Sony Alpha NEX-6 First Impressions Review

Video Review

Introduction

Fans and critics alike have pined for the addition of proper mode dial to the NEX lineup, and it seems like Sony has been listening. When they gave us an early look at the new NEX-6 last month, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. But that's not the only impressive feature, as the NEX-6 will also borrow the OLED viewfinder from the NEX-7, as well as the hybrid contrast / phase detection focus from their recently-announced NEX-5R.

The NEX-6 should be available starting in November for around $1000 kitted with the 16-50mm powered zoom lens that Sony has also announced with the NEX-6. The body-only price of the NEX-6 is expected to be roughly $850 when it ships.

Design & Appearance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

While all NEX cameras are shaped similarly, certain design subtleties give the NEX-6 a higher-end look. Extensive rubberization and sturdy paneling surround the body, and the grip is shaped to conform nicely to the hand. Just like the NEX-7, the viewfinder's eye cup protrudes a little bit, and this will affect the pocketability of the camera. Overall, a clean but risk-free design.

Tour

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Menu

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

For better or worse the NEX menu system seems unchanged. Most of your time will be in the quick menu overlay, which is a crossbar-type interface and very convenient, while the main menu is a list-based system that's more complicated and slower to navigate.

Ease of Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Of course the best new feature for ease of use considerations is the full sized physical mode dial. Other than that, we were worried the design tweak might not leave room for one of the series' best features, a large control dial. But Sony has wisely included both. A new dial is now located underneath the mode dial, and of course they can be adjusted independently. The 3.0-inch tilting LCD is also transferred over from the NEX-7, and this is very helpful for shooting video.

Size & Handling

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

If you've handled one NEX you've handled them all, but we do appreciate not only the rubberized rear panel, but also the large lip that protrudes from the right side of the thumb rest. The front hand grip is ergonomically shaped, almost like a pistol, so balance and stability are excellent.

Modes Overview

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The new physical mode dial is the star of the show, and we love the convenience, as well as the simplified selection. You'll only find stops for the PASM modes, plus dedicated positions for panorama and scene modes, and finally the automatic modes.

Auto Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In addition to the usual Intelligent Auto mode, Sony has also included their Superior Auto mode in the NEX-6, a feature you won't find on the NEX-7. This is a scene recognizing, multi-exposure mode that will not only attempt to determine what kind of shot you're taking (macro, landscape, etc.) and adjust shooting variables accordingly, but overlap a short bracket of shots into one sharp, hopefully noise-free image.

Movie Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Video shooting has no dedicated mode, but it's always accessible via a shortcut key to the right of the rear thumb rest. The NEX-6 will record AVCHD movies in 60i, 50p, or 24p, and a new feature over the NEX-7 will be support for automatic slow shutter capture.

Drive/Burst Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Shot to shot performance hasn't been finalized yet, but it looks like the NEX-6 will be just as fast as the NEX-7: 10 frames per second in Speed Priority Continuous mode. Notably, the NEX-6 will be capable of focus tracking between shots.

Playback Mode

Other Modes

Focus

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Just like the new NEX-5R, the NEX-6 will take advantage of a combination phase detection plus contrast detection autofocus system. Technology like this is extremely rare in the mirrorless market, and represents a significant competitive advantage for the NEX series. If the 5R's focus system is transferred spec for spec, then the NEX-6 will have 29 contrast detection areas and no less than 99 phase detection areas.

In practice, we're sorry to report AF didn't seem noticeably faster than the average mirrorless camera. This could've been due to some less-than-ideal lighting, so we'll need some additional time with the camera to be sure.

ISO

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony says they'll be using an identical 16.1 megapixel sensor for the NEX-6 as they are for the 5R, so ISO options are the same too. The camera will max out at 25,600, with no word yet on extended options.

Image Stabilization

Other Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

"PlayMemories" Apps

The NEX-6 will support installable apps, which can be downloaded via WiFi from Sony’s servers. This service will be known as “PlayMemories,” and will be a closed platform, with apps developed by Sony. Some of the apps already in the works are called Picture Effect +, Bracket Pro, Multi Frame NR, Photo Retouch, Smart Remote, and Direct Upload (to Facebook, at first, with more destinations to come). Sony representatives confirmed the NEX-6 will have enough internal memory to store all the listed apps at once.

Lens Mount & Sensor

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The mount is just as sturdy and oversized as the rest of the series. Initially the NEX-6 will ship with the same 18-55mm kit lens as the NEX-5R, but later this year Sony will make a few other choices available. These will include a new variable speed power zoom at 16-50mm, which should be very useful for aspiring handheld videographers. Sony will also debut a 10-18mm wide angle zoom, as well as a 35mm F1.8 prime. All three of the aforementioned lenses will feature built-in optical stabilization.

LCD & Viewfinder

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The rear tilting LCD is bright and can be viewed from an adequately wide angle. We liked this panel on the NEX-7, and still find it useful here, but some improvement would've been welcome too. For example, 90-degree upward tilt functionality is great for video, but the same ability would've been useful at the downward angle for overhead shots. We dare say a swing-out LCD would've been nice too, if it didn't add too much bulk.

The NEX-6's OLED viewfinder is borrowed from the NEX-7, and has a resolution of 2,359,000 dots with 100% frame coverage. The screen is gorgeous and very responsive, with minimal—but still noticeable—delay of the onscreen image. The oversized eye cup does help to block out your surroundings and makes actually looking through the finder a little bit more comfortable.

Flash

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The pop-up flash arm is rated to a guide number of 6, though recycle time was rather slow in our evaluation model. This is something that could change before release, so we'll have to wait and see.

Jacks, Ports & Plugs

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Aside from the usual HDMI and USB 2.0 connectors (by the way, this camera is capable of charging via USB), the NEX-6 is equipped with a hot shoe mount for use with optional accessories. In a camera that shares many of the same components as the NEX-5R, this is one feature that sets the NEX-6 apart.

Battery

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Memory

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Other Hardware

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

WiFi

Like the NEX-5R, the NEX-6 will support b and g WiFi connectivity, and this should be useful mostly for loading new PlayMemories apps onto the camera. We're still getting used to seeing WiFi make its way onto cameras that aren't low-end, and we don't find the feature very compelling.

Conclusion

We're not sure what Sony's game is here, but hey, from a consumer's perspective the NEX-6 looks like an amazing deal. Other than reduced megapixel resolution, it seems like the NEX-6 offers almost all of the NEX-7's best features, plus the best new features of the NEX-5R, all for much less than the NEX-7's current street price.

Sony was pretty clear that the NEX-6 would not be replacing the NEX-7 in their lineup, but if everything goes to plan and the NEX-6's performance is up to par, we're not sure why anyone would buy an NEX-7 anymore.

Sony's decision to cannibalize their own lineup is puzzling, leaving us to wonder if a new flagship NEX is around the corner. Either way, this is a camera to watch. We weren't able to carefully inspect our sample photos with the camera, but the shots we saw were flattering on the rear LCD.

Like you, we'll need to wait until October to find out when we can get a production-level camera into out labs. We don't have an NEX-5R in the office yet either, so the new sensor design these cameras share is totally untested. If the scores impress, it could be a bit of a coup within Sony's imaging line, and represent one of the best mirrorless values on the market.

{{product.vanity}}

Sample Photos

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Specs

{{manufacturer_specs_table}}