Sony today announced the Sony a6300, which they claim has the world’s fastest autofocus, and a new category of pro-level lenses with a focus on exceptional Bokeh. The a6300 replaces the Sony a6000, the best-selling Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Compact digital camera of all time.
Sony a6300
The Sony a6000 is a hard act to follow. The best-selling MILC in history, the camera was nonetheless beginning to get a bit long in the tooth, technologically. Its replacement, the a6300, boasts a renovated sensor and new processor, a revamped hybrid focus system that Sony claims is the world’s fastest, and what Sony says is the best 4K image capture in any consumer digital camera.
Key Features
- 24.2MP APS-C sensor
- 0.05 second AF speed, claimed world’s fastest
- 425 phase-detect autofocus points
- ISO range 100-51,200
- 11fps burst mode
- Focus tracking and accuracy the same for both E and A lenses via adapter
- 2.4 Million dot OLED viewfinder
- 3-inch, 921k dot resolution flip-out LCD monitor
- Continuous 8fps Live View display
- 4K video, downsampled from 6K original in Super35 format
- Wi-Fi, NFC compatible
Sensor and Processor
Although its 24MP resolution is essentially the same as its predecessor’s, the sensor is newly developed and works in tandem with the new BionZ X image processor, and boasts an expanded ISO range of 100-51,200. Inside, coper wiring is used to improve light collection efficiency and boost readout speed. An upgraded image processing algorithm maximizes the sensor’s abilities, resulting in what Sony says is exceptionally low noise, even when shooting at mid- to high- ISO sensitivity settings.
World’s Fastest AF?
Sony took the 4D focus system used in the a6000 and gave it a boost via a fast Hybrid AF system that combines high-speed phase detection and accurate contrast focusing. The high-density Tracking AF features an array of 425 phase detection focus points, covering nearly the entire field of view. That includes 169 contrast detection AF points. Because the sensors are so small, the camera is better able to focus on fast-moving, small objects.
All of this translates to a claimed focus acquisition time of 0.05 seconds, which is the world’s fastest. Silent shooting, AF focus magnification, flexible spot AF, Eye AF and other features make this a fast focusing powerhouse. These features will work equally well with E-mount lenses, which are native to the a6300, and Sony A-mount lenses, via a new Sony LA-EA3 mount adapter.
Viewfinder and More
Sony a6300 features a high-resolution XGA OLED eye-level viewfinder with 2.4 million dot resolution and corner-to-corner visibility. Display is 120fps, which promotes a more natural viewing experience when shooting active subjects or when moving the camera.
The camera’s body is magnesium alloy, and both the grip and shutter release have been redesigned. It has 9 customizable buttons, and users can choose from 64 different assignable functions. It has a new digital level gauge, and improved dust and moisture resistance.
4K Video
For videographers, the a6300 goes where no other consumer-level still camera has gone before. The camera records internal 4K movies in Super 35mm format, using pixel binning to collect 20MP of information, or 6K equivalent, and then oversamples the information. This, Sony says, produces exceptional depth and detail in the resulting videos.
The camera uses XAVC S codec during video shooting, recording at a high bit rate of 100Mbps during 4K recording, and 50Mbps when shooting 1080p video. The camera is claimed to focus twice as fast as its predecessor during movie shooting. AF speed and tracking sensitivity are adjustable. 4x or 5x slow motion video files are possible, and S-Log gamma recording provides a 14-stop latitude dynamic range, while S-Gamut promotes a wider color space, both useful tools for post production creativity.
The camera has a mic line input for external microphones, and supports XLR input as well, using Sony’s XLR adapter kit. There is a built-in flash, and the camera is compatible with Sony’s a-system flash series. Auto HDR, a 1200-zone evaluative metering system, multi-frame noise reduction, focus peaking for manual focus are among the camera’s other features.
The Sony a6300 will be available in March from Adorama for $1,000 body only, or $1,150 when paired with the 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Adorama will begin accepting pre-order starting Feb. 10 at 11AM, and will ship the camera on a first-come, first served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until the camera ships.
Introducing Sony G Master Lenses
Sony today also announced three new pro-level lenses, under the brand name G Master, all designed with cutting-edge lens design technology with a particular focus on delivering unusually pleasing Bokeh. Bokeh is the Japanese word that describes the quality of the out-of-focus areas of an image.
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
A standard-range, consistent-aperture zoom lens, the new Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a general-use lens for professional photographers. It features a 9-blade aperture that maintains a near circular shape at all settings. It is built with three aspherical elements, including a new XA (extreme aspherical) element that reduces aberrations and delivers high resolution throughout the zoom range and at all apertures, for a total of 18 elements in 13 groups.
The lens also features an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and Super ED glass elements to reduce chromatic aberration. Sony’s original Nano AR coating is claimed to suppress reflections and improve contrast and clarity. Direct Drive SSM focusing uses a new set of algorithms for fast focus acquisition. The lens is dust- and moisture-resistant, accepts 82mm filters, and has a closest focus distance of 0.38 meters.
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens will be available from Adorama starting in March for $2,200. Adorama will begin accepting pre-order starting Feb. 10 at 11AM, and will ship the camera on a first-come, first served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until the order ships.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM
A prime medium telephoto lens, Sony is hoping the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM lens will be embraced by portrait photographers. It features a new XA (extreme aspherical) element and three ED glass elements, and these work together to reduce distortion. The 11-blade aperture are the most aperture blades ever used in a lens and assure smooth, appealing bokeh. Nano AR coating reduces flare and ghosting, even when shooting backlit subjects.
A ring drive SSM motor system is deployed for accurate focusing. The lens is dust- and moisture-resistant, and has an on-off aperture ring with click stops for stills. These clicks can be disabled for shooting movies. The lens consists of 11 elements in 8 groups, focuses to 0.85 meters, and accepts 77mm filters.
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM will be available from Adorama for $1,800. Adorama will begin accepting pre-order starting Feb. 10 at 11AM, and will ship the camera on a first-come, first served basis.Credit cards will not be charged until the order ships.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is said to offer stellar AF performance and is well-suited for weddings, wildlife, and sports photography. A floating focusing system that has been implemented in a zoom lens for the first times is said to ensure fast and accurate AF for both stills and video. The lens has a SSM (Super Sonic Motor) and two linear motors to quickly move the large lens elements.
The lens has built-in OSS Optical Steady Shot stabilization. It is dust- and water-resistant, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps protect against smudges and dirt. There is a focus hold and focal range limiter.
This lens will be available in May; pricing has not been announced.
Sony also announced two compact teleconverters to match the optical quality of the new lenses. the Sony 1.4x Teleconverter is a 1.4x converter, and the Sony 2x Teleconverter is a 2x converter.
Both will be available in May, prices to be announced.
