50 MP and 30 fps in one body: Sony Alpha 1 diagnostics

Sony Alpha 1 (ILCE-1, 2021) is literally the best Sony could create at the time of release. Phenomenal 50MP fully layered BSI CMOS sensor, 30fps electronic shutter with no rolling shutter, 4K 120p video, AF assist illuminator with real performance at -6 EV, and a price comparable to a used car. Alpha 1 buyers are exclusively top-class professionals: sports agencies, wildlife, air shows. The history of their operation is the most intensive work.

ESPN, Getty Images, Reuters agencies are the ones who shoot on Alpha 1. 30 fps at the championship final match is 1800 frames per minute. During the working day of a professional sports photographer, the counter can increase by 20–30 thousand. With such a load, checking the mileage before purchasing a used Alpha 1 is critical.

500,000 guaranteed hits: Alpha 1 record

Sony set a record mechanical shutter life of 500,000 operations for the Alpha 1. This is an absolute record among full-frame mirrorless cameras. But 30 fps means that the mechanical shutter wears out faster when actively used than most cameras. Separated accounting of mechanical and electronic operations (EXPEED 7A) allows you to accurately assess the actual wear of the mechanics.

Alpha 1 Extended Metadata Decryption

The EXPEED 7A processor keeps strict separate records of mechanical and electronic triggering. Both counters are written to the MakerNotes ARW file block. Our service correctly separates the mechanical and electronic mileage of the Alpha 1 for an accurate wear assessment. For diagnostics you need the original ARW from the memory card.