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Sony grows its APS-C Mirrorless Camera Line-up with Launch of Two New Models and two new lenses

- 5 years ago

In the ever-growing world of mirrorless cameras, Sony expands its line up with the introduction of the A6100 and the A6600. Pairing up these cameras with the two new lenses, the 16-55mm f2.8 G and the 70-350mm F4.5-F6.3 G OSS. But why two cameras? Let’s have a look.

Sony announced two new additions to its APS-C Alpha series of mirrorless cameras with the launch of the Alpha 6600 (model ILCE-6600) and Alpha 6100 (model ILCE-6100). These new additions to the range integrate Sony’s technologies into compact and lightweight bodies including leading-edge autofocus performance, superb image quality and the very latest video technologies. The new Alpha 6600 has been designed to address the needs of the most demanding photographers and videographers with its versatility making it suitable for multiple types of shooting scenarios and users. The Alpha 6100 is targeted at users who are looking to make the step-up to shooting with interchangeable lens cameras and wish to shoot high-quality photos and videos in a variety of different situations.

Sony A6100 with the E 16-50 F3.5-5.6 OSS

The Sony APS-C range has been further strengthened by the launch of two new lenses, the E 16-55mm F2.8 G standard zoom lens and the E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens. With this announcement, Sony’s versatile E-mount system now features a total of 54 lenses.

“Our ‘One Mount’ strategy to continually expand the E-mount system, cameras and lenses with complete inter-compatibility between full-frame and APS-C, means that we want to offer the widest range of products that customers can select from when choosing the right tool for their needs. The APS-C market is extremely important to Sony and the Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 are both cameras that pack-in the very latest technology breakthroughs and whether you shoot stills, video or a combination of the two, we are confident that users will be very happy with the results.”

said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe

At the heart of both the new Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 sits a 24.2MP Exmor CMOS image sensor, the latest BIONZ X image processor and a front-end LSI implemented in Sony’s full-frame cameras. This powerful trio combines to deliver all-round enhancements in image quality and performance across all areas of photo and video.

The Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 offer a lightning-fast autofocus acquisition time of 0.02 seconds. With 425 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering approximately 84% of the image area and 425 contrast-detection AF points, the high density and wide coverage of the AF system ensure reliable AF, even in the most challenging light conditions. Both new models benefit from Sony’s ‘Real-time Tracking’ which utilises Sony’s latest algorithm including AI-based object recognition to ensure that subjects can be captured with great accuracy, even via the touch panel on the rear screen. In addition, the new models offer ‘Real-time Eye AF’, the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, which employs AI-based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real-time, resulting in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of Eye AF for both humans and animals, and allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on composition.

An Eye for Detail

Based upon feedback from users of existing Sony APS-C camera users, further features have been added to the Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 to fine-tune the user experience. These include:

  • Improved colour reproduction; Algorithms inherited from full-frame models deliver natural colour reproduction, particularly in skin tones
  • Hi-res internal 4K movie recording with full-pixel readout without pixel binning in Super 35mm format with easy smartphone transfers via the Imaging Edge Mobile application
  • Interval shooting for time-lapse videos
  • 180-degree tiltable, 3.0-type 921k-dot (approx.) LCD touch screen
  • Integrated Microphone input for clear and crisp audio on video recordings

Alpha 6600

Across an ISO range of 100-32000 (expandable to ISO 50 – 102400), the new A6600 offers superb low-noise performance and delivers extremely high-quality images, even in low-light conditions. By applying noise reduction and sharpness processing optimally in each area, Area-specific Noise Reduction and Detail Reproduction Technology greatly reduce noise while preserving high resolution contributing to fine reproduction of subject textures and shadow details.

The A6600 packs quite a punch, let’s have look:

  • Sony’s 5-axis in-body image stabilisation system that results in a 5.0-step shutter speed advantage
  • Implementation of the industry-leading long battery life with Sony Z Battery for the first time on an APS-C camera, enabling extended power performance; approx. 720 still images using the viewfinder, approx. 810 images using the LCD monitor
  • A magnesium alloy design that is dust and moisture resistant
  • Real-time Eye AF for movie shooting. When activated, the eye of a subject is automatically tracked with great accuracy, allowing the shooter to focus on the content itself as opposed to what is in focus or not in focus. Touch Tracking functionality will also automatically initiate Eye AF when a human subject is selected
  • Integrated headphone jack which allows the user to connect high-quality headphones for accurate monitoring of recorded sound

4K Recording

The A6600 boasts internal 4K movie recording in Super 35mm format with full pixel readout without pixel binning, to capture approximately 2.4xthe amount of information required for 4K movies (Also available in Alpha 6100). This oversampling results in stunning footage, delivered in the XAVC S format with unparalleled resolution. The A6600 equips an HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile that supports an Instant HDR workflow. Recorded movies played back on an HDR (HLG)compatible TV will appear true-to-life, with no blocked shadows or blown highlights, without the need for colour grading. For users who want to colour grade their footage in post-production, S-Log3 and S-Log2 Gamma profiles are provided.

Ultra-Sharp APS-C E 16-55mm F2.8 G Standard Zoom Lens

The 16-55mm (24-82.5mm in 35mm equivalent focal length) APS-C standard zoom with a constant F2.8 aperture offers excellent G Lens image quality with outstanding all-around performance. This lens is ideal for professionals as well as enthusiasts to capture landscapes, portraits, and everyday snapshots.

Key Features

  • High corner-to-corner resolution throughout the zoom range even at F2.8
  • Two AA (advanced aspherical) and two aspherical elements suppress aberration for outstanding corner-to-corner G Lens resolution, while three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements reduce chromatic aberration and colour bleeding to a minimum
  • Clear and high image quality by suppressing flare and ghosting by the adoption of Nano AR coating
  • 9-blade circular aperture mechanism and precisely controlled spherical aberration ensure beautiful bokeh
  • Bright constant F2.8 optics in a compact, lightweight lens weighing just 494 grams
  • XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motor – as equipped in G Master series lenses – utilised for fast, precise, quiet AF and tracking
  • Professional control and reliability
  • Customisable focus hold button for instantaneous operation
  • Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control
  • Dust and moisture resistant design in order to deal with difficult outdoor conditions
  • Fluorine coated front element to resist dirt and fingerprints

Compact and Lightweight APS-C E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens

The new E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens with optimised optical and mechanical design provides excellent G Lens image quality throughout the image area, right out to the maximum 350mm (105-525mm in 35mm equivalent) focal length. High optical performance is combined with the convenience and mobility of a compact, lightweight design even with 5x zoom. It also includes built-in optical image stabilisation which adds even further stability and convenience to this versatile super-telephoto zoom that is ideal for landscape and wildlife photographers.

Key Features

  • Excellent corner-to-corner G Lens image quality all the way to 350mm
  • One aspherical lens suppresses optical aberration and provides outstanding resolution from corner-to-corner
  • Three ED glass elements effectively arranged to suppress chromatic aberration and control colour blur even at corners
  • Circular aperture contributes to soft, beautiful bokeh
  • Compact, lightweight design weighing just 625 grams makes this 5x super-telephoto zoom remarkably mobile
  • Sony’s advanced XD Linear Motor technology in an APS-C format lens, for fast, precise AF and tracking
  • Excellent control and reliability
  • Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation makes it easier to capture images with greatly reduced blur, particularly when shooting at super-telephoto focal lengths
  • A conveniently placed focus hold button can be assigned to a variety of functions via the camera body
  • An AF/MF focus mode switch on the lens makes it easy to quickly switch between auto and manual focus to respond to changing shooting needs
  • Engage the zoom lock switch to prevent the lens from extending under its own weight during transportation
  • Dust and moisture resistant design

Pricing and Availability

The SEL1655G and SEL70350G will ship in October 2019 priced at approximately £1200 and €1300 and £830 and €900 respectively.

Pricing and Availability

The Alpha 6100 will ship in Europe in October 2019 priced at approximately £830 and €900 body only, as a kit with the SEL1650 lens for £900 and €1000 or as a kit with the SEL1650 and SEL55210 priced at approximately £1150 and €1250.

The Alpha 6600 will ship in Europe in October 2019 priced at approximately £1450 and €1600 body only or as a kit with the SEL18135 lens for £1800 and €2000.

We can’t wait to test out these incredible cameras and lenses, so subscribe to our Youtube channel to stay up to date with the latest tests and reviews.

A product video on the new Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 can be viewed here

About the author

Read Sony grows its APS-C Mirrorless Camera Line-up with Launch of Two New Models and two new lenses

Simon Skinner

Co-founder // Editor

Having spent many years working in various pockets of the music industry, and always with a camera in hand, Simon has worked with organisations such as Warner/Chappell, Food Records and ultimately, co-founding the innovative independent record label, Izumi Records before moving fully into the world of publishing in 2007. Amongst numerous other projects in the last decade, he has been responsible for a number of specialist photo trade magazines and journals for the filmmaking and photography communities, along with a coffee table book entitled, "Great Britons of Photography' which he produced with Peter Dench and Leica. Now heading up PhotoBite, Simon and the team have set themselves a task of delivering informative and inspirational content for photographers of all levels, from the beginner, shooting with smartphones, to the seasoned photographer and filmmaker.