After rigorous testing and a variety of hands-on expertise, we all know rather a lot about Sony’s flagship mirrorless digicam, the Sony a1. Nevertheless, we have by no means taken one aside. Fortunately, we cannot must, because the wonderful of us at Kolari Imaginative and prescient have performed it for us. Should you’re not acquainted with Kolari Imaginative and prescient, they provide a wide range of services and products, together with specialised lens filters and digicam conversions. For instance, in order for you an infrared digicam or a full spectrum digicam, you may ship your digicam to Kolari Imaginative and prescient, and they’ll carry out the conversion.
Kolari Imaginative and prescient wished to transform a Sony a1 right into a full spectrum digicam and, whereas doing so, determined to take your complete digicam aside to see how the a1 differs from Sony’s different mirrorless cameras. Step one is to peel off the leather-based grips on the digicam and take away the outer plates that kind the a1’s shell. There aren’t that many screws, however it seems to be like Sony applies Loctite to them for improved maintain. After eradicating panels, Kolari Imaginative and prescient discovered that Sony has added some climate sealing materials below numerous seams.
Picture credit score: Kolari Imaginative and prescient |
After popping the hood, so to talk, Kolari Imaginative and prescient instantly seen a steel thermal body. It is like what’s within the a7S III, however completely different from what was within the a7 III and a7R IV. The Sony a1 data 4K/120p video and even 8K video, so warmth dissipation wanted to enhance. In any other case, the general inner structure is acquainted. The HDMI port is now related by way of a folded flex cable and held in place by a bracket, whereas in prior Sony cameras, it has been soldered onto the board. That ought to make changing a faulty HDMI port a lot simpler.
Picture credit score: Kolari Imaginative and prescient |
After unpacking the a1, layer by layer, Kolari Imaginative and prescient made its option to the first circuit board and the twin Bionz XR processor. These are the brains of the operation and drive the a1’s spectacular efficiency, together with full-resolution RAW picture seize at 30 frames per second. There are a variety of wires and ribbons contained in the a1, together with some which have modified from being clip-in connectors to press-on connectors. Kolari Imaginative and prescient writes that there are professionals and cons to these. Press-on connectors might be simpler to take away, however trickier to place again on.
Picture credit score: Kolari Imaginative and prescient |
With all the things disconnected, the board might be eliminated. Beneath it’s one other layer of steel warmth sink. Kolari Imaginative and prescient writes, ‘Beneath the board, is one other layer of steel warmth sink. This one feels extra condensed than what we have seen in different fashions. On the a7III and a7RIV, it stretched over to the battery compartment, and the A7III’s heatsink had ‘toes’ that prolonged down to connect to the entrance. Additionally, with the A7RIV they went with a extra skeletal design, leaving gaps within the plate to chop down on the load. Right here, nonetheless, they’ve prioritized maintaining it cool to maintain up with the efficiency calls for. They’ve included a layer of warmth pads within the center.’ Has the brand new heatsink design labored? Tell us within the feedback in case you’ve had any overheating points together with your a1.
Picture credit score: Kolari Imaginative and prescient |
Whereas the Sony a1 could look acquainted on the surface, there are a variety of modifications to its inner design. Kolari Imaginative and prescient writes, ‘The A1 could look an identical to its predecessors, however there are a variety of little modifications inside and outside that make this a really spectacular digicam.’ If you would like to study extra about all of the minor modifications Sony has made to its a1 digicam, or get a more in-depth have a look at the various photographs Kolari Imaginative and prescient captured throughout its disassembly, head to Kolari Imaginative and prescient.
Picture credit: All images taken by Kolari Imaginative and prescient, used with permission.