Sony teases launch of new Alpha camera – and rumors point to the long-awaited A1 II

Sony Japan Announces ‘Special Event’ for Alpha Cameras
Hands-on fan events will be held starting November 20th in Tokyo.
Separate rumors suggest that the Sony A1 II flagship will arrive soon.

It’s been an unusually quiet year for new Sony cameras, but a new teaser and rumors suggest that the dry spell will soon end – perhaps with the arrival of Sony’s new flagship camera, the A1 II.

Sony Japan published “special event” teaser on their Alpha Universe page, where fans will be able to get their hands on a “mirrorless Alpha” on November 20th and 21st. The page doesn’t say what it’s for. new The camera is an Alpha, but that’s speculation – and some speculation from the reliable Sony Alpha Rumors suggests that the camera could be the A1 II.

Original Sony A1 was a revolutionary mirrorless camera when it arrived out of the blue in January 2021. It combined a high-resolution 50.1 MP sensor and a (at the time) incredible shooting speed of 30 frames per second. According to Sony Alpha Rumorsthe successor could be a relatively mild modernization (at least on paper).

The site says the camera’s “likely” specs will include the same 50MP full-frame sensor as the Sony A1, but along with a higher frame rate and autofocus. There will also apparently be a new AI chip and support for CFexpress Type A cards with the 4.0 standard (supporting twice the speed of before).

Finally, Sony Alpha Rumors reports that the A1 II will be “more expensive than the current Sony A1,” which isn’t much of a surprise considering the camera is almost four years old and will be available for purchase “in early 2025.” “. For reference, the Sony A1 cost US$6,500 / £6,499 / AU$10,499 (body only) when it became available in March 2021.

Given that the “special event” days announced by Sony Japan will take place from November 20th, we’re guessing the new camera could arrive shortly before then – but the picture will undoubtedly become much clearer in the next few weeks.

Is camera technology reaching the ceiling?

Sony A1

(Image credit: Future)

If these rumors about the Sony A1 II’s specs are true, they suggest that the camera technology is at some level – especially compared to the original Sony A1. This flagship was the closest thing to a “no-compromise” camera we’d ever seen, one that could blur the lines between a high-resolution landscape body, a fast sports camera, and a camera. 8K video partner.

Since then, competitors have caught up with them, releasing hybrid cameras such as Nikon Z8, Nikon Z9And Canon EOS R1 Following the “kitchen sink” principle, it combines impressive photo and video capabilities into one convenient package.

Rumors suggest the A1 II may not knock out the competition again, but software updates could certainly bring it back to the forefront for creators who want one camera that does it all. Lens choice could also play a role, and Sony Alpha Rumors suggests that a new Sony 28-70mm f/2 zoom could be announced alongside the new flagship camera.

The lens appears to be Sony’s first zoom lens with a constant f/2 aperture, but it may also come with an inevitably high price tag of around $3,000 (equivalent to around £2,330 / AU$4,570).

In that case, the new releases may not be exactly affordable or radically change the style of photography in the style of the original Sony A1, but they also have the potential to be the new best-in-class tools that could trouble the upper regions of our world. best cameras buying guide.