50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ integral memory

The innovative full-frame Exmor RS image sensor delivers an overwhelming combination of resolution and speed with 50.1 effective megapixels* in a stacked CMOS architecture with integral memory. The sensor’s stacked structure and advanced A/D (analogue to digital) conversion provides significant improvements over the α9 II, allowing a huge amount of data to be read from the pixel area at high speed, then temporarily store it in the chip’s integrated memory so that high-speed processing can proceed without delays. Despite the large volume of data produced by the sensor’s 50.1 million pixels (approx. twice the pixel count of the α9 II), the Alpha 1 can shoot continuous bursts at up to 30 frames per second*(1.5x the speed of the α9 II) while offering fast, precise phase-detection AF

Continuous Shooting up to 30fps* with 120 AF/AE calculations per sec.

The Alpha 1 captures moments that would otherwise be lost thanks to its high-speed readout from the 50.1-megapixel* image sensor, making it possible to shoot up to 30 full-frame images per second*, using the electronic shutter, with full AF (autofocus) and AE (auto exposure) tracking up to an astonishing 120 calculations per second*, with AE response latency as low as 0.033 second*, even with sudden changes in brightness. A large buffer memory and increased overall system speed allow up to approximately 165 JPEG images* or 155 compressed RAW images* to be captured in one continuous 30 fps burst and at 20 frames per second, users can shoot up to 238 full-frame compressed RAW images or 400 full-frame JPEG images. This can be a huge confidence-booster when timing is critical for sports, wildlife, and other moving subjects.

8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine

The Alpha 1 incorporates the next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine which performs 8x faster processing compared to the BIONZ X processing engine. found on previous models. The BIONZ XR handles all of AF, image recognition, image quality adjustments, development, and more in real time, minimizing processing latency while markedly boosting still image and movie processing power. Furthermore, user interface, network, and file management processing are distributed so that fast, stress-free control response is maintained regardless of real-time processing load.

Selectable continuous shooting speeds with electronic shutter

The Alpha 1 offers a range of selectable continuous shooting speeds: 20, 15, 10, or 5 fps assignable to the Hi, Mid, and Lo drive modes. Continuous shooting is fixed at 30 fps in the Hi+ mode. This makes it easier to set a continuous shooting speed that best suits the subject and shooting environment, while an expanded range of speed and compression combinations offers new flexibility. A continuous shooting speed of 15 fps coupled with the “M: 21M JPEG + Compressed RAW” recording mode, for example, will allow more than 1000 still images to be shot in one burst* in APS-C mode.

* Number may change according to shooting conditions and the memory card used.

World’s first* 240 fps refresh rate, 9.44M* dot 0.64” QXGA OLED EVF

Complimenting the camera’s ability to capture images at an unprecedented speed, the Alpha 1 viewfinder features the world’s first* 240 fps refresh rate, for a super-smooth display. The viewfinder does not black out when an exposure is made to offer an uninterrupted view and allow for seamless framing and tracking, even during continuous shooting. The 9.44 million-dot (approx.), 0.64 type Quad-XGA high-definition OLED display and refined optics deliver 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.

*As of the January 2021 product announcement, Sony survey of full-frame interchangeable-lens digital still cameras.

Blackout-free* shooting up to 30fps from fast sensor readout speed

Viewfinder blackout occurs in conventional DSLRs when the mirror flips up to expose an image. Since the Alpha 1 viewfinder does not black out when an exposure is made, the user has an uninterrupted view of the subject and scene that allows smooth, seamless framing and tracking even during high-speed continuous shooting, ensuring that fleeting moments can be captured with confidence. Blackout-free* shooting is a game-changer for shooting sports where rapid and erratically moving subjects must be captured, and even for portraits where fleeting expressions can make a huge difference. The Alpha 1 offers a viewing experience that is close to viewing with the naked eye.

*Using electronic shutter. Display updating will be slower at low shutter speeds.

World’s first* anti-flicker mechanical and electronic shutter

In addition to anti-flicker shooting with mechanical shutter, the Alpha 1 is the World’s first* camera to boast ant-flicker with electronic shutter thanks to the high-speed readout from the stacked Exmor RS image sensor. This makes blackout-free shooting, up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, up to 30 fps continuous shooting, silent shooting, and other advantages of the electronic shutter available without flicker issues when shooting under fluorescent or other flicker-prone types of artificial light. Anti-flicker shooting is also available with the mechanical shutter at up to 10 fps (“Hi+” setting) with full AF/AE tracking.

*As of the January 2021 product announcement, Sony survey of full-frame interchangeable-lens digital still cameras.

Anti-Distortion Shutter

Even with its high-resolution 50.1 effective megapixel1 image sensor, the Alpha 1 reduces rolling shutter by approximately 1.5x19 compared to the α9 II when shooting stills*1 using electronic shutter. Fast sensor readout and the powerful BIONZ XR processing engine all work together to achieve extremely high processing speeds. Additionally, the Alpha 1 also pushes beyond mechanical device limitations with a maximum shutter speed of 1/32000 sec. This extended shutter speed range provides new exposure flexibility and makes ND filters unnecessary in a wider range of lighting and shooting environments.

*1 Slight distortion may be noticeable in some shooting situations.

Dual drive mechanical shutter for up to 1/400 sec. flash sync

With significant advances in mechanical as well as electronic shutter performance, the Alpha 1 boasts the world’s fastest* flash sync speed of 1/400 sec. in Full-frame and 1/500 sec. in APS-C mode with mechanical shutter. It incorporates a carbon fiber shutter curtain that is both durable and lightweight along with a newly developed dual-driven shutter system utilizing spring and electromagnetic drive actuator for faster shutter response. Flash can be added to bring out extra dimensionality in the subject. A faster flash sync. speed takes advantage of the higher flash output vs. using HSS ( using high-speed sync.) for images with wide open aperture in bright situations can also be used to match exposure to a bright background while flash is used to illuminate a moving subject.

Silent, vibration free electronic shutter w/ all-in-one Silent Mode

The electronic shutter in the Alpha 1 has several advantages, including the ability to shoot completely silently and without any vibration that can occur with a mechanical shutter. Silent shutter is ideal when shooting sports or events in a quiet environment, while being vibration-free minimizes the likelihood of vibration-induced blur, further contributing to superior resolution and image quality. Since the electronic shutter has no moving components, it is much more durable than any mechanical counterpart. A convenient All-in-one Silent Mode setting in the menu makes it possible to set all parameters related to silent operation in one quick step, allowing faster setup when shooting concerts, theater, or in other situations where absolute silence is required.

Incredible autofocus w/ 759 phase detection AF points*, 92% coverage

The Alpha 1 incorporates Sony’s highly acclaimed Fast Hybrid AF in all modes for both still and movie shooting. The Exmor RS sensor and powerful BIONZ XR processing engine make it possible to provide a high-density array of 759 selectable phase-detection AF points for high-speed autofocus tracking capability with the precision of 425-point contrast-detection AF to quickly lock onto subjects that move erratically or change speed suddenly and track them with tenacious reliability across 92% (approx.) of the imaging area.

*759 AF measurement points for still images. The number of points used varies according to the shooting mode.

Real-time AF tracking, Real-time Eye-AF (humans, animals, birds)

Sony’s advanced Real-time Eye AF improves detection performance by 30% over the previous systemi, thanks to the powerful BIONZ XR image processing engine. It ensures accurate, reliable detection, even when the subject’s face looks away. In addition to improved Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals*, the Alpha 1 employs high-level subject recognition technology to provide Real-time Eye AF for birds*, a first in Alpha series cameras. Optimized algorithms ensure that tracking is maintained even if a sitting bird suddenly takes flight, or the framing suddenly changes

*Still image for humans, animals, and birds. Eye-AF for animals and birds not available in movie mode.

**Accurate focus may not be achieved with certain subjects in certain situations.

AI-based Real-time AF Tracking

AI-based Real-time Tracking with a 30% improvement in subject detection performance thanks to the new BIONZ XR processing engine and a new subject recognition algorithm uses color, pattern (brightness), distance (depth), face and eye information to process spatial information in real time at high speed. The focus area will seamlessly change between face and eye to object tracking according to the condition of the subject. Tracking [On] and Tracking [Off] can be assigned to custom buttons which are useful to activate AF tracking when needed or temporarily= turn tracking off in situations where tracking is difficult or when the tracking frame might switch to the wrong subject.

4K with full sensor readout, no pixel binning, and 5.8K oversampling

In the Super 35 mode, approximately 2.3x the amount of data required for QFHD 4K is acquired through full-frame readout with no pixel binning, for beautifully imagery that is rich in detail. (A) 2.3 times information

Heat-dissipating structure for extended recording

A newly developed heat-dissipating structure prevents overheating during continuous recording without increasing body size. Record 8K/30p or 4K/60p video continuously for up to 30 minutes.*

*Sony tests. [Auto Power OFF Temp] set to [High].

8.6K oversampling for 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 HDR w/ no pixel binning

The new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine in the Alpha 1 delivers 8K 30p movie recording capability for extraordinary realism. Four times the resolution of 4K with full Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF functionality. 8K footage is also ideally suited to flexible 4K editing.