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!

These are links to products I ACTUALLY use / have used, for your convenience! (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases).

🎥 Camera & Lenses

🎤 Audio Setup

🖥 Editing Setup

📱 Mobile & Accessories

Thank you very much 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? 📸

[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.

[NASA-Shill]

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.

[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.

[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.

[cgan]

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.

[sharkylal]

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

[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.

[mcollon]

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

[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.

[obsidian]

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.

[FrankDiNardi]

So it’s two years later now, did you end up buying the camera?

[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.

[baskets]

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

[Ikdarling]

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.😭

[billdeng]

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

[Kryojenix]

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

[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! 🤣)

[orphanuprising]

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

[ChooseTravel]

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