The Sony A1 II is boring… but that’s a good thing

First looks at the Sony A1 Mark II with the new 28-70mm f/2 Lens. In this video I check out video and photo capabilities, 8k, and more.
---STAY CONNECTED---
IG: / thechrishau
Threads: www.threads.ne...
Shop: www.thechrishau...
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
---DIGITAL SERVICES---
Subscribe to Artlist (get 2 Months For Free): geni.us/ChrisH...
Epidemic Sound: geni.us/ChrisH...
MUSICBED: geni.us/ChrisH...
Software I used to edit Video & Photos: geni.us/ChrisH...
---THE GEAR I USE---
Lumix S5II - geni.us/Lumixs5ii
Lumix S9 - geni.us/LumixS...
Freewell VNDPL - bhpho.to/4amShUC
My Main editing computer - geni.us/ONt7
Anker Charger (Small) - geni.us/Nt4P0
Anker Charger (Big) - geni.us/Bhnuu
Freewell Travel Tripod - geni.us/MyFavT...
Freewell Pocket 3 Filters (Every filter) - geni.us/gbBNiI
Insta360 X4 - www.insta360.c...
Insta360 Long Pole - geni.us/nIZnYh
24-70mm Lumix Lens - geni.us/MyFavLens
Sigma 16-28 f/2.8 - geni.us/Sigma1...
Rode VideoMic GO II - geni.us/FIHVeT
Falcam Quick Release Plates - geni.us/Falcam...
Lacie SSD - geni.us/UEO3NT
Nomatic Peter McKinnon Everyday Bag - geni.us/rlQBy
My vlogging lens: geni.us/MyVlog...
Leather Strap: geni.us/Leathe...
Rode Video mic Pro+: geni.us/vnIa
Rode Smart Lav+ (Life saver): geni.us/Ba8DBl
PROGRADE 128GB SD CARD (highly recommend): geni.us/uWdCWA
Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD: geni.us/rZqg1
Variable ND | 2-5 & 6-9: geni.us/PMVNDII
Step Up Rings: geni.us/8xwBcB
SmallRig Folding Tool: geni.us/RMQbKO5
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fibre) geni.us/IKKEU2
Slider / Timelapse: geni.us/RYduQgm
Diffusion / Reflector: geni.us/wHc9
Monitor + Recorder: geni.us/dU678TC
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means when you purchase, you help support this channel! So, thank you!

[@thechrishau]

What are you shooting with currently? Let's have an honest conversation here - what do you think about this camera and what Sony is doing?

[@Zakna]

Just got an A1 a few weeks ago.. now it's obsolete :(

[@KellanReck]

It's a really great camera! I almost think, if you're looking to step up into this tier of camera, grabbing the Mark I at a cheaper price is the move though. If you already have the Mark I, and the new features feel worthwhile, then the upgrade makes sense.

[@octavianlupuphotos]

Lumix S5ii simply amazing

[@RubenR97]

Still rocking the A7III 😆

[@Commander_Strider]

I have an a6400, I want to upgrade to the a6700 for many of the reasons this camera is great. The screen, the ibis, and the new tech. But in a APSC format.

[@DanielEarl]

I don't need the camera to have "personality", that's what i bring to the table.

[@mwaithephoto]

I hear a lot of sony users say this. And it just seems like you guys don’t enjoy using the cameras. Just want to fit in.

[@pentagramyt417]

@@mwaithephoto I agree with author of channel, as an A7-IV user, I have no fun with the camera and says a lot of times, it has no soul. OM System and Fuji has it.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

@@mwaithephoto Instead we enjoy the process of taking photos, the composition, being there. I think one of the main reasons is that there's no need to dive into the menus, as you can use shortcuts for everything, so after some time, you take photos without even realizing you were using a camera. That's next level, and something other companies haven't reached yet.

[@nikoladanevski2092]

Bravo - my friend

[@Chancebauer]

@@pentagramyt417 The camera is just a medium of producing your art. You need to figure out why you have a camera in the first place.

[@goodwolf152]

Weird thing is, in the car world, the 911 is genuinely seen the same way camera enthusiasts look at the A1. The 911 is the boring, do it all, practical sports car. You want something fun, different, exotic....you go with something Italian, or British, or even French. The 911 is bulletproof, dead reliable, does everything well, and hasn't fundamentally changed in half a century. It has no quirks, no personality (so they say), no passion. I find inspiration from genuinely impressive engineering...the A1 (and the 911) are engineering marvels.

[@izzatIHH55]

Interesting take

[@3xcho]

You nailed it regarding the feel of Sony. It’s too scientifically perfect to feel as creative as something that makes you work for the image.

[@sloppysteaks]

going on that boat was the best thing about this camera

[@dasignarts]

But the 28-70 f2 has been here for some years by Canon^^ Sony is catching up here. 👋🏻 Amazing Lens nonetheless. 👌🏻

[@bradbenjdm9341]

I have the canon rf 28-70 f2 and it's absolutely phenomenal

[@yankeesunloaded]

yeah til you research the size and weight then you realize canon is now behind.

[@dasignarts]

@@yankeesunloaded oh wow! You're right. Haven't looked it up yep. The Sony is around 500g lighter :D That's crazyyyy!! I always loved the Canon version, but would NEVER buy it because it's so heavy. :D But while researching I found out that it's also 6 Year old. Maybe they'll come up with an updated version. Lets see :)

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

I want my camera to be as invisible and unnoticeable as possible, ideally an extension of myself, and the ultimate camera would be completely invisible and 0g, it would just be some chip connected to my brain, if not possible then lenses that I place on my eyes. The closer cameras get to this, the better.

[@phoenixvette]

Exactly! That's why I woke up early to pre-order it. It's just I thought with the Canon R1 release, the "perfect camera" is by definition a tool that allows for the widest range of photographic capability. If you think about that versus "the perfect camera for me" then the A1 ii and R1 look boring. When something works so well you don't notice it, then you have perfection. I think we also want the "perfect camera" to be retro, a rangefinder, have a leaf shutter, shoot 8k 120p for 4 hours on one battery without overheating, edit your video for you while you sleep and even walk your dog. The perfect camera for you is what you enjoy using and for a pro, they enjoy using something that enables their vision, never gets in the way and never fails. The flagships are flagshipping well and not trying to blow the minds of doom-scrollers. I said shut up and take my money because I know I can make way more money with this tool.

[@Raptvre_media]

Sony is not about personality or hip looks. Sony is your dependable and clean workhorse. I work with a lot of Sony shooters from small creators to world media agency photographers and everybody tells me the same: Sony is there reliable workhorse for any job. And when it comes to shooting something for your own passion, they use other cameras like Fuji or Leica.

[@pentagramyt417]

That's what I say most of the time, Sony gives you everything you want [now], but it has no soul. Now let's look at these micro in-camera features like OM System or Fuji, which brings you joy and up your creativity. Sony is about "just press the button, and go next".

[@jessejayphotography]

Looks to me like the spirit of the Sony A1series is competence.

[@harryvuemedia]

Camera tech for Rolling Shutter Mirrorless cameras have reached its peak. Not sure what else Canon, Nikon and Sony can do with them anymore. Autofocus for all 3 are already at its maximum peak. 4K/120 with 10-bit video is already in a lot of cameras. And now with faster Type B and Type A cards, we have insane write speed. A1-ii improves on the ergonomics, Type A card slots, Flip-tilt screen and the A.i. chip. Only thing Sony can do next is improve the U.I. to allow faster connections to smartphone and laptops. And a bigger 3,000 mAh battery would be helpful too. A1-ii is Sony's Perfect Rolling Shutter Mirrorless camera. It doesn't get any better than this and for sure the future A1-iii needs to have a Global Shutter. Think about it? What will the Z9-ii and Canon R1-ii bring to the table 3 years from now?

[@frankfeng2701]

The one key missing hardware from A1ii is a new processor to unlock more photo and video features from this class-leading IMX610 processor, even through future firmware updates.

[@nicklovinit]

I am so down for something boring and it just does all the things. BUT A 28-70 f/2 IS AMAZING OMG. That surprised me more than the cam itself haha

[@charliipresley]

A Sony camera lacks personality!? Nooooo… 😏

[@kylehuntxr]

The camera excels as a workhorse type camera. Theres no character or anything interesting about it really though. Thats the nature of the market it seems. So much so artists are dialing back and mixing in things from older cameras. Cause it delivers feeling that the clinical perfect tools just lack now. That said though the lens is awesome and that F2 aperture does give something to that zoom. It does make it feel like a prime lens almost and that’s pretty awesome in its own right. Also in case people aren’t aware Canon has this same lens already and have had it for a while actually. The A1 II is exactly what it needs to be, it’s just that isn’t actually interesting. That being said you’ll get some insane work out of it and if its what you are in the market for you’ll be happy

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@christophkuenster]

Hey Chris, love your video as always. But Sony didn‘t come up with this lens. Canon did it 6 years ago.

[@JessDemant]

Can easily hear you use another brand, but remember no camera has a soul, its about what you bring to the table ....

[@genxtechguy]

The A1 mkII is lackluster and that’s well, boring, but so is the rest of the camera market these days. Camera tech is somewhat plateauing. These companies are also trying not to impinge on their cinema lines resulting in odd limitations of “flagship” cameras.

[@harryvuemedia]

Sony hasn't perfected going over 24 mp for their Global Shutter yet. Could be another 3-5 years before they produced a 61 mp Global Shutter sensor. I too didn't like the idea of a rolling shutter in the A1-ii but after hearing why a Global shutter wasn't available, it makes sense to do it. And yes, at this point, Mirrorless with a Rolling Shutter sensor have plateau. There is nothing more these companies can do with it. Thus why Global Shutter is here and its moving camera tech forward again.

[@mwaithephoto]

But is any camera perfect? Let’s be honest here. Sony doesn’t have a “look” you can see pictures and see the tones and say that’s Fuji or Nikon SOC. But sony never had that. It feels like people just want Sony because they see Everyone on KZbin has one.

[@sequoi_]

Or because they would prefer to impart their own look on their images. I personally would prefer a camera that gives me accurate natural colors instead of a “look”. I’ll decide the look it needs in post. Just my 0.2c

[@micheltheodorou1110]

Canon made the same lens 5-6 years ago, and the Sony a1ii is almost the r5 II nothing special…

[@LiLaLuca01]

Yes but the Sony Lens is much lighter and actually it‘s hard to bring out a new Cam with a bunch of new functions. But the mark ii is better than the mark 1. And that‘s the important Thing

[@s7654r]

​@@LiLaLuca01agreed

[@streblak2085]

Sony makes such boring cameras that Hassleblad repacked and rebranded at least 4 Sony cameras (and of course punched the prices up)... I do fine carpentry, if one of my tools had personality.....I would replace it...... I have 6 cameras and 19 lenses, if one of these show character I will get rid of it,,,,,,

[@vivalasvegas702]

Sony finally caught up with 28-70(after 6 yrs!). A1.02 has not caught up with original R5 8K internal raw or 8K60 of the Z8. Maybe in 2028 A1iii will probably catch up to R5ii and Z8. Sony is a TV company, first and foremost 😂

[@TigroGumi]

opening line with then something that debunk the premise

[@Commander_Strider]

I think this camera will be bought by people doing work for other people. When you need it to be the best, and you aren't trying to impart a specific art into the work that you want.

[@dpenn555]

Canon have had a 28-70 f2 for years

[@Ingemann.]

The way you talk about that the A1 II lacks personality, it’s the one that makes the most sense out of all people has been saying about Sony cameras. Some people just exaggerate. Like my A7IV, it has its own flaws to the point where like I always fall in love with it again and again, it’s perfectly imperfect.

[@streblak2085]

exactly, know your limitations and you will never fail..... I still shoot with my Sony RX100v

[@emanuelbief7088]

So true

[@annabelplahuta]

...canon had the 28-70 f2 before sony

[@italianboyseychelles]

Lol a lens that never done before?😅

[@xerxs97]

I've been using the Fuji XH2s since early 2023. I like the Fuji system & it's fun to use anywhere I take it. It's a solid hybrid camera. Sure it's not full frame or scientifically perfect but it's my favorite thing to use

[@WildExposures]

not sure what to say about this??????

[@erg1450]

nonsense

[@michaeljemery]

Dear Sony, I deliberately didn't mention the six year old Canon 28-70 F2, and I made your lack or personality sound like a must have feature. Please let me back into the free-stuff club.