When the Sony a1 II was launched, it was met with mixed reactions. On one hand, people wanted a better sensor with higher megapixels. On the other hand, Sony users were excited to see a camera with fast autofocus and low-light capabilities. Sony’s General Manager spoke to BCN+ Retail to address the former, sharing why the company chose to stick to a three-year-old sensor.
The Sony A1 II Sensor is Fine As it is
To recap, the company’s 50.1MP sensor in the a1 was already quite pathbreaking. Its RAM-stacked sensor makes readout speed exceptional and virtually eliminates the rolling shutter issue. It can also capture 50MP files at 30 frames per second and has a mechanical shutter speed of 1/400th and 1/200th with the electronic shutter.
Speaking to BCN+ Retail, the General Manager of Sony’s Lens Technology & Systems Division, Masanori Kishi, reveals why they chose the same sensor. He said:
The sensor used in the α1 has a fast readout speed comparable to a global shutter, and has very little image distortion. It was a sensor with high potential to begin with. This time, we improved the image processing algorithm to improve image quality. The α1 II has evolved to be worthy of a new flagship camera.
It appears that the company wants to continue incorporating AI soon, as many smartphone cameras have adopted it, which has resulted in better image quality for them. So, it appears that Sony is hoping for the same. However, the article also opines that the company may be conserving resources for future sensor technologies, such as the global shutter seen in the α9 III earlier this year. However, there is also another comment that the new sensor was not installed in the a1 II because it may be challenging to “achieve high pixel count and high image quality with a global shutter.” But we may not know the reasons for sure.
However, Kishi also added that the company hopes to continuously innovate its cameras, which the a1 II is a result of. “It’s been about three and a half years since the first model was released. During this time, there have been various technological innovations. We’ve condensed all of those latest technologies and installed them in this model,” he said, highlighting the better subject recognition in the newer Sony model.
Where Sony Needs to Step Up
It also appears that they were quite correct in including AI. We reviewed the Sony a1 II and absolutely adored the device. In our review, we wrote: “The Sony a1 II is worth the upgrade if you photograph people and events. It, by far, does the best job at autofocusing on people of color in low light in the realm of Sony cameras. But otherwise, it’s more or less just the Sony a1. And that’s not a bad thing at all — the Sony a1 is still an excellent camera.”
At the moment, Sony has to work hard to maintain its hold on the mirrorless market. So far, they have been the kinds, but now, they face competition from Canon and Nikon and rumors of Chinese manufacturers who also plan on launching their own mirrorless cameras. For instance, we did write about DJI rumored to join this league, and honestly, their products are quite good and affordable.
If this does come true, the company will face many challenges. For instance, Chinese brands have taken over the lens space from Japanese brands. There are more options available, making the more expensive professional lenses less appealing. If the same happens in the mirrorless business, chances are many enthusiasts will gradually opt for cost-effective models.
It remains to be seen what Sony does, but for now, they appear to be doing well enough for themselves.