Description

Overview

The α1 II delivers everything users need to achieve higher capture success rates and more. This includes a 50MP high-resolution sensor, AI-based subject recognition AF, high-speed continuous shooting, and an advanced workflow from capture to delivery, offering professionals unrivalled efficiency and freedom.

Fast, smart, and detailed

The massive volume of data from the approximately 50.1 effective megapixel full-frame Exmor RS™ image sensor is processed in real-time by Sony’s BIONZ XR™ image processing engine.

An advanced AI processing unit applies high-level subject recognition, ensuring reliable recognition of a wide range of subjects.

These state-of-the-art technologies work together to make it easy to capture even the most challenging subjects in extraordinary resolution, with blackout-free viewing and full AF/AE tracking performance at up to 30 fps.

Advanced AI Processing for High-Level Subject Recognition
The α1 II includes a dedicated AI processing unit that accurately recognises people using human pose estimation.

It also supports recognition of various other subjects, such as animals, vehicles, and insects, with high accuracy.

This leads to significant improvements in Real-time Recognition AF, Real-time Tracking capability, and overall AF performance.

Improved Human Eye Recognition by 30%
Real-time Recognition AF now improves human eye recognition by approximately 30%. Human pose estimation enhances recognition of subjects facing away from the camera, wearing sunglasses, or with partially obscured faces.

Recognition of distant human subjects, even those occupying small parts of the frame, has also improved. Additionally, subjects can be tracked better across occlusions.

A Wider Variety of Recognised Subjects
A broader variety of subjects, including birds, are now recognised in both stills and movies. The new [Auto] mode lets the camera automatically select subjects.

Recognition of animals, overall, has improved by 30%, with new features such as recognition of small animals’ eyes, and the eyes, heads, and faces of animals like dogs and cats.

AF Tracking with Adjustable Response Speed
Fast Hybrid AF offers 7596 phase-detection points for tenacious tracking and pinpoint focusing. It now includes adjustable tracking response speed, making it perfect for bird photography, even in low light, down to EV-4.07 in AF-S mode.

Flexible Focus Area Settings
The α1 II now offers XL and XS focus area spot sizes in addition to L, M, and S. The XS setting helps avoid focusing on foreground objects like branches. Users can also create a custom focus area of specified size and aspect ratio.

Selectable Release Time Lag
The camera provides selectable release time lag modes via the [Release Lag] / [Start Display] menu. With blackout occurring only on the first image in a continuous burst, [Fastest Release/On] offers the shortest release time lag, while [Stable Release/On] ensures stable release time lag, making it easier to capture the perfect moment.

High-Speed Continuous Shooting at 50.1 MP Resolution
Capture high-speed continuous shots at up to 30 fps1 with full AF/AE tracking at 50.1 MP resolution, performing up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second.Blackout-free shooting with no loss of viewfinder image allows seamless framing and subject capture.

More Control Over Timing to Capture Decisive Moments
Pre-capture enables the retroactive capture of moments that occurred before the shutter release, without compromising resolution, even at 30 fps. The Continuous Shooting Speed Boost temporarily increases the burst speed, minimizing the chance of missing crucial moments.

Extraordinary High-Resolution Detail
The α1 II integrates Sony’s high-performance G Master lenses with the 50.1 MP Exmor RS image sensor and BIONZ XR engine for lifelike, high-resolution rendering. Even when shooting in APS-C mode, resolution remains impressive at 21 megapixels.

Selectable RAW Image Size and Quality
Compressed RAW images can be shot continuously at 30 fps. Additionally, L, Lossless Compressed RAW, JPEG, and HEIF images are available in M and S sizes.

The pixel count remains the same, whether in full-frame or APS-C mode, enabling seamless mode switching while maintaining resolution.

High Sensitivity, Low Noise, and Wide Dynamic Range
Feedback from professionals helped create effective noise reduction without sacrificing image detail. Users can now shoot clear images of indoor sports at mid to high sensitivity. Dynamic range spans an impressive 15 stops for smooth, realistic gradations.

Consistently Accurate Exposure and Colour
Exposure and colour reproduction have improved significantly over the α1. The system optimises exposure for detected faces in stills and movies, and stability is improved by 20%, even when the face is backlit, overexposed, or turned away from the camera. White balance remains accurate, even for subjects in shade.

Optical 5-Axis Image Stabilisation Achieves 8.5-Step Performance
A high-precision image stabilisation unit, advanced gyro sensors, and optimised algorithms work together to detect and correct camera shake.

This results in an 8.5-step effect at the centre and 7.0-step at the periphery, ensuring the capture of fine details, even when shooting handheld. Synchronisation with compatible lenses further enhances blur control, even at telephoto focal lengths.

Composite RAW Modes for Lower Noise and Higher Resolution
Two composite RAW shooting modes are available. The NR Shooting Settings mode captures between 4 and 32 RAW images, which are then composited to create a full-resolution image with very low noise, even at mid to high sensitivities.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting captures 4 or 16 pixel-shifted images that are composited to achieve overwhelmingly high resolution.

Advanced Movie Functionality: Real-Time Recognition AF for Movies
Real-Time Recognition AF utilises AI-based human pose estimation to recognise and track human body and head positions. The system now supports a broader range of subjects for both movies and stills, including birds, and tracks subjects by processing colour, pattern, and spatial data.

High-Resolution 8K/4K Recording
4K footage can be cropped and edited from 8K source footage, offering exceptional resolution. 8K 4:2:2 10-bit XAVC HS recording is available, along with 4K recording in various formats, all providing outstanding image quality.

XAVC S-I recording allows up to 600 Mbps for even higher-quality footage.

High Frame Rate Recording at Up to 120p
The α1 II supports 4K recording at up to 120p and offers slow-motion playback in up to 5x speed. Additionally, Full HD footage can be recorded at 240 fps for up to 10x slow motion, ideal for sports videos. Frame rate settings are intuitive and easy to adjust.

Better S-Log Matching with Cinema Line Cameras
The S-Log3 gamma curve has been refined to improve detail reproduction. Shooting in S-Log3 now has a minimum ISO of 800 and an expanded ISO range of 200 to 640, with easier matching to Sony’s cinema cameras.

Stable, High-Level Video Shooting
Active Mode combines precision image stabilisation with a gyro sensor, and Dynamic Active Mode adds electronic stabilisation for an additional 30% effect. These modes ensure stable recording, even when the user is jogging.

Breathing Compensation
Focus breathing compensation reduces focus breathing when shooting movies. Sony’s Clear Image Zoom technology maintains the angle of view during focus changes. Breathing metadata can also be used in post-production with Catalyst software.

Smooth Focusing Features
AF Assist, focus peaking display, and adjustable focus transition speed all help users achieve smooth focusing. Focus Map overlays a visual depth-of-field map on the live view display, enhancing ease of use during shooting.

Comfortable Operation and High Reliability
The 4-axis multi-angle monitor allows optimal viewing in both horizontal and vertical orientations. It is designed for clear outdoor viewing and offers a touch-sensitive, high-resolution display. The grip ergonomics ensure stable, comfortable shooting over long sessions.

Additional Features
The α1 II is supplied with two viewfinder eyepiece cups for optimal viewing comfort. The BC-ZD1 quick charger charges two NP-FZ100 batteries simultaneously in about 155 minutes. Users can customise their function menus and quickly access frequently used settings.

Seamless Search and Playback with Dual Memory Cards
The camera now displays the contents of both memory cards when both media slots are selected for playback. This significantly enhances workflow efficiency, especially when working in dynamic environments.

Improved Group Display
Continuous burst or interval timer images can now be defined as “groups,” boosting workflow efficiency. Automated marking and divider images help quickly locate specific shots.

Clear Voice Memos with Dedicated Microphone
A dedicated microphone is built into the rear panel, enabling easy recording of clear voice memos, even in noisy environments.

IPTC Metadata Embedding and Presets
IPTC metadata can be added to still images and saved as presets for quick selection. This feature is especially useful at multi-sports events where quick, accurate metadata tagging is essential.

Efficient Data Transfer via 2.5GBASE-T
Wired LAN connectivity supports high-speed data transfer at up to 2.5 Gbps. FTPS ensures secure transfers, and up to 10 FTP transfer settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card.

Advanced Remote and Cloud Solutions
The Remote Camera Tool software enables tethered shooting via LAN. Creators’ Cloud and the Creators’ App offer seamless integration between Sony cameras and cloud-based shooting and production apps.

Environmental Consideration and Accessibility
Sony’s sustainability initiatives focus on using recyclable materials and reducing plastic packaging. The α1 II also offers accessibility features such as Screen Reader and Enlarged Menu Display, ensuring everyone can enjoy shooting and playback with ease.