Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage at DVinfo.net

Doug Jensen · June 15th, 2022, 08:57 AM

I shot this video last Sunday evening to test the video quality and auto-focus performance omy Sony A1 and to see how it compares to my Sony FX6. Overall, I'm happy with the footage and image quality, but the AF performance is far inferior to the FX6. The AF just cannot be trusted and there were a lot of garbage shots I didn't put into the video. This video is mostly just the usable stuff that I can sell as stock footage. Not once did the AF recognize any mammal or bird eyes or faces, even though I had it set for those modes. I see Sony has just released new firmware, so maybe it will function better next time. Who knows?

Also, I shot this at the end of the day with a very slow lens (200-600mm) so ND filtration was not needed, but if it was bright light it would have really been a hassle. Another thing I found to be a hassle is the inability to angle the EVF to a comfortable angle. The picture quality of the EVF is outstanding, but I'm too old to lay on the ground when I want a lower angle! :-)

Bob Safay · July 5th, 2022, 06:07 AM

Doug, those are some pretty impressive shots. The color and detail were incredible. However, it almost seemed to have too much detail for my eye. Some clips just looked overly sharp. Now remember I am looking at them through 73 year old eyes. That said, as far as I'm concerned you are still the master. I must agree with you that not being able to tilt the EV is a real pain (in the knees, back and elbows). As always, thanks for sharing. Bob

Doug Jensen · July 5th, 2022, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the comments, Bob. Very much appreciated.
Too sharp? Yeah, you might be right. I tend to like my footage sharper than what other people would choose. Call it a creative choice. :-)

I will say, though, that I just looked at it on my iPad and I wouldn't change a thing. When in doubt, I will always make my final judgement based on how things look on the iPad.

Andrew Smith · July 5th, 2022, 11:29 PM

"Too sharp" for source footage may well be a good thing when you consider that it goes through a number of re-encodes before the end consumer gets to see it. I'd rather "too sharp" than "not sharp enough".

Gorgeous footage as always.

Andrew

Bob Safay · July 6th, 2022, 03:41 PM

Doug, just wanted to let you know that I took your advice and instead of upgrading my computer I bought a high speed external drive to edit on. WOW what a difference. Thanks for the tip. Safe travels, Bob

Doug Jensen · July 7th, 2022, 05:23 AM

Bob, I appreciate you following up to let me know my advice helped solved the problem. It reinforces my assertion that 90% of people who think they need a new computer to have a better experience in post really just need faster external drives.

Bob Safay · July 14th, 2022, 08:55 AM

over the years I have learned a lot from you, thank you. Bob

Paul Cronin · July 21st, 2022, 09:43 AM

Looks great Doug,

Glad I have that lens arriving today. The A1 is a beast for a small mirrorless camera.

June 15th, 2022, 08:57 AM	#1
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage I shot this video last Sunday evening to test the video quality and auto-focus performance omy Sony A1 and to see how it compares to my Sony FX6. Overall, I'm happy with the footage and image quality, but the AF performance is far inferior to the FX6. The AF just cannot be trusted and there were a lot of garbage shots I didn't put into the video. This video is mostly just the usable stuff that I can sell as stock footage. Not once did the AF recognize any mammal or bird eyes or faces, even though I had it set for those modes. I see Sony has just released new firmware, so maybe it will function better next time. Who knows? Also, I shot this at the end of the day with a very slow lens (200-600mm) so ND filtration was not needed, but if it was bright light it would have really been a hassle. Another thing I found to be a hassle is the inability to angle the EVF to a comfortable angle. The picture quality of the EVF is outstanding, but I'm too old to lay on the ground when I want a lower angle! :-) YouTube (Short URL) __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

July 5th, 2022, 06:07 AM	#2
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage Doug, those are some pretty impressive shots. The color and detail were incredible. However, it almost seemed to have too much detail for my eye. Some clips just looked overly sharp. Now remember I am looking at them through 73 year old eyes. That said, as far as I'm concerned you are still the master. I must agree with you that not being able to tilt the EV is a real pain (in the knees, back and elbows). As always, thanks for sharing. Bob

July 5th, 2022, 01:46 PM	#3
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage Thanks for the comments, Bob. Very much appreciated. Too sharp? Yeah, you might be right. I tend to like my footage sharper than what other people would choose. Call it a creative choice. :-) I will say, though, that I just looked at it on my iPad and I wouldn't change a thing. When in doubt, I will always make my final judgement based on how things look on the iPad. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

July 5th, 2022, 11:29 PM	#4
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage "Too sharp" for source footage may well be a good thing when you consider that it goes through a number of re-encodes before the end consumer gets to see it. I'd rather "too sharp" than "not sharp enough". Gorgeous footage as always. Andrew

July 6th, 2022, 03:41 PM	#5
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage Doug, just wanted to let you know that I took your advice and instead of upgrading my computer I bought a high speed external drive to edit on. WOW what a difference. Thanks for the tip. Safe travels, Bob

July 7th, 2022, 05:23 AM	#6
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage Bob, I appreciate you following up to let me know my advice helped solved the problem. It reinforces my assertion that 90% of people who think they need a new computer to have a better experience in post really just need faster external drives. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

July 14th, 2022, 08:55 AM	#7
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage over the years I have learned a lot from you, thank you. Bob

July 21st, 2022, 09:43 AM	#8
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: Sony A1 mirrorless camera 4K wildlife test footage Looks great Doug, Glad I have that lens arriving today. The A1 is a beast for a small mirrorless camera. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com