Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sony NEX-6 Test And Review

Posted at 4:18 PM by Unknown
With the Sony NEX-6 sets a new model right between the NEX-5R and NEX-7. This brings the manufacturer after the request of many users, although they want the robust housing and the electronic viewfinder and the flash of the NEX-7, but on the other hand do not want to spend so much money and where around 16 megapixel resolution of the NEX-5 R-rich . Moreover, has the NEX-6 as the NEX-5R a built WLAN module also can extend the camera functions with apps. We were able to test a pre-production for two days and report here our impressions in a preliminary test.

Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 Once we have a production model, we will expand this test prior to measurements and the final assessment of image quality measurement laboratory based and the camera review and report in a separate article on this update.

Ergonomics and processing The Sony NEX-6 has a slim design crafted from sturdy magnesium alloy. Striking are on the front shows the bayonet and the rubberized handle, with the latter, the camera can be a good time despite the small dimensions. The metal tripod socket on the bottom sits in the optical axis and far enough from the battery and memory card compartment removed so that this mounted on a stand still remains accessible. The memory card slot has a slot that is compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick Duo. The case looks damn similar to the NEX-7, but has variations in detail, but above all it is a little more compact.

Another component of this chic, slim camera system stands out: The electronic viewfinder on the top left of the camera back. The large eyecup offers good protection against stray light side, but can also be removed. The OLED viewfinder has a high contrast, bright image at a very high resolution of 2.36 million pixels, which corresponds to 1,024 x 768 pixels. However, the view for eyeglass wearers is not optimal since the exit pupil is too far forward in order to see the entire viewfinder. It is recommended that the diopter diopter adjustment of -4 to +1. to use. The brightness of the viewfinder can be set only when he is on the eye, has the keys so you have to operate blind. Unfortunately, there are only three levels of brightness, which is also not vary all that much. Practically, however, is the proximity sensor, so the NEX-6 automatically switches to the EVF, as soon as he takes his eye.

Sony NEX-6 [Photo: Sony] The small size of the camera, the rear screen with its three-inch diagonal acts (about 7.5 centimeters) quite large. What at first glance it is not obvious because the screen is recessed so nice in the back: you can flip it 90 degrees upward and 45 degrees downward, which makes near-ground and overhead shots. Rotate the screen, however, is unfortunately not, see you not in self-portraits. The 921,000 dots resolution monitor delivers a high contrast and extremely bright image, moreover, the brightness in the settings can be further increased significantly so that there are hardly any situations in which one can see nothing on the screen.

Both on the monitor and viewfinder are faded in many settings, added an electronic spirit level and a grid. The operating concept of the NEX-6 is different from the NEX-5R also designed for advanced users who like to make more settings directly. This includes a second dial. One is arranged under the Programmwählrad, the other is integrated into the four-way rocker switch. Unfortunately sets Sony both control wheels still not consistent enough an independently so that each of the wheels moved often the same function, to expand rather than the Einstellumfang (eg flash on the one hand, flash compensation on the other wheel when in the flash menu).

Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 [Photo: Sony] There are also a Fn key and two unlabeled buttons, whose function is displayed on the screen each. Especially for "old hands", the menu appears at first glance somewhat opaque. That white balance and ISO settings in the menu is "Brightness and color," is at least unusual. Newcomers, however, these settings are probably here looking most likely. The menus scroll vertically, especially in the system menu is quite confusing, as the search of a setting in a long scrolling ends. After all, the camera can optionally remember the last used menu item and will go back there as soon as one enters the menu.

Features The Sony NEX-6 offers an intelligent, automatic, giving the user declines any work setting. It automatically detects the subject and sets the correct scene mode, as macro, landscape, portrait or sports. Moreover, faces are detected. The intelligent "automatic plus" includes special programs for Verwackelungsreduzierung and noise reduction by means of multiple shots with one. Above all, the NEX-6 can also adapt very easily customized to the shooting situation, by selecting the appropriate program. Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure mode are very well represented on the Programmwählrad. Thanks to the two dials, the parameters can also set each very simple. The ISO sensitivity has its own position on the four-way rocker, and is therefore also directly accessible. If you want to remotely trigger its NEX-6 can, this Sony NEX-6 [Photo: Sony] do with infrared remote control. Additionally, the NEX-6 special programs such as the panorama mode, created by simply tilting the high-resolution panoramas.

Video records the NEX-6 on in Ful-LHD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. The refresh rate is either at 50 or 25 frames per second (50p or 25p), who wants to can also set 50 fields (50i). This presupposes, however, that you choose AVCHD as a storage format, because the alternative MP4 format, the resolution drops to 1,440 x 1,080 pixels at 25 frames per second, alternatively you can set VGA. HD-Ready with 720p resolution is as unfortunately not available. Sound is recorded via the built-in stereo microphone, it can also connect an external (see below).

Interesting are the possibilities that arise from the WLAN module. Via the menu the wireless connection parameters are entered, which lack touchscreen can be a little tedious. Once connected, it can be sent as images via email, copy to the PC or post on Facebook. If you have installed a special app on their smartphone, it can be the NEX-6 control of this out, at least you can see the live image and can trigger. What other features does the app, such as camera settings, and even the operation of a motor zoom is not yet known. For our preliminary testing this app was not yet available, but it should for the launch are available for download.

Things like posting on Facebook or the remote control function, however, are not as integral part of the NEX-6, but they are upgraded via camera apps, which are obtained in Sony PlayMemories. Some of these apps are free, such as the remote function, others will cost money, such as the pro-bracketing function. Although prices are not fixed yet, but will move to five euros per app. The bracketing App brings in the NEX-6 interesting continuous shooting functions, such as Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 [Photo: Sony] is a series of focus or aperture range. So you can take great shots with different depth or different focus position. Traditional bracketing include contrast to the standard repertoire, the three images can each of 1/3 up to 3 EV apart. Even HDR images, the NEX-6 print directly and charge the individual images, which works very reliably and still maintains a natural impression. Burst the NEX-6 takes on the way very quickly and in sufficient numbers so that action-packed scenes are well captured. It also saves a hand in the background and also very fast, so it is always ready to shoot.

Even the otherwise rather frugal with Sony image processing functions are expanded by PlayMemories apps. The app offers some creative filters such as color key, miniature effect, retro photo retouching etc. Another app has features such as the automatic trimming of portraits to prevent this act of building a harmonious picture. Also, color, saturation, image size etc. Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 [Photo: Sony] change, with this app. Unfortunately PlayMemories not open to foreign developers, that is for the time being there will be only apps from Sony itself.

The flash of the NEX-6 must be opened by pressing a button, jump very high up. It offers all the usual features such as an automatic, fill, red-eye reduction Red-eye reduction, a slow sync and flash synchronization at the second shutter curtain. There is also a flash exposure. The latter, however, is separate from the menu hides "brightness and color". About the system flash shoe can be connected with an external flash. A plugged Sony system can flash other Sony flash units wirelessly trigger. Sony connoisseurs will notice that Sony now uses the ISO-shoe instead of the proprietary. This offers advantages in other accessories that you can now connect directly to the shoe. An adapter for old Sony-/Minolta-Anschluss is supplied with the camera. The shoe owns next to the shoe forward a range of electronic connectors, place the other manufacturers under the hot shoe. Here About accessories such as electronic viewfinder, etc. Audio Adapter connected. A very smart solution.

Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 [Photo: Sony] The lens NEX-6 has the Sony E-mount connector, for which there is by now a reasonably good lens selection. Together with the NEX-6 Sony has announced three new lenses for the NEX system, including the new Setobjektiv SELP1650, a particularly compact standard zoom lens with a small image equivalent focal length of 24 to 75 mm and a maximum aperture of F3 ,5-5, 6 The lens is extremely compact and equipped with a high quality metal body acting. It also does not have a manual zoom, zoom is electronic. A lever and a ring are as controls on the lens. When the camera moves it into position, out of the moving tube is made of plastic and has only easy game. Thanks to 40.5-millimeter filter thread can be connected to optical accessories. Since the tube or the front lens does not rotate, and polarizing filters are easily available. Is a connection for a lens hood it is not.

Dissolved clever is the function of two controls: The lever controls the zoom position, but it has only one speed, does not work so progressive. Too bad, because then we would have little back by pressing slowly and may offer a better faster zoom. Practically the zoom lever is especially video mode to allow uniform zooms. The wide, ribbed grip and ring also controls the zoom motor. If you switch to manual focus, however, so with this ring the sharpness level Sony NEX-6 is [Photo: Sony] determined. Here, the NEX-6 offers an in turning the ring is automatically displayed on the lens focus peaking function, the sharp edges colored highlights, which makes the placement of the focal plane. The focus lens can be moved around the screen and in its enlargement to 4.8 - adjust or 9.6-fold.

The autofocus works already with the Vorserienfirmware 0.95 extremely fast. The hybrid system from Sony does obviously very good. Phase sensors are integrated directly on the image sensor and take the rough-focusing and determining direction, while the contrast mode does the fine tuning. Thus, the autofocus is pumping less, which becomes especially within video positive impact. Moreover, it is easily possible to point the camera at a subject and Emerging suddenly without much delay trigger that sits focus. In dark places, the AF is supported by an orange LED illuminator.

Image Quality Because our test NEX-6 still is a pre-production model with firmware 0.95, not the usual laboratory test nor a final visual test was possible. However, the NEX-6 has apparently already a very good image quality with a decent dynamic range and low noise. The 16-50-mm lens has very little color fringing and provides high image sharpness, even towards the margins do not seem to drop too much. The Sony NEX-6 with SELP1650 [Photo: Sony] white balance worked in practice reliable, even colors, the NEX-6 gives bach visually pleasing and somewhat neutral again, without stressing individual hues in candy-style too. A final assessment but we allow ourselves only when we commissioned a series camera with the 16-50s in Lübeck test lab carefully examined.

Conclusion The Sony NEX-6 is a highly successful mirrorless system camera, which fills the gap between the NEX-5R and NEX-7 perfectly. It offers compact size with an excellent finish and ergonomics, which in some details but could certainly be improved, what Sony possibly even to the production stage can still be included in the firmware. Superb is the extremely high-resolution OLED viewfinder, which is also perfectly integrated into the housing. The new autofocus sensor with integrated on the phase sensors convinced both photos by the speed of response as well as videos by the significantly reduced pumping. The image quality is moving on a known high level. The new 16-50-millimeter Setobjektiv is not only compact and also very well made, but at first glance appears to be a decent image quality with low chromatic aberrations and provide good sharpness with not too great waste to the image edges. However, until the laboratory test will allow a final judgment.

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