p.1 #1 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Hi folks! I'm going to sell / trade my A7RV for a used A1 (mk1).
I've mostly made up my mind on this, but, could use the push over the edge and was wondering if anyone else has been in my situation and made the switch.
I mostly shoot off camera flash senior portraits, and sport portraits / media days for schools & colleges. I do make a little bit of money with that, and the A7RV works great here. The A1 would offer very little improvement to that, tho I would enjoy the faster sync speed.
On the rare occasion I do shoot something else, like sports, dogs, events, automotive sports, the very rare wedding, I feel like I am missing out some features I would very much enjoy. Black out free shooting, better fast action tracking/focus, silent flicker free and low distortion shooting, more FPS. I have a handful of Sony lenses, so I could get the higher FPS.
I cant swing keeping the RV as a backup without selling a bunch of gear, which I really don't want to do right now. When I do have a serious gig I rent a backup. I'll probably miss the articulating screen a little, and the megapixels, but both cameras are still more than I had when I shot with my Canon R5s and R6s.
I'm not a birder, I don't need the ability to capture BIF photos (nor can I afford the glass for that lol).
Any regrets? Anything I'm missing? Send it? I have searched the many various threads here, that in general, show most people seem to prefer the A1 to the RV. A1ii is too much right now, A9ii is a possibility but I would like the extra MP of the A1.
Thanks!
EDIT:::
One thing I overlooked, spurred on by conversation here, is the A1 uses full time EFCS, which is a problem for HSS and off camera flash. That may change things for me. Last year I used a 3 - 7 stop ND filter to get more power out of my light and stayed in sync speed, but I missed using HSS over the vnd. Ugh, nothing is simple . More thinking to do.
p.1 #3 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Ross Martin wrote:
I own two A7RV’s. And now a Z8 (and used to shoot the Z9). For all the scenarios you described, I would think you’d enjoy a stacked sensor camera.
Appreciate your input, Ross! I've been eyeing the Nikon world lately as well. I will try Nikon one day soon.
p.1 #4 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Seems like very little you do (or "can do" which might differ some) with the A7Rv can't be done with the A1 and some things, when it gets to truly fast moving subjects, some flash uses, etc., can be done with the A1 and not A7Rv. I don't think the rear panel difference or 50 vs 61 mp difference is critical. The Rv does have the more recent subject identification and tracking. Do you use that? A lot?
I've looked at adding to my A7Riv and "used," A1 vs new A7Rv seems fairly close in price. I don't know. I go back and forth. I don't do a lot of "fast," really fast subjects shooting. and I'd be purely recreational so not having a business impact from choosing?
p.1 #6 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Craig Gillette wrote:
Seems like very little you do (or "can do" which might differ some) with the A7Rv can't be done with the A1 and some things, when it gets to truly fast moving subjects, some flash uses, etc., can be done with the A1 and not A7Rv. I don't think the rear panel difference or 50 vs 61 mp difference is critical. The Rv does have the more recent subject identification and tracking. Do you use that? A lot?
I've looked at adding to my A7Riv and "used," A1 vs new A7Rv seems fairly close in price. I don't know. I go back and forth. I don't do a lot of "fast," really fast subjects shooting. and I'd be purely recreational so not having a business impact from choosing?...Show more →
Agreed. I can do like, like 90 percent of the photography I want with the Rv. I do wonder if getting the A1 would push me to do more work (recreational or otherwise) that I normally don't take on, and do other stuff that I'd enjoy.
I use subject eye detection exclusively in my portraits. I'll probably be okay there I assume.
p.1 #7 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
You may want to consider renting one or trying one before making the switch. I belive the a7rV also has better stabilization and better white balance / colors than the a1.
I currently have a Sony a7rIV and Nikon Z8. I spent some time looking into either a used a1, a used a1II or a new a7rV. I pretty much ruled out the a1 since I just can't see spending 4k + on a used camera that seems to still have quite a few of the annoyances I have with my a7rIV, and that were improved on the next generation of cameras. Stacked sensor cameras are awesome, and the a1 does keep the mechanical shutter for events with LED lights. But I see it as more of a side step to the a7rV vs a complete upgrade like the a1II vs the a7rV.
Currently, I am trying to hold out to see the Z9II announcement, but if it's not announced in the next few months, I may end up giving a used a1II a serious look.
p.1 #9 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
One thing I overlooked, spurred on by conversation here, is the A1 uses full time EFCS, which is a problem for HSS and off camera flash. That may change things for me. Last year I used a 3 - 7 stop ND filter to get more power out of my light and stayed in sync speed, but I missed using HSS over the vnd. Ugh, nothing is simple . More thinking to do.
p.1 #10 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
You'll lose a bunch of pragmatic everyday advantages such as a much better IBIS, a better designed higher quality LCD, a better AI-trained AF, and a bit of dynamic range because... 7fps is not good enough and mechanical shutter is too loud?
As an owner of the A7RV, A1 II, and Nikon Z8 I honestly don't get it. The trade-off just doesn't make sense. Normally I wouldn't bother arguing, but since you asked.
p.1 #11 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
For the odd times I'm doing action, 7fps feels way too slow. 12 with my canons felt slow at times too but that was totally usable.
I'm less worried about the ibis, tho it is excellent for sure. Sony screens kind of suck to begin with, tho that is a good point, that will probably bother me if it's worse. I do find the autofocus to be pretty excellent, but not that great for demanding action, especially when something is coming towards the camera.
I have more thinking to do for sure, I appreciate the points you give. The RV is the best camera I've ever used, so I guess I'll have to rent an A1. I just watched a Matt Hernandez video where he showed banding with the original A1 vs the mkii, the mkii is much improved (with flash).
old-gregg wrote:
You'll loose a bunch of pragmatic every day advantages such as a much better IBIS, a better designed higher quality LCD, a better AI-trained AF, and a bit of dynamic range because... 7fps is not good enough and mechanical shutter is too loud?
As an owner of the A7RV, A1 II, and Nikon Z8 I honestly don't get it. The trade-off just doesn't make sense. Normally I wouldn't bother arguing, but since you asked.
Feb 17, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #12 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
BigBabyMoses06 wrote:
One thing I overlooked, spurred on by conversation here, is the A1 uses full time EFCS, which is a problem for HSS and off camera flash. That may change things for me. Last year I used a 3 - 7 stop ND filter to get more power out of my light and stayed in sync speed, but I missed using HSS over the vnd. Ugh, nothing is simple . More thinking to do.
The A1 does have a full mechanical shutter with flash sync up to 1/400. It is not in EFCS full time. It is better than your A7R V in that regard that only has flash sync at 1/250 in mechanical shutter.
p.1 #13 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
I’ve been thinking about the same recently. The only thing I don’t love about the a7Rv is sensor readout speed. On the A1 I think I would miss the newer AWB and IBIS. With a newer R series on the horizon, it might be the right time to make a move.
p.1 #14 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
I've owned the A7RV for two years and love it. I recently bought a used A1 for a little more than the cost of a new A7RV (I needed a second camera). I shoot in the studio a lot using LED lights and I tend to overshoot so I have material for short reels and stories. The A1 with electronic shutter has been perfect in the studio and I use it about 85% of the time now compared to the RV.
Both are great cameras but the A1 really is a better camera for me and how I shoot.
p.1 #15 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Steve Spencer wrote:
The A1 does have a full mechanical shutter with flash sync up to 1/400. It is not in EFCS full time. It is better than your A7R V in that regard that only has flash sync at 1/250 in mechanical shutter.
Hmm... no, that can't be right Steve. The A1 doesn't have a full mech. shutter. It has mechanical closing but the sensor is never covered when the exposure starts.
So either EFCS or fully electronic.
p.1 #16 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Jonas B wrote:
Hmm... no, that can't be right Steve. The A1 doesn't have a full mech. shutter. It has mechanical closing but the sensor is never covered when the exposure starts.
So either EFCS or fully electronic.
Yes, and it suffers from the EFCS + HSS banding issues at high shutter speed...
p.1 #18 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Keep the A7r5 .. I own 2 A7r5 and an A1. I shoot surfers so tracking and 30 fps mean nothing to me since I know what I want to capture. The A7r5 is what I shoot when using my 600 mm f/4 and 1.4-2.0 TC since I crop everything and want as much detail in the center focus box.. If ya can't get the shot in 10 fps you're not aiming at your subject.. https://www.instagram.com/ronin_photo/
Feb 18, 2026 at 01:20 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #19 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Jonas B wrote:
Hmm... no, that can't be right Steve. The A1 doesn't have a full mech. shutter. It has mechanical closing but the sensor is never covered when the exposure starts.
So either EFCS or fully electronic.
This is the full specs from Sony on the shutter:
Shutter
Electronic Front Curtain Shutter
Yes
Flash Sync. Speed
(Mechanical shutter), (Flash Sync. Priority) is (ON) or (AUTO):1/400 s (35 mm full frame), 1/500 s (APS-C), (Flash Sync. Priority) is (OFF):1/320 s (35 mm full frame), 1/400 s (APS-C), (Electrical shutter), 1/200 s (35 mm full frame), 1/250 s (APS-C)
SHUTTER SPEED
Still images, Single shot Mechanical Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 s, Bulb; AUTO: 1/32000 to 30 s, Bulb; Electronic Shutter: 1/32000 to 30 s; Still images, Continuous shooting Mechanical; Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 s; AUTO: 1/32000 to 1/2 s; Electronic Shutter: 1/32000 to 1/2 s; Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 steps), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto slow shutter mode)
Silent Shooting
Yes (ON/OFF)
type
Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Shutter Type
Mechanical shutter/Electronic shutter
I have always interpreted the claim for having Electronic Front Curtain (Yes) and Mechanical shutter (Type of Shutter) to be that they are two different modes. It is a shame if Sony didn't implement that. I could have sworn when I had the camera that you could select either mode, but it has been a couple of years since I had it. My memory, however, is that you can select either EFCS or Full mechanical just like with the A7r V. Perhaps not, but what a weird omission if Sony did that especially for a flagship camera. I can see doing that with the A7C camera to help keep them light, but leaving a full mechanical mode off of the A1 makes no sense to me.
p.1 #20 · Help convince me I should move from my A7RV to an A1?
Steve Spencer wrote:
This is the full specs from Sony on the shutter:
Shutter
Electronic Front Curtain Shutter
Yes
Flash Sync. Speed
(Mechanical shutter), (Flash Sync. Priority) is (ON) or (AUTO):1/400 s (35 mm full frame), 1/500 s (APS-C), (Flash Sync. Priority) is (OFF):1/320 s (35 mm full frame), 1/400 s (APS-C), (Electrical shutter), 1/200 s (35 mm full frame), 1/250 s (APS-C)
SHUTTER SPEED
Still images, Single shot Mechanical Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 s, Bulb; AUTO: 1/32000 to 30 s, Bulb; Electronic Shutter: 1/32000 to 30 s; Still images, Continuous shooting Mechanical; Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 s; AUTO: 1/32000 to 1/2 s; Electronic Shutter: 1/32000 to 1/2 s; Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 steps), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto slow shutter mode)
Silent Shooting
Yes (ON/OFF)
type
Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Shutter Type
Mechanical shutter/Electronic shutter
I have always interpreted the claim for having Electronic Front Curtain (Yes) and Mechanical shutter (Type of Shutter) to be that they are two different modes. It is a shame if Sony didn't implement that. I could have sworn when I had the camera that you could select either mode, but it has been a couple of years since I had it. My memory, however, is that you can select either EFCS or Full mechanical just like with the A7r V. Perhaps not, but what a weird omission if Sony did that especially for a flagship camera. I can see doing that with the A7C camera to help keep them light, but leaving a full mechanical mode off of the A1 makes no sense to me....Show more →
Well, yes, that's the official specification, or sell pitch. Please note Sony doesn't describe the details of the mechanical shutter. Two things doesn't make sense: First the fact that a full mech. shutter is omitted. Then we have the fact you can't really figure this out from the specifications.
(The Nikon stacked sensor cameras are full electronic shutter only. That makes kind of sense.)
. More thinking to do. 
(and win the lotto)