Sony a1 Unboxing, Hands-on Reviews, Comparison vs Nikon D6 & EOS-1D X Mark III

In this article you can find several hands-on videos of Sony a1. These video reviews include unboxing, the real-world frames per second (FPS), 8k video overheating, electronic viewfinder (EVF) lag, autofocus (including animal and bird eye AF), rolling shutter, buffering and battery life. But first a small recap of the Sony a1 features list.

Sony has released the new Alpha 1 camera with in-camera 8K recording at up to 30 frames per second (fps), in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 fps and 50MP still image capture at up to 30 fps. Here are several links to high resolution official Sony a1 sample images as well as full-size sample photos with various Sony GM lenses.

The Sony a1 is scheduled to start shipping on March 4, 2021, and it is expected to be one of the best selling mirrorless cameras in 2021. The price of the high-end full frame mirrorless camera is $6,499 and available at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Best Lenses for Sony a1 | Best Memory Cards for Sony a1

Sony a1 Unboxing

This is an Unboxing and Sniff test of the Sony a1. Jared Polin wanted to give you a first look at the Sony a1 body and do some quick size comparisons between the Sony a9 II, Canon 1DX Mark III and Canon EOS R5. He is under embargo until February 4th 2021 on sharing any photos or videos from the Sony a1 camera. And he is working on testing the Sony a1 camera out in the field with Quarterbacks training indoors.

Sony a1 Hands-on Review: 30 FPS Failure, 8K Overheating, Banding, EVF, Eye AF and more

Tony Northrup did spend a couple of days taking pictures with the new Sony Alpha 1, A1 (ILCE-1). He reviews the real-world frames per second (FPS), 8k video overheating, banding, electronic viewfinder (EVF) lag / latency, handling, autofocus (including animal and bird eye AF), rolling shutter, buffering, battery life and flash compatibility (with both the mechanical and electronic shutter). He also compared the Sony a1 with the Canon R5, Sony a9 II, Sony a7R IV and the Nikon Z7 II.

Shutter sound comparison: α7, α7II, α7III, α9, α9II

Sony A1 vs Nikon D6 vs Canon 1D X Mark III Specification Comparison

The Sony A1 has very impressive features and specifications, but how do they compare to the Nikon D6 and Canon 1D X Mark III flagship DSLRs? Full article can be found at PhotographyLife. You can find the these three cameras and compare them side-by-side both in terms of their specifications.

Camera Feature Sony A1 Nikon D6 Canon 1D X Mark III
Sensor Resolution 50.1 MP 20.8 MP 20.1 MP
Sensor Type Stacked BSI CMOS CMOS CMOS
Sensor Size 35.9×24.0mm 35.9×23.9mm 36.0×24.0mm
Sensor Pixel Size 4.16µ 6.45µ 6.58µ
Sensor Dust Reduction Yes Yes Yes
Image Size 8640 x 5760 5568 x 3712 5472 x 3648
In-Body Image Stabilization Yes No No
Image Formats RAW, JPEG, HEIF RAW, JPEG RAW, JPEG, HEIF
Native ISO Sensitivity ISO 100-32000 ISO 100-102400 ISO 100-102400
Boosted ISO Sensitivity ISO 50, 51200-102400 ISO 50, 204800-3280000 ISO 50, 204800-819200
Image Processor 2x BIONZ XR EXPEED 6 DIGIX X
Illuminated Buttons No Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type 9.44M-dot OLED EVF Pentaprism OVF Pentaprism OVF
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9x 0.72x 0.76x
Built-in Flash No No No
Flash Sync Speed 1/400 1/250 1/250
Storage Media 2x CFe Type A 2x CFe Type B 2x CFe Type B
Shooting Speed (M Shutter) 10 FPS 14 FPS 16 FPS
Shooting Speed (E Shutter) 30 FPS 10.5 FPS 20 FPS
Buffer Size (Max FPS) 155 shots 200 shots 1000 shots
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 to 30 sec 1/8000 to 900 sec 1/8000 to 30 sec
Shutter Durability 500,000 cycles 400,000 cycles 500,000 cycles
Autofocus System Hybrid PDAF Hybrid (in Live View)
Autofocus Points 759 (PDAF), 425 (CDAF) 105, 105 cross-type 191, 90 cross-type
AF Detection Range -4 to +20 EV -4.5 to +20 EV -4 to +21 EV
On-Sensor PDAF Yes No Yes
Video Compression MPEG-4 H.264 / H.265 MPEG-4 H.264 MPEG-4 H.264 / H.265
Video Maximum Resolution 7680 x 4320 (8K) up to 30p 3840×2160 (4K) up to 30p 5472×2886 (5.5K) up to 60p
4K DCI Yes No Yes
RAW Video Recording Yes No Yes
10-bit HDMI Output Yes, 10-bit 4:2:2 No, 8-bit 4:2:2 Yes, 10-bit 4:2:2
Video Autofocus Phase-Detect AF Contrast-Detect AF Phase-Detect AF
LCD Size 3.0″ diagonal TFT-LCD 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD
LCD Resolution 1.44-Million Dots 2.36-Million Dots 2.1-Million Dots
LCD Touchscreen Yes Yes Yes
Built-in GPS No Yes Yes
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Yes Yes Yes
Built-in Wired LAN 1000 Base-T 1000 Base-T 1000 Base-T
Battery NP-FZ100 EN-EL18c LP-E19
Battery Life (Shots, per CIPA) 430 (EVF), 530 (LCD) 3,580 2,850
USB Type USB 3.2, Type C USB 3.1, Type C USB 3.1, Type C
Weight 737g (Inc Battery) 1,270g (Body Only) 1,250g (Body Only)
Dimensions 128.9 x 96.9 x 69.7mm 160.0 x 163.0 x 92.0mm 158.0 x 167.6 x 82.6mm
MSRP Price $6,499 $6,499 $6,499

The Sony a1 is a high-end full-frame mirrorless camera that was officially announced on January 26th, 2021. Here is a free in-stock tracvker tool for Sony a1 Pre-order, Availability.

Read more Sony Camera Rumors here. See also Best Lenses for Sony Full Frame E-Mount.

Upcoming Sony Cameras and Lenses in 2021

Also join the Sony Camera Users Facebook Group to share your Sony photography.