The EVERYTHING Camera! (SONY A1 Review 2023)

Here it is - the one I've been working on for a while! 8K, 30FPS, a titan of a hybrid mirrorless camera. Huge thank you to Sony for sending me the A1 for review and letting me try out their flagship camera. Let me know what you think!
Buy your Sony A1 here 👉🏻 www.sony.co.uk...
Yes, you really could buy a house in the UK for £6,500! 👉🏻www.openaccess...
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CAMERA GEAR I USE!
- Panasonic Lumix GH5
- www.amazon.co....
- Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 mk 2
- www.amazon.co....
- Joby 5K Gorilla Pod
- www.amazon.co....
- Røde VideoMic Pro
- www.amazon.co....
Thank you for watching!
#SonyA1 #SonyAlpha #Videography

[@GeorgeMattock]

Here it is! One of the most exciting cameras around - thanks to Sony for sending it to me! What do you think of the A1? 📸

[@baskets8429]

how can i get one of these for free?

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@baskets8429I just asked them straight up if I could try it out. Not sure they would let any old punter use it, you probably need to have some sort of use case for it professionally!

[@RobJorg]

i own one, love it.

[@Jonathantuba]

For wildlife photographers the A1 is the one to get. The 30fps, the blackout free high resolution EVF, the silent shooting without rolling shutter, the high resolution 50mp sensor, the animal and bird AF and tracking (still better than the A7Rv) - all make the A1 the only camera that does everything needed in this high demanding area of photography. Yes it is expensive, but in the UK can be got discounted at £5k from the UK Camera Club. I bought an A1 there for a safari one month ago.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Definitely, it’s a power house! Thanks for watching 🫡

[@nazukeoya]

I took out a 3-year personal loan to buy the A1 2 years ago and haven't regretted it at all. I sold my A7SII when the price was high and waited two years with no camera because I was waiting for the perfect hybrid. When the A1 came out it was the one for me, I had to have it. It ticked all of my boxes and it's been phenomenal. I only buy Sony GM glass as well and so pairing that glass with this camera was a match in heaven.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Nice one! Honestly, I see people still using the A1 in 5/10 years time. Thank you for watching! A7RV video this week 🤞🏻

[@GeorgeMattock]

knock yourself out! A7RV video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXbdkqqFmJ52fck

[@kevinkillsit]

I have had the A1 since last June. Love the camera, this was a solid review. Sony really needs to get it some new firmware though to keep it fresh. I actually don't think there is much point to issuing an A1 MK2 if most of the issues can be fixed in firmware. The screen would be nice, but not enough to make me buy a MK2 if it did come out. There is truly no excuse that this does not have the best firmware Sony makes. Period. It's disheartening not having it while other brands are doing it on the regular. It's a good way to go from leading the race to losing it.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Good points, agree. A lot of hybrid shooters would be enticed by the screen, as little and insignificant as it seems. Fingers crossed for firmware and a new A1 mk2!

[@1slkss]

Except Sony has the most firmware updates across their line over time than any other manufacturer. I’d say this is a testament to how good they got it at launch that Sony didn’t have to go back and fix a ton of bugs after the fact.

[@richardgeorge3115]

Firmware upgrade announced for Q1 2024

[@sharkylal]

Yes the 8K is OP im gonna make a video on it one day

[@ajalbetjr]

Two work arounds for the A1 for it's monitor: using an Atomos Ninja V or V+ or other monitor, if you don't want to spend even more, using Sony's Image Edge App and you will be able to see yourself, focus, change metering, etc. ... Btw, the difference between the A1 and the A7RV (I've owned the A1 for 18 months and got to use the A7RV when first released): with the A7RV's new AI chip and advanced algorithms, the A7RV is 'stickier' when it comes to object recognition; HOWEVER, the A1's AF refreshes a crazy 120 times per second(!), which is twice as fast as the Sony A9II! Bottom line: the 120 times per second refresh trumps the 'stickiness' of the A7RV, specifically for sports and wildlife photography, particularly for birds... The rolling shutter in the A1 in 4k is almost non-existent , whereas the A7RV's RShutter is NOT good... BUT the V's new menu system, etc is just AMAZING... So if you don't do sports or fast wildlife action, the RV would be the choice. I myself am hoping/planning for an A1II, I can't give up the speed! Cheers! One More Thing: The battery life does NOT suck on the A1; obviously said by someone who doesn't own one! Throughout an entire day of shooting, be it event or wildlife, I have never used more than two batteries, and I always use electronic shutter and silent shutter.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Thanks for watching and the comment! Of course there’s always work arounds, but for me when you are spending £6,500 you should get everything you could ever need. A shame the only thing it’s missing is a hinge for a flippy screen!! Otherwise it’s near perfect. Agree, hope we can get an A1 mk 2 with these tiny changes to make the perfect hybrid

[@ApertureViews]

Explain the refresh rate. 120/per second. Once you're locked on to the eye, you're locked on to the eye. What's it refreshing?

[@RossiniFoulger]

Amazing video! Straight to it

[@Bo_Hazem]

Pretty solid review. I have the a7SIII and it's irreplaceable, and want the a1. Might wait for a1 II though or get FX30/a7R V as a second body.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Thanks for watching! A7Siii looks the best video camera in the world. A1 is good but I wouldn’t switch!

[@Omgiamsotriggered]

A7Siv gonna break the market lol

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@Omgiamsotriggered I think at this point it should be a stacked sensor. That'll be a huge jump in both ISO performance and rolling shutter probably being as low as 2-1ms.

[@obsidian00]

I was able to play with a SONY A1 a year or so back at TEMPE CAMERA and yes, that body is a BEAST...but a TINY beast, even with the battery grip...way too small for my oversized mitts! I just wish SONY made a big boy camera body.

[@GeorgeMattock]

haha, it is compact and tbh I wouldn't change the form factor. used canons and for me, they're too large and heavy. but the a1/ a7rv with a cage works nicely and gives it an extra bit of bulk. thanks for watching!

[@Kryojenix]

Waiting for them to release Mark II with everything slightly better including 8K60fps and a fully-articulated screen. - 13year Panasonic GH1 owner. (Bought two extra lenses for it only in 2021 after 11 years with the kit superzoom! 🤣)

[@GeorgeMattock]

I think a lot of people will switch if that happens!! 6 years with the GH5 and still using it to this day. Switching to Sony slowly myself. Kit lenses do a job though!

[@llStixxll]

Since Sony partnered with you for this video I hope they read the comments. Does the a1 do everything, Sony? Is it the One? Why can’t it compensate focus breathing? Why can’t it focus stack in camera? Why can’t it do the advanced multi shot mode? I’ve had an a1 for over a year now and it is the last Sony E mount camera I’ll ever buy. You dumped this camera in the trash like it was just another consumer electronic. It has not been treated like a flagship in the slightest. There are many other a1 owners who share my sentiment. I’ve already started selling all my GM lenses. I only have 3 Sony lenses left. Your product strategy is a joke.

[@orphanuprising]

Yeah sony needs to issue a firmware update that gives the A1 the A7RV's screen.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Would be great 😂 If the A7RV had better rolling shutter / slightly better video processing, it’s the perfect camera for me! Thanks for watching 🫡

[@billdeng8558]

hm...the b roll used for 30ps was actually mechanical shutter which only does 10 or 15 fps

[@GeorgeMattock]

D’oh, yep that is correct! Couldn’t show it with electronic

[@baskets8429]

nice review! got to test one out as my friend got one and it got some quality photos just using it behind a starbucks i think we need to take it on the wildlife trails and some architecture tours in Chicago to really get it properly tested

[@GeorgeMattock]

Mate get it out on the hikes! Would be amazing. But pack that ultra wide lens for when you get to the top haha

[@baskets8429]

@@GeorgeMattock haha right on we will definately get it on the trails to test it out properly !

[@cgan2013]

How can you make the comment that the A1 auto focus "cannot compete with the newer A7rV AI auto focus" when you even admit that you have not tried the a7rV yet? I own the a7rV and yes, its AI auto focus is wonderful. But there is no way it can compete with the speed/accuracy of the A1 when shooting high speed action or birds in flight. I know you are a video guy, but come on! Be fair about it and try both models in all conditions before coming out with such a comment.

[@ChrisM541]

With a top-of-the-line expensive camera like this, have they not figured out how to send the camera screen/live view to your mobile/tablet (with accompanying camera setting editing)?? DJI drones have been doing this for years on hugely less expensive products. There really is no excuse if this functionality isn't in the A1 !!

[@GeorgeMattock]

I think the imaging edge app might do something similar but never had a use case for it to be honest. Thanks for watching!

[@ChrisM541]

@@GeorgeMattock Allowing you to stand up comfortable and adjust your camera settings on your phone/tablet while monitoring the effect by also seeing the live view, while the camera itself is positioned at an awkward angle/location is...a game changer. There are many situations where such an App functionality would be hugely welcome. I've checked out the edge app and don't think it connects live like this and allows you to alter settings.

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@ChrisM541 that’s a bummer. Can’t say I’ve looked at it in depth, but I imagined the app would let you take remote control via Bluetooth. Will have a go with it when I eventually switch to Sony for good!

[@Ikdarling11]

I watched ur video on Sony A1 and followed your objective advice to buy the camera even with the 24-70 GM lens. All brand new from London Exchange Cameras. I desperately need your help on your best Video settings.. Please I need hlp.😭

[@GeorgeMattock]

I have 3 presets saved to the custom buttons onto C1, C2 and C3. C1 - 4K 25, C2 4K 50, C3 8K 25. I use the standard picture profile, dynamic range optimiser on. 100 bit rate 10 bit colour 4:2:2 on all of them

[@mcollon]

George, thank you for your video. Do you have a video setup for A1 that you can share?

[@GeorgeMattock]

Sadly I don’t have the A1 anymore - it was just sent to me by Sony to test for a couple weeks. If I had it, would get one done!! Thanks for watching though

[@HiroshiSato-vl7sb]

Hi George. Good Video. Is this camera worth the money at all? Thanks!

[@GeorgeMattock]

Hey man! I would say with the firmware update they just dropped it’s probably more worth it than a few months ago. I personally have the A7RV as my main camera now, works really well with the AI AF! Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@HiroshiSato-vl7sb]

Hey man! Thanks for replying back me with greatest personal opinions. I am going to pick up my A7RV today. Finger cross.@@GeorgeMattock

[@davidligon6088]

I bought a house in 1970. $11,00 for a rather run down fixer-upper in a small town. I get your point, but I’m not sure where you could buy a house for $6,500 in 1970.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Have a read of the source in my description! Thanks for watching

[@vladepast4936]

Thank you for the review!

[@GeorgeMattock]

thanks for watching!

[@ChooseTravel99]

hi . can anyone help me to buy a good sony camera because i stacked between sony a1 and sony fx30?

[@GeorgeMattock]

What are you using it for? If you’re doing both photo and video - A1. If you’re doing video - go fx30 or even an A7IV. They look great!

[@ChooseTravel99]

@@GeorgeMattock yeah . well i want mor for filming .

[@Vekken]

nice track at the end, who made it 👀

[@EliteStudiosUK]

I'd like to know too, what's the name of the track playing at the end.

[@ApertureViews]

Sony didn't think about how they will sell a new camera to A1 owners. You don't need anything more! And what you may need can be solved with firmware. Some will convince themselves they need the flippy screen, but that's consumerism. I know pros making a six-figure income using a 5D Mkiiii. The thing has a 10-year lifespan IMO, if not longer. This comment is going to age well.

[@GeorgeMattock]

It might be solved with firmware, but A1 users are still waiting for the A7RV AI AF! Whether it’s consumerism or not, an articulating screen makes the world of difference to hybrid shooters (mostly videographers). Speaking from experience, it absolutely has made a difference to me and my workflow! Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@ApertureViews]

@@GeorgeMattock How much of a difference in your “workflow” does it make? Quantify if and put a dollar amount to it. How much more are you making per hour for having a flippy screen or losing by not having a flippy screen? As I said, some will convince themselves they need a flippy screen. If anyone is missing shots because they’re missing focus and it’s not like the A7RV AI AF, blah blah blah. It’s a user error. 30FPs/Blackout free? Comon Bruh! Put it on H+ and spray and pray. You’ll get the shot. Nonetheless, awesome video. Keep up the excellent work.

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@ApertureViews It makes a huge difference. If I am filming myself, I cannot see my exposures, levels, composition if the screen doesn't rotate and i'm in front of camera. If you're trying to get a shot fast, like 99% of the time; you don't want to be getting an app up, opening it, connecting to camera etc - you just want to get the shot! I couldn't possibly put a dollar amount to it - it's priceless for hybrid shooters. Spray and pray works sometimes. But you better have the exposure, composition and everything else in order before you hit and hope 😂 A7RV video coming within the next week too btw - cheers!

[@garyhicks6907]

Woah! I'd absolutely love to get one but I know exactly what my wife will say and it won't be yes lol

[@GeorgeMattock]

Hahah it’s probably not worth breaking a marriage 😂 thanks for watching!!

[@Kryojenix]

4:30 Is 8K footage not 4 times as much as 4K? Since the vertical doubles as well? No?

[@GeorgeMattock]

I always class it as double since the pixels only double - 3840 x 2160 + 4K, but 8K is 7680 x 4320. 4x the quality is arguable! thanks for watching

[@longingbydesign]

@@GeorgeMattock No, it's 4x the pixels as well.

[@shinzychan5117]

It has a crop when shooting in 4k, you missed that point

[@mohammadramadan1234]

New subscriber ❤

[@Finsterwald_]

I am doing none of what you said, but I’m an idiot and have too much money, so I will buy it anyway 😂

[@GeorgeMattock]

😂 class it as an investment haha

[@JasonR1998]

Do you get to keep the camera?

[@GeorgeMattock]

no I sent it back to Sony. they very kindly sent it to me to try out! I am running an A7RV now!

[@catrelaxationtechnique4466]

I've had the A1 since it came out, I may sell it to get the A7RV. It does not have focus bracketing. The EVF is amazing but the screen is really poor compared to modern phone screens. And I almost never use 30fps. I guess if you are a professional sports photographer. But man at like 70mb compressed RAW, that's SO much data. And SO many photos to go through. I also would rather a flip out screen, I always take photos very low and in portrait mode, it makes it very hard to see the screen. Also I disagree the battery life is VERY good, its never a concern.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Thanks for watching! I have my A7RV video ready, uploaded (waiting on approval 🤷🏻‍♂️) 30fps is almost too much really! I know many pro sports photographers who still use a canon 1DX mk2, that’s 12 fps I think. And that’s fair, I probably didn’t have it long enough to properly test the battery in fairness. Cheers!

[@creactivestudios9543]

we still buy land for house in this price ..in small towns of india...too costly

[@GeorgeMattock]

That’s crazy, still a lot of money but if you can make that cost back with work - then that’s ok! Thanks for watching

[@Monik74nina]

Nooo lo hagas No la compres Un año después no recomiendo la Sony A1 me ha dado muchos problemas desde el segundo mes que la adquirí, y sigue dándolos, a lo mejor he tenido mala suerte con esta unidad, pero no me convence, jamás invertiré tanto en una cámara. Primero fue la wifi paso por SAT, luego ahora el color, hace como una especie de halos, como si se reventase, el color y ahora a veces no me detecta los objetivos y sale el número f a Un año después, no recomiendo la Sony A1 me ha dado muchos problemas desde el segundo mes que la adquirí, y sigue dándolos, Creo que me tendrían que haber cambiado la cámara, pero solo la repararon, a lo mejor he tenido mala suerte con esta unidad, pero no me convence jamás invertiré tanto en una cámara, primero fue la wifi paso por SAT, luego el color y ahora a veces no me detecta los objetivos y sale el número f, parpadeando aparte de quedarse colgada, y no tiene más que unos 10 mil disparos, y superbién cuidada, y con el 200- 600 me da problemas de enfoque es mi humilde opinión me consta que a otro usuario le paso lo mismo no sé si se la cambiaron o no. Solo quiero que funcione al 100x100. Y actualizaciones ni de firmware ni una.

[@GeorgeMattock]

ah, lo siento. para mi, el a1 funcionaba bien, tal vez tenias una camara defectuosa? gracias por ver 🙌🏻

[@Monik74nina]

@@GeorgeMattock Tus videos son espectaculares, siempre los veo pero al quejarme sony ya deberia de haberme cambiado la camara al 2 mes ademas escribi en el foro y esta registrado si la reparan bien pero me sigue dando problemas, de vez en cuando por eso no se si encontraran la solución gracias por tu apoyo y soporte

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@Monik74nina gracias - espero que puedas arreglarlo! ahora, usando el A7RV durante dos semanas. AI AF es increíble!!

[@shawn3d]

8K is actually 4x data and intensity of 4K :)

[@GeorgeMattock]

I always use the pixels and resolution when talking about that. 4K = 3840 x 2160 pixels 8K = 7680 x 4320 pixels Never heard anyone mention data in the files over resolution! I could record a blank clip and it would have a lot of data and be a large file, but have nothing in shot!

[@shawn3d]

@@GeorgeMattock you can place 4 x 4K videos into 1 8K video. So let’s say you overlay and tile it on top of the 8k. Top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right. That’s how many 4k videos you can fit into an 8K video :)

[@nightdonutstudio]

Sony camera hardly get discount even after being many years on the market. a7III is only $300 cheaper now for being a 5 years old camera. And camera like a7sIII, fx3, a1, a7iv just never seen them get discount. Whereas canon r5, r6 get discount multiple times during the year. Same with other brand cameras that will have multiple on sale during the year.

[@GeorgeMattock]

yeah that is a shame, I have been looking at at a7siii for a couple years, but waiting to see if an a7siv gets announced so maybe there's a drop off in price! thanks for watching

[@SkewedOutcomes]

Wildlife/bird photography.

[@hdahir545]

We want a amoled display like smartphones Common we are paying so much premium then why can't we get a amoled Content look really different in the monitor of camera nd smartphones just because of that fucking lcd 😑😑😑

[@GeorgeMattock]

Yeah you can never 100% trust the back of the camera on any camera I’ve used tbh. Would be nice to have it be bang on, but it’s always been a bit of seeing how it goes, and then dialling it in to the settings with how you’d like it. Thanks for watching!

[@AcrossTheStereo]

You can fit a 4K Image 4 TIMES in a 8K Image. So the 8K isnt "double" as big, its 4times as Big. I still cannot understand how this mistakes happens in 2023. GH5 IBIS is that good, because the Sensor is really small.

[@GeorgeMattock]

I’ve always looked at it as - in an 8K timeline, you could have a 4K clip but it needs scaling up to 200% to fill the image If we’re talking numbers, it is also still double the pixels. 2160p x 2 = 4320 (8K). Yep, GH5 has some flaws with it being a small sensor but the IBIS is the best I’ve used, you’re right - because of the smaller sensor. Thanks for watching!

[@longingbydesign]

@@GeorgeMattock "If we’re talking numbers, it is also still double the pixels. 2160p x 2 = 4320 (8K)" - you do realize there's 2 dimensions? It's double in both of them, so 2x2 = 4.

[@petrg68]

Does not focus well : Sony A1 vs Canon R5 = 60% vs 98% Just Sony marketing

[@GeorgeMattock]

I haven’t tried the R5 but there’s loads of people I work with who use them everyday and love them! Thanks for watching

[@josephnaranjo8286]

Something you didn't mention it's battery life sucks!. 😂

[@GeorgeMattock]

Good point - I must’ve forgotten the battery life. For me it was okay, depends what you’re doing. I think the battery grip with two extra batteries would make sense for the price. Hopefully the A1 mk 2 will have an improvement! Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@PhilT993]

How many shots or how much video recording time do you get on your Sony A1, using one battery?

[@pawelmod3292]

@@PhilT993 number of shots tells you nothing with camera that shots 30fps ;-) You can have a few thousand of photos in a few minutes with battery still at 99% …

[@PhilT993]

@@pawelmod3292 Yeah, I know. I was just trying to get him to come up with something specific to support his statement about his A1 battery life, if he even owns one 🙂

[@ThePostPatrol]

Bought one, and massively disappointed... Sony dropped support for this camera basically, they refuse to update the firmware on it and are releasing newer cheaper cameras with better tech. I dropped nearly 12k on this and lenses/accessories only to discover I should have bought Nikon who is consistently releasing feature updates.

[@GeorgeMattock]

I've heard the firmware / software updates have fizzled out. This would be an even better camera w the A7RV AI AF. Just dropped a video on that camera if you're interested! Thanks a lot for watching 👊🏻

[@chrisvassiliou889]

why so much background noise ..it takes away my concetration , I stop the video after 3 minutes

[@GeorgeMattock]

Noted, first time I heard any comment about music being too loud though!

[@chrisvassiliou889]

it is OK as an introduction , but sometimes it becomes irrititating or the piece of music becomes more interesting than the content of the video, it is common with so many similar videos , or it is me a very old man moaning@@GeorgeMattock

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@chrisvassiliou889 you’re probably not wrong - will amend for future videos!

[@MarS-dc2qx]

There is a new A1 coming out soon

[@Kryojenix]

Howsoon?

[@longingbydesign]

@@Kryojenix Not this year, and probably also not in 2024.

[@cre8taMilt]

Easy fix, place a monitor on with an HDMI

[@GeorgeMattock]

@@cre8taMilt true, but doesn’t work for everyone! Extra cost, more items to carry in the bag etc. The A7RV screen on the A1 would fix these issues! Thanks for watching! 🙌🏻

[@letsfindout6587]

The Sony a7rv has better af. Sony really needs to fix this flag ship camera.

[@GeorgeMattock]

Let’s hope for an A1 mk 2 soon! Thanks for watching

[@MarS-dc2qx]

Sony is releasing a new a1

[@GeorgeMattock]

Let’s wait and see! If this is anything to go by, it’ll be an absolute machine

[@yohannsphotographyvideogra9542]

A1 is the worst buy for 2023 Sony killed their best camera ever . no substantial upgrade and no camera service on firmware update that are slow to come and don’t give much comparing to Sony models cheaper by a third that will beat the a1 in new software updates and options that came same time as the a1 like fx30 . The A1 bugs frequently and service like WiFi don’t work and freeze most of time and lots of customers complain about losing WiFi functionality in updates and Sony customer service that is terrible is becoming a real issue cause they simply don’t care cause it seems Sony decided to kill the A1 in order to sell their cheaper model if you ask me Sony is doing something terrible they are trying to make profit at the expense of the professionals it was never seen in the world of cameras that professional are treated like garbage and the cheapest camera are treated as their main market so if you ask me don’t buy expensive cameras by Sony cause they don’t care stick to the 1500 models 2k cause it won’t hurt

[@ChAoS3sixO]

Sony has started to do what CaNikon used to do. Incredibly slow incremental upgrades, and then charging their victims extortionate amounts of wonga for the privilege. Luckily Canon and Nikon have super upped their game . Booyaaaah!

[@GeorgeMattock]

Hmm, I’ve only used canon sparingly but the R3 is incredible. But canon still lagging behind when it comes to video. Thanks for watching!