We’ve been debating which is the right next generation camera. With Bob opting for Fuji, Rennie for Olympus and John for Samsung. But maybe this is the tiebreaker? It does seem to have every feature under the sun:
Sony NEX-6 Review: Digital Photography Review
Sony NEX-6 specification highlights
- 16.1MP APS-C format CMOS sensor
- 2.3 million dot resolution OLED EVF
- ISO 100-25600
- Control dial
- Customizable Fn button
- ‘Quick Navi’ interactive settings display
- Multi interface hotshoe (supports standard contacts and proprietary connector)
- Built-in Wi-Fi for connection to smartphones or computers, for photo sharing
- Proprietary in-camera apps
- Built-in flash (GN 6, ISO 100)
- Electronic First Curtain shutter
- 1080/60p HD movies in AVCHD (50p on PAL region models)
The NEX-6 and NEX-7 are so similar in both appearance and specification (save for the latter’s 24MP sensor) that a lot of people might wonder whether the flagship model is still relevant. The NEX-6 offers the same stunning 2.3 million dot OLED EVF, a built-in flash, 1080/60p video, and even adds an exposure mode dial and (finally) an ISO standard hotshoe connection. It also gains the NEX-5R’s hybrid phase/contrast-detection AF system. The NEX-6 is missing the NEX-7’s Tri-Navi three-dial controls, but this seems unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most photographers. A few minor features from the NEX-7 have been chopped as well, such as 3D panoramas, automatic LCD brightness adjustment, and a handful of Creative Styles.
Now about that hybrid AF system. The NEX-6, like the NEX-5R, uses a modified CMOS sensor which accommodates pixels devoted to performing phase-detection to provide a hybrid autofocus system. The phase-detection pixels are used to determine depth information about the focus target, which means the camera has to perform less hunting to hit accurate focus. Sony is the fourth manufacturer (following Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon) to go down this route, with the potential of faster focus, improved continuous focus performance and better autofocus in movie shooting. The NEX-6 has 99 phase detection ‘AF points’, ranged in the middle of the frame.
And as with the NEX-5R, the NEX-6 has built-in DLNA-compliant Wi-Fi and on-camera apps. While the app collection is rather limited at the moment (currently only eight are are available), Sony has made clear it plans to expand offerings in the near future. And the possibility of enhancing your camera’s current capabilities through user-friendly app downloads, as opposed to firmware updates is one that could be worth the wait.
The Wi-Fi capability allows you to push images from the NEX-6 to an iOS or Android smartphone, to your Mac or PC, or straight to Facebook (or Sony’s PlayMemories site) across a Wi-Fi network. You can also use your smartphone as a remote viewfinder/trigger.