Frame rate test of the new Sony a6500, JPEG 7 RAW. AMAZING!!
WOW! I have not even had time to post the announcement of the new Sony a6500 and RX100V but I wanted to show this cool test of the frame rate. This camera is LOADED with everything one could want but for those seeking high frame rate continuous shooting….this is your camera. Nearly everything has been improved over the a6300 it seems.
See the video below for a demo of the high-speed continuous shooting of the new a6500, in JPEG and RAW. I will have more later on these new Sony releases today including, hopefully, some images from the new RX100 V as I will be shooting with it a bit later on today!
You can pre order the a6500 AT B&H Photo HERE. $1399 but man this guy is a tech marvel.
NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced their new flagship APS-C sensor camera, the α6500 (model ILCE-6500).
As the latest addition to Sony’s lineup of award winning mirrorless cameras, the new α6500 shares the same unrivaled 4D FOCUS™ system as the α6300 camera, which can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, the world’s fastest1 AF acquisition time. Also shared with the α6300, the new α6500 features 425 phase detection AF points that are densely positioned over nearly the entire image area – the world’s highest2 number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera. The new model can shoot images at up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus and exposure tracking and up to 8 frames per second in a live-view shooting mode that makes it easy to track fast moving subjects, as it combines all of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder with the immediacy of an optical viewfinder.
The camera can shoot at these high speeds for up to 307 frames3 thanks to its expanded buffer, which, along with the fast response speeds described above, are all achieved with the support of a new front-end LSI chip that has been added to the camera. This new front-end LSI also serves to enhance both still and video image quality.
Additionally, the new α6500 features Sony’s acclaimed in-camera 5-axis optical image stabilization, making it the first Sony APS-C sensor camera to offer all of the benefits of advanced in-body stabilization, which include a shutter speed advantage of approximately 5 steps4. It also offers touchscreen AF capabilities for focus point selection and adjustment.
“We are continuing to push the boundaries of modern innovation in digital imaging, in particular within the mirrorless space,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “By equipping the α6500 with 5-axis image stabilization and touchscreen AF, we’re offering photographers and videographers more control than ever before and a seemingly endless amount of creative possibilities. As our flagship APS-C camera, it far exceeds the performance threshold of any camera in its class, and many above its class as well.”
Unmatched AF Capability
Sony’s new α6500 camera utilizes the same 4D FOCUS system as the α6300 – a Fast Hybrid AF system that combines high-speed phase detection AF with extremely accurate contrast AF and allows it to capture and lock on to moving subjects in as little as 0.05 seconds1. It also features 425 phase detection AF points and High-density Tracking AF Technology, which significantly improves subject detection and tracking performance.
New for the α6500, thanks to faster internal processing capabilities enabled by the front-end LSI, the maximum buffer for high-speed continuous shooting is an impressive 307 frames3, greatly increasing the chances to catch that decisive moment.
The camera’s 425 phase detection AF points, focusing tracking and accuracy are also available when using non-native A-mount lenses5 with Sony’s LA-EA3 mount adaptor. Additionally, it includes silent shooting, Eye AF in AF-C mode, AF in focus magnifier modes, Expand Flexible Spot AF and more.
5-axis Image Stabilization Provides 5 Steps Shutter Speed Advantage
One of the most exciting developments in the new α6500 is the implementation of 5-axis image stabilization for the first time in a Sony APS-C sensor camera. Additionally, through a total revision of the internal design of the camera, this newly developed stabilization system fits entirely within a body that is nearly the same size as the α6300 model6. This innovative 5- axis system provides a shutter speed advantage of 5 steps4, ensuring the full resolving power of the sensor can be realized, even in challenging lighting.
The shake compensation provided by the system works with a variety of lenses, including E-mount lenses without OSS (Optical SteadyShot) stabilization and A-mount lenses7 when used with a compatible mount adapter. When an E-mount lens with OSS is mounted, pitch and yaw are compensated in the lens and horizontal, vertical and roll axes are compensated in the camera body, resulting in optimal 5-axis stabilization 7.
Also, with a simple half press of the shutter button, the effect of the image stabilization can be monitored in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen, allowing framing and focus to be accurately checked and continually monitored. This is available even when a lens is attached that does not have built-in shake compensation.
New Touch Screen Focusing
The new α6500 comes equipped with touch screen functionality, allowing users to lock focus on a subject simply by touching it on the screen. This is a powerful compliment to its advanced AF system and video shooting capabilities.
Additionally, in a first for Sony cameras, the α6500 features touchpad functionality. When utilizing the viewfinder for framing and shooting, the LCD screen can be used as a touch pad. Simply drag a finger across the screen to shift the focus point from one area to another.
Powerful 24.2 MP8 Exmor CMOS Sensor, BIONZ X® Processor and New Front-End LSI
The new α6500 features an APS-C sized 24.2 MP8 Exmor CMOS sensor that works together with a BIONZ X image processor and the newly developed front-end LSI to maximize processing power and achieve an impressive sensitivity range of ISO 100-512009.
The image sensor employs a thin wiring layer and large photodiode substrate that maximizes light collection efficiency, plus copper wiring in its structure for outstanding read-out speed. The BIONZ X image processor and newly developed front-end LSI ensure superior image and video quality with low noise even when using higher ISO settings, in particular those at high sensitivity values where other cameras typically struggle. The LSI is also responsible for the expanded buffer depth for continuous shooting.
Professional Video Capabilities
The new α6500 becomes the latest Sony interchangeable lens camera to offer internal 4K movie recording, as it can shoot 4K (3840x2160p) video in the popular Super 35mm format on the full width of the image sensor. When shooting in this format, the camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 6K of information – approximately 2.4×10 (20 MP equivalent) as many pixels as 4K UHD and then oversamples the information to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.
Additionally, the α6500 will focus exceptionally fast during movie shooting thanks to its Fast Hybrid AF system, offers touch focusing for professionally smooth focus shifts, while also offering adjustable AF transition speed and AF tracking sensitivity. The camera supports the XAVC S codec11 during video shooting, which records at a high bit rate of up to 100 Mbps during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during Full HD shooting, ensuring maximum detail and clarity in both video formats.
Other professional caliber video features include the ability to record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbps, which allows footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD (24p) resolution with AF tracking.
New on the α6500 is the incorporation of a ‘Slow and Quick’ (S&Q) mode that supports both slow motion and quick motion. In this mode, frame rates from 1 fps to 120 fps can be selected in 8 steps for up to 60x quick motion and 5x slow motion recording12. Footage shot in this mode can be previewed after shooting without the need for PC-based post processing.
The camera also offers S-Log gamma recording13 for wide dynamic range shooting – approximately 14-stop latitude in S-Log3 gamma setting – and supports S-Gamut for a wider color space. Both options allow for greater creativity for processing video post-production.
Shooters also now have the ability to select, extract and save still images from movie footage directly on the camera. Approximately 8 MP images and 2 MP images can be pulled from 4K modes and Full HD modes, respectively.
Enhanced Operability and Reliability
The new α6500 has a refined design, maintaining the mobility of the α6000 series while adapting much of the usability of Sony’s acclaimed α7 II series. The new model features the same high contrast, high-resolution 2.4 million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder as the α6300 that offers exceptional corner-to-corner visibility.
New hardware features on the α6500 include a magnesium alloy body and a high-durability shutter with a tested life span of approximately 200,000 release cycles14. It also has several design features that are borrowed from the α7 II series of full-frame cameras, which include a robust lens mount, a recessed grip to improve handling, a larger release button and ten total custom buttons including ‘C1’, ‘C2’ and ‘C3’. It also has an improved operation feel for its mode and control dials and rear face buttons, as well as a softer eyepiece cup for more comfortable usage.
On the software front, there is a new overall user interface, which allows for a much smoother process for searching and adjusting menu settings, as well two new metering modes – Highlight, where exposure metering is focused on the brightest area of the frame, and Entire Screen Avg, which maintains an average metering for the entire image.
The camera is Wi-Fi®, QR and NFC compatible and fully compatible with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ applications15 available for Android™ and iOS platforms, as well as Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps™. The α6500 also offers location data acquisition via a Bluetooth16 connection to a compatible mobile device and an updated menu structure to deliver a smoother navigational experience.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony α6500 interchangeable lens camera will ship this November for about $1,400 US and $1,750 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.
I still have a OM-D EM-1 and the Panasonic GX8 and the new SONY RX110V. Panasonic, Sony, Fuji and Olympus all make great pictures. I added a metal WAG-RX100 Camera Metal Grip for Sony RX100IV RX100III RX100II RX100M4 from eBay for my SONY RX110V. It has made the camera much more comfortable and useful to me. It was $27.50 plus $5.00 shipping from China and it took 2 weeks. It is great craftsmanship and does fit snugly. In the end, I have decided, that I do not like fully articulating screens at all. I much prefer the Sony Flip up and outward. Hanging over to the side on Panasonic is cumbersome and hard to square the buildings up. That is the main reason, I still have a OM-D EM-1. To me, the OM-D EM-2 and the PEN-F are awkwardly miserable because of the their fully articulating screen. The menus on the Sony and Panasonic make sense to me, I have never felt at home with the Olympus Camera’s Menu. So, I like the feel as much as picture quality, so I may sell all the micro 4/3rds and settled on the Sony product line.
I always scratch my head at the “Leica is not good for sports or high paced action” rhetoric. WWII for a good part was shot with Leicas and nothing moves faster than military engagement. Plus this article brings current the use of Leica M for sports. http://blog.leica-camera.com/2016/11/07/capturing-spirit-cycling/ Photography is all about creating a unique perspective from each photographer. If you’re at the Super Bowl and everyone has their 400mm lenses and their Canon 5D Mark IV bodies, how are you going to stand out? A Leica, Fujifilm X-T2 or a Oly E-MII might be the remedy.
I’m so excited for this new camera!! I was thinking about using old lenses with techart pro autofocus adapter with a6300, but that camera doesn’t have image stabilization. So I was wondering if I can attach the techart adapter or not. Cuz the image sensor is the same right? I hope it will work.. What do you guy think?
The menus are a bit ridiculous on the Sony cameras. I like my A7rii, but even after a year, the features can in many situations be worthless having to wade through pages of options. If Leica used a better sensor with IBIS and 42 mp or better on their M series, I would sell my Sony. I like the simplicity of Leica cameras. I bought 3 prime Leica lenses last yr and they are great and easy to use.
If I were shopping for new cameras, I would buy the Sony rx100V and wait for a newer fullframe from Leica or Sony and skip the a6500. The a6500 with a good fast lens would be almost as heavy and large as a good ff setup. If you are shooting sports and fast moving subjects, get a canon 5D with an L lens.
If you are on a tight budget, you are actually better off buying a camera that has a fixed lens. buying one of these e mount sony cameras and using a crappy kit lens is a waste of time….its like buying a leica and using a voigtlander on it.
Kok says:
I am hoping sony will release good quality and affordable native aps-c e-mount lenses.
Well, I’ve got the NEX C3 + Sony 50mm, the NEX 6+Zeiss Touit 12mm and the A6000+Zeiss constant f4 zoom. They’re all brilliant. I never have to change lenses, and I’m not yearning for the latest offering!
Oly or Sony? Tough choice? I’d probably go with OM-D E-M1 Mark II anytime..
I’m in the same situation, I can’t decide between the two. I like the ergonomics and controls of the E-M1 II more for sure, it also has a bigger viewfinder, dual sd card slot and 15 fps with the mechanical shutter in AF-C. And far more and better lenses. I guess it depends on how good the new 20 Mpx sensor is, if the 1 stop improvement Olympus is claiming is true it may just be good enough. I’m also curious about the new movement correction on the 50 Mpx mode.
i’m in the same situation. I like the ergonomics and controls of the E-M1 II more for sure, it also has a bigger viewfinder, dual sd card slot and 15 fps with the mechanical shutter in AF-C. And far more and better lenses. I guess it depends on how good the new 20 Mpx sensor is, if the 1 stop improvement Olympus is claiming is true it may just be good enough. I’m also curious about the new movement correction on the 50 Mpx mode.
The sensor in the E-M1.2 is significantly worse.
maybe, but i like the noise of Olympus better because it has less colorartifacts and it remains more sharpness.
Oh and the colors, they are beautifull on Olympus 😉
but then again it’s all preferences
How can you tell? It’s not on the market yet!!
i compare it with my own M1 mark 1, and the mirrorless battle on steve’s site 😉
M2 will not be that much different.
Cameras are more than their sensors. Otherwise the only camera that would sell are those with Sony FF sensors. Same reason that DR isn’t everything.
If you evaluate the ergonomics, speed, lens ecosystem, etc the Olympus E-M1 II will certainly put up a fair fight.
plus your money is even guaranteed on Olympus of not requiring an upgrade every 10 months.
We never are required to upgrade. New models are introduced with differing features. Sony will still carry the a6000, a6300 and a6500 at different price points. None of them are obsolete or out of date.
Same with vehicle models, higher specs more money.
If I had purchased the Sony a6300 I would be pretty upset by this camera, IBIS, and a larger buffer, for a couple hundred dollars more? All within the same year? The only thing that worries me, and no word on, is the heat issue, people are seeing severe issues with heat on the 6300, now adding IBIS can’t help with that. One can only hope that the wont get the overheating warning after 5 min of 4k
The A6500 is priced 40% higher than the 6300, quite significant.
I was hoping for an A7 body with an Aps-C sensor and a silent mode 😉 This is the next best thing to it, perfect for my kind of photography. I just hope the european pricing will be reasonable 😉
Every new model sony rx100, more and more expensive. Soon price match Leica M cameras. Very sad day for photografers.
At this price, I’m not sure I want to buy it or spend a little more and get the a7II. Much better IQ, shooting with Full Frame lenses, bigger EVF, Better grip, better controls… while the a6500 offers MUCH faster AF, 4K, Touch Screen, overall faster operation speed… guess I’ll wait for the a7III. It’s about time, Sony!
“…spend a little more and get the a7II. Much better IQ…”
Actually the IQ difference will be negligible.
It’s funny reading about this new more more more Sony. Just after reading the 10 year anniversary article on the Leica M8.
The pics in the Leica article really are outstanding and really need nothing else from that very very basic camera.
Would this latest wonder digicam have made a difference with those photographers? I think it would, and the pictures would have been worse. Too many features, too much stuff gets in the way of the creative process instead of abetting it. Instead of paying attention to lighting, composition, subject matter, emotion these products distract with paper specs.
There’s a reason that smart phones will soon kill off cameras like this. And it’s not because of specs. It’s because the vast majority of users look at these things and have zero need for stuff that they will never use, or complicate usage. While ‘we’ are poring over menus to find the best settings, “they” have already taken a photo and moved on with their lives.
This Sony will appeal to the dwindling base of users who will get immediate buyer’s remorse once the next model up has been announced.
Peace out.
Huss
Huss, this clearly isn’t the camera for your Luddite leanings but for many it is just what they need. Shooting music festivals, motorsport or my son’s lacrosse games is going to be more enjoyable and result in better images due to features you scoff at like IBIS, high framerate/deep buffer and AF tracking.
The M9 would never be the tool for those tasks but it is an excellent tool for others.
Sony and the other manufacturers are expanding our capabilities but if you chose not to partake, please don’t spoil the party for the rest of us.
If your camera ‘gets in the way’ the camera isn’t the problem…you are. I’ve owned lots of digital cameras over the years…from P&S, professional 1 series Canon’s to Leica’s like the M8 and now an M240. Added features have NEVER prevented me from getting the shot I wanted but lack of features have cost me plenty of shots.
Maybe everybody is attention deficit disorder and can no longer focus but I find it easy to ignore the features I don’t want (video) and focus on the ones I do.
Talk about sour grapes…
Just because IBIS isn’t useful to you, does not mean other people’s opinions are inferior to yours.
Good lock using super tele lenses on your smartphone!
First of all: The Leica M8 was a serious flawed camera. Qulity was so low, pro’s must have least one spare body on assignment. Colors was totally off and Leica had to develop special color correction filters.
Secondly: Yes, contemporary cameras have all POSSIBLE features, needed or not. Leica and the new, small Hasselblad are refreshingly simple. They have the NEEDED features.
One reason is the hybrid stills/video. Another reason are camera testers that do not understand photo. Every single missing feature, relevant or not, becomes a negative.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2016/10/05/the-leica-m8-10th-anniversary-a-decade-long-love-affair-by-five-passionate-photographers/
The kids are alright.
My problem with Sony isn’t its tech specs. The camera is ugly and uncomfortable in hand. What’s the point of building a small body if you are then going turn around and build huge lenses (FE). Sony MILC cameras (A7 & A6000 series) look unbalanced and feel unbalanced. Now having said that, I LOVE the new A99 II. I just hope it works as well in the real world as it looks on paper.
Second 6300 for sale cheaper than Paul 🙂 Darn, I was hoping for that in camera stabilization and they did it so soon.
6300 for sale