Is the Sony A1II a Worthy Flagship Camera?

[@LeeZavitz]

This camera is overpriced. And normally I wouldn't buy a camera this expensive but the more I looked at it and used it I realized I wanted it because it really has no compromises as an ultimate Sony hybrid camera. So I bought one.

[@marcusgregory9571]

@@LeeZavitz Bro this is the most honest comment and yes I know it’s overpriced but I want it lol smh

[@williamlaw3976]

Price complainers need to look at the prices of pro cameras of 20 years ago. The Canon 1D,4.2 megapixel in 2001 was $6000. The Canon 1Ds mark 2,11.1 megapixel in 2002 was $9000. The Canon 1Ds mark 2,16.7 megapixel in 2004 was $8000. The Canon 1Ds mark 3,21.1 megapixel in 2007 was $8000. The Canon EOS-1D C,18.1 megapixel in 2013 was $15000.

[@kanaheiusagi]

It is disgustingly overpriced, especially when the r5ii sells for 35% less.

[@midicronica1]

@@kanaheiusagieven if it is, does it make any sense to swap over to the Canon system if you’re already heavily invested into E-mount lenses? At least with Sony, there’s way more third party options for lenses so there’s cost savings in that if you’re budgeting.

[@Joyofvision99]

One thing nobody talks about with the Z8, R5II, etc. that may not matter to everyone, but to me it does....and thats the fact they do NOT have two CF Express card slots. They have one. So if you are shooting RAW+RAW which I do, the buffer and camera will slow down. You are at the mercy of the MUCH slower SD card. The A1, A12 , A9iii all have dual cf express or SD. Also the A1 will NOT show any rolling shutter effect during a golf swing. Even the original A9 did not, it was one of the marketing images used during the unveiling of the camera, which was the first instance of a stacked sensor. The sensor read out speed of the A1 is twice as fast as the A9.

[@MarcAdesso]

I think the best advice for most people is to wait to see what the a7v looks like- pretty good chance you’ll get 85-90% of the A1ii features in that camera, which are 100% of what the vast majority of folks would need!

[@benjhaisch]

If they upgrade the EVF it’ll be an easy sell for me :)

[@MarcAdesso]

@ fingers are crossed!

[@robbie154]

@@benjhaisch And start putting better than sub par screens on their cameras. Which I am not optimistic for.

[@scb2scb2]

Lets be real people who are in the market for a a7V are not the same group as the A1ii pure and simple. I do agree with that most people don't need a a1ii but there is a group who needs it and a even bigger group that wants it.

[@MarcAdesso]

@@scb2scb2 hmmm, not sure I agree- I don’t think you can say if that’s true or not, since we don’t know know what the a7v’s specs are yet. Not saying there isn’t a real use case/market for the a1 cameras, but Sony does have a tendency to the kitchen sink into every new camera (I think Benj maybe even says this in the video)…

[@kqschwarz]

Thank you for a nice review. Unless I am mistaken, I do not think you mentioned pre-capture. That is a huge upgrade for anyone shooting sports or animals (like birds). That said, I am not sure there is a high demand for pre-capture in the wedding market (your primary review perspective). All the best.

[@photodeacon]

From the opening, I thought this was going to be an episode of Law & Order SVU. I loved it.

[@JJCPhotography]

Morning，Benj Haisch. Cool video made😍

[@JSS75]

This is why I’m with Nikon now, 90%+ of this camera in the Z8 at $3500. And it’s over a year old. I just didn’t expect the Z8 to match up so well to the future competition it got in the R5II and A1II.

[@georgemalczynski]

@@JSS75 I’m in the same boat. Bought a z8 and I’ve been really happy

[@WildExposures]

Plus you dont have but 1 camera a few lenses........people dont change ever year unless you are not a working pro

[@AdrianCamo95]

I even had rolling shutter issues with the A7IV with electronic shutter. That’s why I got the A9iii

[@benjhaisch]

Oh for sure the A7IV is slow with that.

[@AdrianCamo95]

Great verdict at the end. This camera is not for most of the people (the ones who cry the most about the price tag)

[@benjhaisch]

Yep, if you *need* this camera, price isn’t an issue.

[@AdrianCamo95]

@@benjhaisch I know so many professional photographers with Sony A1, A9s or FX3/FX6 they just need it as tool like it’s intended

[@dandobi]

Great review. 7:40 what’s the readout at 8k 24? Thanks!

[@SimeonKolev]

7:40 that is the case because the 4K is binned and not oversample. Oversample is only the 8K which is 15ms. Which is again not bad... Personally me I would have prefered to have oversample 4K up to 30p and binned up to 120p but... Canon for example give us options (4K and 4KHQ).

[@megamastah]

Yeah. Apart from the price, that's the only real drawback to the A1 II, maybe plus some strictly video-oriented features.

[@SimeonKolev]

@@megamastah yep and the binned one is quite good actually. Almost no penalties.

[@Rocky_KO]

A1 4K binned is good because it's the only Sony Alpha cam that does 1:1 pixel binning

[@polygoncoco]

If I could afford the accompanying ridiculously expensive glass, this would be my wildlife photography camera. I’ve tried the a1 and the autofocus speed and accuracy is actually the most insane thing I’ve ever seen

[@tobiahtayo5149]

Would you choose original A1 vs A7rV? I am wedding photographer using the Rv but thinking that A1 is worth it for silent shutter.

[@jeroenvdw]

Paper launch, I'm waiting for weeks for mine to arrive. Wish they had more stock

[@CleverSupplyCo]

shout out to the most epic intro

[@kennethbriggs720]

I certainly agree with your video. I've owned the A9 and currently own the A1. Sony cameras have been a love hate right from the beginning having come from the Canon 1DX and 1DX II. I love the images I get but hate the camera ergonomics and user interface, that is the fiddly controls, size in my hands and still horrible menu system. Also lack of firmware updates to the A1. The A9 I sold was a totally different camera than when I bought it. The one feature I really want in the A1 is focus bracketing. I currently also shoot with the Hasselblad X2D. It is a camera that was designed with a different purpose. The X2D has a huge rear touch screen unlike the mini monitor on the Sony cameras. Its menus make sense and you almost never need to go to the manual to find out how to make things work. So, I am sitting on the fence as to what to do. Do I sell the Sony which by the way I love the lenses especially the 70-200 f2.8 Mk II version. The new Leica SL3 comes to mind. From the reviews I have read its user interface is nearly as good as the X2D. And Leica glass is awesome from what I can tell. I may rent one just to try it out...

[@justonbrazda3846]

I miss the gold logo too!

[@KurtisPape]

Haha, yea I love the gold logos of my original A1.

[@AdamMason]

This music bro is GETTING ME PUMPED 😂 The A7RV was too slow for me I felt like. Used it at 3 weddings and a corporate shoot. The A9III is incredible but for some reason the base ISO bugged me, but that could be a mental paradigm I need to break out of.

[@A1000Truths]

I’ve been saying this the A7RV set the standard for all other Sony camera being released. For 90% of folks and professionals that camera is more than enough.

[@Bigcookfilms]

The Z8 rolling shutter in 4k is 4.8ms. I think that the A1ii is a monster camera but it's a bit Overpriced considering the competition. On the other hand if you're buying it, it should pay for itself in no time

[@benjhaisch]

That’s probably in 4k120 though, yeah? But yes, the Z8 is wildly good especially considering price.

[@marvinkuhn2873]

Great video! I‘ve just tested the boost button and found that it only works if you set files to compressed raw and does not automatically change from any format to compressed. Do you know if they will change that? Also do you know when the evf fps and quality can be set to high, at the moment it can’t, even if they marked it.

[@benjhaisch]

Ah I always have them on compressed raw anyway, so I’m no help there. As far as I know you can’t max out the fps and the resolution on the EVF anyway, you either choose 120fps *or* high quality.

[@KillerTacos54]

Was looking forward to this

[@adam_kozlowski]

I still find A9 mk1 to be perfect for weddings.

[@benjhaisch]

It’s honestly incredible. Especially for how much cheaper you can get one now.

[@adam_kozlowski]

@ exactly! And still the ability to photograph in complete silence in almost every lighting conditions is a unique feature.

[@williamlaw3976]

I wanted high-resolution, no rolling shutter effect, high frame rate, and great eye autofocus. In 2019 I had to settle for the Sony A7R4 for the two most important features, which are the high-resolution and good eye autofocus. After I had some pictures ruined from the rolling shutter effect, I purchased the Sony A1 and never looked back. The Sony A1 is the camera to get any job done. The price complainers need to look at the prices of pro cameras of 20 years ago. The Canon 1D,4.2 megapixel in 2001 was $6000. The Canon 1Ds mark 2,11.1 megapixel in 2002 was $9000. The Canon 1Ds mark 2,16.7 megapixel in 2004 was $8000. The Canon 1Ds mark 3,21.1 megapixel in 2007 was $8000. The Canon EOS-1D C,18.1 megapixel in 2013 was $15000.

[@gromenteal2133]

@@williamlaw3976 To be honest when Sony A1 came out I wouldn’t complain about the price, but now $6000+ with A1II that offers not much than the A1 offers then yes people will complain about the price. Not many reason to go for A1II over A1.

[@duhbiyung]

wow what an opening!

[@mtbboy1993]

A1II is to expensive for me, I will stick with the A7IV, but A9III is interesting for sports, but I can't afford it. 120fps is goign to be great. But I'm curious what's the rumored A7V will offer. Meanwhile I will invest in Filters, lenses. But usually I manage to nail the shot with the A7IV, but with the A9III one can just bombard it and get the many perfect shots.

[@cameraprepper7938]

For a proffesional sports photographer it might be, if it not should be the Sony A9III, but for most other photographers the Sony A7RV or Sony A7RIVA are a much better option.

[@KofiYeboah]

Also great video 😊

[@bensa4707]

Can anybody take pictures of the soudcheck? - Yes, I got a a one two

[@PaulDavidPhotography]

Real. The A7RV seems to be like 95% as good as the A1ii for half the price. It's a no-brainer to me - I'll be sticking with the A7RV

[@giancarloarrobarodriguez5291]

@@PaulDavidPhotography not 95%… maybe 70% because the 7RV is a photo camera with video things but the A1II is the perfect compromise for both video and photo.

[@donwhite332]

Besides no gold colored logo, it ships in a plane cheap box one step up from a paper bag. Great Apple like experience, not.

[@gunn1ng]

I was all set to buy one, but Sony are really taking the Mickey with that camera. Same sensor, same video capabilities and same burst as the 4 year old camera it replaces. Has the new screen and AI, but I have that in the A7RV. Disappointed.

[@Arc1tek]

Tbh who is this camera made for?

[@benjhaisch]

Someone that wants the best of everything in a single camera. The person that wants an A7RV, A9III, and FX3 all in one. Obviously not a full version of any of them, but as someone who actually owns those three cameras, I could sell all of them and get almost everything I need out of the A1II.

[@q60bdz]

​@benjhaisch Imma say 90% of the best hahaha A7R5 90% images quality A9iiii 90% of the speed A7siii 90% of the video capability Since the A1 doesn't beat the "specialized" cameras strongest performance.

[@benjhaisch]

@@q60bdz oh for sure. Each have their own specialty.

[@polygoncoco]

Sports and wildlife photographers who shoot very fast subjects. It focuses extremely fast and accurately and gets insane results.

[@TW-iu9zy]

... 🤔 almost two months after the launch in NY, here is a „review“ of the a1 II, based on 24 hours of testing the camera during the Sony event in November? The first photographers now own the camera and have had it for 4 weeks and are reporting their real-world experiences with the camera. wow, you are late to the party. 😂

[@benjhaisch]

Haha I recorded this right when I got back and then actually had another two weeks with it afterwards as well, but it didn’t change my opinion. Holidays and just scheduling took me away from editing but this video has actually been waiting to be published for at least 3 weeks ;)

[@benjhaisch]

But also that’s why it’s not a “review”

[@aeskellion]

I know it's nitpicking but can we all together stop saying "bad rolling sutter" rolling shutter is a technology, what we're seeing is distortion

[@benjhaisch]

How would you prefer to reference it?

[@aeskellion]

@@benjhaisch Good question. I always thought 'readout distortion' would be adequate, since sensors with a rolling shutter but faster readout speeds typically don't suffer from this issue. But this doesn't take away from the quality of your work, this is just something that bothered me every time I heard it lol

[@q60bdz]

I think that since everyone understands they are talking about distortion caused by rolling shutter technology, it is appropriate to simplify it; it is also commonly known. Otherwise, if you just say "distortion," you would have to explain what type of distortion you mean.

[@SpruceUp612]

I didn’t realize some Sony bodies are over $6k. I usually shoot Leica and my SL2 body was under $3k when I got it used. Didn’t realize I was saving money by buying Leica compared to all these other flagship mirrorless bodies. I’m half joking but I’ll also note that G master lenses are crazy expensive too so I think I’ll stick with my used APO lenses and whatnot. And yes, when doing portraits on the SL I have to focus and recompose because there’s no fancy Sony autofocus algorithms haha. Ah well.

[@ab185]

Why are you comparing Sony's brand new flagship to your used camera that was released 5 years ago? The Leica SL3 is $7,000--$500 more than the new A1 II. The Sony 35mm GM f1.4 is $1,400 new vs. SL APO 35mm f2 at $5,200--the Sony GM is a much better lens (I owned both and compared them extensively). I seriously considered switching from the A1 + 35mm f1.4 GM to SL3 + APO 35mm f2 completely, but the Sony produced (to my surprise) better images, did so in a smaller package, at a lower price, much better AF, and way better video capabilities. The SL3 had it beat in terms of design, ergonomics (for me), and UI though. Might still pick up an SL2-S though now that they're $3,000 new 😅

[@megamastah]

@@ab185 This. TBH GM glass is probably the best in the pro-sumer category (Nikon has better wildlife lenses though), while the 35 mm GM is the sharpest out of them (maybe apart from 135 mm). Also @SpruceUp612 you don't have to buy GM, there is plenty of third party glass. A lot of Sigma glass is 90% performance of GM.

[@cameraprepper7938]

Well, some of those "expensive" Sony GM Lenses are better than "Leica" Lenses made by Panasonic !!!

[@MyLifeFrAiurGaming]

extremely overpriced :(

[@KofiYeboah]

First 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@SuperSdbaby]

Does 8k video recording overheat: Yes or No!🎯🫤