That’s a fraction lower than the launch price of the A1 from all the way back in 2021.

There are little refinements too, such as the shutter button being angled slightly differently and easier to press.

Cue the A1 II and its new mode.

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s vari-angle screen pulled out to the side, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

The A1 II’s design is inherited from the A9 III, which means a chunkier handgrip and larger multi-angle touchscreen

I couldn’t tell you which is better now without running a direct comparison.

However, in situations such as still lifes in the studio it increases detail by up to 400%.

The almost four-year-old sensor has stood the test of time.

Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera

Having 50MP to play with gives more cropping potential, which can especially be handy for sports photography.

There’s even a 21MP APS-C / Super 35 mode which effectively extends your lens focal length by 1.5x.

Sony A1 II: testing scorecard

Should I buy the Sony A1 II?

Adorama

Overall, the new Canon model could be the most compelling of the three.

Pros are spoilt for choice!

I consequently used it after launch for sports photography.

Sony A1 Ii Mirrorless Camera

The A1 II’s raw files were not readable in editing software at the time of testing.

I shot portraits of humans and animals with the various subject-detection autofocus modes.

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Top plate of Sony A1 II mirrorless camera with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Closeup of the Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s ports, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s memory card door open with card inside and autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s vari-angle screen pulled out to the side, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera with FE 28-70mm F2 lens, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s LCD screen displaying the autofocus modes, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s LCD screen displaying the autofocus modes, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Closeup of the Sony A1 II mirrorless camera’s drive mode dial, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

Portrait of a man within a veil

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Portrait of a man within a veil

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Portrait of a man within a veil

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Ballet dancer in a white studio

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Dancer mid air in a white studio

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Head and shoulder portrait of a man with autumn leaves in the background, taken with the Sony A1 II

The Auto subject-detection mode worked fine in this portrait, with the focus pin-sharp on the eyes (scroll to next image to see a close-up).(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Closeup of the eye in portrait of a man with autumn leaves in the background, taken with the Sony A1 II

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Manchester City player Jeremy Doke dribbling the ball, defended by Ola Aina

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Manchester City player Jeremy Doke dribbling the ball, defended by Ola Aina

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Manchester City player Jeremy Doke dribbling the ball, defended by Ola Aina

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera in the hand