The Sony A1 is a truly remarkable camera that covers almost every photographic niche thanks to its high-resolution sensor, super-fast burst shooting, lightening quick AF, professional connectivity and 8K raw video. It’s a stunning camera to use and the image quality is second-to-none, but the price tag puts it out of the reach of the most photographers.

Captures incredible detail; Blisteringly fast AF; Super-speedy burst shooting; Rare blend of speed and resolution;

Prohibitively expensive; Overkill for most photographers; Menu system is complicated

The Sony a1 is the most refined Alpha-series interchangeable lens camera yet. Its combination of speed and resolution for both stills and video set it apart in a crowded field of excellent options, though that combination is also responsible for the price it commands. But the fact remains, most any professional photographer will be able to use the a1 for most anything they'd think to shoot.

Photographers capturing fast action, landscapes, weddings and events, portraiture and studio work or high-quality video.;

Photographers that don't need (or won't benefit from) the a1's combination of abilities. Those that need maximum resolution and dynamic range.;

The A1’s price tag is a big one, but professionals who want a single do-it-all camera for both video and photo won’t be disappointed with what it provides in return. Value-wise, the £3,800 A7S III represents a better deal for people who only shoot video (and, aside from 8K, offers much of the same level of performance), while photographers seeking the most resolution can look to the £3,500 61MP A7R IV as a much more affordable alternative. Heck, even the 102MP medium format Fujifilm GFX1000S is £1,000 cheaper, if detail is what matters to you. For someone who wants all their bases covered, though – plus the ability to shoot stills at an incredible speed – there’s nothing quite like the A1. It might drain your bank account, but it’ll fill your portfolio with wonderful photos.

Excellent image quality; Very fast; Wealth of video options;

Tilting screen feels like a step backwards;

There aren't many cameras on the planet capable of doing everything this one can. It's a magnificent machine capable of 8K video recording through to intense 50-megapixel bursts at lightning speed, all without breaking a sweat. There aren't many cameras as expensive either, though.

High-resolution full-frame sensor; Stunning burst mode performance; Good battery life; Image quality is superb; All the ports you could possibly need;

Flippy screen is limited; It's prohibitively expensive for most; Auto-lock mechanism on dials can be fiddly; Menu button in the wrong place;

The Sony a1 ($6,499.99, body only) is a true do-it-all camera, one that's equally suitable for high-resolution landscape work, demanding sports and wildlife photography, and pro video capture alike. It utilizes forward-thinking tech to fill out an impressive list of specs, including 50MP Raw photos at up to 30fps, next-generation 8K video, and support for ultra-fast CFexpress memory to keep up to speed with it all. Technical accolades aside, the Sony a1 delivers the goods for pros who rely on an interchangeable lens camera for work, and is a splurge worth taking for enthusiasts, especially those entrenched in the Sony system, earning it our Editors' Choice award.A Stacked Sensor Makes It Possible The heart of the a1 is its sensor, a full-frame 50MP imager. It doesn't have the highest pixel count and isn't heads and shoulders above competitors at the extreme end of its ISO range. The simple truth is that the advantages of one sensor to another aren't as vast today as in years past—...

The Sony a1 is a true do-it-all camera, one that is equally adept at high-speed sports imaging, slow-working landscape photography, and professional video. It's priced to match, but it delivers.

Stacked full-frame 50MP sensor; Up to 30fps Raw photography; Superior autofocus and subject tracking; Internal 10-bit 8K recording; 4K120 for slow motion; 5-axis stabilization; High-magnification viewfinder; Dust and splash protection; Dual CFexpress/SDXC card slots

Rear display should be better; 8K video chews through battery

Outstanding picture quality; An innovative sound system that works; Gorgeous design;

Expensive; Uninspiring remote;

Excellent image quality; Very fast; Wealth of video options;

Tilting screen feels like a step backwards;

Jordan's assignment; Design and handling; Electronic and mechanical shutters; Lossless compressed Raw; Media and buffer; Displays; Autofocus; Flash capabilities; Image quality; Video performance; Who's it for?;

Jordan's assignment; Design and handling; Electronic and mechanical shutters; Lossless compressed Raw; Media and buffer; Displays; Autofocus; Flash capabilities; Image quality; Video performance; Who's it for?;

The Alpha 1 has been designed primarily for professional photographers and videographers. It is especially well suited to photo and video journalists as well as sports shooters and the like, who need to deliver the images and movie recordings they capture to bureaus or clients as quickly as...