old-gregg wrote:
... and the next wave of complainers will immediately label it as "too slow for BIF!" and demand a next-next-gen A9 with 240fps continuous 16-bit RAW shooting. With flash sync too!
Seriously, we already have **serveral** do-everything cameras on the market. If someone feels they "need" something extra, that's just GAS-induced delusions speaking. Instead of getting a next-generation of whatever, I recommend a cold plunge instead.
So true. Today’s cameras are simply amazing. If someone cannot make amazing images with today’s equipment…it’s not the gear that is limiting.
boblombardi wrote:
This release I think puts Sony's leapfrog strategy into even clearer view. If the A7V is a 6 on speed and a 6 on resolution, the A1II a 10 on speed and a 10 on resolution, and the A9III a 12 on speed and a 3 on resolution, the A7RV was the inverse of the A9III. But now A7RVI is basically the A1II's numbers slightly shuffled.
That means they'll release the A9IV with 33mp, maybe slightly better compression modes for high speed, and all the doo-dads of the A7RVI. Once people adopt it, they'll release the A1III with a global shutter and a slight resolution bump. And then sell the A7V until the wheels fall off....Show more →
Sony is working on a new triple stacked sensor that is rumoured to be in the Z9II and IMO probably A1III. It's said to have ~3x the scan speed of today's A1II and Z9 @ ~1/700s. I doubt they'll go for GS in that case and I shudder to think how expensive a 50MP+ GS would be. It so fast they could implement DGO with ES and not require a mechanical shutter. Could we see also 4K240p, 6K120p, ~1/650 flash sync, 240Hz refresh for the EVF or a new 11.22Md EVF?
May 27, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Pixel Perfect wrote:
Sony is working on a new triple stacked sensor that is rumoured to be in the Z9II and IMO probably A1III. It's said to have ~3x the scan speed of today's A1II and Z9 @ ~1/700s. I doubt they'll go for GS in that case and I shudder to think how expensive a 50MP+ GS would be. It so fast they could implement DGO with ES and not require a mechanical shutter. Could we see also 4K240p, 6K120p, ~1/650 flash sync, 240Hz refresh for the EVF or a new 11.22Md EVF?
That sensor sounds about what I would expect for the A1 III. A clear improvement in sensor scan speed that will allow even Sony to remove the mechanical shutter and still have great flash sync. They can implement DGO and slow the sensor scan speed just a bit, say to 5ms, and still not have any worry about motion distortion for when they want max IQ and turn the DGO off for higher ISO shooting to get the higher sensor scan speed, fps, and flash sync. That will be a clear step forward for tha A1 line. I would also expect a modest resolution bump to say 55 MP. It will be interesting what they do with the EVF. I would expect they still use a 9.4 M dot EVF, just have it drop resolution a lot less often.
Nikon will likely get a similar sensor but tuned more to their preferences and they will probably continue to have a different sort of EVF strategy, but ye I would expect the Z9 II (and ultimately the Z8 II) to have a very similar sensor. Before either of those are produced, however, I would expect Nikon to make a Z7 III with a sensor very similar to the A7r VI.
I do expect tha Sony A1 line and the Nikon Z9/Z8 line to eventually get a global shutter, but that will probably come with the Sony A1 V if the rumors of this faster A1 III non-global shutter are accurate.
Thanks Ross, I enjoyed watching that video too featuring the portraits. Wow, definitely lots of cropping power. In my case the A7V has plenty of that already especially if it is just for social media postings. Plus I do a lot of cropping with my feet. Nevertheless, it's quite handy to have that much resolution.
Ross Martin wrote:
Jan does a good job there highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each competitive camera from the big three.
I also enjoyed this video which is focused on portraits, with many 100% pixel views:
Not sure if it's the Sony GM FE 50-150mm F2 that makes the A7rVI's 68MPs look so good or the other way round! Beautiful portrait kit from what I see in PM-R's video.
LBJ2 wrote:
Not sure if it's the Sony GM FE 50-150mm F2 that makes the A7rVI's 68MPs look so good or the other way round! Beautiful portrait kit from what I see in PM-R's video.
Weren’t those 100% views beautiful? If I was a portrait specialist I think I’d want to try that lens. The files from the RVI are looking really good.
I've seen lots of comparisons to the A7R5 but not many to the A1ii. Hypothetical: if you had the chance to buy either the A7R6 or the A1ii for roughly the same price, which one would you choose?
rob_ww wrote:
I've seen lots of comparisons to the A7R5 but not many to the A1ii. Hypothetical: if you had the chance to buy either the A7R6 or the A1ii for roughly the same price, which one would you choose?
That’s a great question. I’ve found a mint used A1 II for only $500 more than the new A7RVI. I think I’m going with the A1 II since I already own an A7RV. But curious how others think of this trade off.
The section on the electronic shutter has lots of useful information about constraints and tips, including for maintaining a smooth "blackout free" LV:
rob_ww wrote:
I've seen lots of comparisons to the A7R5 but not many to the A1ii. Hypothetical: if you had the chance to buy either the A7R6 or the A1ii for roughly the same price, which one would you choose?
A7r6 for me. I don’t need the speed of the A1II. Actually I’m waiting to see what the Acr2 brings…that might be the cat’s meow for me.
swldstn wrote:
That’s a great question. I’ve found a mint used A1 II for only $500 more than the new A7RVI. I think I’m going with the A1 II since I already own an A7RV. But curious how others think of this trade off.
Yeah, I've debated this as well. Sultan had an open box A1.ii (maybe still does) and after tax they were within spitting distance. At 4800 what's an additional $600. I probably don't need all that either camera gives me, but I have it...
chez wrote:
A7r6 for me. I don’t need the speed of the A1II. Actually I’m waiting to see what the Acr2 brings…that might be the cat’s meow for me.
If they could just do an incrementally better EVF I think I'd be content with A7CR as is and anything extra is just icing. I don't know why but that just bugs me as an EVF guy.
rob_ww wrote:
I've seen lots of comparisons to the A7R5 but not many to the A1ii. Hypothetical: if you had the chance to buy either the A7R6 or the A1ii for roughly the same price, which one would you choose?
As a happy owner of the A1 II, I say the A7R6. I am an IQ whore. In fact, a 3x IQ whore: in the EVF, LCD, and RAW. Sign me up for every additional bump, even if just theoretical, of dynamic range and resolution. Of course there are zero practical implications of these extra bumps, but they make me feel great and that's the point of spending money, isn't it?
Smaller pixels give extra reach for small subjects at distance. The difference between 50MP and 67MP is noticeable but probably not important to most users. It's like the difference between a 600mm lens and a 700mm lens. The difference between 45MP (Cikon/Nanon) and 67MP means that a 600mm lens is like 732mm. That matters to me.
old-gregg wrote:
As a happy owner of the A1 II, I say the A7R6. I am an IQ whore. In fact, a 3x IQ whore: in the EVF, LCD, and RAW. Sign me up for every additional bump, even if just theoretical, of dynamic range and resolution. Of course there are zero practical implications of these extra bumps, but they make me feel great and that's the point of spending money, isn't it?
Exactly!! That makes us dream customers (read, 'dopamine addicts') for the Sony marketing folks.
swldstn wrote:
That’s a great question. I’ve found a mint used A1 II for only $500 more than the new A7RVI. I think I’m going with the A1 II since I already own an A7RV. But curious how others think of this trade off.
Same here. It's a bit more but not a lot more price-wise. The A1ii is certainly more camera than I need, other than I take a lot of indoor pics that require a silent shutter so the better ES performance would count. Is there anything being sacrificed, that the 7R6 has and the A1ii lacks?? I can't see it.
Seabassius wrote:
If they could just do an incrementally better EVF I think I'd be content with A7CR as is and anything extra is just icing. I don't know why but that just bugs me as an EVF guy.
I agree. Fascinating to see what they will do. I love my A7CR but with larger lenses I do miss the familiar form factor of a chunkier body, even when I use the added bottom plate.
