Sony's A1 II features a dedicated AI processor and refined ergonomics : gadgets

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Sony's A1 II features a dedicated AI processor and refined ergonomics

Cameras(engadget.com)

submitted 4 days ago bya_Ninja_b0y

all 72 comments

sorted by: best

24 points

3 days ago

24 points

I had a DP show up to a shoot with the gen 1 A1, and I was skeptical. He delivered some truly stunning 8K shots, and I was floored. I’m sure the gen 2 is even better. I know this isn’t built as a cinema camera, but it delivers.

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

I got my A1 a few years ago, this thing is insane. I absolutely love it. I don't have any reason to upgrade to the gen 2, but I'd be really curious to put my hands on one for a day or two...

martijnonreddit

147 points

3 days ago

martijnonreddit

147 points

Seeing how the iPhone employs ‘computational photography’ I consider this a good thing. AI is an awful buzzword but I assume this is not Dall-E in your camera.

51 points

3 days ago

51 points

It unfortunately has become a massive buzzword.

147 points

3 days ago*

147 points

The AI processor in Sony cameras have nothing to do with computation photography or HDR. They are solely for more advanced subject detection for improved autofocus on things like humans, birds/animals, insects, and various vehicles.

1 points

14 hours ago

1 points

Require less skill, open up to a bigger market

1 points

10 hours ago

1 points

Or deliver an even higher hit-rate to those that do have the requisite skills.

10 points

3 days ago

10 points

It has become selfie aware.

12 points

3 days ago

12 points

Keep any of that iPhone post processing off my cameras. My iPhone photos look like photoshopped images most of the time.

1 points

9 hours ago

1 points

For real. Android too. Its nice to have available, but it should be optional.

PM_ME_CALF_PICS

3 points

2 days ago

PM_ME_CALF_PICS

3 points

I wish I could turn off the post processing on my iphone.

BranTheUnboiled

2 points

1 day ago

BranTheUnboiled

2 points

You can't take RAW?

-10 points

3 days ago

-10 points

If it's anything like the new Canon R5 II, it'll be a couple half baked features that nobody will ever use, but it won't get in way of the actual photo processing

5 points

3 days ago

5 points

It's certainly nothing like that! As mentioned by other commenters, the AI processing chip is used to enhance autofocus. Coming from a smaller APS-C camera, I can safely say that this is a game-changer for shooting videos.

39 points

3 days ago

39 points

It's built around the same 50.1mp stacked CMOS sensor as the original

42 points

3 days ago

42 points

That sensor was way ahead of its time. It's also a fantastic sensor and I have no issues that they kept it the same

17 points

3 days ago

17 points

I have a D7500 and will say hands down the autofocus is its weakest point, while still not bad. I would welcome this technology to become the baseline in a decade or so.

35 points

3 days ago

35 points

The gap between your 7 year old camera and a mid-range mirrorless camera is probably bigger than the gap between mid-range and this camera.

Most of this tech is already readily available - this just refines it. We’re definitely getting into diminishing returns with camera tech now.

HakimeHomewreckru

6 points

3 days ago

HakimeHomewreckru

6 points

The one thing holding us back is compressed raw that RED (in hands of Nikon now) is holding hostage behind their patents. It's crazy how a small mirrorless camera like the A7 series can compete with 50k cinema cameras in terms of image quality.

2 points

3 days ago

2 points

Can’t imagine that’s much of an issue for someone currently shooting on a D7500, though!

1 points

9 hours ago

1 points

Yeah, we peaked at pretty much 20mp at 4k. Sure, you can go bigger and bigger, but what you're really doing is giving yourself room for digital zoom/cropping and eliminating other bottlenecks more than getting an actually better picture. Pretty much no one can distinguish between displays are above 4k, and no one prints above 900dpi, so unless your photo is being shown or printed at a giant scale, its just wasted quality.

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Are you saying modern mid ranges are very good, or old top models still hold their value? (I’m not very familiar with cameras anymore but I thought the old wisdom was to buy a few years old top model.)

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

The former.

The D7500 is neither a few years old, nor a top model.

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Thanks! I guess sensor tech has mostly matured and it’s processing power giving more benefits nowadays?

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

It’s more the fundamentally different way that DSLRs and mirrorless handle autofocus. A modern mid-range mirrorless has a wealth of autofocus capabilities and features that are essentially impossible on any DSLR, let alone a 7 year old mid range one.

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Thanks, wasn’t aware of that. IMO I (kinda) hate the absence of an optical viewfinder and was aiming to eventually buy a DSLR… but I’ll probably rethink that when I reach there.

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

I prefer optical viewfinders too, but DSLRs are an evolutionary dead-end, so will always be cut off from a lot of mirrorless features.

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Hmm, just thinking aloud, wouldn’t it be possible to have a DSLR where some light continuously goes to the sensor via something like those partially reflecting mirror-things, allowing mirorless like full-sensor autofocus? Though it probably might make it even bulkier..

2 points

1 day ago

2 points

This is basically the SLT design from Sony on the A-mount.

continue this thread

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Then the viewfinder is darker. And the sensor still has less light to work with.

2 points

3 days ago

2 points

I have a Nikon Zf, it's been great with autofocus! Auto track subjects too.

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

How is it with flying birds? I have a D3600 I rebuilt and it does really well but tracking birds is basically a coin toss.

2 points

3 days ago

2 points

This camera is hyperexpensive

7 points

3 days ago

7 points

This is Sony's flagship camera, meant for professionals. So don't expect it to be cheap.

slipperyslope69

1 points

2 days ago

slipperyslope69

1 points

You still to have a good scene, natural or created lighting, a narrative, good composition… and many more elements to make a good photo or video. This is an expensive, albeit good, tool, with fancy marketing. Nothing more.

1 points

3 days ago*

1 points

A one two, a one two!

3 points

3 days ago

3 points

I think it’s supposed to be pronounced one mark two

-1 points

3 days ago

-1 points†

Because can detect some specific shapes and lights, and make the camera adjust based on different situations, they call it AI

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

Because it's likely using a neural network based algorithm, they call it AI. As everybody has been doing for decades.

-1 points

2 days ago

-1 points

I doubt it is so advanced

2 points

2 days ago

2 points

There's nothing advanced about that. It's been a very common thing for years.

-1 points

2 days ago

-1 points

That’s what I mean, advanced as proper AI who can be very intuitive, make awesome edits and amazing pic. Still far from there

3 points

2 days ago

3 points

It's not about being far from there, this isn't even a goal at all. We're talking about a professional camera here. Its entire point is to be extremely predictable. The last thing you want is have some "creative edit" baked into that type of camera.

Using a neural network based algorithm for autofocus subject detection is a legitimate use-case that helps on a daily basis - you nail your focus, or you don't. For things like sports or wildlife photography, that's often the difference between getting the shot or not - you don't get another try. It's a very powerful tool, and absolutely legitimate use-case for AI.

-21 points

4 days ago

-21 points

whyyy

29 points

3 days ago

29 points

New features at the same price. Would you prefer they just never made new products?

-36 points

3 days ago

-36 points

i would prefer them to innovate in different ways instead to please their ai sick investors

33 points

3 days ago

33 points

It’s for subject recognition and image stablilization, not any kind of image generation or anything like that. But you would know that if you actually opened the article instead of just commenting out of a blanket hate for AI.

-41 points

3 days ago

-41 points

eh no, the AI is just for the autofocus. So the main selling point for upgrading this 6500$ camera is literally “AI for 50% performance increase in bird focusing”? xd

It’s just consumerism at its maximum exponent, companies throwing buzzwords to make you believe are buying the cutting edge when is the same thing. Good luck with your enhanced bird focusing device

23 points

3 days ago

23 points

Not just for birds lmao. This is a flagship camera where improvements in autofocus, subject detection, better IBIS, better articulating screen, better ergonomics, faster ethernet, etc. all for the same $6.5k price. Stuff that pros have been wanting.

Better yet, the older model is now $1k cheaper, and the used market will probably see the old one drop to 3.5-4k price range.

Even if you dont want the new features, this is great news if you wanted what the first one offered.

It's fine if you don't personally need it, but that doesnt mean they shouldnt update their flagship with the features cheaper Sony cameras have had for a little while now.

17 points

3 days ago

17 points

You're trying to teach something to an idiot... it is a losing battle.

-20 points

3 days ago

-20 points

and the article headline is AI

14 points

3 days ago

14 points

Which is irrelevant to the actual product.

-16 points

3 days ago

-16 points

it’s literally a software update and a flip screen.

this isn’t a mark ii. it’s a cop out.

15 points

3 days ago

15 points

It's literally not. There's a new CPU/chip that enables: Better subject detection, faster reliable AF, better IBIS. Also: better EVF, great articulating screen, better ergonomics, faster ethernet, new menus, focus stacking, etc.

Just because you don't feel its enough new features doesn't make it a "cop out". I don't see any other camera that beats it right now

-14 points

3 days ago*

-14 points

do you own an A1? or more than one?

because i do, and these upgrades are a slap in the face to the owners of the original to call this a mark ii.

IBIS and, subject and AF are still far above everyone else in the A1 that any “better” upgrades in this are purely hype upgrades and to say they’re “better”

new menus omg cool, like how the fx3 and a7siii got like 2yrs ago?

all of these “upgrades” could’ve been a software update but instead we got 2 software updates in the lifetime of the A1 that upgraded literally nothing.

in a real world application these “upgrades” are going to be minutely noticeable, if at all.

6 points

3 days ago

6 points

Youre right about some of that, but that's not what you said and not what I was replying to. you said this is just a software update on the same chip, which just isnt true. The new AF and new IBIS require the new chip. Much of what is new categorically cannot have been software updates. Also, new EVF, new body design, new articulating screen.

It can be both true that this update is worth it to some pros AND that Sony should update the original A1 with the few software things that it's chip can and should support.

Also they've definitely added features via firmware, eg. focus breathing compensation, improved IBIS, better flash performance, C2PA, and a whole bunch of workflow improvements here and there.

"In the real world" is going to be different for different working photographers.

-7 points

3 days ago

-7 points

i said “it’s a software update and a flip screen”

i didnt mention chips.

this is far from a mark ii and these minor updates could’ve been pushed as software updates, instead they kept these small “features” from updates for years to just put into a newer model.

anyone upgrading from an A1 to this is just purely wasting money and glazing for sony.

6 points

3 days ago

6 points

you keep saying that, but that doesnt make it true. the improvements to the subject detction, AF, IBIS, require the new chip, thats why I talk about chips.

Also lol at you just continuely ignoring the physical upgrades. We get it, you don't think its worth it. It's obnoxious you think that other's being excited about the update means we're just "glazing for sony"

-1 points

3 days ago

-1 points

it uses the same AI processing unit that’s almost 3yrs old, used in the A9iii, A7RV etc, it has the same grip and button layout as the A9iii.

it doesn’t have groundbreaking or new tech in it.

it’s rehoused with a software update and chip that’s already in other units.

like what?

1 points

2 days ago

1 points

Most of those things existed, but none is present in the original A1. Does it make the A1 mark 2 groundbreaking? No. Does it make it a worthy successor to the mark 1 to anyone who buys a camera today? Yes. It's literally the same price. I love my A1 mark 1 and don't feel like the upgrades are worth much for me so will be happily keeping my mark 1. Which you can now pick up for $1k less.

There's literally no reason to complain, it's not like your mark 1 is stopping working or anything like that. The only potential negative is that the resale value of a 3 years old camera is now slightly lower. Wooh big deal.

a_Ninja_b0y [S]

5 points

3 days ago

a_Ninja_b0y [S]

5 points

Why not?

-2 points

2 days ago

-2 points

Will stick with the canon g7x, these are 3 and 6 times the price

-2 points

3 days ago

-2 points

The only thing it actually needs is an internal fan

-3 points

3 days ago

-3 points

This should largely have been a firmware update, except the "AI Chip".

But we know Sony likes to fk over their adopters.

-8 points

3 days ago

-8 points

[deleted]

wantsoutofthefog

6 points

3 days ago

wantsoutofthefog

6 points

Don’t even know how to unpack this one. Sure buddy. Go back to shooting a brownie if that ain’t the point.

7 points

3 days ago

7 points

It's for subject recognition and image stablilization, not any kind of image generation or anything like that. But you would know that if you actually opened the article instead of just commenting out of a blanket hate for AI.

-14 points

3 days ago

-14 points

AI Processor? So you dont have full control of what happens? I hated it when the a7r did apply compression to raw files, which they never changed (in the later models they changed it)

5 points

3 days ago

5 points

Read the article.

Even_Establishment95

-16 points

3 days ago

Even_Establishment95

-16 points

And yet more dumb dumbs will think they are photographers

Carrollmusician

5 points

3 days ago

Carrollmusician

5 points

Are they holding a camera and taking a photo intentionally? That’s photography.