Revolutionary Upgrade or Subtle Difference? What Sets SONY α1 and α1 II Apart | Release #377
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Released in 2021 as a flagship model for professionals, the 'Sony α1' now has a successor, the 'α1 II', which inherits the original's excellent foundation while incorporating several improvements.
Is this new model truly worth the upgrade? Let's compare the differences between 'α1' and 'α1 II'.
Improvements in Usability and Design
The 'α1 II' has been redesigned to significantly enhance the user experience. With a deeper grip for more stable handling and a revised button layout, including a new 'Custom Button (C5)' on the front, it offers increased convenience.
Additionally, the 4-axis tilting LCD allows shooting from any angle, greatly improving convenience compared to the original α1's 'up-and-down tilt' only. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) supports 240fps, providing smoother display, especially beneficial for motion photography.
Advanced Autofocus with AI
The 'α1 II' introduces a new AI processor, significantly enhancing subject detection capabilities. While the original 'α1' featured an impressive 759-point hybrid AF system, the new model adds modes for detecting new subjects like insects and vehicles, in addition to animals and humans.
The automatic detection mode eliminates the need to manually select the type of subject, simplifying operation. Performance improvements are evident in real-world shooting scenarios, with animal eye detection improved by 30% and bird eye detection by 50%.
Steady Performance Evolution
The 'α1 II' uses the same 50.1-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR processor as the original 'α1', so there is no significant change in image quality. However, the new 'Pre-Capture' feature allows recording one second of footage before the shutter is pressed.
This makes it less likely to miss decisive moments in unpredictable sports or wildlife photography. Additionally, a custom button assigned to the burst speed boost allows instant switching of burst speed, enhancing shooting flexibility.
Which Should You Choose?
The 'α1 II' builds upon the foundation of the original 'α1', achieving solid advancements in usability, autofocus, and burst performance. However, since the image sensor and basic shooting performance remain largely unchanged, the value of upgrading depends on the user's needs.
For those prioritizing motion photography and usability, the 'α1 II' is appealing, but for those primarily focused on still photography, the original 'α1' should suffice.
