Sony Alpha 1 (ILCE-1) housing

Sony Alpha 1 (ILCE-1)

As the most technologically advanced and innovative camera Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 combines high resolution and high-speed performance at a level never before achieved in the world of digital cameras. With an all-new 50.1-megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RS™ image sensor, up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second, 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video, and much more, the Alpha 1 enables creatives to capture what they've never been able to before.

The newly developed image sensor features built-in memory and is paired with an enhanced BIONZ XR image processing engine. This enables it to capture 50.1-megapixel images continuously at an astonishing 30 frames per second and up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second. The Alpha 1's shooting capabilities are further enhanced by a 9.44 million-dot quad-XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with a refresh rate of up to 240 frames per second, so there are no blackouts. In addition, 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video is available for the first time in an Alpha series camera. The Alpha 1 is also capable of recording 4K 120p / 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 and features S-Cinetone color. The Alpha 1 is also packed with features to help field professionals with a faster workflow, including 3.5 times faster wireless FTP transfer speed and more.

Unmatched resolution and speed
Continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second

Alpha 1's high-speed performance captures moments that would otherwise be lost, giving any photographer the speed they need to capture fast-moving subjects. Thanks to the high readout speed of the 50.1-megapixel image sensor and large buffer memory, the electronic shutter can capture up to 155 full-frame compressed RAW images or 165 full-frame JPEG images at up to 30 frames per second - all with full AF and AE tracking performance.

With an amazing processing speed of up to 120AF/AE per second, the Alpha 1 can hold focus with high accuracy even on fast-moving subjects. It can also automatically adjust exposure for sudden changes in brightness, with an AE response latency of just 0.033 seconds.

Advanced electronic viewfinder with the world's first 240 fps frame rate

In addition to the camera's ability to capture images at unprecedented speeds, the Alpha 1's viewfinder features the world's first 240 fps frame rate for extremely smooth viewing. The viewfinder does not darken when a shot is taken to provide an uninterrupted view and allow seamless framing and tracking, even during continuous shooting. The high-resolution OLED display with 9.44 million pixels (approx.) and 0.64x Quad XGA resolution and sophisticated optics deliver the highest resolution in its class. It also offers 0.90x viewfinder magnification, a 41° diagonal field of view, and a 25mm eye point for clear, low-distortion corner-to-corner vision.

Advanced autofocus

With the introduction of the Alpha 1, Sony continues to push the boundaries of autofocus technology. The camera can track complex, fast-moving subjects with high precision. The camera features 759 phase-detection points in a high-density, focal-plane phase-detection AF system that covers approximately 92% of the image area - for accuracy and unerring sharpness in environments where focusing might otherwise be difficult.

Sony's advanced Real-Time Eye AF improves detection performance by 30% over the previous system, thanks to the powerful BIONZ XR image processing engine. It ensures accurate, reliable detection even when the subject's face is looking away. In addition to improved real-time eye AF for people and animals, the Alpha 1's advanced subject detection technology offers real-time eye AF for birds for the first time in an Alpha series camera. Optimized algorithms ensure that tracking is maintained even if a perched bird suddenly takes flight or the frame suddenly changes.

The Alpha 1 also features AI-based real-time tracking that automatically maintains accurate focus. A subject detection algorithm uses color, pattern (brightness), and subject distance (depth) data to process spatial information in real time and at high speed.

Silent, vibration-free electronic shutter

Thanks to the high readout speed of the new image sensor, rolling shutter during still image capture has been reduced by up to 1.5 times compared to the Alpha 9 II. It also offers flicker-free continuous shooting with an electronic shutter for the first time in the world. The electronic shutter operates silently, without mechanical noise, and is vibration-free. Stress-free continuous shooting is now possible even in difficult lighting situations with fluorescent lights or other types of artificial light that are prone to flicker. And for the first time in an Alpha camera, flash sync with electronic shutter is possible up to 1/200 s. The advantages of the electronic shutter can now be brought to bear when using flash for greatly expanded shooting versatility.

Dual Driven Shutter System for 1/400 flash synchronization

Alpha 1 features the world's fastest flash sync speed of 1/400 sec with mechanical shutter, making it even easier to capture dynamic action. In addition to the carbon fiber shutter curtain, the Alpha 1 features the newly developed dual shutter system with spring and electromagnetic drive, which offers high durability and lightness at the same time.

High-resolution shooting enhancements

Despite the sensor's high pixel count, the Alpha 1 offers high sensitivity with low noise, as well as a dynamic range of more than 15 stops for video and 15 stops for stills. Thanks to the state-of-the-art processing system, smooth, natural gradations from shadows to highlights are possible over a wide ISO sensitivity range of 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400 for stills).

In addition, the new camera features an advanced Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode that stitches together up to 16 full-resolution images. In this mode, the camera precisely shifts the sensor in one-pixel or half-pixel increments to capture 16 separate pixel-shifted images totaling 796.2 million pixels, which are then stitched together into a 199 million-pixel image (17,280 x 11,520 pixels) using Sony's Imaging Edge™ desktop application. With flash sync up to 1/200 sec in this mode, it is ideal for photographing architecture, art, or other still life with a level of detail and color accuracy that is simply stunning.

Professional video quality - 8K high resolution video recording

For the first time in an Alpha camera, the Alpha 1 offers 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS shooting with 8.6K oversampling for exceptional resolution. Combined with Sony's acclaimed autofocus technology and high performance gradation and color reproduction, the Alpha 1 helps users realize their creative vision down to the finest detail. Its 8K footage can also be used for flexible 4K editing during post-production.

Supports multiple video formats for professionals

The Alpha 1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second, allowing users to capture up to 5x slow-motion video. In addition to supporting 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, this feature can be used with efficient long-GOP interframe compression or high-quality intra-(all-I) intraframe compression.

The Alpha 1 features S-Cinetone, the same color matrix that produces the highly regarded color and skin tones of FX9 and FX6. The S-Log3 gamma curve enables a dynamic range of more than 15 stops, while the S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine color gamut settings make it easy to match Alpha 1 footage to video shot with the VENICE cinema camera, FX9, and other professional cinema cameras.