Sony a1 II vs a1 // Which is Better for Underwater Photos & Video??? [VIDEO]

Featuring Logan Wood

Four years ago Sony released the A1 which was a massive step forward in features and resolution, all packed inside a single camera body. Recently, they've released the A1 Mark II, which improves upon some of the features found in the original A1, while keeping the same core performance that pros shooters have come to love and rely on.

So if you're currently shooting the A1, should you upgrade to the A1 Mark II? Or if you're not shooting the A1 at all, should you consider the latest model or pick up the original at a slightly discounted cost?

Ikelite Video Producer Logan Wood breaks down the differences between the cameras with a focus on features that are most important to underwater photographers and videographers.

Body & Design

Right off the bat, you'll notice that the A1 Mark II has a redesigned body similar to the A9 Mark III. While this is arguably more comfortable while shooting topside, it's not relevant while it's inside an underwater housing.

However, one small change that I think is important to note is the asterisk (*) that's included on the drive mode dial. On the original model, you were only able to change the drive mode through this physical dial. Now, on the A1 Mark II, if you set it to the asterisk, you're able to change the drive mode inside the camera body.

Another convenient design change that I'm happy to see is the addition of a photo, video, S&Q mode dial. This is accessed through an extremely smooth dial at the top of your housing, offering seamless transition through the modes.

With the addition of the asterisk on the drive mode dial the Sony a1 II allows you to change drive mode from inside the camera body.

Not really body related, but the A1 Mark II does come with a dual battery charger instead of a single battery charger that comes with the original A1. This is really nice to have for obvious reasons, but it's really hard to beat our integrated USB-C data transfer and charging cable. This small addition means you can keep your camera inside the housing for your entire trip if you want it. If you pick up the deluxe version of the A1 Mark II housing - 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony a1 II Deluxe Version #71483-DLX - we'll install the bulkhead for you. If you don't, you can pick it up as a stand-alone product and easily install it yourself. 

 

Screen & EVF

The A1 Mark II has a fully articulating screen that we've seen on some of Sony's latest cameras. Again, not super useful inside of a housing, but if you're shooting this camera topside, it really makes a difference, for example, on safaris or birding trips.

You'll get a slightly larger back LCD on the latest model while keeping the same EVF as the Mark I. However, the EVF on the Mark II has a higher refresh rate, meaning closer real-time action for fast-moving wildlife.

 

Sensor & Image Processing

Both cameras share the same 50 megapixel stacked sensor and XR processor, so you won't see a significant change in image quality, but that's not a huge deal since it was already super solid in the original A1. However, the A1 Mark II has Sony's dedicated AI processor, which will give you an improved autofocus system.

 

Autofocus

This improved autofocus system recognizes the same subjects, but they advertise 30% better recognition of humans and animals and 50% better recognition of birds.

In the past few months of shooting with the A1 Mark II, I will say that it was very quick to pick up on humans in the pool, and it's also significantly better at locking onto birds than the A1, which was already really good. It's been a blast to shoot with as spring comes around here in the Midwest.

The A1 II also offers new focus areas like extra small and extra large, as well as some custom focus boxes. This can be useful for nailing focus on macro subjects through coral or small openings.

Improved autofocus on the Sony a1 II is its top selling point. Focusing on macro subjects through coral just got so much easier.

 

Burst Shooting & Buffer

Now both cameras off the same burst rate at 10 frames per second mechanical and 30 frames per second electronic in a compressed raw format. However, the A1 Mark II has a slightly larger buffer at 240 RAW photos versus 238 RAW photos found in the original A1.

This burst shooting underwater really only shines if you're using a pair of strobes that can keep up, like the Ikelite DS230s or the DS232s. 

More notably, the A1 Mark II offers a pre-capture feature which allows you to capture up to one second of images before the shutter is pressed. This is activated by half pressing the shutter and a small pre-capture icon will appear in the bottom corner of the screen.

 

Should You Upgrade?

The A1 Mark II retains the same core performance as the A1, but there's no doubt that there's some new features in the Mark II that are appealing to shooters that want the best that Sony has to offer, but it's going to come at a price. If autofocus and pre-capture are important to you while shooting underwater and topside, the A1 II is worth considering. However, this is a great time to pick up the original A1 on the used market, and you'll have a camera that I would gladly shoot for years to come.

If you have any questions feel free to email our team at ikelite@ikelite.com.

See more: 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony a1 Mirrorless Digital Camera # 71476

See more: 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony a1 II Mirrorless Digital Camera # 71483

 

Additional Viewing

Sony a1 II Underwater Results // FIRST LOOK 200DL Underwater Housing [VIDEO]

Sony a1 II Setting It Up // 200DL Deluxe Underwater Housing [VIDEO]

Sony a1 Photos from the Pacific Northwest with the Ikelite Underwater Housing

Sony a1 and a7S III 200DL Underwater Housing Assembly [VIDEO]

Burst Shooting DS230 Strobes & Canon R7

Ikelite DS230 Strobe Features // The Perfect Wide Angle Strobe? [VIDEO]

Ikelite DS232 Strobe Features // The ULTIMATE Strobe with Video Light All-In-One [VIDEO]

Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood