Sony alpha 6500 system camera. Sony α6500 review: mirrorless camera with fast autofocus. All Sony E mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor

The Sony ILCE-6500 replaced its successful predecessor so quickly that many users did not even have time to appreciate the merits of the previous model and became indignant: the manufacturer did not think about them who bought the Sony ILCE-6300! Dissatisfied can be understood: the novelty (one year old at the time of publication of this material) was only 8 months younger than its older (only in age) sister. But on the other hand, these negative emotions were caused by ordinary envy: after all, the Sony ILCE-6500 received the most desirable thing that the “big sister” lacked so much - in-camera image stabilization.

Introduction

The manufacturer combines all mirrorless camera models with interchangeable lenses into the ILCE (Interchangeable Lens Camera with E mount, that is, “E-mount interchangeable lens camera”) line. The adjective “mirrorless”, according to marketers, hints at a lack, inferiority, since the prefix “without” itself declares the absence of something. In our opinion, this far-fetchedness is simply transferred without any national adaptation from the English-speaking world, in which, probably, mirrorless and “does not sound proud”.

In our country, it seems, this does not cause any undesirable associations. No one calls these cameras “system cameras”, the term “mirrorless” continues to be used - obviously, because the first term sounds ambitious, like a slogan, and does not reflect the essence of the main classification feature - real lack of a mirror.

Model Sony α6500 (ILCE-6500)
Bayonet Sony E
Frame magnesium alloy
Sealing protection against moisture and dust (buttons, selectors, wheels, body components)
Sensor Exmor APS-C CMOS 23.5x15.6mm
Sensor resolution 24.2 MP (6000×4000)
CPU Bionz X
Still picture recording format JPEG (Exif Ver.2.3), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed and uncompressed);
3:2: 6000×4000 (24 MP), 4240×2832 (12 MP), 3008×2000 (6 MP);
16:9: 6000×3376 (20 MP), 4240×2400 (10 MP), 3008×1688 (5.1 MP);
horizontal panoramas: 12416×1856 (23 MP), 8192×1856 (15 MP);
vertical panoramas: 5536×2160 (12 MP), 3872×2160 (8.4 MP)
Picture Effects 13 modes: Posterize (Color, B&W), Explosive Color, Retro, Partial Color (R, G, B, Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High Tone, Soft Focus, HDR Painting , rich monochrome, "miniature", "watercolor", "illustration"
Artistic Modes Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Fall Leaves, Black & White, Sepia, Contrast (-3 to +3), Saturation (-3 to +3), Sharpness ( -3 to +3)
Dynamic range expansion Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Levels 1-5), Auto High Dynamic Range (Auto Exposure Bracketing, Adjustable Exposure Bracketing 1-6 EV in steps of 1.0 EV)
Color spaces sRGB (sYCC), Adobe RGB (compatible with Triluminos Color)
Video recording formats XAVC S/AVCHD 2.0/MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video in all cases
Audio recording formats AVCHD: Dual Channel Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Stereo Creator;
MP4: Dual Channel AAC-LC
Video in NTSC XAVC S 4K: 3840×2160 (30p/100Mbps, 30p/60Mbps, 24p/100Mbps, 24p/60Mbps);
XAVC S HD: 1920x1080 (60p/50Mbps, 30p/50Mbps, 24p/50Mbps), 1280x720 (120p/50Mbps);
AVCHD: 1920×1080 (60p/28Mbps/PS, 60i/24Mbps/FX, 60i/17Mbps/FH, 24p/24Mbps/FX, 24p/17Mbps/FH );
MP4: 1920x1080 (60p/28Mbps, 30p/16Mbps), 1280x720 (30p/6Mbps)
Video in PAL XAVC S 4K: 3840×2160 (25p/100Mbps, 25p/60Mbps);
XAVC S HD: 1920x1080 (50p/50Mbps, 25p/50Mbps), 1280x720 (100p/50Mbps);
AVCHD: 1920×1080 (50p/28Mbps/PS, 50i/24Mbps/FX, 50i/17Mbps/FH, 25p/24Mbps/FX, 25p/17Mbps/FH );
MP4: 1920x1080 (50p/28Mbps, 25p/16Mbps), 1280x720 (25p/6Mbps)
Recording video logs Black Level, Gamma (Video, Photo, Cinema 1-4, ITU709, ITU709 , S-Log2, S-Log 3), Black Gamma, Gamma Curve, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth
white balance auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent (warm/cool/day white, daylight), flash, underwater, color temperature 2500-9900 K and color filter G7-M7 (57 stops), A7- B7 (29 steps), user mode; micro adjustment G7-M7 (57 steps), A7-B7 (29 steps)
Auto focus hybrid (combined) phase (425 zones) and contrast (169 zones);
sensitivity range -1 to +20 EV (at ISO 100 and F2)
Focus modes AF-A (automatic), AF-S (single frame), AF-C (continuous servo), DMF (direct manual), manual
Focus Areas wide (all phase and contrast detectors are enabled), zone, central, universal spot, extended spot, fixing (wide, zone, central, universal spot), extended spot
Auto exposure metering Exmor R CMOS sensor; 1200 zones; sensitivity from -2 to +20 EV (at ISO 100 and F2);
frame-averaged, center-weighted, spot, brightest zone in the frame
exposure compensation ±5 EV in ⅓ EV or ½ EV increments
Expo bracketing continuous and frame by 3, 5, 9 frames;
at 3 and 5 frames - in increments of ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1, 2, 3 EV, at 9 frames - ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1 EV
Equivalent photosensitivity Photo: ISO 100-25600 (expanded to ISO 51200), auto (ISO 100-6400 with selectable maximum and minimum values);
Movie: ISO 100-25600 Auto (ISO 100-6400 with selectable maximum and minimum values)
Gate curtain-slit vertical travel with electronic control
Shutter modes single, continuous, self-timer, continuous self-timer, bracketing (continuous shooting, single, white balance, dynamic range optimizer)
Self-timer delay 10, 5, 2 s; modes: single-frame, continuous shooting for 3 and 5 frames; exposure bracketing
Burst speed Hi+ - 11fps, Hi - 8fps, Mid - 6fps, Lo - 3fps
Shooting Buffer Capacity JPEG: 233 frames super fine, 269 frames fine, 301 frames standard; RAW: 107 frames; RAW+JPEG: 100 frames
Shutter speed range 30 s to 1/4000 s
Image stabilization by shifting the matrix with compensation along 5 axes; efficiency up to 5 steps in angular displacements (with Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA lens, according to the method )
Viewfinder electronic color XGA OLED 1 cm (0.39″); 2,359,296 pixels; 100% coverage; magnification 1.07× (0.7× full frame equivalent)
Display Flip-down LCD TFT 2.95″, 921,600 pixels
Built-in flash TTL pre-flash metering;
guide number 6 (in meters at ISO 100);
coating 16 mm;
reload time ≈4 s;
X-sync speed 1/160s
Flash control ±3 EV compensation in ⅓ or ½ EV steps;
bracketing by 3, 5, 9 frames in steps at 3 and 5 frames ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1, 2, 3 EV, at 9 frames - ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1 EV
Flash modes auto, fill, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, wireless, high-speed sync
Interfaces USB 2.0 (Micro-USB), Micro-HDMI (type D), Bravia Sync (menu), Microphone in
Wireless connection IEEE 802.11b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1
Memory cards SD/SDHC (UHS-I); Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Battery lithium-ion battery P-FW50; photo: 310 frames when looking through the viewfinder, 350 frames when looking through the display (CIPA standard); video: 105 minutes continuously
Dimensions 120×67×53mm
Weight (with battery and memory card) 453 g

The data in the table above makes it possible to conclude that the Sony α6500 has a modern sensor, a wide range of photo and video control options and indispensable qualities: hybrid phase and contrast autofocus, as well as in-camera image stabilization.

Technology, design, construction, menu

The manufacturer calls our ward a “premium camera” and, it should be noted, it has every reason to do so.

Sensor

The Exmor image sensor has 24.2 million effective pixels. This is the maximum that mirrorless cameras with APS-C matrices offer today.

A traditional type sensor is used with a layer of conductors on top of the photodetectors (front "illumination"). However, the conductors themselves are located more compactly within the layer.

Due to this structure, the conductors to a lesser extent “cut off” the light on its way to the photocathode layer, and more of it gets into the light-receiving cells than with conventional matrices. This makes it possible to increase the light sensitivity of the Sony α6500.

The dynamic range of the sensor is 13.7 stops of exposure - this is a very impressive figure, especially for APS-C matrices - and the operating ISO values, according to the same source, reach 1400.

Five-axis stabilization

The Sony α6500 differs from its predecessor and most other non-full-frame "mirrorless" cameras from other manufacturers in that it has an in-camera five-axis image stabilization system based on sensor movement.

It serves to compensate for vertical and horizontal shifts that occur during hand trembling, as well as rotations and deviations of the camera relative to the main optical axis. The manufacturer's claimed efficiency is 5 stops of exposure, which is somewhat ahead of the promises of optical stabilization in the best modern lenses and allows the Sony α6500 to compensate for jitter when working with unstabilized optics, and created not only for this camera, but also for any other mirrorless, SLR, rangefinder and medium format system, including those compatible with the Sony E mount only with adapters.

Hybrid autofocus

Previously, mirrorless systems used contrast autofocus, which has not yet seen an alternative in the world of smartphones. Contrast detection is the only thing that can be implemented without the need to place special sensors of a different kind on the sensor itself or even install a separate autofocus matrix. In our ward, a much more effective combined system is implemented.

Hybrid autofocus should be fast and accurate, and perform well in low-light conditions and when shooting high-contrast scenes.

Device and control

Front view. The most noticeable detail is the Sony E-mount's polished flange. At 4.5 o'clock to the left of it, the lens release button protrudes from the case. The handle for holding the camera is large, with good profiling for the fingers. The shutter button, power lever and front control wheel are in their usual places, fingers immediately fall where they need to.
Back view. The most noticeable details are, of course, the display and viewfinder. Above the screen on the right are the buttons for ejecting the built-in flash, calling the menu and the combined exposure memory button and switching the focus mode from automatic to manual. From above, the ends of the main selector of shooting modes and the control wheel are visible. The rest of the controls surround a four-way joystick, combined with a selector dial and center select button.
View from above. Closer to the center are a "hot shoe", which has full functionality, and a built-in flash. To the right of them, you can see the main shooting mode selector and the control wheel, the programmable buttons C1, C2 and C3, and most importantly, the shutter button and the rim of the camera off lever embracing it.
Bottom view. Here, as it should be in a classic layout, the minimum required: a standard tripod mount with a ¾ thread and a cover for the battery and memory card. The detachable tripod pad does not block access to this compartment and allows you to replace the power supply and memory card without removing the camera from the tripod.
Left side view (in relation to the display). There is a hatch for access to wired connectors, covered with a plug.
If you open the compartment cover on the left, you will find Micro-USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI (Type D) connectors and a jack for connecting an external microphone under it.

A shutter-slotted vertical shutter allows you to work out automatic shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4000 s. We do not have direct indications of the guaranteed number of its operations.

Thanks to Sony for providing the camera and lenses for testing.

The Sony Alpha family of E-mount mirrorless cameras has a new addition - the α6500 camera, which is an improved version of the α6300 model, which was released in February this year, has been announced. Outwardly, compared to the α6300, the novelty has not changed much, most of the characteristics have also remained the same. The most notable improvements are in the built-in stabilizer and camera controls.

At the heart of the Sony α6500 is a 24.2-megapixel APS-C format Exmor CMOS sensor with copper interconnects and 4D Focus hybrid autofocus, using 425 phase detection points and locking onto an object in 0.05 seconds. The BIONZ X processor and an auxiliary LSI chip are responsible for image processing, one of whose tasks is to reduce noise at high ISO values. By the way, the sensitivity range of the matrix is ​​​​ISO 100-51200.

Burst speed is 11 frames per second (or 8 frames per second with refocusing and metering exposure for each frame), while using a larger buffer for the series, the camera can take more than three hundred shots. The manufacturer-guaranteed time between failures of the shutter mechanism is 200,000 operations. The minimum shutter speed is 1/4000 s.

One of key features The Sony α6500 is a 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization system with an efficiency of up to 5 fps. Another innovation is that the display of the model is now touch-sensitive, and with its help, in particular, you can select the focus point. At the same time, its diagonal is 3 inches, the resolution is 921,600 pixels, and the swivel design allows you to tilt the screen up 90 ° or down 45 °.

Among the other specifications of the Sony α6500, we note support for recording 4K video using the XAVC S codec at up to 25 frames per second, Super 35 mode, OLED XGA Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder, S-Log3 and S-Log2 profiles and the presence of built-in adapters wireless transmission Wi-Fi and NFC data.

Sales of the Sony α6500 will start in November, the retail price of the novelty will be $1400.

09.10.2016 18002 Tests and reviews 4

A new flagship of the Sony E-mount APS-C camera line, which will be the development of the Sony a6300 model released in February, has been rumored for a long time. But at the loudest photo forum Photokina 2016, such a camera was not presented, apparently the company's marketers decided to highlight the announcement from the general background of the exhibition and the Sony a6500 (ILCE-6500) was announced a few weeks after the closing of events in Cologne. From its predecessor, the new model inherited a hybrid focusing system, but the a6500 now allows you to select focus points by pointing on the touch screen or using the viewfinder for sighting. Another innovation is the image stabilization system, which compensates for displacement along five axes.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, evaluating the innovations of the Sony a6500, and compare its characteristics with the previous model and competitors on the market.

Specification comparison Sony a6300 vs A6500

Sony a6300 Sony a6500
Image sensor 23.5×15.6mm (APS-C), Exmor CMOS
Effective sensor resolution 24.2 MP 24.2 MP
Image stabilizer Not 5-axis in-camera stabilization
Bayonet Sony e-mount Sony e-mount
Photo Format RAW, JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3)
Video Format 4K , 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Frame size Up to 6000×4000 Up to 6000×4000
Video resolution Up to 3840×2160, 30p Up to 3840×2160, 30p
Sensitivity ISO 100-25600 (expandable to 51200)
Gate 1/4000-30 s 1/4000-30 s
Burst speed / Buffer Up to 11 fps / up to 44 frames JPEG and 21 frames RAW Up to 11 fps / up to 307 frames JPEG and 107 frames RAW
autofocus Hybrid AF (425 phase points, 169 contrast points)
Metering, modes of operation 1200-zone evaluative: matrix, center-weighted, spot
exposure compensation ±5.0 EV (in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV increments)
Built-in flash Built-in, 1/160 sec timing, guide number 6 (ISO 100)
Self-timer 2.10s 2.10s
Memory card Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC to UHS-I
Display Tilting 3" 921K dots Tilt, touch, 3-inch, resolution 921k dots
Viewfinder OLED, 2359k dots OLED, 2359k dots
Interfaces microUSB, miniHDMI, 3.5mm microphone jack microUSB, miniHDMI
Wireless modules WiFi, NFC WiFi, NFC
Power/resource (CIPA) Li-ion battery NP-FW50, 7.3 Wh (1020 mAh, 7.2 V) / 400 frames Li-ion battery NP-FW50, 7.3 Wh (1020 mAh, 7.2 V) / 350 shots
Dimensions 120×66.9×48.8mm 120 x 66.9 x 53mm
Weight 404 grams (with battery and memory card) 453 grams (with battery and memory card)
Current price $998.00 (without lens) $1,399.00 (without lens)

The table shows that the sensor remained the same. The sensitivity range, the number of phase sensors and other basic specifications have not changed either. But, as we mentioned above, the 5-axis image stabilizer built into the camera stands out. It should expand the ability to shoot in low light conditions with an efficiency that the manufacturer rates at five stops of exposure.

The Sony a6500 finally has a touch screen with a wide range of possibilities: shooting with one touch and setting the AF point, and when framing through the viewfinder, the screen works like a touchpad, allowing you to select the focus area with your finger without taking your eyes off the viewfinder. This feature was first implemented in Sony cameras. At the same time, its diagonal is 3 inches, the resolution is 921,600 pixels, and the swivel design allows you to tilt the screen up 90 ° or down 45 °.

Also an important improvement was the enlarged image buffer. It now allows continuous shooting of up to 307 frames in JPEG and 107 frames in RAW, while the A6300 was limited to 44 frames in JPEG and 21 in RAW. Burst speed is 11 frames per second (or 8 frames per second with refocusing and exposure metering for each frame). The speed and storage benefits come from the new LSI technology, which also improves photo and video quality. Manufacturer-guaranteed time between failures of the shutter mechanism is 200,000 operations. The minimum shutter speed is 1/4000 s. Improved software interface.

What else remains unchanged? The ability to record video in 4K with a stream rate of up to 100 Mbps is implemented in both cameras in the same way. We hope that the designers managed to solve the a6300's problems with overheating in the new model. Both cameras feature a high-quality 2.36 million-dot OLED Tru-Finder, S-Log3 and S-Log2 profiles, and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC wireless adapters. You can use SD, SDHC, SDXC or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards as removable media.

Externally, the Sony a6500 almost does not differ from the a6300, it is still the same well-known NEX-6, gradually evolving and finally moving away from the NEX control scheme. Although some family features of the first Sony mirrorless cameras remain - in particular, a large selector dial on the top edge and a second ring on the back panel combined with four navigation keys. The body is now made of magnesium alloy, the grip (not very good, in our opinion, close to the lens) has not changed, the shape of the protrusion and the rubberized material of the coating do not raise questions.

On the front panel there is a mount with a lens release button, an autofocus assist lamp, and an infrared port for the remote control. remote control. On the left, under a flip cover, miniHDMI, microUSB and a 3.5mm audio jack for a microphone are hidden. On the right is the NFC pad.

On the top side you can see a universal multi-interface connector that can also work as a traditional "hot shoe". There is also a flash, a mode selector and a navigation selector; closer to the leading edge, you can see the release button with the switch lever, as well as two programmable keys (the a6300 had one). On the bottom is a combined compartment for the battery and memory card, as well as a tripod socket.

On the rear panel there is a tilting touch screen, a viewfinder with a diopter correction wheel and a proximity sensor, flash activation and menu buttons, as well as a customizable lever. Below are the elements already familiar to the a6300 - a function key that calls the quick menu by default, a five-way key with a navigation ring, a button for playing pictures and another programmable button (in playback mode it is responsible for deleting pictures). The video start button is moved to the corner.

As for the price of the upgrade - the battery capacity is now enough to shoot 50 frames less, the camera has gained a little weight, it has become larger by as much as 4 mm (is anyone able to notice?) and ... more expensive. Sony a6500 will hit the shelves for $1400, which is much higher than the previous model.

conclusions

In terms of consumer characteristics, the previous model is noticeably inferior to the new a6500, and those who want to pay for forcing the previous a6300 model with an increased buffer, 5-axis in-camera stabilization, faster sensor reading speed and noise reduction are sure to be found. And the touch screen will be a nice bonus and the last argument in favor of new items when buying.

The Sony α6500 is an APS-C sensor mirrorless camera. The model embodies the evolution of the popular NEX family. The cameras of this line were the first to receive the E bayonet mount. The prefix NEX in the name of Sony cameras is no longer used, the models that replaced them are called α5000, α6000, α6300. The Sony α6500 is the last link in this chain. interesting model made possible by the built-in 5-axis optical image stabilization SteadyShot , excellent 4D FOCUS system, 4k video recording and touch screen.

The camera body is made of magnesium alloy, it is protected from dust and moisture - this ensures the strength, reliability and performance of the device in difficult conditions environment. This device is not afraid of rain, but it may not survive swimming in a pond. At first glance at the device, the family features of Sony mirrorless cameras are immediately recognizable - chopped body edges and small dimensions. There are no spectacular and style elements. The α6500 measures 120.0 x 66.9 x 53.3mm and weighs 453g.

On the front panel you can find: bayonet lock, lens release button,

Self-timer/AF illuminator bulb, microphone cut-outs, and rubber-coated grip. Before coming to the α6500 test, I was sure that such a crumb would be uncomfortable to lie in my hand, but my fears were not justified. The grip, although small, is quite comfortable - the brush feels confident when held. The handle matches the contours of the hand quite accurately, the phalanges of the fingers have where to hide. The sharp edges of the case are a little annoying at first, but this is out of habit, after a few days of operation you get used to such roughness tactilely.





Top: Multi Interface Accessory Shoe, built-in flash, mode dial, command dial, two user buttons, shutter button with Power On/Off lever.



On the right is an NFC tag and a video recording button. She was sunk a little into the body and made flat. The reason for this inconvenient decision was that the location is in the risk zone and it can be accidentally activated by pressing the palm to the grip. The response of the button is weakly felt and you have to check yourself, focusing on the red recording indicator. This inconvenience can be solved by giving the recording function to one of the custom buttons on the top panel.


At the opposite end there is a compartment for interface connectors. Under the cover are: Micro USB connector, charging indicator, Micro HDMI and external microphone jack. The disadvantages include the lack of a headphone output, which would be useful for those who shoot video and are used to controlling the quality of the incoming signal, but in practice, not everyone needs this opportunity.


The back side meets with many elements, their main part is located on the right. Here are: flash up, menu, Fn mode, playback buttons, customizable user button with delete in playback function, AF / MF / AEL mode switching lever, multi-function control wheel and center button built into it. The main area of ​​the rear panel is occupied by an inclined LCD touch screen. In its upper left corner is an electronic OLED viewfinder. All controls, if desired, can be reached with the fingers of the holding hand. Some elements, although small in appearance, are tactilely recognized and have a clear response without false positives, except, as already mentioned, the record button.


At the bottom of the case is a combined compartment for the battery and an SD memory card slot. It is a pity that we did not find a place for the card reader on the side, to replace the card you will have to remove the camera from the tripod, which will create certain inconveniences. The battery and memory card cover has an outlet for the AC adapter to provide continuous power to the camera. There is an access indicator next to the compartment cover hinge. Closer to the center, at a sufficient distance from the shaft, there is a tripod socket hole; when using platforms, access to the battery will be open.




Display

Tilting LCD screen with a diagonal of 3 inches and a resolution of 921,600 dots. It only tilts vertically, 90 degrees up and 40 degrees down. This is not the best solution, the rotation system that competitors use in their cameras looks much more functional. First of all, this will upset those who will use the camera to record vlogs. It is also worth considering that inconvenience may arise when working with a tripod, the protrusion of the platform will interfere with the tilt of the screen.



For the first time in the α-series cameras, there is a touch panel, but, unfortunately, with reduced functionality. It can only be used for focusing, zooming in during playback, and during the installation of additional applications. The screen brightness is adjustable, but even the maximum value is sometimes not enough in clear weather. For such cases, the developers have added the "Sunny Weather" mode, which enhances the backlight of the display by several steps above the maximum value. Of course, this will significantly affect autonomy, but in a situation where it is inconvenient to use the viewfinder, this option will come in handy. There was a fly in the ointment here, the brightness in video modes with a high bitrate is reduced to a low value and cannot be increased. Shooting video with high quality in bright sunlight will have a hard time.

Viewfinder

The device was equipped with an advanced electronic OLED-viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 megapixels and coverage of the field of view of 100%. It is equipped with an automatic brightness adjustment function. The viewfinder screen refresh rate can be increased up to 120 fps, allowing you to track even fast-moving subjects with ease and bringing overall performance closer to that of an optical viewfinder. The high refresh rate is maintained even in low light conditions, making it easy to frame when shooting at night.

The eyecup has a comfortable rubber pad. If desired, it can be removed - this will make the camera more compact, for transportation, for example.


Settings

It's hard to call the menu structure convenient, Sony needs to work on this. But, in fairness, it is worth noting that this shortcoming is covered by the wide possibilities of customization. In the settings, ten function buttons, and this is a lot, can be assigned a total of 68 functions, which provides quick access to frequently used control options. With some time to set up, you won't have to return to a confusing menu often.



The Memory tab allows you to register up to 6 frequently used camera modes. Two of them, for quick access, are placed on the mode switch disk and are designated as 1 and 2.


The Fn button brings up a quick menu of twelve options (which, again, you can change to suit your needs). There is an "Application" tab in the settings. From here you can get to the camera software download service - PlayMemories Camera Apps. With it, you can expand the functionality of various applications: Time Lapse, Star Trail, PlayMemories Mobile (for remote control for the camera), etc.



Equipment

The α6500 is equipped with a 24.2MP APS-C format Exmor CMOS sensor. Thanks to the BIONZ X image processor, the sensor is capable of supporting a wide range of ISO values ​​(from 100 to 51200), which allows you to take pictures with low noise. If you want to get excellent results and not think about artifacts, then you should not go above 3200 ISO. Detail drops and graininess becomes clearly noticeable at ISO 6400 values.








The combination of the sensor and the processor allows shooting in frame-by-frame mode at a speed of up to 11 fps at 24.2 megapixels, with an increased buffer for images up to 307 JPEG frames and 107 RAW frames.Color depth is processed using 14-bit encoding.





















Manufacturer-guaranteed operation of the shutter mechanism - 200,000 operations. The minimum shutter speed is 1/4000 s.

One of the most important features of the Sony α6500 is the five-axis Steady Shot stabilization system.This makes handheld shooting possible in low light and also reduces the amount of waste when shooting close-ups. Such stabilization is equivalent to reducing shutter speed to 4.5 steps.

Built-in Wi-Fi adapter in the camera allows you to quickly share images with mobile devices, publish photos in in social networks. NFC technology is used to easily control the main functions of the camera, including the shutter release, from a mobile device. The built-in Bluetooth adapter is designed to receive geolocation data from compatible mobile devices.

Focus system

This topic is not in vain taken out in a separate section. Among digital cameras equipped with an APS-C sensor, according to Sony research (as of October 2016), the α6500 has the fastest autofocus. The number of phase autofocus points is 425, and the contrast is 169. new technology eloquently called 4D FOCUS. The symbiosis of the matrix with the processor analyzes not only the location of the object in space, but also the time of movement, which allows you to focus on moving objects with high quality and provide the clearest shots.
















The dots are distributed throughout the frame at a high density, so no object is left out of view during shooting. What's more, the autofocus speed reaches 0.05s, which makes the camera a world leader in this aspect. Lock-on AF allows you to keep focus on a moving subject. It is also possible to instantly select the focus point with one touch on the screen. There are autofocus sensitivity settings that will help in case of a fast moving subject. All this greatly expands the creative possibilities for both photographers and video makers.

One of the handy features of the device is the Touch Pad function. By swiping your finger across the LCD touch screen, you can move the focus point within the frame without even looking up from the viewfinder. The work of the focus mode can be safely put an excellent rating.

Video Recording Features

The camera is capable of recording video in UHD 4K resolutionusing XAVC S codec with a bit rate of 100 Mbps.

The recording format is based on the standard Super 35 at effective 20 MP,with full readout. When the mode recording at 25 fps works 2.4x oversampling (changing the resolution in pixels). This allows you to record video with high detail and reduced moiré, which is quite relevant for Bayer-type matrices. So if you want maximum quality - write 4K in the PAL standard. Of course, it will not be possible to completely get rid of artifacts on very small details, but not everyone can notice them.

The file is written to an MP4 container with 4:2:0 color subsampling. You can also record in 4K resolution to an external device in 4:2:2 ratio. The maximum shooting time is 30 minutes. During this time, the camera becomes noticeably warm and may turn off during operation, but before that, a notice will appear on the display that the camera is heating. The restriction can be removed in the settings, but I would not recommend it - this may adversely affect the operation of the matrix.

Another feature worth noting is the ability to record 120 fps in Full HD resolution. This option is useful for the implementation of creative ideas, video in post-processing can be slowed down by 4 times.

When buying a device, you should remember that when recording video in maximum quality, you will need high-speed SDXC Class U3 memory cards and higher. Given their cost and the volume of files received from the camera, you will have to spend a lot.

To capture and convey as much of the visual information captured by the camera's sensor as possible, Sony has created Picture Profiles. In them, you can change many parameters that affect the final result. The first six profiles from PP-1 to PP-6 use variations of the standard gamut, resulting in an almost ready-to-use image.


Profiles from PP-7 to PP-9 are designed for deep post-processing after shooting. Here, S-Log is used as the gamma, which gives a very faded, flat, low-contrast image. S-Log2 preserves information better in the highlights, while S-Log3 preserves information in the shadow areas of the image. If you have no experience with S-Log, then I advise you to start experimenting before responsible shooting. It is worth noting that the mode has a feature - the camera fixes the minimum value of ISO 800, shooting in sunny weather, you should take this into account and stock up on ND filters.

As we already know, the camera has a decent sensitivity range, it is limited to ISO 25600 when shooting video. At ISO 6400, the image looks quite edible, it will do for everyday tasks - the result is more than worthy, as for an APS-C matrix. Anything shot above this value will be accompanied by a clearly noticeable level of noise and loss of detail.

There is an AUTO option in the ISO settings. The mode works well - the exposure levels off smoothly. This will come in handy when shooting a reportage with difficult lighting conditions.

The focusing system, as in photo mode, works perfectly and has a lot of active settings: adjusting the speed of focus change and its sensitivity, face detection and registration. The Sony α6500 is probably the first camera that you can trust with autofocus in video mode.

The camera has a lot of settings that will be useful to the videographer: zebra, magnifier, Gamma assistants, focus peaking. When using a Sony E PZ 18-105 F4 lens

G OSS (equivalent to a focal length of 27-158), the device turns into a video camera. Contributes to this universal focal length and constant aperture value. The lens was designed with videographers in mind, so it focuses smoothly and quietly, moreover, the zoom drive is also motorized and silent in the lens. The zoom can be controlled using a special slider. If you have a fleet of 3rd party optics, inexpensive adapters can expand your creative possibilities.



autonomy

The α6500 uses an NP-FW50 battery. Its resource is 350 frames per charge using the active screen and about 310 frames when working with the viewfinder. In the active video recording mode, the device will work for no more than an hour. Autonomy is not happy, you will have to stock up on additional batteries.

A nice bonus is USB charging. When the power is connected, the camera takes energy from an external source (you can use a powerbank), after turning it off, it switches to battery power. You can use the AC-PW20 AC Power Adapter, which is sold separately.

The Sony ILCE-6300, introduced over a year ago, has been and continues to be a great compact solution with 4K video recording. For a complete set, she lacked built-in optical stabilization. The Sony Alpha a6500 has a stabilizer. Moreover, a touch screen has appeared, and the buffer has also increased significantly, which allows you to shoot long series in RAW on top speed.

Specifications

Camera typeMirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses
MatrixAPS-C type Exmor CMOS sensor (23.5×15.6 mm)
Effective pixels24,2
Total pixels25,0
Low pass filterThere is
lens mountE bayonet
CPUBionz X
Photo frame dimensions6000×4000, 4240×2832, 3008×2000
6000x3376, 4240x2400, 3008x1688
Photo formatJPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.31, MPF Baseline compatible), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Video frame size3840×2160, 1920×1080, 1280×720
Video file formatXAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MP4: MPEG-4, AVC/H.264
SensitivityISO 100-25600 (extended range up to ISO 51200)
Shutter speed range1/4000 to 30 s
Metering modesMulti-zone, center-weighted, spot, whole-frame average
Exposure compensation+/- 5.0EV(1/3 EV, 1/2 EV step selectable)
FlashYes (Guide number 6 at ISO 100)
Viewfinder1 cm (0.39") OLED viewfinder, 2,359,296 dots
DisplayTilting TFT LCD display 3.0 inch, 921k dots
Data carrierMS PRO Duo/MS PRO-HG Duo/MS Micro(M2), SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
ConnectorsUSB, HDMI, microphone jack (3.5 mm)
AdditionallyWi-Fi, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1
FoodLi-ion battery NP-FW50, 7.3Wh
Dimensions, mm120.0×66.9×53.3
Weight, g453 (with battery and memory card)

Appearance

All Sony mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor are extremely similar to each other (except perhaps the Alpha a3000), and in the case of the a6300 and a6500 models, it is extremely difficult to find differences at a glance, because their body panels are extremely similar, and most of the controls are identical. Of the differences, only two additional programmable keys are striking, installed between the mode selector and the shutter key. And the presence of the touch layer of the display in the ILCE-6500 model is visually imperceptible at all.


The main thing is that the case of the tested mirrorless camera, traditionally for the 5000/6000 family, is thin and light, even if it added about 50 grams. Magnesium alloys are actively used in the body design, which is the norm for cameras from the middle price segment. The build quality is impeccable and there is nothing to complain about.

In front, in addition to the mount, there is an autofocus backlight, a pair of microphones, and an IR receiver window. The latter seems to be archaic, especially in light of the presence of Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetoth modules, but Sony is in no hurry to get rid of it.

On the back, most of the surface is occupied by an inclined display. Above the display is the viewfinder, the key to enter the main menu, as well as the key for the mechanical lock of the pop-up flash. Most of the controls are concentrated on the right side of the rear panel, namely: the AE / AF lock key, surrounded by the operating mode selection lever, keys for entering the quick menu, switching to viewing mode, deleting, as well as a round four-way multifunction key, which is also a second control dial with the enter key in the center.

At the top is a hot shoe, a pop-up flash, a round mode selector, a main command dial, a pair of programmable keys, and a shutter button surrounded by a power lever. From below, everything is quite familiar and boring - a tripod mount connector, as well as a cover for the battery and memory card compartments. The latter is a little surprising, because the cost of the camera is considerable, and the manufacturer did not make a slot for installing a memory card on the side surface. Apparently, the hotel slot fell victim to the struggle for the thickness of the case.

On the left side surface, you can see the system speaker, as well as a spring-loaded cover that hides the USB and HDMI cable connectors, as well as the microphone connection. On the right side surface, only the video button is installed.

Display, viewfinder and user interface

The camera uses a 0.39-inch (1 cm) OLED viewfinder with a resolution of 2359k dots. exactly the same as in the case of the Sony ILCE-6300 model. The viewfinder is complemented by a proximity sensor that automatically switches between the display and the viewfinder. That's just the delay when switching is quite noticeable. The viewfinder brightness can be adjusted both manually and automatically.

The display of the tested camera differs from the a6300 model only in the presence of a touch layer. Unfortunately, touch control functionality is limited to focus point selection, zooming, and moving the zoomed area in the review of the captured image and manual focus, as well as in installed applications.

Otherwise, everything is the same as before - a similar inclined design and exactly the same 3-inch LCD matrix with a resolution of 921 thousand dots. When looking through the viewfinder, the touch screen surface remains active, and in the settings you can choose the size of the active area: the entire screen, the right half or the lower right quarter.

Viewing angles of the display are very large, color reproduction is also excellent. At the maximum brightness level of the backlight, the white field luminosity is 468 cd/m 2 , while the black field luminosity is 1.06 cd/m 2 , which gives a static contrast ratio of 442:1.

In terms of displaying information, there are comments only for the oleophobic coating, or rather, its absence. In the case of the ILCE-6300 model, this is not so critical, but the tested camera has a touchscreen display, so it is covered with prints instantly.

The quick menu of the camera has remained unchanged, but the main menu has been slightly modernized due to the huge number of options available. Firstly, one more photography settings tab was added, and secondly, the number of sub-items was significantly increased (14 in the first tab and 9 in the second one against only 7 in the menu of the ILCE-6300 model). As in the case of the younger model, it is possible to customize the quick menu and physical keys. In order not to describe each item, below are screenshots.

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Features and additional functions

Among competing cameras, Sony solutions stand out with a huge number of additional features that are integrated into both the most affordable and flagship solutions. The tested camera was no exception. There is a high-resolution panorama function with automatic stitching, multi-frame noise reduction, HDR mode, software zoom dynamic range, face detection with the ability to register them, and automatic shutter release when a smile is detected. However, now all this is even in smartphones, so it does not cause much enthusiasm, as in the days of Sony NEX 3 and NEX 5.
The presence of Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth 4.1 modules can be written as pluses, but these modules are increasingly appearing even in budget DSLRs, so flaunting this will not work. But not many cameras can boast of a built-in 5-axis stabilizer with a declared efficiency of 5 EV. However, at Olympus OM-D The E-M1 Mark II's 5-axis gimbal efficiency is claimed to be 5.5 EV, but the cost of this camera is much higher. Also impressive is the huge number of phase focus sensors integrated into the matrix, namely 425, and the sensors cover almost the entire field of the frame. Another notable feature is the large image buffer, which can store up to 307 full-resolution JPEGs (Fine compression) with focus and exposure tracking.

Camera in action

Turning on and preparing the camera for work is still the Achilles' heel of mirrorless cameras. Some are able to take a picture in half a second, and for some, even a second is not enough, while for DSLRs, measuring the duration of preparation for work is a completely meaningless task, because this time is extremely short. In the case of the tested camera, the first shot can be taken in 0.28 seconds, which is a relatively good result.

Much more important is the speed and duration of continuous shooting, and here the Sony ILCE-6500 has something to please. The maximum speed is 11 fps (Hi+ mode), and the continuous bursts when shooting in JPEG (high quality) with continuous AF/AE tracking and 8 fps (Hi mode) is an impressive 307 frames. Our technique involves the use of RAW, JPEG formats with best quality(Super Fine) and RAW+JPEG at the fastest available speed, i.e. 11 frames per second. The result was amazing - 107 frames in RAW, 100 in RAW + JPEG and 228 in JPEG. Thanks to the huge buffer capacity, the duration of continuous shooting at maximum speed does not depend much on the write speed of the memory card. But writing such a huge amount of data from the buffer to a slow card takes too long, so it's better to use fast cards. Unfortunately, there is no support for SDXC UHS-II. It is worth noting here that the Sony Alpha A6300 in similar conditions was able to shoot series lasting 20, 23 and 45 frames, respectively.

In press releases, the manufacturer actively focuses on extremely fast autofocus and a huge number of focus sensors, namely 425, which no competitor can offer. However, the a6300 has the same number of focus points. The number of contrast detection zones for related cameras is also identical - 169 each. When tested according to the CIPA standard, autofocus copes with the task in 0.05 seconds, but our methodology is somewhat different. With a Sony E 3.5-5.6/PZ 16-50 OSS lens, the test camera was able to lock onto the subject in 0.25 seconds, which is by no means a record figure. It is noteworthy that the younger model Sony a6300 was able to focus in 0.28 seconds under the same conditions. The difference is so small that it can be attributed to the measurement error.

Unfortunately, ultra-high autofocus sensitivity is not announced. The autofocus working range is -1…+20 EV, i.e. exactly the same as in the case of a6300. When tested according to our methodology, the Sony Alpha a6500 was able to focus at 0.76 lux illumination, and the younger a6300 at 0.77 lux illumination. And this is only slightly less than -2 EV (0.625 lux). But in any case, competing solutions from Olympus and Panasonic have significantly higher autofocus sensitivity - from -4 EV.

With manual focusing, the user has three assistants at once: a simple distance scale, a function to increase the focus area (focused magnifier), as well as highlighting sharpness edges with the ability to select the function activity mode and backlight color. It is noteworthy that you can start the auto focus process when the mode is set to " manual focus» using the dedicated key. What's more, auto focus can be initiated even when using a focused magnifier.
In terms of ekpopara installation modes, everything is the same as before - a standard PASM set is available. But in terms of the choice of metering modes, the a6500 is slightly different from the a6300. In addition to the standard modes, there are options for setting “average over the entire frame” and “highlight”. The latter mode ensures that the exposure is set correctly when shooting brightly lit areas or bright light sources. The exposure bracketing settings from the a6300 do not differ at all. Capable of shooting 3 to 5 frames in 0.3/0.7/1/2/3 EV increments and up to 9 frames in 0.3/0.7/2 EV increments. Under laboratory conditions, under fluorescent lighting, the metering error does not exceed 0.05 EV. Such a meager error is difficult to notice even when compared with the standard. However, with complex mixed lighting or the presence of zones with a large difference in brightness in the frame, you have to select the appropriate metering mode or enter manual correction.

Noises

The sensitivity level range is the same as that of the younger model - from ISO 100 to ISO 51,200, with the standard range limited to 25,600 ISO equivalent. The camera has the already familiar multi-frame noise reduction function, but it only works when shooting in JPEG format.

click on thumbnails to view full size

When numerically representing the noise level, Canon EOS M5 was taken as an opponent, which, like the hero of the material, is equipped with an APS-C sensor. As you can see in the graph, when shooting in RAW over the entire sensitivity range, the difference between the opponents is small. When shooting in RAW, the tested camera has a slight jump in the graph. When changing the sensitivity in the range of ISO 100 ... 6400 by one step, the noise level changed by approximately 3 dB, and the difference between the values ​​​​of 6400 and 12800 is 1.7 dB. This leap is clearly achieved through hidden software processing. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this, because at such a high sensitivity you can’t do without noise reduction, but still it’s not entirely fair. When shooting in JPEG with noise reduction turned off, latent noise reduction is present throughout the entire range, and as sensitivity increases, its activity is unstable, but still grows on average.


Stabilization

One of the main differences between the tested camera and the Sony ILCE-6500 is a 5-axis stabilizer built into the “carcass” with a declared efficiency of 5 EV when tested using the CIPA method. This is not the best result, but no one can provide better among cameras comparable in cost. As an opponent, the much more expensive Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II was taken, which is also equipped with a 5-axis stabilizer, but with a declared efficiency of 5.5 EV.


Flash

The tested camera has a built-in flash, but the guide number is extremely small - only 6 at ISO 100. The flash settings are extremely poor. A power divider is not provided, but there is a power correction function in the range of -3 ... + 3 EV in increments of a third of a step. The operating modes are quite standard: fill, slow sync on the first or second curtain, as well as wireless sync with external flashes. Unfortunately, the latter mode is not compatible with the built-in flash. Given that the low-power built-in flash is of little use for anything other than synchronization, its presence is essentially meaningless.

But there is also reason for joy. For Sony cameras, there are a lot of relatively inexpensive reportage-class flashes from Chinese manufacturers, including automatic TTL solutions. Flagship speedlights with high power, swivel head, reflector zoom, high-speed sync, and built-in radio sync start at $119. Only Canon and Nikon devices have such a nice bonus among mirrorless cameras, and even then only due to the compatibility of “hot shoes” with the lines of DSLRs from these manufacturers. But in the case of Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm, you will have to pay many times more for a reportage TTL flash. Of course, Sony's own solutions are also not cheap, but users of cameras from this manufacturer have a choice.

Photo examples

Video recording mode

The video mode mirrorless battle is tough, but there are only two main players here - Panasonic and Sony. For Sony, the ILCE-6300 is a good breakthrough in terms of video recording, which supports 4K video recording, supports gamma S-Log2 / S-Log3, has a zebra, video output to HDMI with 4:2:2 color subsampling is provided. for recording with an external recorder, but this camera does not have built-in stabilization and a headphone jack. The Sony ILCE-6500 has stabilization, like the more expensive Panasonic DMC-GH5. Of course, this problem can be solved by connecting an HDMI-DVI + mini-jack adapter, but this is at least inconvenient.
The Panasonic DMC-GH5 is also capable of recording 4K video at 60p, while the tested camera is limited to 25 frames per second. In addition, the maximum video bitrate does not exceed 100 Mb / s, while even the Panasonic DMC-GH4 has 200 Mb / s, and the newer Panasonic DMC-GH5 in the second half of 2017, the manufacturer promises a data stream of up to 400 Mb / s . In addition, Panasonic's flagship camera is capable of recording 4K/60p 10-bit video with 4:2:2 chroma sub-sampling to an external recorder, while the protagonist of the material is limited to 4K/25p, 8-bit and 4:2:2 ratio. Among the shortcomings of the video mode, it is worth noting the decrease in the brightness of the display backlight when shooting video with a high bitrate, which is very inconvenient when shooting on a sunny day.
Another important point is the sensitivity of autofocus, which Panasonic's competing solutions are more tenacious in low light. In general, the tested camera, although significantly cheaper than one of its main competitors, in video mode loses even to its predecessor, which, in turn, is noticeably cheaper. The advantages of the Sony ILCE-6500 include less noise due to the larger sensor size, which is important when shooting in low light, as well as a wider dynamic range.
An example of video recording in the dark. XAVC S 4K 25p

XAVC S 4K 25p video example

XAVC FullHD 50p video example

AVCHD FullHD 50p video example

MP4 FullHD 50p video example

Offline work

The camera uses an NP-FW50 battery with a capacity of 7.7 Wh (1080 mAh), which, when tested according to the CIPA standard, is enough for shooting 350 shots. For comparison, the Panasonic DMC-GH5, when tested by the same method, is able to capture 410 frames. But here we should not forget that this camera is much larger than the experimental one, which makes it possible to use a more capacious battery (13.3 Wh). In real conditions, the camera was able to shoot up to 480 shots, of which a third was shot in series of 30-40 frames. The charge level indicator with the ability to display in percent works accurately, and even after a half-hour cold test in freezer indicator readings remain accurate. In video recording mode, you can shoot 105 minutes of video, but the length of each clip is limited to 29 minutes. Charging the battery is possible both in an external charger and in the camera body, so when working "in the field" you can replenish the charge using an external battery (power bank).

Conclusion

The Sony Alpha a6500 easily copes with its main competitors in photography mode, although it is inferior in terms of autofocus sensitivity. In video mode, Panasonic wins. But here we should not forget that the tested camera is much more compact and lighter, which is extremely important for non-professional use as a camcorder with a minimum of additional equipment.

Minuses:
– no oleophobic touch screen coating;
– autofocus operation in low light;
- automatic decrease in the brightness of the display backlight when shooting video with a high bitrate;
- No headphone jack.
Pros:
– compact and lightweight body;
– high-quality materials and assembly;
- touchscreen;
- Long continuous shooting high speed;
- high quality video.

 

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