1 II Mirrorless Camera Body builds on the legacy of its revolutionary predecessor, pushing the boundaries of professional imaging even further through upgraded image quality, stability, ergonomics, and connectivity.

The full-frame Alpha mirrorless camera introduces a host of upgrades and new features inside and out, incorporating the latest technology from Sony, which is designed for serious enthusiasts and professional content creators.

These include the addition of Sony’s state-of-the-art AI processing unit for real-time subject recognition autofocus, and an overhauled in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system offering up to 8.5 stops in the centre frame and 7 stops at the periphery. There are also numerous upgrades that improve shooting and sharing efficiency for working pros, with updated ergonomics, selectable RAW options and the inclusion of 2.5GBASE-T Ethernet.

The camera can shoot stills at blistering speeds with blackout-free continuous bursts of up to 30fps, along with Pre-Capture, Speed Boost and RAW composite modes. Video capabilities are also enhanced offering the ability to capture oversampled 8.6K movies, 4K 120p high frame rate recording, and user LUT imports, among other upgrades.

The A1 camera’s updated body design benefits from a new 4-axis multi-angle monitor, and an enhanced grip and button layout for improved ergonomics. Sony has even included a dual battery charger that can charge two batteries in just 155 minutes for busy shooting schedules, ensuring that this generation flagship camera is sharper, faster, and always ready for action.

Key Sony A1 II Features

• 50.1 megapixel Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR image processor
• State-of-the-art AI processing unit for realtime subject recognition AF (stills and video)
• Upgraded 5-axis image stabilisation with up to 8.5-stops centre frame and 7-stops periphery
• Selectable RAW options for improved shooting efficiency
• Up to 30fps blackout-free continuous burst shooting
• Flash sync up to 1/400 sec.
• New 200MP composite RAW functionality with NR shooting and Pixel Shift
• Pre-Capture and Speed Boost modes
• Enhanced video capabilities
• 8K/30p and 4K 50/60p recording in 4:2:2 10-bit, All-I
• Enhanced ergonomic grip and button layout
• Included quick charger for 155 minute charge time (two batteries)
• Enhanced connectivity now includes 2.5GBASE-T Ethernet
• New dedicated microphone for Voice Memos

Sony A1 II Mirrorless Camera Body in More Detail

The next-generation A1 II is the ultimate Sony hybrid camera, incorporating newly developed technology and integrating high-end features from the most advanced cameras in the lineup. It packs the same core 50.1-megapixel Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR image processor as the original model, adding a dedicated AI processing unit for improved real-time subject recognition autofocus. This results in an unrivalled fusion of resolution, speed, and AI processing capabilities for both stills and video recording.

Noise suppression at mid-ISO ranges is improved, and IBIS technology now offers the benefits of dual centre frame and periphery stabilisation, ensuring sharpness where it matters most for the subject.

Pre-Capture and Speed Boost modes ensure the camera is capable of ultimate shooting speed to accompany accuracy, while the AI unit adds an Auto mode to a wide range of subject recognition, featuring advanced human, animal, bird/insect, and select vehicle recognition.

Realtime Recognition AF

The newly adopted AI processing unit originally seen in the A7R V introduces Real-time Recognition AF to the Sony A1 mark II. This offers next-generation autofocus with advanced accuracy and broader subject recognition, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) processing with deep learning technology.

This state-of-the-art technology analyses detailed information about the human form and estimates poses to improve recognition accuracy. By using AI subject recognition, Real-time Recognition AF includes several subject types, such as animals, vehicles, and insects, which can now be more streamlined via the new Auto recognition mode.

Additionally, human eye recognition has been improved by up to 30%, and bird recognition accuracy has been upgraded by 50% for more keepers. The new ability to select XL and XS focus spot size options further enhances autofocus competence, ensuring creators can draw out the very best from the AF system.

Sony’s Human pose estimation technology has been upgraded to achieve better AF regardless of whether the subject moves, turns away from the camera, or becomes temporarily obscured during tracking. This improves hit rates significantly in certain situations and helps users achieve accurate results which were previously all but impossible.

The complete list of subjects recognised by the Sony A1 II include:

• Auto
• Human
• Animal
• Bird
• Insect
• Car
• Train
• Airplane

Highly accurate AF with wide coverage

92% of the image area is covered with 759 high density phase-detection AF points, which offers great accuracy, even when shooting in APS-C mode. When using a bright aperture lens such as the newly released Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, the camera achieves low light AF down to -4EV with AF-S at ISO 100.

Users can select AF tracking response between stable, standard and responsive settings, balancing subjects such as birds taking flight or athletes suddenly moving in different directions.

Outstanding speed

The next-gen. A1 II is built for action, shooting at blistering burst speeds of up to 30 fps with full 50.1 MP resolution images and AF/AE tracking. This is supported by an image buffer that handles around 153 compressed RAW images for over 5 seconds of continuous bursts.

Sony’s Pre-Capture mode buffers full resolution files when the shutter button is half-pressed, saving images to the memory card between 0.03 to 1 second when the shutter is fully pressed. This provides a more dependable way to capture images that may have otherwise been missed due to delayed reactions, ensuring that each decisive moment can be recorded with greater ease.

A new Continuous Shooting Speed Boost mode, inherited from the A9 III, allows a custom button to be assigned to temporarily increase burst shooting speeds. This feature can save data storage and buffer requirements by only bursting frames when necessary, rather than shooting at higher frame rates all the time.

Refined high-resolution images

The effective 50.1 megapixel Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor further improves image quality compared to the original camera at mid to high ISO ranges, and offers more accurate colour reproduction with enhanced white balance rendering.

This results in beautiful high-resolution files with notably accurate skin tones, which is especially beneficial for sports and event photographers who regularly demand the best results straight out of the camera.

Sample image © Olle Nilsson with Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM Lens and Sony 1.4x TC @420mm. Camera settings: 1/3200 sec. f/4. ISO 3200

Upgraded image stabilisation

Sony has upgraded the 5-axis sensor-shift in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system, providing up to 8.5 stops in the centre of the frame and 7 stops at the periphery for stills shooting. This offers unprecedented advantages when shooting handheld, especially in demanding low-light situations where users can now work at significantly slower shutter speeds.

The IBIS unit offers extremely accurate stabilisation right down to single pixel level, with improved synchronisation between the camera body and select Sony E lenses.

Additionally, two new Composite RAW features allow you to capture scenes in remarkable 200 MP resolution or reduce noise for cleaner images, enabling the camera to capture between four and 32 images that are merged to reduce noise and enhance image quality. This capability is ideal for a variety of subjects from portraiture and lifestyle to sports, events, and wildlife.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting uses either four or 16 pixel-shifted images that are later composited on a computer to render extremely high-resolution results into a single frame. This feature has been upgraded to take changing conditions in the frame into account, resulting in more accurate results with fewer artefacts in the image.

Evolved movie recording with Realtime Recognition AF

Autofocus improvements enhance the Sony A1 II’s ability to capture video with ultra high-resolution 8K at 30p and 8.6K oversampled recording. High frame rate (HFR) recording is also possible in-camera at speeds of up to 120 fps for slow-motion playback effects.

Improved S-Log3 matching makes colour grading easier and more accurate, and the A1 II includes the new ability to import up to 16 user LUTs for better monitoring and colour balance.

The dedicated AI processing unit enhances video autofocus with the same improved subject recognition and tracking found in stills photography, enabling broader and more accurate subject recognition and tracking when recording movies.

Sample image © Mine Kasapoglu with Sony FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS Mark II Lens @111mm. Camera settings: 1/3200 sec. f/2.8. ISO 400

Two high-performance image stabilisation modes are available for handheld video recording, and images can be automatically captured from Shot Mark clips for flexible stills content creation. These are available between 2.1MP (FHD) through to 33.2MP 8K images in JPEG or HEIF formats.

Active Mode is joined by a new dynamic active mode stabilisation, which adds electronic stabilisation to enhance the effect by around 20% than the standard Active Mode. Likewise a new framing stabiliser is available for moviemaking, which helps to prioritise the subject in the frame by recomposing the image automatically.

Wide range of video recording formats

The Sony A1 II is a true hybrid powerhouse, with a range of video recording formats for high-end workflows. These include the ability to capture 8K 30p 4:2:2 in 10-bit, oversampled 8.6K and 4K 60p in Super 35mm mode. Oversampled 5.8K movies are also available using full pixel readout without pixel binning, along with HFR 4K 120p and Full HD 240p, catering to many video requirements for various platforms.

With S-Log3 footage is improved for easier colour matching with CineAlta cameras such as Venice and the 8K BURANO where multiple cameras are utilised. S-Cinetone is an available picture  profile, which resembles the Sony VENICE, achieving cinematic results without the need for colour grading.

Advanced filmmaking features

The Alpha 1 II includes a number of advanced filmmaking capabilities for offer increasing demands to produce professional video content. These include:

• Auto framing *New
• Focus mapping *New
• Soft Skin Effect *New
• Movie self timer *New
• SS 1/48 and 1/96 options when recording 24p
• Breathing compensation
• Time Code Sync
• AF assist
• HDMI RAW output

Designed for professionals

A number of design refinements ensure that the next-generation body is well suited for demanding workflows. Upgrades include a new 3.2-inch 4-axis multi-angle 2.1-million dot monitor, providing the flexibility to shoot at virtually any angle for awkward and difficult-to-reach compositions.

The stunning 9.44-million dot EVF offers crystal-clear image previews, reduced display lag and offers the ability to select high quality display to reduce jaggies. It is complemented by a new deeper FDA-EP21 Eyepiece Cup to reduce light leakage and enhance comfort, for a more rounded experience.

The button layout on the A1 II is also improved, with a new front C5 custom button, a new Stills/Movie/S&Q dial, plus a more ergonomic body grip for better handholding.

New selectable options for release lag are available, allowing you to prioritise either release lag or viewfinder/monitor display, depending on the shooting environment. The camera is extremely reliable even in challenging shooting conditions, thanks to an anti-dust system and comprehensive moisture resistance.

Sample image 09 © Tom Oldham with Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM Lens @50mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/8. ISO 400

The top, front and rear covers and internal frame are made of lightweight, highly rigid magnesium alloy, and the A1 II offers effective heat dissipation. Even the shutter button features a subtly redesigned angle, allowing for a more natural position of the finger when pressing down.

Compatibility with an optional VG-C5 grip has been implemented for extended shooting and vertical control, and Sony has included a new dual quick charger BC-ZD1 with the body, which charges two batteries simultaneously in just 155 minutes.

When shooting with a fully charged NP-FZ100 battery you can capture up to 420 shots with the viewfinder, 520 shots (LCD monitor), and the camera can be powered by the USB-C port using a USB PD power supply.

Despite being Sony’s definitive flagship camera, the A1 II remains one of the lightest in the flagship class, with a weight of 658 g (body only) or 743 g with a battery and memory card.

Faster image delivery and system versatility

A number of upgrades support delivery efficiency, such as a new dedicated microphone for clearer voice memos. The camera also includes up to 20 IPTC presets (internally) and offers seamless search and image playback with two SDXC / CFexpress Type A memory card slots. Additionally, there is a dedicated playback menu for effective image selection, streamlining the entire delivery process when tight deadlines need to be met.

2.5GBASE-T wired LAN support adds ultra-fast and stable Ethernet connectivity for large file transfers, which joins a comprehensive set of file transfer tools. SSL or TLS encryption is available, and the camera includes Wake on LAN functionality from Sony’s remote camera tool app. The shutter release can also be synced with other cameras for multi-camera setups.

Built-in WiFi with 2x2 MIMO includes high-speed wireless 5GHz communication with 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO and there are multiple options available for data transfer over to an FTP server:

1. Wired and wireless LAN
2. USB tethering with a smartphone
3. flexible transfer settings
4. Up to 10 transfer settings can be saved for re-use

Transfer and tagging (T&T) enables background FTP transfer to a smartphone, with tag/caption attachment.

Remote camera tool

Sony’s remote camera tool enables you to access and control Sony cameras remotely through:

• PC Remote shooting via wired LAN
• Synchronised multi-camera operation (AF, shutter release)
• Remote camera power control (Wake on LAN)

Live view monitoring, shutter release and other operations can be triggered with support for Sony’s Camera Remote Toolkit.

Users can also live stream from the A1 II, with up to 4K 30p USB (UVC/UAC) streaming. Network live streaming via a streaming site is also available (RTMP/RTMPS, SRT protocol).

Enhanced customisation

Users can customise the A1 II in numerous ways, including by long-pressing an item in My Menu items for quick registration. The Fn menu now allows folder selection and new folder creation, and the audio signal volume is adjustable in the setup menu for easier access.

Sony has also imported accessibility features from the A9 III into the flagship body, including a new screen reader, enlarged menu display, and other accessible features, making the A1-series more accessible to users with visual impairments or other disabilities.

Environmental advancements

Sony is making environmental advances with the A1 II, which features plastic-free packaging made from a new ‘Original Blend Material.’ Plant-based non-woven fabrics are used for product bags, and Sony SORPLAS (Sustainable Oriented Recycled Plastic) is a high-quality, flame-retardant, recycled polycarbonate resin incorporated into the body design.

E mount lens options

One of the benefits of the Sony E mount ecosystem is the vast variety of first and third-party lenses available for every conceivable genre and subject. These include fast prime lenses, such as the updated Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM II Lens, the holy trinity of second-generation f/2.8 zooms, and wide-aperture super telephoto primes for pro-level sports, like the FE 300mm F/2.8 GM OSS.

A newly developed FE 28-70mm f/2 GM Lens was released alongside the camera, reinforcing Sony’s commitment to continually developing the diverse E mount lens selection.

What’s in the box

• Sony A1 II camera body
• Rechargeable Battery NP-FZ100
• Battery Charger BC-ZD1
• Cable Protector
• Shoulder strap
• Body cap
• Accessory shoe cap
• Eyepiece cup (FDA-EP19)
• Eyepiece cup (FDA-EP21)