Sony NEX-6 at a glance:
- 16.1-million-pixel, APS-C-sized, CMOS sensor
- ISO 100-25,600
- 2.359-million-dot EVF
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Hybrid autofocus
- Street price £699 body only or £820 with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Sony NEX-6 review – Introduction
When you buy into a new camera system, the key selling point is, obviously, the camera. However, it needs to be backed up by a strong collection of lenses and accessories for its full potential to be realised. The serious photographer also needs to be assured that the company will continue to invest in the system.
Sony has certainly invested in its NEX range of compact system cameras, releasing a further six models in the two and a half years since the original NEX-3 and NEX-5 were launched. Some of these new models have had minor tweaks that have been designed to set up a coherent product line, while others have included industry-leading innovation.
This brings us to the Sony NEX-6, the start of the fourth new line, which the company describes as a ‘new concept’. It sits below the flagship NEX-7 and above the NEX-F3 and NEX-5R models, offering a tantalising mix of high-end and consumer-friendly features.
There is much to be enthusiastic about in the Sony NEX-6 – and I would expect nothing less from Sony – but what is more exciting is the new E-mount lenses the company has introduced. Until now, I would have described Sony as camera-focused, rather than lens-focused in its NEX range. The use of a large APS-C-sized sensor in the system requires a relatively large lens to go with it (apart from a pancake lens), leading to the NEX range being touted by some as a lens with a camera attached. Compact-sized cameras, yes; compact-sized system, no.
Along with the NEX-6, Sony also announced the launch of three new lenses in the form of the 35mm f/1.8, 10-18mm f/4 and 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. The 16-50mm is the first power-zoom type lens in the range, and it collapses to a smaller size, which Sony states is just 29.9mm when fully retracted. A direct comparison of this with the previous 18-55mm kit lens shows that the new model is significantly smaller. So, a well-crafted and compact camera like the Sony NEX-6 now has the option of a compact E-mount zoom.
