Sony introduced the A1 II full-frame mirrorless camera with an AI chip for lightning-fast autofocus for $6,500

Sony has unveiled the A1 II, an updated version of its flagship Alpha 1 full-frame mirrorless camera that sets a new benchmark for the photography industry in 2021. Sony A1 II has retained the key characteristics of the flagship, complementing them with improvements borrowed from newer models, reports Engadget.

Image Source: Sony

The A1 made a splash on the market back in the day, outperforming many other cameras like the Canon R5, despite costing a hefty $6,500. However, over the years, competition has intensified, and even within Sony’s lineup there have been models with more advanced features, such as the A7R V and A9 III. With the A1 II, the company is addressing this gap by maintaining the powerful capabilities of the original model while adding improvements to modern cameras.

The A1 II features the same 50.1-megapixel CMOS sensor as its predecessor, delivering 15 stops of dynamic range for photos. However, the new product received a new special processor based on artificial intelligence, which improves object recognition and autofocus. The camera can still shoot at up to 30 frames per second with the electronic shutter, while the autofocus (AF) system covers 92% of the sensor area.

Image Source: Sony

Thanks to the new processor, autofocus accuracy has been significantly improved. The A1 II focuses 50% better on the eyes of birds and 30% better on the eyes of animals and people. In addition, the camera automatically switches between subject detection modes and detects who or what is in focus, and the pre-shoot function allows you to capture up to 30 frames in one second before you fully press the shutter button.

Another important innovation is the improved image stabilization system, providing an impressive 8.5 stops of stabilization, that is, three stops more than the original A1. This significantly improves the quality of shooting in low light or while moving.

The Sony A1 II also gets new video capabilities. The camera is capable of shooting 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, using readout from the entire sensor area. 4K video recording is available at 120 fps and Full HD at 240 fps for slow motion, with support for 10-bit 4:2:2 recording. Super 35 mode offers 5.8K oversampling.

Image Source: Sony

There are also important improvements to the ergonomics taken over from the A9 III, including a deeper grip, a new control interface and a 3.2-inch LCD screen. The OLED viewfinder with a 240Hz refresh rate and 9.44 million dot resolution has also been carried over from the A9 III. The camera supports connections via full-size HDMI, USB-C and an updated Ethernet port with a bandwidth of up to 2.5 Gbps. For data storage, there are two CFexpress Type A card slots, which also support UHS-II SD cards.

It’s worth saying that along with the A1 II, Sony announced a new 28-70mm G Master lens with a constant f/2 aperture. The lens weighs less than a kilogram and still provides high image quality. Both the A1 II camera and lens are expected to go on sale in December, priced at $6,500 and $2,900 respectively.