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:

• Up to 52% off on Sandisk fast V90 cards sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save big on Lexar SD/CFexpress cards at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• 25% off on the 4th generation Type A cards from OWC sold at Amazon, BHphoto, OWC store.
• Up to 56% off on Nextorage SD cards (Amazon / BHphoto), CFexpress Type A cards (Amazon / BHphoto), CFexpress Type B cards (Amazon / BHphoto).
• Save big on PNY cards and storage at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save big on Pergear Type A cards sold by Amazon.
• 10% at checkout on all Exascend DUAL pack Type A cards sold on Amazon

Storage deals:

• 25% off on the WD 22TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive at Amazon and BHphoto.
• 39% off on the Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD sold by Amazon and BHphoto.
• 47% off on the SAMSUNG T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD sold by Amazon and BHphoto.
• 29% off on the SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD at Amazon and BHphoto.
• 36% off on the SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD at Amazon and BHphoto.
• 20% off on the LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive at Amazon and BHphoto.

Software deals:

• You save $350 on the entire AI tools package from Topaz (Click here).
• Up to 50% off on DxO software.
• Save up to 50% on the ON1 software.
• Save big on Adobe Creative Cloud at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Here comes the next Black Friday deal: 84% off on Luminar!

Sony Camera Holiday deals:

• $1000 off on the Sony A1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $400 off on the Sony A7IV at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $400 off on the Sony A7rV at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $300 off on the Sony A7sIII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $200 off on the Sony A7III at Amazon, Bhphoto, Adorama.
• $200 off on the FX3 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $300 off on the ZV-E1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the Sony A7c at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $200 off on the FX30 at Amazon, BHphoto,Adorama.
• $200 off on the Sony A6600 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama,
• $150 off on the Sony A6400 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the Sony ZV-E10 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.

Sony Lens Holiday deals:

• $100 off on the 12-24mm GM at Amazon. BHphoto. Adorama.
• $100 off on the 100-400mm GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama,
• $100 off on the 50mm f/1.2 GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 200-600mm G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 70-200mm GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama
• $100 off on the 24-70mm GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama
• $100 off on the 14mm f/1.8 GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 35mm f/1.4 GM at Amazon, BHphoto,  Adorama.
• $100 off on the 16-55mm F2.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 24mm f/1.4 GM at Bhphoto. Adorama. Amazon.
• $100 off on the 50mm F/1.4 GM at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama.
• $100 off on the 70-300mm at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama
• $100 off on the 16-35mm f/4.0 PZ at Amazon, BHphoto. Adorama.
• $100 off on the 24-105mm G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 90mm macro at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 20-70mm at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 24-240mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
• $100 off on the 20mm f/1.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 10-20mm PZ at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 15mm f/1.4 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.

Third party E-mount lenses:

• Save up to $100 on Tamron lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save up to $300 on Sigma lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Up to $300 off on Voigtlander lenses at Amazon, Bhphoto, Adorama
• Save big on Laowa lenses sold by BHphoto.
• Save up to $924 on Sirui lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save 25% on Lensbaby lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save 15% on Viltrox lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Save big on Samyang/Rokinon lenses sold by Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• Up to 25% off on Meike lenses sold by Amazon.
• Save big on Zeiss Batis and Loxia lenses sold by Amazon and BHphoto.
• Save big on 7Artisans lenses at Amazon, Bhphoto, Adorama.
• Save big on TTartisan lenses at Amazon.

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.

Some people claim that the Sony A1II is just a “firmware update” Sony A1. They obviously didn’t understand that the new camera includes many hardware changes, like the new body, the new AI chip and so on. In the video above, Tony Northrup explains these changes (from minute 5.55).

My thoughts on this camera are clear: For professionals, this is a solid update that improves almost every aspect of the first-generation Sony A1. And no, it’s not groundbreaking and no, it doesn’t kill the competition. But that wasn’t Sony’s goal either. Many have complained that some entry-level cameras (like the A6700) had features that the Sony A1 didn’t have. Sony has responded by finally incorporating the AI chip into the A1II, which enables these new features. But you really don’t have to worry, Sony will surely bring big innovations to future camera models, just like they did with the global shutter on the A9III. They are world leaders on the sensor front and I expect big things from them!

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.

The new DJi Mic Mini is now available at Amazon US&EU, Bhphoto, Adorama. Explora explains what’s special on this new microphone:

Compact, ultralight, and versatile, the Mic Mini is designed for modern content creators and videographers.
Weighing in at a lightweight 10 g, the Mic Mini is comfortable to wear and discreet. It’s also aesthetically pleasing. According to DJI, the Mic Mini will provide stable recording and transmit high-quality audio up to 1312’ away—even in noisy environments.
The transmitter offers a maximum operating time of 11.5 hours, while the receiver provides up to 10 hours, giving creators loads of time to record interviews, vlogs, concerts, and more. With the charging case, you can get up to 48 hours of battery life for both the transmitter and receiver.
Two noise cancelation settings are available for the Mic Mini system. Basic is an ideal choice for quieter indoor settings, while Strong excels in noisy environments for clear vocals. With automatic limiting, you don’t have to worry about clipping. The Mic Mini will automatically adjust the levels of the audio input is too high, resulting in reliable audio quality in any setting.