Sony announces its new mirrorless, the Alpha 1 (α1). The little beast can shoot 8K up to 30FPS and 4K 120FPS. The Alpha 1 is armed with a new 50.1-megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor in combination with an upgraded BIONZ XR imaging processing engine with eight times more processing power. Moreover, it owns a heat disposal apparatus that allows the recording of 8K/30p video continuously for approximately 30 minutes. However, the price…

There’s a new mirrorless in town- The Alpha 1

As stated by Sony: The most technologically advanced, innovative camera that Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 combines high-resolution and high-speed performance at a level that has never been accomplished in the world of digital cameras.  With a brand 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, Sony hopes that the Alpha 1 “will allow creators to capture what they’ve never been able to before”. It seems that Sony’s goal was to manufacturer a powerful little beast that can shoot 8K, with a lot of other goodies.

Full-frame stacked 50.1-MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor

Sony states that the Alpha 1 is “The most technologically advanced, innovative camera Sony has ever released”.  stacked architecture in this back-illuminated 50.1-MP full-frame image sensor contributes to high resolution and speed. Separate pixel and circuit layers and advanced A/D conversion mean faster processing. The α1 offers a solid combination of high resolution and blazing speed. Ultra-fast readout from the 50.1-MP sensor allows continuous bursts at up to 30fps1 with AF and AE tracking using the electronic shutter. 

New BIONZ XR processor for 8K imagery

The new BIONZ XR engine features advanced architecture that delivers 8x greater processing power6. The result is outstanding image quality as well as improved camera interface response. The new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine in the Alpha 1 deliver 8K 30p movie recording capability. In fact, for the first time in an Alpha series camera, 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video is available. The Alpha 1 is also capable of 4K 120p / 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording and includes S-Cinetone color (see below). 

The BIONZ XR engine features significantly improved detection, accurately tracking human eyes at a wider range of head angles. Also available for 8K and 4K 120p recording.

8K 30 FPS

As explained, for the first time in an Alpha camera, the Alpha 1 offers 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS recording with 8.6K oversampling for precise imagery. According to Sony, the combination with Sony’s acclaimed autofocus technology, gradation, and color reproduction performance, the Alpha 1 will help the user realize their creative vision with the finest detail. It’s 8K footage can also be used for flexible 4K editing during post-production. Check out some sample footage below (Video made by sony): 

Cine color gamut settings make it easy to match Alpha 1 footage with video shots on VENICE cinema camera, FX9, and other professional cinema cameras.

Sony

4K 120 FPS

The Alpha 1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second, which allows the user to shoot 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 inter-frame compression or high-quality Intra (All-I) intra-frame compression. According to Sony, the new image sensor and BIONZ XR engine minimize image distortion. 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 more accurate imagery that is rich in detail.

The most technologically advanced, innovative camera that Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 combines high-resolution and high-speed performance at a level that has never been accomplished in the world of digital cameras.

Sony

S-Cinetone for professional shooters

The Alpha 1 features S-Cinetone, the same color matrix that produces the highly regarded FX9 and FX6 (from Sony Cinema Line) color and skin tones. It delivers natural mid-tones, plus soft colors and gorgeous highlights to meet a growing need for more expressive depth. The S-Log3 gamma curve makes it possible to achieve 15+ stops of dynamic range, while the S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3. Cine color gamut settings make it easy to match Alpha 1 footage with video shots on VENICE cinema camera, FX9, and other professional cinema cameras.

For the first time in an Alpha series camera, 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 video is available. The Alpha 1 is also capable of 4K 120p / 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording and includes S-Cinetone color.

15+ stops of dynamic range

The Alpha 1 offers high sensitivity with low noise, plus 15+ stops of dynamic range for video and 15 stops for stills, for smooth, natural gradations from shadows to highlights thanks to its processing system, throughout a wide ISO sensitivity range of 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400, when shooting stills). The 15+ stops of DR have achieved thanks to the S-Cinetone (see above).

Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking for movies

The BIONZ XR engine features significantly improved detection, accurately tracking human eyes at a wider range of head angles. Also available for 8K and 4K 120p recording.

16-bit RAW output

The α1 allows 16-bit RAW output to an external recorder via HDMI for improved post-production flexibility. RAW output via HDMI is available while recording 4K to internal card media.

Heat-dissipating structure for extended recording

A newly developed heat-dissipating structure prevents overheating during continuous recording without increasing body size. This apparatus allows recording 8K/30p or 4K/60p video continuously for up to 30 minutes. This unique structure keeps the image sensor and image processing engine temperatures within their normal operating range, preventing overheating while maintaining compact body dimensions.

The α1 allows 16-bit RAW output to an external recorder via HDMI for improved post-production flexibility. RAW output via HDMI is available while recording 4K to internal card media.

Sony Alpha 1 highlights

• New 50.1-megapixel (approx., effective) full-frame stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor in combination with an upgraded BIONZ XR™ imaging processing engine with eight times more processing power
• Blackout- free continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second
• Fast sensor readout enables up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second, double the speed of the Alpha 9 II, even during 30fps continuous shooting
  Bright and large 0.64-type 9.44 million-dot (approx.) OLED Quad-XGA electronic viewfinder with the world’s first[iv]refresh rate of 240 fps
  Silent, vibration-free electronic shutter
• World’s first anti-flicker shooting with both mechanical and electronic shutter
• Electronic shutter flash sync[vi] up to 1/200 sec. for the first time in the Alpha series
• World’s fastest mechanical shutter flash sync up to 1/400 sec.
• 8K 30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS video recording with 8.6K oversampling for extraordinary detail and resolution, in addition to 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 movie shooting capabilities
• Wide dynamic range of 15 stops for stills and 15+ stops for video
• Improved Real-time Eye AF (autofocus) for humans and animals, and new Real-time Eye AF for birds, as well as Real-time Tracking that automatically maintains accurate focus
• 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization for a 5.5-step shutter speed advantage
• S-Cinetone color matrix as seen in FX9 and FX6 to deliver an expressive cinematic look
• Professional workflow support with the industry’s fastest[xiii] built-in Wi-Fi, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps, 1000BASE-T Ethernet, and more

Pricing and Availability

The Alpha 1 Full-frame Interchangeable-Lens Camera will be available in March 2021 for approximately $6,500 USD and $8,500 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America. You can get notified via the B&H website regarding availability.

Final insights

There’s no doubt that the Alpha 1 is a little mirrorless beast that delivers exceptional professionally polished imagery. Sony has emphasized that this camera was made almost from scratch and includes only Sony technologies and components. That manufacturing fact indicates the robustness and reliability of this camera. However, the price is steep, even for 8K, since it’s mirrorless and was not designed for cinema applications (like the RED Komodo or the Blackmagic URSA cameras). In the last year, a niche in the cinema market emerged, and that is the $6,000 niche. Since the Alpha 1 is not a cinema camera by definition, it’s hard to guess its success among filmmakers. What’re your thoughts about this? Do you think the Alpha 1 will sell? Comment below.