This is what the Sony A1's full-size 50MP images look like

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The first full-size Sony A1 sample images have leaked online – and the detail is incredible

Sony A1 samples
(Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

The first full size, 50.1MP images from the Sony A1 have leaked onto the web – and we have to say, we're impressed with what we see. 

With full Sony A1 (opens in new tab) reviews not due to hit the web until the tail of the week (though one YouTuber has given an early verdict on the "not as advertised" 30fps continuous shooting and AF performance that falls below the Canon EOS R5 (opens in new tab)), these leaked images give us our first proper look at what the images from Sony's brand new stacked image sensor.

• Read more: Sony A1 first verdict: Canon's AF is better, "30fps failure" (opens in new tab)

While it is not known specifically who took these photographs, those who watched the live A1 announcement event on YouTube will recognize some of these shots – so we know that they were taken by Sony ambassadors to showcase the new camera. 

Sony A1 sample image (click top-right for full size) (Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

Sony A1 sample image (click top-right for full size) (Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

Sony A1 sample image (click top-right for full size) (Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

Sony A1 sample image (click top-right for full size) (Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

Sony A1 sample image (click top-right for full size) (Image credit: Sony (via Sony Alpha Rumors))

Unfortunately the metadata has been stripped from each image, so we don't know any of the exposure details (so we can't make jump to any performance conclusions about things like ISO noise) nor what lenses were used to capture each shot.

In addition, the original file sizes are very varied. The smallest file is just 19.7MB (the shot of the bird about to plunge its feet into the water to fish) and three other images are also in the 20MB region (the two female portraits and the close-up shot of the fox).

The largest file, the treescape shot, is a full-fat 48.2MP – which seems to be an uncompressed JPG that shows off just how much fine detail can be resolved by the Sony A1.  

The photographs were shared by (opens in new tab) Sony Alpha Rumors, and are currently available to download and view in full size in this Google Drive link (opens in new tab). Take a look for yourself and see if you buy into the hype about Sony's new supercamera!

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Read more: 

Best Sony cameras (opens in new tab)
Sony A1 vs Canon EOS R5
(opens in new tab)Sony A1 vs Sony A9 II vs Sony A7R IV (opens in new tab)

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James Artaius
James Artaius

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as Digital Camera Magazine (opens in new tab), PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine (opens in new tab), N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine (opens in new tab), Digital Photographer (opens in new tab) and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at The Photography Show (opens in new tab). An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.

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