Sony A6500 review – 5-axis Image Stabilisation
Image stabilisation has become an important battleground in recent years, with manufacturers competing hard to provide the best all-round system. Image stabilisation is important because it allows photographers to use longer telephoto lenses and shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with much greater confidence. Indeed, for the majority of enthusiasts, the technology has had a profoundly liberating effect on lens choice, especially for those that prefer to shoot handheld. The Alpha 6500 is the first APS-C mirrorless camera from Sony to come with 5-axis Image Stabilisation technology, although it already features on all the models within the full-frame A7 II range.
In addition to correcting pitch and yaw as most stabilised lenses on the market do, Sony’s 5-axis system also corrects for movement on the vertical Y-axis and horizontal X-axis, which is especially useful for macro photographers. Lastly, Sony’s 5-axis system also compensates for roll, which is when the camera is inadvertently rotated and most noticeable during long exposures or when capturing video. Sony claims its 5-axis IS system offers up to five stops of compensation and is compatible with all Sony E-mount lens and also A-mount lenses via the optional LA-EA3 A-mount adaptor (£166). When a stabilised lens is attached to the A6500 image stabilisation duties are split between the two, with the lens taking care of pitch and yaw, and the camera taking care of X, Y and roll movements.
