Assessment of Sony Alpha 1 Mark II: A Comprehensive Appraisal
The Sony A1 Mark II is Sony's latest top-tier camera, debuting in November, 2025 as a successor to the popular Sony A1 - the first camera in Sony's "1" line of flagship models, released in 2021. With a hefty price tag of $6499.99, the A1 Mark II offers some improvements over its predecessor, but these enhancements might not be groundbreaking for everyone.
The camera boasts a 50.1 megapixel full frame sensor, an upgraded BIONZ XR processor, enhanced AI autofocus capabilities, and improved autofocus tracking. The AI autofocus, first introduced in the Sony A7R V, offers 30% better detection for humans and animals and a 50% improvement for birds. However, it performs similarly to the new Canon R5 Mark II or Sony A7R V when it comes to fish detection in tracking - a crucial feature for underwater photography.
Another key upgrade is the A1 Mark II's increased in-body image stabilization, which has been improved to up to 8.5 stops, allowing for stabilized handheld shooting in macro photography and reducing motion blur even in low light conditions. The A1 Mark II also offers pre-capture shooting, enabling you to capture photos for 1 second before hitting the shutter, up to 30 frames per second, but this feature does not work with strobes.
Ergonomically, the A1 Mark II is quite similar to the Sony A9 III. The body is made of strong magnesium alloy and features a new photo to video switch that functions seamlessly in the Ikelite housing. On the downside, the drive and autofocus mode switch can be tricky to manage underwater, so it's best to preset the camera before diving in for optimal performance.
One notable advantage the A1 Mark II retains from its predecessor is a 1/400 flash sync speed - a rare feature that offers better control over ambient light and sharper images with blacker backgrounds in macro photography. The camera also provides 8k/30p and 4K/120p video recording, as well as 9.4 million dot EVF and dual card slots for CF Express type A or UHS-II SD cards.
Fortunately, underwater photography enthusiasts can snag an housing for the A1 Mark II, as Ikelite was able to design one relatively quickly. After securing an A1 Mark II housing, our team at Bluewater & the Underwater Photography Guide was the first to put the camera to the test during our Socorro underwater photoworkshop.
If you've been holding out for a truly revolutionary camera upgrade, the A1 Mark II might not be it - but its improvements in autofocus and in-body image stabilization certainly make it a worthwhile update for many underwater photographers.
- The Sony A1 Mark II, released in November, 2025, is a mirrorless camera that serves as Sony's latest top-tier offering, succeeding the Sony A1, the first camera in Sony's "1" line of flagship models.
- With a full frame sensor of 50.1 megapixels and an upgraded BIONZ XR processor, the Sony A1 Mark II offers enhanced AI autofocus capabilities and improved autofocus tracking.
- The AI autofocus, first introduced in the Sony A7R V, provides better detection for humans, animals, and birds, offering 30% improvement for humans and animals and a 50% improvement for birds.
- Another key upgrade in the A1 Mark II is its increased in-body image stabilization, which offers up to 8.5 stops, allowing for stabilized handheld shooting in macro photography and reducing motion blur even in low light conditions.
- During underwater photography, the A1 Mark II performs similarly to the new Canon R5 Mark II or Sony A7R V when it comes to fish detection in tracking.
- The A1 Mark II offers pre-capture shooting, enabling users to capture photos for 1 second before hitting the shutter, at a rate of up to 30 frames per second, but this feature does not work with strobes.
- Ikelite was able to design a housing for the A1 Mark II, and our team at Bluewater & the Underwater Photography Guide was the first to put the camera to the test during our Socorro underwater photoworkshop.
- The camera retains a 1/400 flash sync speed from its predecessor, offering better control over ambient light and sharper images with blacker backgrounds in macro photography.
- If you're an underwater photography enthusiast, the A1 Mark II, with its improvements in autofocus and in-body image stabilization, can be a worthwhile update for many, making it easier for you to capture breathtaking underwater photos using your compact gadgets and advanced technology.
