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 8x

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.

30 continuous-shooting images of a cycle racer

Continuous shooting at up to 30 fps

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 images or 155 full-frame compressed RAW images at up to 30 frames per second 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.

Image sequences with and without blackouts

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 240 times per second while shooting continuous bursts, overcoming the distracting time lag that is usually associated with EVF viewing.

(A) Blackout-free Shooting (B) Shooting with blackouts

Blocking volleyball player detected by autofocus

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 second at the focal plane, even while shooting continuously at up to 30 fps. 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 second for consistently accurate exposure.

(1) 120 times/sec. AE/AF calculation (2) 30 fps (3) Frames

Silent, vibration-free electronic shutter

The electronic shutter 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.

Anti-flicker [1] ON [2] OFF

Electronic shutter flash sync + high-speed mechanical sync

For the first time in an α camera, electronic shutter flash sync is possible thanks to high readout speed from the stacked CMOS sensor. All electronic shutter advantages are available at up to 1/200 sec. If you need even more speed a new mechanical shutter system allows flash sync up to 1/400 sec. (1/500 sec. APS-C), making it easier to capture dynamic action and opening the door to new creative possibilities.

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 stops of dynamic range at lower sensitivities for smooth, natural gradations from shadows to highlights.

Wide sensitivity range

Even with this sensor’s high pixel count, its back-illuminated structure, gapless on-chip lenses, AR-coated seal glass and other original imaging technologies work with the new BIONZ XR image processing engine to deliver high resolution and low noise throughout a wide sensitivity range: ISO100~32000 standard, expandable to ISO50~102400

Use Creative Look to create moods in camera

A selection of new Creative Looks makes it easy to create interesting moods for stills and movies right in the camera. 10 Creative Looks are provided as presets with different combinations of colour, colour depth, brightness, contrast, sharpness, and more. The presets can be used as they are or customised by the user. Customised Creative Looks can be stored as Custom Looks for later recall and use.

Illustration of 5-axis image stabilisation

5-axis optical in-body image stabilization for a 5.5-step 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.

[1] Yaw [2] Pitch [3] Roll

A bird flying with an AF frame on its face

New 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 birds. 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 changes.

A ski racer with an AF frame on his head

Tenacious Real-time Tracking

The α1 includes AI-based Real-time Tracking that automatically maintains accurate focuswhile the shutter button is half-pressed. A newly developed subject recognition algorithm uses colour, pattern (brightness), and subject distance (depth) data to process spatial information in real time at high speed. α1 Real-time Tracking is faster, more accurate, and more tenacious than ever before.

AF sensor regions covering almost the entire image

759 point full-area phase detection AF

759 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 30p 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 second. Extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery 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.

Two landscape images with longer and shorter arrows indicating different production times

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.

(A) 2.3 times information

Landscape image with low-contrast and high-contrast halves

S-Log3 and 10-bit HLG deliver extra depth

The S-Log3 gamma curve makes it possible to achieve 15+ stops of dynamic range, while the S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine colour gamut settings make it easy to match α1 footage with footage shot on the VENICE digital cinema camera, PXW-FX9, and other professional camcorders. An HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile is also provided, allowing direct playback on an HDR (HLG) compatible TV without the need for colour grading.

16-bit RAW output

The α1 allows 16-bit RAW output to an external recorder via HDMI for maximum post-production flexibility. Full-frame 4332 x 2448 16-bit image output easily covers 4096 x 2048 DCI-4K, with a choice of frame rates (59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p) and colour spaces. It is also possible to output RAW via HDMI while recording XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K, or XAVC S-I 4K to internal card media. Proxy recording is also available.

Effective heat-dissipation for extended recording

A newly developed heat dissipating structure keeps image sensor and image processing engine temperatures within their normal operating range, preventing overheating while maintaining compact body dimensions. This makes it possible to record 8K/30p or 4K/60p videos10-bit 4:2:0 video continuously for more than 30 minutes.

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.

Pan shots with electronic shutter

Using electronic shutter at low shutter speeds can reduce display response, making it difficult to follow fast subjects. Turn [Low Frame Rate Limit] ON when shooting at a shutter speed lower than 1/60 to insert blackout frames at an appropriate frame rate to improve display response and make it easier to follow the subject without display lag²².

Seamlessly switch full-frame and APS-C formats

M and S size images have the same number of pixels in the full-frame and APS-C modes²³, so you can switch seamlessly between full-frame [M:M21] and APS-C [M:M21], for example, while shooting the same scene. And because the full array of 759 phase detection points is available in APS-C mode as well as full-frame mode, you get the same smooth AF performance.

[1] Full Frame [2] APS-C

Set-up "Operation Customize" menu with cursor on "Different Set for Still/MV"

Independent still and movie settings

A subset of the camera’s shooting settings now change according to the selected shooting mode. This can be an advantage when you want to use different aperture, shutter speed, and other settings for shooting stills and movies. The available settings are: Aperture, Shutter Speed, Exposure Compensation, ISO Sensitivity, Metering Mode, White Balance, and Picture Profile.

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 class. 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.

Built-in Wi-Fi supports 2x2 MIMO

Built-in wireless LAN allows communication on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the latter with 2x2 MIMO support (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) for industry-leading speed. Dual antennas ensure reliable communication, even with the camera’s durable magnesium alloy chassis. 5 GHz communication can be a notable advantage for news and sports shooters who need to deliver with reliable speed.

Camera left side view showing SuperSpeed USB connector

Fast USB Type-C and 1000BASE-T network connections

A USB Type-C® connector that supports fast SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2) data transfer is provided. This makes high-speed PC Remote (tethered) data transfer available for smooth handling of large image files. The α1 also has a built-in 1000BASE-T LAN connector for high-speed, stable data transfers, including remote shooting. FTPS (File Transfer over SSL/TLS) is supported, allowing SSL or TLS encryption for increased data security.

"RAW File Type" camera menu with cursor on "Lossless Comp"

Lossless compression plus “Light” JPEG

In addition to compressed and uncompressed RAW, The α1 includes efficient lossless compression with minimal quality degradation. There is also a new “Light” JPEG size setting that results in smaller files than the “Standard” setting, allowing faster deliver for news and sports photographers who depend on speed.

HEIF: High compression with excellent image quality

In addition to a versatile range of RAW and JPEG formats, the α1 includes the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) format for smooth 10-bit gradations that provide more realistic reproduction of skies and portrait subjects where subtle, natural gradation is essential. The advanced compression technology used by the HEIF format also maintains image quality that is on a par with the best JPEGs, with approximately twice the compression.

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.

High-capacity Z-series Battery for extended recording

Shoot up to 530 stills per charge. Components and circuitry have also been designed to optimize power use. Get more capacity with two Z batteries in the VG-C4EM grip.

Works with iMovie and Final Cut Pro X

This product is compatible with Final Cut Pro X and iMovie.

Lossless compression RAW in three size

Three lossless-compression image sizes are available: L, M, and S. The L size [Lossless Comp (L)] provides the same level of image quality as uncompressed RAW files while reducing file size. The M and S sizes record fewer pixels than the L size, providing more manageable RAW files. Software update (ver. 1.3 or later) is required.

50.1 megapixel1 Exmor RS™ image sensor

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