Reading mode: Light Dark

Thoughts on used Sony A1 cameras

Go to last post
T

Tim Deen

Member
Messages
40
Reaction score
13
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
 
I rarely use the mechanical shutter on my a1ii. If there is a four year old a1, if you can confirm a low mechanical shutter count then go for it.
 
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
Bougth a A9mk1 this year and its going strong. I have a second (or better first) one that i bought in 2023 which is showing its age due to me using the crap out of it(mushi buttons worn finish), this one has a weak internal battery (as long as i own it)and requires me to hotswap batteris or it will forget time and date. If it wasn't for the huge files, or me doing little wildlife/birding i would have jumped on an A1 already, but A9 still does the job for me.

My A7iii is aproaching 4 years of age and initial heavy use and still funktions fine, except the red dots that a laser engraved into my sensor.

My A7s that i bought last year for IR conversion also still goes stron, only the internal battery is flat so i have to dial in time and date every time i wake it up after long time without use.

Conclusion: I would not worry at all about an used A1, 4 years is nothing compared to my ancient A9 and I do not plan to replace them in the near future. Maybe an A9iii next year maybe...
 
Last edited:
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
When I traded in my 4 year old A1 it had a shutter count of zero - I'd used e-shutter entirely for hundreds of thousands of shots.

Yes, the A1 is a highly capable camera, although I welcomed the A1 II to get a number of new features for compatibility with the A9 III. If this will be your only camera, you won't have that desire.

There have been a few A1 shooters who were using the mechanical shutter (check the shutter count before buying), but you'll probably find a good one without a lot of trouble - Sony sold more A1 bodies than most of the pundits predicted ;-)
 
I use the mechanical shutter rarely, and only when shooting a concert that uses flickering LED stage lights. Most of the time the full electronic shutter works just fine, but a few venues I frequent have some nasty flicker.
 
MediaArchivist said:
I use the mechanical shutter rarely, and only when shooting a concert that uses flickering LED stage lights. Most of the time the full electronic shutter works just fine, but a few venues I frequent have some nasty flicker.
Click to expand...
Isn't that the whole point of A9 and A1 cameras? But even then what is a to high shutter count on this camera? If one does not plan on using it there wont be not much further wear anyways.

I would check how the camera looks and if possible how the buttons feel, as i said old my A9 feels mushi compared to my new A9. Viewfinder/Monitor does not switch as good as it should, shutter button seems to have some play, the scroll wheel (how ever its called) is kinda wobbly and the thing with the internal battery(which is the only thing i did not cause). Shuttercount btw is still at 5000ish despite having spend over 1000hrs with it by now(as my A cam).

tl;dr: I doubt 4 years of age is an issue but since its still an expensive piece of equipment i would prefer to get my hands on befor i buy it. Just for ease of mind.
 
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
I think it will be fine. sony cameras used to be a bit unreliable but the modern iterations should last 10-20 years.

Unless you absolutely need the resolution, imo, the step up to a nearly new a9iii is worth it. but if you are more contemplative, then go A1.
 
SafariBob said:
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
I think it will be fine. sony cameras used to be a bit unreliable but the modern iterations should last 10-20 years.

Unless you absolutely need the resolution, imo, the step up to a nearly new a9iii is worth it. but if you are more contemplative, then go A1.
Click to expand...
 
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
Yes it's still a very capable camera, pick one up!

You don't really need pre-capture. I find that I am not actually using it that much or very often on my A1ii.

Aside from that the focusing is improved on the A1ii but again it's not really earth shattering.

Sony's A1 was so good that there wasn't that much for them to improve (flippy screen and ergonomics maybe).

Really though .. They just added some icing on the cake.

The next real jump will likely come with the A1iii if and when it eventually arrives.
 
Last edited:
A7 IV doesn't have the dedicated AF processor (called "AI chip"), A7C II does.

A1 I is still very capable camera. The dedicated AF processor present in A1 II will help you to find and lock the subject more quickly, once it is locked the tracking is almost similar to the A1 I.

On the other hand A9 III subject tracking is still above the A1 II, because of the much faster sensor readout allowing more AF calculations. Just the low 24 MP resolution makes it not the all-round camera the A1 is.

Even on my A7C I use the mechanical shutter very rarely, just for concert pictures. When travelling always the electronic shutter. There is less need for it on A1.
 
Last edited:
When I buy used gear I always want to see it before I buy it.
I am always just a bit hestitant for hidden shortcomings, which with new gear I don't have.

I all honesty I would prefer a Sony A1II, but given that its roughly 4000 euros more than a used A1 it's hard to jusitfy.
 
Thanks, very useful to hear from someone who uses the A1II. Pre-capture sounds amazing but also situational. Glad to hear to hear you liked the AF on the orignal A1.
 
I'm just starting to experiment with precapture. It's like a light saber— a powerful tool... but requires great responsibility.
 
MediaArchivist said:
I'm just starting to experiment with precapture. It's like a light saber— a powerful tool... but requires great responsibility.
Click to expand...
And a lot of deleting wasted shots I have found. But it can really help to capture brief events .. we are now flooded with pictures of birds taking off ;)
 
aSevenArr said:
MediaArchivist said:
I'm just starting to experiment with precapture. It's like a light saber— a powerful tool... but requires great responsibility.
Click to expand...
And a lot of deleting wasted shots I have found. But it can really help to capture brief events .. we are now flooded with pictures of birds taking off ;)
Click to expand...
Is it of value if one does not shoot sports or wildlife? If a bride throws the bouquet i dont think i need every frame and if i do not aticipate it i wont have my camera ready anyways or am i wrong? Besides that doesnt it increase battery drain by alot?
 
I got mine last year with about 60.000 clicks for 3200€. It is quite a lot, but the shutter has a MTBF of about 500.000 clicks... And I use the e shutter most of the time. Very happy with the camera. I also replaced an A7iv,A7Riii and original A9 with the A1.

The only thing I miss is the mode selector switch for video. Other than that, it is a beast: Great sensor, very fast operation, insane burst speeds (for my needs anyway), fantastic EVF, good ergonomics ( although I am not a fan of the left hand shoulder dial, as its settings cannot be stored, contrary to the new A1ii.
 
Puppy2007 said:
A7 IV doesn't have the dedicated AF processor (called "AI chip"), A7C II does.

A1 I is still very capable camera. The dedicated AF processor present in A1 II will help you to find and lock the subject more quickly, once it is locked the tracking is almost similar to the A1 I.

On the other hand A9 III subject tracking is still above the A1 II, because of the much faster sensor readout allowing more AF calculations. Just the low 24 MP resolution makes it not the all-round camera the A1 is.
Click to expand...
this statement is incorrect, they all have the same 120 af calculations the a93 is no higher
Puppy2007 said:
Even on my A7C I use the mechanical shutter very rarely, just for concert pictures. When travelling always the electronic shutter. There is less need for it on A1.
Click to expand...
 
Tim Deen said:
Disclaimer: I am well aware that there is a buying/selling advice forum. I hope to reach more people in this forum though since it is Sony related.

Currently I am using the Sony A7IV. I am unfortunately experiencing it's limitations due to it's slow processing speed. I photograph birds and wildlife.

With the release of the A1 mk.2 alot more used Sony A1 mk.1's have become available.
The question is basically if it's worth looking into used Sony A1's. Looking at the specs it should still be a very capable camera even with all the new technological advancements. And looking at the future, how durable is buying a used 4 year old camera?
Click to expand...
You've had some good advice already. I'll add my thoughts as someone who bought 2 x used Sony A1 in early 2024, before the A1ii was launched:

1. I'm in the UK and paid £3800 for each for my used A1 bodies, a bargain at the time in early 2024.

2. Today those bodies would cost me about £2900 each now that the A1ii is out.

3. Todays used prices are a steal, less than half the price of a new A1ii and only a tiny bit more than a used A7Rv

4. Personally I think a used A1 is a steal these days, once you use a stacked sensor you won't go back!

What to check:

1. As others have said, shutter count is no indication of use, shutter count is only mechanical clicks and used properly the A1 will almost always be used in silent mode.

2. The only way to assess how used an A1 is is to check the body... lack of shining and wear on body, buttons etc.

3. Get a good one and it should be bullet proof, I will likely see my life out with A1 bodies, I'm only adding glass here and there these days.

4. Firmware: Some folks had mainboard failures updating from 1.x to 2.x. This manifests itself by a failure of bluetooth and/or wifi functions.

5. Best to buy a body that is already on 2.x or 3.x firmware, or ask the seller to update before you buy (which is what I did).

6. Those failures are rare, and if you have a body on 2.x or 3.x and the Bluetooth/wifi works it will continue to do so.

Bottom line? Jump on it, but consider using MPB or the like for the additional peace of mind of a used a warranty

--
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/ray_burnimage/
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Sony full frame camera with pre capture
Replies
18
Views
12K
number_5
number_5
W
Upgrade from A7R3: Used A1 or new A7CR
Replies
19
Views
8K
Paul Barnard
Paul Barnard
X
Which A series to get for this use case
Replies
12
Views
6K
Xshooter
X
Hotel Lonely
  • User review User review
a1 II: the camera that the original a1 should have been
Replies
9
Views
30K
Interceptor121
I
S
  • Question Question
How to Set up GPS Tagging for Sony A1 II?
2
Replies
30
Views
26K
SOOC
S

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top