Sony A1 Mark II camera has been updated, and many new features have been added to it. In this particular article, we are going to discuss the set of updated features one by one. The total number of updates we have in the newest version of this camera is 15. So, let’s start with a comparison table that will let you know the type of updates and the differences we have between the first and second generation of this camera. Later on, we will discuss it briefly so you can understand it properly.
Comparison Table: Sony A1 vs. Sony A1 II
| Feature | Sony A1 | Sony A1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Dual BIONZ XR | Dual BIONZ XR + Dedicated AI Chip |
| Autofocus System | Real-Time Tracking (Human, Animal, Bird) | Advanced AI AF (Human, Animal, Bird + Insects) |
| Continuous Shooting | 30 FPS with compressed RAW | 120 FPS JPEG (crop mode), 30 FPS full-res RAW |
| Sensor | 50.1 MP Stacked CMOS | 50.1 MP Updated Stacked CMOS |
| Image Stabilization (IBIS) | 5.5 stops | 8 stops |
| Video Capabilities | 8K 30p, 4K 120p | 8K 30p, 4K 120p, [Better heat sink] |
| Dynamic Range | 15 stops | 15+ stops |
| LCD Display | Tilting 3.0″ LCD (1.44M dots) | 4-axis Multi-Angle 3.2″ LCD (2.1M dots) |
| EVF Resolution | 9.44M dots, 240Hz refresh rate | 9.44M dots, 240Hz with improved optics |
| Ports | USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI Type-A | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI Type-A (Full-Size) |
| Memory Card Slots | Dual CFexpress Type A/SD | Dual CFexpress Type A/SD |
| Subject Recognition | Eye AF (Human, Animal, Bird) | AUTO AF + Car, Motorcycle, Insect, Drone |
| Battery Life | ~530 shots (CIPA) | ~670 shots (CIPA) |
| Body Design | Magnesium alloy | Magnesium alloy with improved ergonomics |
| Price | Approx. $5,498 B&H Store | Approx. $6,498 B&H Store |
1. Sony A1 Mark II: AI Chip Upgrade
Sony has added the AI chip inside the Sony Alpha A1 Mark II camera, which Sony missed at the time of the original announcement. Not just that, the Sony FX3 Mark II also doesn’t have the AI chip, and the Sony A7 IV update is still due with any AI chip integration. All these cameras are the ones that need AI chip integration to enhance their performance. Fortunately, the Alpha A1 Mark II camera now has it, and it upscales the overall performance of the camera. The design has been inspired by the A9 III, which we will talk about in detail.
2. New Heat-Sink Unit
The design has been inspired by the Sony A9 Mark III camera. It has been said very clearly during the press that the heat sink mechanism of the camera has been improved in a way that ensures while shooting 8K video even in uncontrolled weather environments, it wouldn’t have any problem. As well as You will also get extended periods of high-quality 4K 120 FPS Recording.
3. Sony A1 Mark II AI-Powered Burst Mode
We now have an Enhanced 120 FPS AF/AE refresh cycle even when the camera is shooting at 30FPS RAW mode. in the A1 Mark II camera.
4. Sony also UPSCALED buffer memory up to 2X.
With this, you can now capture up to 240 RAW files at 30 frames per second and 400 frames of JPEGs. Earlier, RAW was limited to 155 frames, and JPEGs were limited to 165 frames in the Alpha A1 camera.
4. Sony A1 Mark II Image Stabilization Upgrade
The image stabilization hardware has also been improved compared to the Sony Alpha A1. Earlier, it was limited to 5.5 stops; now, the hardware has been upscaled to an 8.5-stop rating. It’s the maximum physical limit available in any camera out there, so now you have a significant improvement compared to the original A1 camera.
5. Video – AI Chip and New Design, Bring a lot of improvement
The resolution and frame rates remain the same as those of the Sony A1, the predecessor. Still, there are many other noticeable improvements in the camera’s video core specification, Thanks to the new AI chip and improved body design.
Major advantages include a 20% improvement in the dynamic active image stabilization mode due to 8.5 Stops of IBIS, so we all know that Sony’s dynamic active image stabilization mode works flawlessly, which means it will stabilize footage, with the help of improved Active IS and Gyro now you can get gimbal-like footage from your hand. The AUTO-FOCUS improvement is not just limited to still mode. Even in video, you have automatic subject detection and algorithms active (Sony A1 doesn’t have that), Auto subject detection works wonderfully in video mode and now it can detect on-the-fly running wildlife animals and even birds more perfectly and accurately based on the advanced AI-based tracking mechanism. Most importantly, the eye autofocus tracking performance has been improved by 30%, as well as the human pose estimation tracking is also improved by the same ratio. Now you also have a NEW framing stabilizer (ensure that your frame maintains the same composition as much as possible when shooting handheld) as well as improved focus breathing compensation. Now you can shoot 4k 120fps and 8K 30fps for an extended period thanks to the new heatsink unit of A9 III.
6. Now you have 15+ plus stops of dynamic range
It’s a matter of tests. When independent agencies like Photons to Photos or DxOMark test the sensor, we will find out. That’s the only way we have right now. Sony claims that with the introduction of the new AI chip and improved image recording algorithm implemented in the Mark II camera body, the dynamic range of the camera has improved, and it’s now more than 15 plus stops, which is really amazing. The 3.2-type touchscreen is slighter higher resolution (2.1 million dots versus 1.44 million dots)
7. Content creator-friendly
The Sony A1 Mark II camera has now become content creator-friendly and adopts a kind of multi-aspect display screen, which is even more perfect than a vari-angle display. It was first seen in the Sony A7R V camera, and the same screen has been adapted for the A1 Mark II. Now photographers have more compositional freedom, and professional content creators can use this camera to create content for their channels.
8. The electronic viewfinder has been redefined.
The electronic viewfinder has been redefined. All the hardware remains the same, but with the help of the AI chip, the refresh rate can be tested up to 240 Hz with a loss in quality. Sony says you can now run in 120fps mode with display quality set to ‘high,’ though you will still see a drop in resolution if you go up to 240fps.
9. Expanded subject recognition
Sony promises to bring more updates in the future regarding the autofocus performance of the camera, and the continuous shooting speed could reach 120 frames per second in future updates, as per the rumors related to the A1 Mark II camera. However, at the same time, Sony has added cars, motorcycles, and drones mode to the camera, which was absent in the Sony Alpha A1. Most importantly, the camera now automatically selects subjects while shooting stills or video. You no longer need to select animal, bird, or human modes manually—the camera does it for you. With this, autofocus performance is much improved and is expected to improve even more in future updates.
10. New Noise Reduction Composite RAW Mode as well as in JPEG
A new noise reduction composite RAW mode has been introduced. It’s an expansion of the Sony Alpha A1 Pixel Multi-Shift mode. Now, with the addition of this noise reduction mode, the camera stacks between 4 to 32 RAW images and creates a composite together using the help of a desktop computer and the company-provided free software Imaging Edge. So with the help of the free software and multiple composites, you can generate very neat and clean images captured in extremely dark environments.
Cameras are using noise reduction algorithms from ages, but for the first time, they have introduced enhanced noise reduction with the help of AI algorithms limited to JPEGs only, and this will enhance image quality to a next level with next-generation firmware updates.
11. Introduction of 16 Custom LUTs for S-Log
Initially, in the Alpha A1 Mark II camera, Sony has provided 16 custom LUTs that you can use to preview what your log footage will look like when it’s graded. So you can use these LUTs alongside while recording with your camera to view the final look easily. There are 16 LUTs available, and in the future, more LUTs will become available to you through Sony’s customer download library.
12. Pre-Capture Mode Added
Pre-Capture functionality has been added to the Sony Alpha A1 Mark II camera, which was completely absent in the Sony Alpha A1. With a time frame of 0.03 seconds, 0.05 seconds, and 1 second, you can record up to 30 JPEGs in a row before you press the shutter.
13. Redesigned Menu System
Sony has also updated the menu system of the camera. They have also updated the button layout for more user-friendly controls, but at the very same time, along with it, they have also updated the menu and navigation inside the camera, which is now inspired by Sony cinema cameras like the FX3 and FX6. The interface has become much easier compared to the previous generation of Sony cameras when we compare it with the Sony A1.
14. Hand Grip Design Similar to A9 Mark III Body
Along with the updated menu design, the hand grip of the camera also has been redesigned. It has been made deeper, which is exactly the same as we have in the A9 Mark III camera, to hold out more heavier lenses easily. The photographers who have used this camera were very happy with the design improvement that they have experienced.
15. Focus bracketing
which was completely absent in the first generation of the Alpha A1 camera, has now been introduced in the Sony Alpha A1 Mark II. And what exactly is that? The camera captures multiple shots with incremental focus adjustments one after another, and it’s saved in a separate folder. Later on, you can merge them together or choose your focus point as per your wish or requirement in the Imaging Edge software.
Ethernet port speed has been upscaled to 2500 Mbps, enabling faster transfer of files through the Ethernet port. So now, it makes studio setups more fast and reliable.
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