Hi,
**obligatory disclaimer** cameras, like a good pair of comfortable running shoes , are highly subjective to the individual user**
Having gotten the disclaimer out of the way I’d like to get your guys opinions on a possible A1 purchase…
I’ve flirted back and forth across different camera systems - mix of gadget acquisition syndrome and a genuine real interest/enjoyment in trying different brands, technologies etc…
That itch has settled more or less. I‘ve owned professional grade Canon, Nikon, Olympus Fuji and Sony in the past.
In early 2021 I decided to sell my most recent Sony A7siii kit as a number of video projects, weddings had been cancelled for me owing to the pandemic and I simply wasn’t getting out shooting as much as I could. I couldn’t justify having that kit at the time when I had zero interest even in a personal capacity to go shooting street etc…
I don’t blame the gear, but more the place that I was in myself at the time - I had huge back pain and walking was very difficult for me. Fast forward to 2022, things are looking up for me - I’ve had surgery on my spine and am now back walking again and have a renewed and revitalized interest in getting out there shooting, exploring with camera again.
Fast forward to today - I’m interested in buying into a ‘system’ again. Historically I’ve heard all the bitching that there is about sony ….. ‘souless cameras, crappy menus’, terrible colours, yada yada yada’. I have to say I did agree with the jpeg output from earlier A7ii and A7siii cameras that I had (even an a9 wasn’t so hot but it put it down to more terrible AWB… something that could be fixed in post when shooting RAW. My last a7siii had wonderful colors (for my taste) and I liked the new menus.
I was wondering if anybody with an a1 could comment on your usage of the a1 , your enjoyment, the things that you really like from a ‘live-ability’ perspective, and the things that you subjectively do NOT like too!
Why I’m looking at A1 over A7r or A7iv ? I really like big high resolution EVF and I really like the additional dial to control drive mode without having to necessitate diving into menus. This is something that I don’t like about the A7iv or a7siii line… I miss the drive dial.
I tried the XH2s and it was something I deeply missed from the regular XT4.
From a size wise , I like the A1 over say an R3 or Z9.
I’d really like to hear your guys’ opinions…. any regrets, would you buy an a1 again if you have one? what do you hope that they will change / improve for a1 ii? Are you satisfied with the color science of the A1 for SOOC Jpegs (where you may need to give a client a quick preview).
Thanks,
Tom
**obligatory disclaimer** cameras, like a good pair of comfortable running shoes , are highly subjective to the individual user**
Having gotten the disclaimer out of the way I’d like to get your guys opinions on a possible A1 purchase…
I’ve flirted back and forth across different camera systems - mix of gadget acquisition syndrome and a genuine real interest/enjoyment in trying different brands, technologies etc…
That itch has settled more or less. I‘ve owned professional grade Canon, Nikon, Olympus Fuji and Sony in the past.

In early 2021 I decided to sell my most recent Sony A7siii kit as a number of video projects, weddings had been cancelled for me owing to the pandemic and I simply wasn’t getting out shooting as much as I could. I couldn’t justify having that kit at the time when I had zero interest even in a personal capacity to go shooting street etc…
I don’t blame the gear, but more the place that I was in myself at the time - I had huge back pain and walking was very difficult for me. Fast forward to 2022, things are looking up for me - I’ve had surgery on my spine and am now back walking again and have a renewed and revitalized interest in getting out there shooting, exploring with camera again.
Fast forward to today - I’m interested in buying into a ‘system’ again. Historically I’ve heard all the bitching that there is about sony ….. ‘souless cameras, crappy menus’, terrible colours, yada yada yada’. I have to say I did agree with the jpeg output from earlier A7ii and A7siii cameras that I had (even an a9 wasn’t so hot but it put it down to more terrible AWB… something that could be fixed in post when shooting RAW. My last a7siii had wonderful colors (for my taste) and I liked the new menus.
I was wondering if anybody with an a1 could comment on your usage of the a1 , your enjoyment, the things that you really like from a ‘live-ability’ perspective, and the things that you subjectively do NOT like too!
Why I’m looking at A1 over A7r or A7iv ? I really like big high resolution EVF and I really like the additional dial to control drive mode without having to necessitate diving into menus. This is something that I don’t like about the A7iv or a7siii line… I miss the drive dial.
I tried the XH2s and it was something I deeply missed from the regular XT4.
From a size wise , I like the A1 over say an R3 or Z9.
I’d really like to hear your guys’ opinions…. any regrets, would you buy an a1 again if you have one? what do you hope that they will change / improve for a1 ii? Are you satisfied with the color science of the A1 for SOOC Jpegs (where you may need to give a client a quick preview).
Thanks,
Tom