Sony Announces the Xperia 1 Mark II: A Powerful Smartphone With Technology Taken From Its Best Cameras

There is no doubt that Sony’s cameras have some of the most advanced and exciting technology out there today, and now, users will be able to experience some of those features in their phone, as Sony has announced the Xperia 1 Mark II, which boasts specs like real-time Eye AF and 20 fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus.  The phone sounds like a photographer’s and/or videographer’s dream, particularly with all the a9 features crammed into it. Alongside the aforementioned autofocus and burst rate comes a processor performing 60 autofocus and auto-exposure calculations a second, three cameras, and more. The first of the three cameras is a 12-megapixel 1/1.7″ sensor (which is about 50% larger than the sensors found in most smartphones), paired with a 24mm-equivalent f/1.7 lens with optical stabilization. This camera features phase detection AF with 70% coverage and is paired with a time-of-flight camera for better AF performance.  The second of the cameras is a 12-megapixel 1/2.6″ sensor paired with a 16mm-equivalent ultra-wide f/2.2 lens. Finally, the third camera features a 70mm f/2.4 lens, considerably longer than the 50mm-ish focal length provided by the telephoto lens on most other modern phones. As of now, only the 24mm main camera supports the top-level burst and Eye AF features. Those shooting on Sony cameras will feel right at home using the phone’s camera interface, which mimics that of its larger cousins.  For video shooters, the camera features 4K HDR shooting at 60 fps. Alongside the camera specs comes a 6.5″ OLED screen with white balance control and a 90 Hz refresh rate. The phone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, true dual front-firing speakers, and dust and water resistance. Altogether, it looks like a powerful and versatile phone, sure to be a good companion for photographers and videographers.  The Xperia 1 Mark II is expected to be available in June of this year.  Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.
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