Sony has announced the release of the alpha 1 II, a full-frame mirrorless camera designed for professionals.
The a1 II utilizes artificial intelligence to achieve an optimal balance of high resolution and speed while incorporating many of the most requested features from Sony’s high-end cinema camera lineup.
“When developing the successor to our esteemed flagship model, we made it our mission to incorporate feedback from the industry and the community of alpha 1, alpha 7R V, and alpha 9 III users,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Sony Imaging Solutions.
“The result is a powerhouse of a camera – our highest-performing, most balanced, and utilitarian tool on the market.”
Image Credit – SONY
The a1 II features a 50.1 MP stacked Exmor RS full-frame CMOS sensor, allowing it to capture still images at up to 30 frames per second without blackout, all while maintaining complete autofocus tracking.
It also includes a pre-capture mode that activates before the shutter button is pressed.
Additionally, Sony has integrated the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine along with a separate AI chip, enhancing each image with increased bandwidth and high-speed processing to minimize noise at mid to high ISO settings without sacrificing detail.
The AI processing unit introduces a new Auto Recognition Mode, capable of detecting subjects such as animals, birds, and even insects, ensuring they remain in focus during shooting.
The camera can also identify certain vehicles and features a “human pose estimation” function that tracks a person when they are moving or looking away from the camera.
This new automatic subject recognition algorithm eliminates the need to manually select a specific subject.
Image Credit – SONY
For video, the a1 II can capture 8K at up to 30 frames per second or shoot slow-motion/high-frame-rate 4K at up to 120 fps. It records in XAVC at 10-bit 4:2:2, offering full breathing compensation and auto-framing.
The camera maintains optical image stabilization of up to 8.5 stops in the center and 7.0 stops at the edges of the image.
It also features a new dynamic active mode and auto framing to counteract camera movement during high-action video shooting.
There is also live streaming support in 4K and the simultaneous recording of proxy files.
With ergonomics inspired by the alpha 9 III, the a1 II is equipped with a comfortable camera grip and a redesigned 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD with a 4-axis adjustment, allowing for use at various angles.
It supports 5G high-speed camera-to-cloud functions through Sony Creators’ Cloud storage service when paired with the Sony PDT-FP1 data transmitter.
Additionally, the camera will support Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution through a separate license, which will store detailed camera metadata in image files to combat the unauthorized use in AI-generated image creation.
This feature is expected to be available in the new year. Other features include dual Type A CF Express memory card slots, a 9.4 million dot Quad XGA OLED viewfinder, HDMI, 14-bit Raw output, Bluetooth, and WiFi support.
Furthermore, the a1 II uses Sony’s new CD-ZD1 dual battery charger that can charge two NP-F100 batteries, providing up to 155 minutes of battery life.
Image Credit – SONY
A fast, new FE28-70 F/2 Lens
Sony also announced its first ever F2 GMaster lens, the FE 28-70 mm F/2 GM. Sporting an optical design that includes 3 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion), 3 Aspherical, and 1 ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, the FE 28-70 F2 GM lens uses four XD linear motors for fast, precise and quiet autofocusing while offering a naturally rendered bokeh from an 11-bladed circular aperture.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony alpha 1 II will be available in December 2024 for a retail price of $6,499.99 in the US from Sony and its network of authorized retailers.
Preordering Wed Nov 20. All told, Sony’s second generation alpha 1 II is a worthy successor that not only brings AI tools to Sony’s flagship mirrorless platform but also turns it into a full-frame 8K cinematic powerhouse.
Not only worthy of being a backup cinema camera but maybe even an A camera in its own right.
[source: Pixelshift]
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