Download These Raw+JPEG Files From Sony's a1 II Flagship Camera

The arrival of a new flagship from a top camera maker inevitably sparks a debate regarding how much sense it makes to upgrade to the latest model. Camera makers boast of the many improvements their new models offer, but each photographer must determine if those improvements are worth the cost of upgrading. How the manufacturers name their latest offering can sometimes offer clues about the extent of the improvements. In 2021, when Sony introduced their newest flagship under the name a1 rather than some variation of the a7 or a9 moniker, there was an expectation that the a1 would stand apart from the brand’s other mirrorless cameras.

Unlike the a9, which featured the first-ever global shutter in a full frame mirrorless camera, the a1 did not feature any groundbreaking technology. However, the 50.1 MP sensor was close enough to the 61.0 MP resolution of the a7R IV to make the a1 a strong contender for commercial studio photography.

The a1’s 200-frame buffer and 30 fps shooting capacity made it an excellent choice for professional sports photography. Additionally, the camera’s ability to shoot 8K video made it a viable option for professional video work. The camera received rave reviews, and there was no major cry for an upgrade from users. Still, marketing cycles being what they are, an upgrade was inevitable. Still, marketing cycles being what they are, an upgrade was inevitable. 

According to the a1 II product page on the B&H Photo website, the upgrades from the original a1 include an AI processing unit, pre-capture and speed boost functions, IBIS improvements, video enhancements, and an overhauled body design. Priced at $6,498, the new camera is no more expensive than the original model was at launch while offering several improvements. The original a1 is now $5,498, giving Sony shooters flexibility when purchasing a professional camera.

I attended an event held at the Sony Creative Space NYC, where I had a chance to shoot with the new camera in various setups prepared by Sony. As a Nikon shooter, I’m not very familiar with Sony cameras, so I asked the on-site reps to set the a1 II to manual mode with eye tracking and subject detection autofocus enabled. I used several different lenses, including the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II , FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II, and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens. All of the lenses I used were shot wide open to better test autofocus accuracy.

Although I only used the a1 II for a brief period, I found it comfortable in my hands and easy to operate. Because there were reps on site, I didn’t have to dig into the complicated Sony menu system to change settings. In reviewing the images at home, it was apparent that virtually every image I captured was tack sharp. That is remarkable considering I had no training or practice time with the camera.
All images accompanying this article have been processed for color and exposure in Lightroom. Twenty unprocessed photographs, taken by me at the event, are provided here for your examination. No reproduction rights are granted.

Although raw files cannot be opened in Lightroom at the time of this writing, they are included in the download. It is reasonable to assume that the raw files will be readable by Adobe software in the coming weeks.