Black Friday: You save $350 on the entire AI tools package from Topaz (Click here).
Two weeks ago Topaz announced the new GigaPixel Ai (click here to see all new features with ton of examples). Here is a new introductory video with the CEO of Topaz. It explains very well why this software is different from what you get with Adobe and others:
New Day and new Deals can be found on those Black Friday pages at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon NL, Amazon AUS.
The new deals I found s far today:
Here is a lifts of the hottest deal I found (I will keep update this post with new deal)
You save up to 30% on all kind of Nextorage cards sold by Amazon, and BHphoto!
BLACK FRIDAY deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon NL, Amazon AUS.
Deals selection:
SD and CFexpress cards:
Storage deals:
Software deals:
Sony Camera Holiday deals:
Sony Lens Holiday deals:
Third party E-mount lenses:
Sony general manager Masanori Kishi explained in a BCN interview why the Sony A1II kept the same Sony A1 sensor:
The sensor used in the α1 has a fast readout speed comparable to a global shutter, and has very little image distortion. It was a sensor with high potential to begin with. This time, we improved the image processing algorithm to improve image quality. The α1 II has evolved to be worthy of a new flagship camera.” The sensor had a lot of “room for growth”, so it was reused.
The highlight of this model is the inclusion of AI. By increasing the subject recognition rate, the focus accuracy has been greatly improved.
The journalist from BCNranking added some speculations:
It is said that it is difficult to achieve high pixel count and high image quality with a global shutter, so this may be one of the reasons why it was not used this time. If I were to speculate, for example, resources may have been taken up in the development of a sensor equipped with a global shutter, and there may not have been room for the development of a new sensor to be installed in the α1 II.
I agree that the original Sony A1 sensor was and still is fantastic. The limitations of the Sony A1 were in other aspects, some of which have been addressed with the new A1II (some others, like the lack of 8k60p, have not).
It’s also perfectly normal for Sony to “reuse” previous generation sensors. My own Sony A7rV still uses the 61MP sensor from the older Sony A7rIV released in 2019. I can’t say that this has disappointed me. That said, I’ve never found a Sony sensor to be a limitation in any of their models. If we want to criticize Sony, then we can talk about the high price, the less than spectacular firmware support strategy and so on.
What do you think about my take?
Preorder links:
Sony A1II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Use code “BFCM24” to get a 10% off on nearly everything sold by Keh.com (Click here). You can find the Sony cameras here and the E-mount lenses here.
Sony Japan issued an official press release that stated:
We have received orders for the full-size mirrorless SLR camera “α1 II” (ILCE-1M2), which we started accepting orders for on November 26, 2024 (Tuesday), far exceeding our expectations, and it may take some time before we can deliver the product. We are working as hard as possible to meet customer needs, so we ask for your patience.
I might add that my store managers contacts also do say that reorders are strong on the Sony A1II. So better you reorder one now if you wanna be sure to get it as soon as possible!
Preorder links:
Sony A1II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
