Combining the power and innovations of its full-frame offerings into the APS-C family, Sony has just announced two brand new APS-C cameras — the a6600 and the a6100 — as well as two new E-mount lenses — the 16-55mm F2.8 G, and the 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS.
Sony’s mission to bring the “five fundamentals” of full-frame (speed, image quality, battery life, compact light weight, and lenses) has resulted in these latest members of the Alpha family.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Sony a6600 ():
The Sony a6600, the flagship camera, has “unmatched AF performance,” Sony notes, and features an auto-focus acquisition of 0.02 seconds, and persistent and real-time tracking, for both human and animal subjects. The camera boasts 425 phase-detection, with edge-to edge coverage, and subject tracking from corner-to-corner.
Key Features:
- 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS image sensor with latest BIONZ X image processor
- 0.02-second AF Speed
- 5-axis in-body optical image stabilization
- 425 phase-detection AF points, with 84% coverage
- 11fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
- Real-time eye AF for stills and movies, for human and animal subjects
- Real-time tracking
- 4K HDR movies with improved AF speed and stability
- Approx. 720-shot battery life
- 180-degree tillable LCD screen
- Magnesium alloy body
- Dust- and moisture-resistant
Sony also notes that the camera features the longest battery life in its APS-C camera lineup (it houses the NP-FZ100 battery), giving you day-long shooting capabilities.
Movie functions include 4K HDR (HLG) movie recording with a full-pixel readout without pixel binning, S-Log3/S-Gamut3/Cine, real-time eye AF for movies, and interval shooting for time-lapses. The a6600 also includes built-in microphone and headphone jacks, ergonomic improvements over the a6500, a touch focus and touch shutter (as well as touch tracking) via the LCD, which itself also tilts up 180 degrees for varied shooting angles.
The flagship camera has 5-axis, 5-step image stabilization, an XGA OLED Tru-Finder, a 3.0-type 921K-dot LCD monitor, and is all housed in a magnesium alloy body.
The Sony a6600 will be available for preorder on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10AM for at Adorama. It will also be available as a kit with the Sony 18-135mm lens for .
Sony a6100 ():
The Sony a6100, meanwhile, gives significant improvements over the company’s entry-level favorite, the a6000. Like the a6600, the a6100 includes the 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS image sensor and the BIONZ X image processor, and has 11fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking, along with the 425 phase-detection point system as the unit above.
Key Features:
- 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS image sensor with latest BIONZ X image processor
- 0.02-second AF speed
- 11fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking
- 425-phase detection AF points, with 84% coverage
- Real-time eye AF for stills, in both human and animal subjects
- Real-time tracking
- 4K movies in XAAVC S format, with Advanced AF speed and stability
- 180-degree tiltable touch screen
- Built-in OLED viewfinder
- Integrated microphone input
The Sony a6100 will be available for preorder on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10AM EST for at Adorama. It will also be available as a kit with the Sony 16-50mm lens for , or as a bundle with the 16-50mm and the 55-210mm lenses for .
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens ():
In addition to the two APS-C cameras, Sony is also releasing two high-performance APS-C lenses for their E-mount system, bringing their total to 54 native E-mount lenses. The first — the ultra-sharp APS-C E 16-55mm F2.8 G — is a the brand’s flagship APS-C standard zoom lens.
Key Features:
- XD Linear Motor (from the G Master series) for quick and accurate AF
- Constant and bright F2.8 aperture
- 9-blade circular aperture
- Two AA (advanced aspherical) and two aspherical elements, plus three ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements
- Customizable focus hold button
- Linear response MF
- Nano AR coating
- Fluorine coated front element
- Dust- and moisture-resistant design
- Compact and lightweight at 15.88oz (494 grams)
The lens features corner-to-corner resolution throughout the entire zoom range, and includes a minimum focus distance of 0.33m (1.09ft) and a maximum magnification of 0.2x, allowing for impressive close-up photography, all with beautiful bokeh.
The lens takes the XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motor that’s found in the brand’s G Master series lenses to bring fast and accurate auto focus, while staying quiet and tracking successfully.
The Sony 16-55mm F2.8 G lens will be available for preorder on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10AM EST for at Adorama.
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens ():
Now the longest APS-C lens, the E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS is the a-performance super telephoto zoom, all in a compact and lightweight design.
Key Features:
- XD Linear Motor technology for AF
- One aspherical lens, three ED glass elements
- Built-in Optical SteadyShot
- Focus hold button
- AF/MF focus mode switch
- Zoom lock switch
- Dust- and moisture-resistant design
- Compact and lightweight at 20.09oz (625 grams)
The 5-time zoom packs in high optical performance and features, but manages to stay light at only 20.09 ounces, making it incredibly versatile for many conditions, including landscape and wildlife projects.
The lens features corner-to-corner image quality, even at 350mm, and houses an impressive AF system that’s fast and precise, thanks to the XD Linear Motor technology.
The addition of the Optical SteadyShot keeps the images blur-free, especially when in super-telephoto settings, and built-in button controls give even more customization and command.
The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS lens will be available for preorder on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10AM EST for at Adorama.
Sony a9 Firmware Update:
Alongside the new releases, Sony will also be launching Version 6.0 of its firmware for the popular a9 camera, and will include real-time Eye AF for animals, and interval shooting for time-lapse.
The firmware will be available in September.
