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Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera Body, Black {50.1MP}
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$3,473.00
Sony Alpha a1: 50.1MP full-frame flagship that shoots 30fps without compromise.
The a1 is built around a 50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor paired with dual BIONZ XR processing engines, and the combination produces something that should be mutually exclusive: high-resolution files at speed. The electronic shutter runs to 1/32000s and sustains 30fps continuous bursts with full Real-time Eye AF and AE tracking active, holding up to 155 RAW frames in buffer. AF/AE calculations fire at 120 times per second. That throughput, across a 50-megapixel sensor, is what sets the a1 apart from cameras that ask you to choose between resolution and frame rate.
Video is equally serious. Internal recording reaches UHD 8K at up to 29.97fps in 10-bit H.265, with 4K available at up to 120fps in 4:2:2 10-bit for slow-motion work with real color grading headroom. S-Log2, S-Log3, and S-Cinetone, the same color matrix found in Sony's Cinema Line cameras, give hybrid shooters a path from stills to cinematic-grade footage without switching bodies. HDMI output carries 16-bit RAW at 4.3K for external recorders.
The workflow infrastructure matches the imaging specs. Built-in 1000BASE-T Ethernet handles gigabit FTP transfers on a wired connection. Wi-Fi 5 with 2x2 MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0 cover wireless options. Dual card slots accept both CFexpress Type an and UHS-II SD cards. Five-axis in-body stabilization, a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and a 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder running at 240fps round out a camera that was built to function as the only body in a working professional's bag.
Who It's For
Sports and wildlife photographers working fast-moving subjects get 30fps with Eye AF tracking across a 50.1MP frame, meaning they can crop aggressively without sacrificing file quality. Documentary and commercial cinematographers benefit from internal 4K 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 and S-Log3 with 15+ stops of dynamic range, keeping post-production options open. Studio and large-format portrait photographers can use Pixel Shift Multi Shooting across 16 frames to produce files approaching 200 megapixels for billboard and fine art output. Photojournalists and wire photographers working under deadline pressure get gigabit Ethernet FTP, Wi-Fi 5, and a dedicated "Light" JPEG size setting built specifically for fast file delivery.
Key Features
- 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS with integral memory
- 30fps continuous shooting with 155-frame RAW buffer at full resolution
- 120 AF/AE calculations per second with Real-time Eye AF for humans, animals, and birds
- 8K 30p 10-bit H.265 internal recording plus 4K 120p video
- Electronic shutter to 1/32000s; mechanical shutter flash sync to 1/400s
- 5-Axis in-body image stabilization with 5.5-stop shutter speed advantage
- 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder at 240fps refresh rate
- Dual CFexpress Type A and UHS-II SD card slots with 1000BASE-T Ethernet and USB-C 10Gbps
FAQ
- Can the a1 really shoot 30fps at 50MP without dropping autofocus?
- Yes. The stacked sensor architecture and dual BIONZ XR engines handle 30fps continuous shooting at full 50.1MP with Real-time Eye AF and AE tracking active. You get 155 RAW frames in buffer before the camera slows down.
- What's the advantage of the stacked sensor design?
- The separate pixel and circuit layers allow faster readout. That speed is what enables 50MP files at 30fps, plus AF/AE calculations firing 120 times per second-double the rate of the a9 II.
- Can I shoot 4K 120fps for slow-motion work?
- Yes, up to 4K 120fps in 4:2:2 10-bit H.264 or H.265 internally. You get smooth 5x slow-motion playback with grading headroom from the 10-bit color depth.
- Does the a1 handle 8K video?
- 8K 30p internal recording in 10-bit H.265, with 8.6K oversampling for detail. S-Log3 and S-Cinetone color matrices are built in, matching Sony's Cinema Line cameras. HDMI output carries 16-bit RAW at 4.3K for external recorders.
- What memory cards work with dual slots?
- CFexpress Type A and UHS-II SD cards. CFexpress is faster for sustained 8K recording; SD cards give you flexibility if you need capacity. The two slots let you switch cards without stopping.
- How fast is the connectivity for file transfers?
- Built-in gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) handles wired FTP at top speed. USB-C supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 (10Gbps) for tethering. Wi-Fi 5 with 2x2 MIMO covers wireless transfer at roughly 3.5x the speed of the a9 II.
- Is the body weather-sealed?
- Yes. Magnesium alloy frame with sealing at all body seams, double-sliding cover locks on memory slots, and an anti-dust coating on the sensor filter. It handles outdoor and variable conditions.
| Specification | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 35.9 x 24 mm Full-Frame Stacked CMOS (Exmor RS) | |
| Resolution | 50.1 MP (8,640 x 5,760) | |
| Mount | Sony E | |
| ISO Range | Photo: 100–32,000 native (50–102,400 extended) in Manual; 100–12,800 native in Auto | Video: 100–32,000 native in Manual; 100–12,800 native in Auto |
| Burst Rate | Up to 30 fps (Electronic Shutter); up to 10 fps (Mechanical Shutter) | |
| Shutter Type | Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter | |
| Video | 8K (UHD) | |
| Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | |
| Viewfinder | Electronic (OLED) | |
| Card Slots | 2 | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) / Bluetooth 5.0 | |
| Battery | NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion, 7.2V, 2,280 mAh | |
| Color | Black | |
| Continuous Shooting Buffer | Up to 155 frames (RAW) at 30 fps | |
| Shutter Speed Electronic | 1/32,000 to 30 seconds; 1/8,000 to 1/4 second in Movie Mode | |
| Shutter Speed Mechanical | 1/8,000 to 30 seconds | |
| Internal Recording | XAVC HS/H.265 4:2:2 10-bit up to UHD 8K @ 25/29.97/23.98 fps; XAVC HS/H.265 4:2:0 10-bit up to UHD 8K @ 25/29.97/23.98 fps; H.264/XAVC S-I 4:2:2 10-bit up to UHD 4K @ 25/29.97/50/59.94/23.98 fps; H.26... | |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.0" | |
| AF System | Real-time Eye AF, Real-time Tracking; up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second | |
| Metering Zones | 1,200-zone evaluative metering | |
| Drive Modes | Single Shooting, Continuous (Hi+/Hi/Mid/Lo), Self-timer, Self-timer Continuous, Bracket Single/Cont., White Balance Bracket, DRO Bracket | |
| Pixel Shift Multi Shooting | Yes (4 shots / 16 shots) | |
| Hot Shoe | Yes | |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Fill Flash, Hi-Speed Sync, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync | |
| Flash Type | TTL | |
| Memory Card Types | CFexpress Type A / SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) | |
| GPS | No | |
| Audio | Built-in stereo microphone; built-in monaural speaker | |
| Slow Motion | Yes | |
| Digital Zoom | Smart zoom (FF): M ~1.5x, S ~2x; Digital zoom (FF stills): L ~4x, M ~6.1x, S ~8x; Digital zoom (movie FF): ~4x | |
| Custom Functions | Custom key settings, Programmable Settings (Body 3 sets / memory card 4 sets), My Dial Settings, My Menu, Register Custom Shoot Set | |
| Battery Life Stills | Approx. 430 shots (viewfinder) / approx. 530 shots (LCD monitor) per CIPA | |
| Battery Life Movie Actual | Approx. 90 min (viewfinder) / approx. 95 min (LCD monitor) per CIPA | |
| Battery Life Movie Continuous | Approx. 145 min (viewfinder) / approx. 150 min (LCD monitor) per CIPA | |
| Dimensions | 128.9 x 96.9 x 80.8 mm (5.13 x 3.88 x 3.25") / 128.9 x 96.9 x 69.7 mm (5.13 x 3.88 x 2.75") excluding grip protrusion | |
| Weight | 737 g / 1.6 lb (body only) |
This description was generated using AI based on KEH's internal product standards, product expertise, and knowing what customers care about most. While we strive for accuracy, details may vary by individual item.
| Brand Name | Sony |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Autofocus (lens motor) |
| Lens Mount | Sony E Mount |
| Memory Card Type | SD, SDHC, SDHC UHS-I, SDHC UHS-II, SDXC, SDXC UHS-I, SDXC UHS-II, CFxpress Type A |
