The latest photography news from around the globe

1  NEW SENSOR The A1 packs a 50.1MP full-frame sensor and can capture 50MP images at up to 30fps – with blackout-free shooting.

2 A 1 FEATURES There’s 15 stops of dynamic range, real-time Eye AF for birds bolstered by the 759-point phase detect AF system, and 8K video.

Sony launches new flagship

The top-level Alpha 1 can capture astonishing 50.1MP images up to 30fps in burst mode, plus real-time Eye AF for photographing birds, 8K video – and more besides

New year, new game-changing camera – Sony has been quick out of the blocks in 2021. The Alpha 1 can shoot bursts of 50MP images up to a blistering 30fps, boasts 15 stops of dynamic range, and offers real-time animal eye AF. This heft comes courtesy of a brand-new stacked, back-illuminated 50.1MP Exmoor RS image sensor and Bionz XR processor, which also allows the A1 to support 8K video with up to 8.6K oversampling, and 4K video up to 120fps.

The high resolution isn’t just limited to the sensor, though; the EVF is also cutting-edge and packs an astonishing 9.44 million dots and a refresh rate of up to 240fps. And while the resolution of the rear touchscreen has yet to be confirmed, it is a tilting design, rather than fully articulated.

The A1 also introduces real-time Eye AF for birds, bolstered by a 759-point phase detect autofocus system with 92% coverage. Other features include full weather-sealing, 5.5 stops of in-body image stabilisation, support for HEIF, Light JPG and Lossless Compressed RAW image formats – saved to dual CFexpress Type A/ UHS-II SD card slots. www.sony.com; £6,499/$6,498 (body only)

Focal point

Rounding up what’s new and exciting