Retiring my DSLR and moving to the Sony mirrorless system has been the most liberating event in my decades of photography since digital and autofocus before that. Same (now better) quality and performance with half the weight. Traveller's dream! I currently shoot with an A6000 with a NEX-3C as a backup/second body in the travel kit. Many comments are based on comparing the A6300 to its older sibling.
So. Here I sit looking at my recently arrived Sony A6300. At first glance, it’s nearly indistinguishable from the A6000 sitting next to it. At second glance, the slightly textured finish of the magnesium alloy body and the return of the AF/MF switch just under the mode dial do supply some visual cues. Looking at the top plate seals it since there is a distinct A63000 label. So, if it is virtually the same camera, why did I buy it?
Turning it on, spending 20-30 minutes in the menu and playing with autofocus provided at least half of the answer. This is not a technical leap like the A6000 was when it first appeared but it has solid improvements that based on personal needs or preferences, may or may not justify the $400 difference between it and the still-available A6000. The justification depends a lot on how and what you shoot. If you use your camera for video at all, it could be a done deal since the improvements in that department make it one of the most capable part-time video cameras in its price range. If not, your decision may be a bit more difficult. Not because the A6300 is in any way lame, but because the A6000 is still to be considered a fantastic camera.
After a few days, I’ve compiled a list of the changes (so far) that justify my choice for getting an A6300 and moving the A6000 to the second body position in my travel kit.
Two small things right off the bat:
"USB Power Supply = On" Allows the use of a USB battery pack to extend battery life almost indefinitely. It allows the camera to operate while charging and with a 15,000 MAH device charger pack connected, it should power the camera for hours.
"Release w/o Card = Disable" No more puttering around in the garden snapping random flowers only to find the card was left in the reader when inspiration hit.
The significant things:
1. Focus : Autofocus is incredible. 425 phase-detect focus points on the sensor cover most of the frame and allow for vastly improved focus tracking. Face recognition is fast and accurate. Improved eye-AF tracks focus on a subject’s eyes so the face is always in focus. Huge value for weddings and such. Did I mention fast? The A6000 and the 55-210 kit lens wan't bad for outdoor action shooting but the A6300 makes me want to pop for the 70-200 f/4 and go find some flying birds or something. One feature I hadn’t heard mentioned but stumbled across in the menu was “AF In Focus Mag.” It allows you to magnify the focus point while in DMF mode as you would in manual focus and a half-press on the shutter activates autofocus while remaining zoomed, allowing for a critical focus check. Another pleasant surprise is that the on-sensor phase-detect is now available to lenses like my A-mount 16-50 f/2.8 SSM via the LA-EA3 adapter. Focus speed seems little different, if at all, from native lenses. AF-A is disabled, as is DMF and the specific MF setting but manual focus is always available.
2. Viewfinder: The A6300 has nearly double the number of pixels as the one in the A6000 and while the difference is noticeable, it isn’t an oh-my-God difference. What is very noticeable is the 120hz refresh on the viewfinder which eliminates image tearing and lag. I’m also happy to see the return of the electronic level as a viewfinder and LCD overlay. Unlike its predecessors that display the last image shot in a rapid (but lagging) slide show during burst shooting, the A6300 offers a real-time live viewfinder display at 8 frames per second with full auto-exposure and focus tracking that makes action shooting much easier. It really brings EVF tech one step closer to eliminating the need for any optical component to the viewfinder beyond letting light in through the lens.
3. Silent Shutter Mode: It is truly silent. Its potential for use in a solemn situations like wedding ceremonies is pretty awesome. I did some research on the tech behind it and found an interesting article related to the A7x series cameras that warn of the time it takes to read out the image once the electronic second shutter is triggered. If panning aggressively or if a subject were to move suddenly an effect similar to the “jell-o legs” in CMOS video may manifest. Concerned, I went out and did some testing and found that though setting the shutter to silent limits burst shooting to “Low”, even aggressive panning didn’t distort vertical lines in any of the situations I tried. My guess is that the electronic second curtain terminates the exposure very quickly and the 1/20 sec. or so for readout and reset for a single frame, while taking a little extra time, is done after the exposure is recorded and the distortion doesn’t come into play as it does in video.
4. Build: Not a tank but definitely, at least, an IED-resistant Humvee. Reminiscent of the NEX-7, actually. The magnesium alloy feels solid (but so does the A6000’s polycarbonate) and its pebbled texture feels “comfortable”. The grip now has a slight indentation at the bottom on the lens side right where your middle and ring fingers rest. The indentation on the grip sharpens the ridge a bit and makes it slightly easier for my medium-sized hand to hold (IMHO). The body is 4mm thicker front to back than the A6000 and along with the extra 2 ounces of heft makes the camera feel a little more substantial but unless you have a body in each hand, the additional weight isn’t really noticeable. Except for the aforementioned AF/MF switch, the controls are identical. The added weather sealing just ices the cake.
5. Sensor: Another evolutionary rather than revolutionary list of improvements. The shallower photosites made possible by using copper rather than aluminum in the sensor circuitry improve compatibility with wide-angle lenses (theoretically) as well as light gathering. 10x better in low light than the A6000? Sadly, no. However, the changes in the sensor and processor have made about a one-stop improvement IMHO. I can set the auto-ISO to 6400 now with little to fear where the A6000's ISO6400 shots were hit and miss as far as usability. Copper wire is a better conductor than aluminum which may contribute to the significantly faster readout that enables 120fps in 1080p recording. The big thing is the phase-detect autofocus array and associated image analysis for tracking and overall speed. There is still hunting in low-contrast, dim environments but the ability to find and lock focus is much improved. Of all the improvements, this could be the One Big Thing when looking for a reason to choose the A6300 over its older sibling.
6. Customization: The buttons and Fn menu can now be customized to host almost any shooting or playback function. After I finished fiddling with button customization I have settled on Focus Assist for C1 by the shutter release and Silent Shutter for C2 on the back. I then turned to the Fn menu and found that the Drive, ISO and Exposure Compensation access on the four-way nav had redundant entries in the grid as did the top-dial-adjustable Shooting Mode. I replaced them with a few items left out in button customization that I would I still have to dig in the main menu to get to. Now Auto ISO Minimum Shutter Speed (another neat new feature), Face/Smile Detect, Image Quality and Finder Refresh Rate are easily accessed.
***Update*** Not sure how I missed the Fn settings feature in the A6000 menu but now I have set my A6000 to match the A6300. Live and learn! (And RTFM!)
7. Video: Except for occasional short clips of no more than 5 minutes, I don't do video. If I did and wanted to shoot important video of a wedding or something, I'd buy an actual video camera that doesn't legally have to legally terminate shooting at 29 minutes and 59 seconds to avoid import taxes. The A6300 is a stills camera with remarkable video capability, not a dedicated video camera. I may play with some of the video features simply because they are there but I bought this camera for the solid still image feature set.
I've only had the camera for a week so far but my initial impression pretty much confirms the research I did before ordering it. I have taken it out for a spin at Disneyland and despite the poor light and 16-50 kit lens (jacket pocket camera), I came back with some very nice images. So far, it's a definite keeper for me!
I will update if I come across anything new. The 18-105 f/4 G arrived a couple of days ago and I'm eager to see what it can do.
***Update - six months in***
Since the first review I've shot about 10K images and my first good impression has only gotten better. The choice of the 18-105 f/4 G was a good one too. Despite its size, it spends more time on the A6300 than any other lens. The improved live-view and extra stop of clean ISO really came in handy shooting a wedding in June and even though it was about 102° and humid for an outdoor wedding (yeah, I know...), I had no overheating issue for stills or bursts (no video). Eye AF is pretty amazing when trying to keep someone in focus on a dance floor and tracking AF is actually useful now. It doesn't feel any different from the A6000 until I shoot with the A6000. As good as the A6000 is (and that is quite good), the A6300 is an obvious upgrade if you use both alternately.
Bottom line: I feel my money was well spent. I don't find myself wishing for the next upgrade or feel the need to jump to full-frame right now. The image quality is excellent and being able to carry two cameras and an assortment of lenses in a day pack makes this photographer smile.
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From the manufacturer
Sony α6300 Mirrorless Interchangeable-lens Camera
Fast autofocus speed1 and most extensive autofocus coverage2 plus newly developed 24.2 MP APS-C Sensor4, high resolution 4K video recording5 and more. (shown with the SELP1650 lens)
Features
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4D FOCUS with one of the world’s fastest autofocus1 and world’s most AF pointsThe α6300’s unrivaled 4D Focus system boasts one of the world’s fastest autofocus (AF) acquisition time that can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds. It also has one of the world’s highest number - an incredible 425 - phase detection AF points2 that are densely positioned over the entire image area, and can shoot images at up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus and exposure tracking. Additionally, the α6300 takes full advantage of its enhanced fast hybrid AF for movies in both HD and 4K. Other enhancements include silent shooting with continuous autofocus and auto exposure, the ability to use AF in focus magnifier mode, expanded flexible spot AF, Eye AF in AF-C mode and more. |
High-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE trackingClearly capture definitive points of action at extra-high speed at up to 11 fps continuous shooting with autofocus and auto exposure tracking. Experience all the benefits of an electronic viewfinder combined with the immediacy of a through-the-lens optical viewfinder by choosing live-view continuous shooting at up to 8fps. Or go with 11fps continuous shooting for extra assurance of sharp climactic shots. AF/AE tracking performance is incomparably fast, adaptable and nimble with every continuous shooting option. |
24.2 MP of imaging innovationThe newly developed 24.2 MP (approx. effective) APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor features copper wiring and enhanced circuit processing that lower the wiring layer and boost light collection efficiency. In conjunction with the BIONZ X image processor, it minimizes noise throughout a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100-512008. The highly conductive copper in the circuitry significantly accelerates readout speed to support 4K movie recording with full pixel readout without pixel binning, Full HD 120fps shooting and 14-bit RAW output for still images. |
Features
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Ultimate 4K movie recording5 and moreThe α6300 offers internal 4K recording5 in Super 35mm format with full pixel readout, no pixel binning and 2.4x oversampling for the ultimate movie quality. By collecting 20 megapixels (6K equivalent) of information, which is approximately 2.4x as many pixels as 4K, the α6300 then oversamples the information to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth. Additional professional video features include; S-Gamut3/S-Log3 and Gamma Display Assist, the ability to record Full HD at 120 fps for 4x or 5x slow motion HD video, both a mic jack and XLR compatibility via the MI shoe, enhanced Zebra functionality, picture profile settings, as well as Time Code / User Bit, clean HDMI output and much more. |
2.4-million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder w/ fast tracking 120Hz.The α6300 is equipped with a high contrast, high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 2.4 million dots that offers exceptional corner-to-corner visibility. There is also a new mode available for the viewfinder that allows display of images at 120Hz, ensuring that action is displayed smoothly with very few afterimages for the sense of immediacy you get when shooting with an optical viewfinder, making subject tracking through the Tru-finder easier than ever. |
Enhanced Operability and ErgonomicsThe α6300 is equipped with an extremely solid magnesium alloy body that’s dust and moisture resistant for extreme conditions. The robust lens mount and refined grip makes it easier to shoot with larger heavier lenses, while the new 2.4-million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder with selectable 60fps/120fps refresh rates allow for faster subject tracking. The α6300 can be customized to fit nearly any shooting style or preferences with one of 65 different functions that can be assigned to one of the 10 customizable buttons. A new shutter release button and mode dial with improved operability add to the refined shooting experience. |
Features
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Wi-Fi/NFC/QR code for easy file transfer and remote controlEasily connect with NFC or QR code (for non-NFC devices) to smartphones or tablets with the built-in Wi-Fi and Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile application available for Android and iOS platforms. Control your camera or transfer files to your device for fast and easy sharing without the need of a computer. It also supports Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps, which add a variety of creative capabilities to the camera. Then when you’re done, you can use the free software to sort and manage your stills and video with PlayMemories Home or edit your RAW file with either Sony’s Image Data Converter or Capture One Express (for Sony). |
Focal plane phase-detection AF with A-mount lenses10The α6300 offers focal plane phase-detection autofocus with A-mount lenses10 that have SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) or SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) and by using a LA-E3 or LA-EA1 (APS C format with LA-EA1) lens mount adaptor. You can take advantage of the wide AF coverage of 425 focal plane phase-detection AF points, high-speed response, high tracking capability and high optical performance of A-mount lenses. |
4x/5x slow motion recording at 120fps Full HDCapture high-quality Full HD footage at 120fps high-speed shooting with a high bit rate up to 100Mbps. The camera can record 4x/5x slow motion movies internally when the frame rate is set at 30p or 24p or use the 120fps footage to edit into slow motion later on. |
Features
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High-bit-rate XAVC S format for 4K recordingThe consumer friendly XAVC S format6 supports 4K recording at maximum 100Mbps bit rate as well as Full HD recording at 50Mbps, so the α6300 can capture movies6 filled with finely detailed movement. For efficient handling, XAVC S files are minimized in size using Long GOP data compression, and contained in the widely compatible MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format. |
3-inch LCD screen tilts up and down for easy high and low-angle framingThe tiltable 3-inch (921k dots) LCD Display makes it easy to photograph over crowds, or objects close to the ground or maybe you just want to get a different perspective. The screen can swivel up approx. 90° and down approx. 45°. The large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies thanks to WhiteMagic technology that nearly doubles the brightness of the display through a unique RGBW pixel structure for easier checking of the focus and image details. |
Recommended Accessories-Battery NPFW50; -Charger BCTRW -Flash HVLF32M; -Microphone ECMXYST1M -Screen protector PCKLM17; -Jacket case LCSEBE/B -Case LCSU21 1 Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras as of February 2016, based on Sony research, measured using CIPA-compliant guidelines, and internal measurement method with an E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens mounted, Pre-AF off and viewfinder in use. 2 Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras as of February 2016, based on Sony research. 3 Approximate effective megapixels. 4 Dust and moisture resistance does not suggest that absolutely no dust and water will be able to enter the body. For FE lens only. 5 Movie recording is possible for approximately 29 minutes. 6 Expandable up to ISO 51200 for stills and up to ISO 25600 for movies. |
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| SEL-P18105G | SEL-18135 | SEL-P18110G | SEL-1018 | SEL-70200G | SEL-70300G | |
| E mount Lens | E PZ 18–105 mm F4 G OSS | E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS | E PZ 18–110 mm F4 G OSS | E 10–18 mm F4 OSS | FE 70-200 mm F4 G OSS | FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS |
| Body compatibility | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.48 (Wide)-3.12 ft (Tele) | 1.48 ft (0.45 m) | 3.12 ft | 0.82 ft (0.25 m) | 3.15 ft | 2.96 ft (0.9 m) |
| Maximum magnification ratio(x) | 0.11 x | 0 29 x | 0.122 x | 0.1 x | 0.25 x | 0.31 x |
| Filter diameter (mm) | 72 mm | 55 mm | 95 mm | 62 mm | 77 mm | 72 mm |
| Weight | 15.1 oz (427 g) | 11.5 oz (325 g) | 39 oz (1,105 g) | 8 oz (225 g) | 52.21 oz | 30.2 oz (854 g) |
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| NP-FW50 | ECM-GZ1M | ECM-XYST1M | VCT-VPR1 | HVL-F45RM | HVLF60RM | |
| Accessory Type | Battery | Microphone | Microphone | Tripod | Flash | Flash |
| Product name | W-series Rechargeable Battery Pack | Gun zoom microphone | Stereo Mic For Multi-Interface Shoe | Remote Control Tripod | External Flash with Wireless Radio Control | High-speed flash |
| Compatibility with α6300 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dimensions | - | - | - | - | Approx. 2 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" | Approx. 3 1/8 × 5 1/2 × 4 1/8 " |
| Weight | - | - | 3.53 oz | - | 11.2 oz (317 g) | 15.9 oz (449 g) |
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Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless Camera
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| Customer Rating | (446) | (1155) | (1454) | (3167) | (1650) | (311) |
| Price | $888.55 | $898.00 | $648.00 | $649.00 | $468.00 | $1,230.24 |
| Sold By | Willoughby's Established 1898 | Focus Camera LLC | Focus Camera LLC | Focus Camera LLC | R&R Electro | Amazon Warehouse |
| Screen Size | 3 inches | — | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Has Image Stabilization | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Item Dimensions | 6.2 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches | 6.1 x 5.6 x 4.5 inches | 4.72 x 1.77 x 2.64 inches | 2.3 x 4.6 x 3.5 inches | 4.72 x 1.77 x 2.64 inches | 4.7 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.55 lbs | 1.45 lbs | 0.76 lbs | 0.86 lbs | 0.76 lbs | 1.11 lbs |
| Optical Sensor Resolution | 24.2 megapixels | — | 24.3 megapixels | 24 megapixels | 24.0 megapixels | 24.2 megapixels |
| Optical Zoom | 3.1x | 1.00x | 3x | 3x | 1x | 0 |
| Photo Sensor Size | APS-C | Full Frame (35mm) | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C |
| Video Capture Resolution | 2160p | — | 1080p | 2160p | 1080p | 2160p |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic | LCD | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2016
So. Here I sit looking at my recently arrived Sony A6300. At first glance, it’s nearly indistinguishable from the A6000 sitting next to it. At second glance, the slightly textured finish of the magnesium alloy body and the return of the AF/MF switch just under the mode dial do supply some visual cues. Looking at the top plate seals it since there is a distinct A63000 label. So, if it is virtually the same camera, why did I buy it?
Turning it on, spending 20-30 minutes in the menu and playing with autofocus provided at least half of the answer. This is not a technical leap like the A6000 was when it first appeared but it has solid improvements that based on personal needs or preferences, may or may not justify the $400 difference between it and the still-available A6000. The justification depends a lot on how and what you shoot. If you use your camera for video at all, it could be a done deal since the improvements in that department make it one of the most capable part-time video cameras in its price range. If not, your decision may be a bit more difficult. Not because the A6300 is in any way lame, but because the A6000 is still to be considered a fantastic camera.
After a few days, I’ve compiled a list of the changes (so far) that justify my choice for getting an A6300 and moving the A6000 to the second body position in my travel kit.
Two small things right off the bat:
"USB Power Supply = On" Allows the use of a USB battery pack to extend battery life almost indefinitely. It allows the camera to operate while charging and with a 15,000 MAH device charger pack connected, it should power the camera for hours.
"Release w/o Card = Disable" No more puttering around in the garden snapping random flowers only to find the card was left in the reader when inspiration hit.
The significant things:
1. Focus : Autofocus is incredible. 425 phase-detect focus points on the sensor cover most of the frame and allow for vastly improved focus tracking. Face recognition is fast and accurate. Improved eye-AF tracks focus on a subject’s eyes so the face is always in focus. Huge value for weddings and such. Did I mention fast? The A6000 and the 55-210 kit lens wan't bad for outdoor action shooting but the A6300 makes me want to pop for the 70-200 f/4 and go find some flying birds or something. One feature I hadn’t heard mentioned but stumbled across in the menu was “AF In Focus Mag.” It allows you to magnify the focus point while in DMF mode as you would in manual focus and a half-press on the shutter activates autofocus while remaining zoomed, allowing for a critical focus check. Another pleasant surprise is that the on-sensor phase-detect is now available to lenses like my A-mount 16-50 f/2.8 SSM via the LA-EA3 adapter. Focus speed seems little different, if at all, from native lenses. AF-A is disabled, as is DMF and the specific MF setting but manual focus is always available.
2. Viewfinder: The A6300 has nearly double the number of pixels as the one in the A6000 and while the difference is noticeable, it isn’t an oh-my-God difference. What is very noticeable is the 120hz refresh on the viewfinder which eliminates image tearing and lag. I’m also happy to see the return of the electronic level as a viewfinder and LCD overlay. Unlike its predecessors that display the last image shot in a rapid (but lagging) slide show during burst shooting, the A6300 offers a real-time live viewfinder display at 8 frames per second with full auto-exposure and focus tracking that makes action shooting much easier. It really brings EVF tech one step closer to eliminating the need for any optical component to the viewfinder beyond letting light in through the lens.
3. Silent Shutter Mode: It is truly silent. Its potential for use in a solemn situations like wedding ceremonies is pretty awesome. I did some research on the tech behind it and found an interesting article related to the A7x series cameras that warn of the time it takes to read out the image once the electronic second shutter is triggered. If panning aggressively or if a subject were to move suddenly an effect similar to the “jell-o legs” in CMOS video may manifest. Concerned, I went out and did some testing and found that though setting the shutter to silent limits burst shooting to “Low”, even aggressive panning didn’t distort vertical lines in any of the situations I tried. My guess is that the electronic second curtain terminates the exposure very quickly and the 1/20 sec. or so for readout and reset for a single frame, while taking a little extra time, is done after the exposure is recorded and the distortion doesn’t come into play as it does in video.
4. Build: Not a tank but definitely, at least, an IED-resistant Humvee. Reminiscent of the NEX-7, actually. The magnesium alloy feels solid (but so does the A6000’s polycarbonate) and its pebbled texture feels “comfortable”. The grip now has a slight indentation at the bottom on the lens side right where your middle and ring fingers rest. The indentation on the grip sharpens the ridge a bit and makes it slightly easier for my medium-sized hand to hold (IMHO). The body is 4mm thicker front to back than the A6000 and along with the extra 2 ounces of heft makes the camera feel a little more substantial but unless you have a body in each hand, the additional weight isn’t really noticeable. Except for the aforementioned AF/MF switch, the controls are identical. The added weather sealing just ices the cake.
5. Sensor: Another evolutionary rather than revolutionary list of improvements. The shallower photosites made possible by using copper rather than aluminum in the sensor circuitry improve compatibility with wide-angle lenses (theoretically) as well as light gathering. 10x better in low light than the A6000? Sadly, no. However, the changes in the sensor and processor have made about a one-stop improvement IMHO. I can set the auto-ISO to 6400 now with little to fear where the A6000's ISO6400 shots were hit and miss as far as usability. Copper wire is a better conductor than aluminum which may contribute to the significantly faster readout that enables 120fps in 1080p recording. The big thing is the phase-detect autofocus array and associated image analysis for tracking and overall speed. There is still hunting in low-contrast, dim environments but the ability to find and lock focus is much improved. Of all the improvements, this could be the One Big Thing when looking for a reason to choose the A6300 over its older sibling.
6. Customization: The buttons and Fn menu can now be customized to host almost any shooting or playback function. After I finished fiddling with button customization I have settled on Focus Assist for C1 by the shutter release and Silent Shutter for C2 on the back. I then turned to the Fn menu and found that the Drive, ISO and Exposure Compensation access on the four-way nav had redundant entries in the grid as did the top-dial-adjustable Shooting Mode. I replaced them with a few items left out in button customization that I would I still have to dig in the main menu to get to. Now Auto ISO Minimum Shutter Speed (another neat new feature), Face/Smile Detect, Image Quality and Finder Refresh Rate are easily accessed.
***Update*** Not sure how I missed the Fn settings feature in the A6000 menu but now I have set my A6000 to match the A6300. Live and learn! (And RTFM!)
7. Video: Except for occasional short clips of no more than 5 minutes, I don't do video. If I did and wanted to shoot important video of a wedding or something, I'd buy an actual video camera that doesn't legally have to legally terminate shooting at 29 minutes and 59 seconds to avoid import taxes. The A6300 is a stills camera with remarkable video capability, not a dedicated video camera. I may play with some of the video features simply because they are there but I bought this camera for the solid still image feature set.
I've only had the camera for a week so far but my initial impression pretty much confirms the research I did before ordering it. I have taken it out for a spin at Disneyland and despite the poor light and 16-50 kit lens (jacket pocket camera), I came back with some very nice images. So far, it's a definite keeper for me!
I will update if I come across anything new. The 18-105 f/4 G arrived a couple of days ago and I'm eager to see what it can do.
***Update - six months in***
Since the first review I've shot about 10K images and my first good impression has only gotten better. The choice of the 18-105 f/4 G was a good one too. Despite its size, it spends more time on the A6300 than any other lens. The improved live-view and extra stop of clean ISO really came in handy shooting a wedding in June and even though it was about 102° and humid for an outdoor wedding (yeah, I know...), I had no overheating issue for stills or bursts (no video). Eye AF is pretty amazing when trying to keep someone in focus on a dance floor and tracking AF is actually useful now. It doesn't feel any different from the A6000 until I shoot with the A6000. As good as the A6000 is (and that is quite good), the A6300 is an obvious upgrade if you use both alternately.
Bottom line: I feel my money was well spent. I don't find myself wishing for the next upgrade or feel the need to jump to full-frame right now. The image quality is excellent and being able to carry two cameras and an assortment of lenses in a day pack makes this photographer smile.
Color: BlackStyle: BaseConfiguration: BaseVerified Purchase
An Alpha evolution (Updated)
By D. Pierce on March 23, 2016
Retiring my DSLR and moving to the Sony mirrorless system has been the most liberating event in my decades of photography since digital and autofocus before that. Same (now better) quality and performance with half the weight. Traveller's dream! I currently shoot with an A6000 with a NEX-3C as a backup/second body in the travel kit. Many comments are based on comparing the A6300 to its older sibling.By D. Pierce on March 23, 2016
So. Here I sit looking at my recently arrived Sony A6300. At first glance, it’s nearly indistinguishable from the A6000 sitting next to it. At second glance, the slightly textured finish of the magnesium alloy body and the return of the AF/MF switch just under the mode dial do supply some visual cues. Looking at the top plate seals it since there is a distinct A63000 label. So, if it is virtually the same camera, why did I buy it?
Turning it on, spending 20-30 minutes in the menu and playing with autofocus provided at least half of the answer. This is not a technical leap like the A6000 was when it first appeared but it has solid improvements that based on personal needs or preferences, may or may not justify the $400 difference between it and the still-available A6000. The justification depends a lot on how and what you shoot. If you use your camera for video at all, it could be a done deal since the improvements in that department make it one of the most capable part-time video cameras in its price range. If not, your decision may be a bit more difficult. Not because the A6300 is in any way lame, but because the A6000 is still to be considered a fantastic camera.
After a few days, I’ve compiled a list of the changes (so far) that justify my choice for getting an A6300 and moving the A6000 to the second body position in my travel kit.
Two small things right off the bat:
"USB Power Supply = On" Allows the use of a USB battery pack to extend battery life almost indefinitely. It allows the camera to operate while charging and with a 15,000 MAH device charger pack connected, it should power the camera for hours.
"Release w/o Card = Disable" No more puttering around in the garden snapping random flowers only to find the card was left in the reader when inspiration hit.
The significant things:
1. Focus : Autofocus is incredible. 425 phase-detect focus points on the sensor cover most of the frame and allow for vastly improved focus tracking. Face recognition is fast and accurate. Improved eye-AF tracks focus on a subject’s eyes so the face is always in focus. Huge value for weddings and such. Did I mention fast? The A6000 and the 55-210 kit lens wan't bad for outdoor action shooting but the A6300 makes me want to pop for the 70-200 f/4 and go find some flying birds or something. One feature I hadn’t heard mentioned but stumbled across in the menu was “AF In Focus Mag.” It allows you to magnify the focus point while in DMF mode as you would in manual focus and a half-press on the shutter activates autofocus while remaining zoomed, allowing for a critical focus check. Another pleasant surprise is that the on-sensor phase-detect is now available to lenses like my A-mount 16-50 f/2.8 SSM via the LA-EA3 adapter. Focus speed seems little different, if at all, from native lenses. AF-A is disabled, as is DMF and the specific MF setting but manual focus is always available.
2. Viewfinder: The A6300 has nearly double the number of pixels as the one in the A6000 and while the difference is noticeable, it isn’t an oh-my-God difference. What is very noticeable is the 120hz refresh on the viewfinder which eliminates image tearing and lag. I’m also happy to see the return of the electronic level as a viewfinder and LCD overlay. Unlike its predecessors that display the last image shot in a rapid (but lagging) slide show during burst shooting, the A6300 offers a real-time live viewfinder display at 8 frames per second with full auto-exposure and focus tracking that makes action shooting much easier. It really brings EVF tech one step closer to eliminating the need for any optical component to the viewfinder beyond letting light in through the lens.
3. Silent Shutter Mode: It is truly silent. Its potential for use in a solemn situations like wedding ceremonies is pretty awesome. I did some research on the tech behind it and found an interesting article related to the A7x series cameras that warn of the time it takes to read out the image once the electronic second shutter is triggered. If panning aggressively or if a subject were to move suddenly an effect similar to the “jell-o legs” in CMOS video may manifest. Concerned, I went out and did some testing and found that though setting the shutter to silent limits burst shooting to “Low”, even aggressive panning didn’t distort vertical lines in any of the situations I tried. My guess is that the electronic second curtain terminates the exposure very quickly and the 1/20 sec. or so for readout and reset for a single frame, while taking a little extra time, is done after the exposure is recorded and the distortion doesn’t come into play as it does in video.
4. Build: Not a tank but definitely, at least, an IED-resistant Humvee. Reminiscent of the NEX-7, actually. The magnesium alloy feels solid (but so does the A6000’s polycarbonate) and its pebbled texture feels “comfortable”. The grip now has a slight indentation at the bottom on the lens side right where your middle and ring fingers rest. The indentation on the grip sharpens the ridge a bit and makes it slightly easier for my medium-sized hand to hold (IMHO). The body is 4mm thicker front to back than the A6000 and along with the extra 2 ounces of heft makes the camera feel a little more substantial but unless you have a body in each hand, the additional weight isn’t really noticeable. Except for the aforementioned AF/MF switch, the controls are identical. The added weather sealing just ices the cake.
5. Sensor: Another evolutionary rather than revolutionary list of improvements. The shallower photosites made possible by using copper rather than aluminum in the sensor circuitry improve compatibility with wide-angle lenses (theoretically) as well as light gathering. 10x better in low light than the A6000? Sadly, no. However, the changes in the sensor and processor have made about a one-stop improvement IMHO. I can set the auto-ISO to 6400 now with little to fear where the A6000's ISO6400 shots were hit and miss as far as usability. Copper wire is a better conductor than aluminum which may contribute to the significantly faster readout that enables 120fps in 1080p recording. The big thing is the phase-detect autofocus array and associated image analysis for tracking and overall speed. There is still hunting in low-contrast, dim environments but the ability to find and lock focus is much improved. Of all the improvements, this could be the One Big Thing when looking for a reason to choose the A6300 over its older sibling.
6. Customization: The buttons and Fn menu can now be customized to host almost any shooting or playback function. After I finished fiddling with button customization I have settled on Focus Assist for C1 by the shutter release and Silent Shutter for C2 on the back. I then turned to the Fn menu and found that the Drive, ISO and Exposure Compensation access on the four-way nav had redundant entries in the grid as did the top-dial-adjustable Shooting Mode. I replaced them with a few items left out in button customization that I would I still have to dig in the main menu to get to. Now Auto ISO Minimum Shutter Speed (another neat new feature), Face/Smile Detect, Image Quality and Finder Refresh Rate are easily accessed.
***Update*** Not sure how I missed the Fn settings feature in the A6000 menu but now I have set my A6000 to match the A6300. Live and learn! (And RTFM!)
7. Video: Except for occasional short clips of no more than 5 minutes, I don't do video. If I did and wanted to shoot important video of a wedding or something, I'd buy an actual video camera that doesn't legally have to legally terminate shooting at 29 minutes and 59 seconds to avoid import taxes. The A6300 is a stills camera with remarkable video capability, not a dedicated video camera. I may play with some of the video features simply because they are there but I bought this camera for the solid still image feature set.
I've only had the camera for a week so far but my initial impression pretty much confirms the research I did before ordering it. I have taken it out for a spin at Disneyland and despite the poor light and 16-50 kit lens (jacket pocket camera), I came back with some very nice images. So far, it's a definite keeper for me!
I will update if I come across anything new. The 18-105 f/4 G arrived a couple of days ago and I'm eager to see what it can do.
***Update - six months in***
Since the first review I've shot about 10K images and my first good impression has only gotten better. The choice of the 18-105 f/4 G was a good one too. Despite its size, it spends more time on the A6300 than any other lens. The improved live-view and extra stop of clean ISO really came in handy shooting a wedding in June and even though it was about 102° and humid for an outdoor wedding (yeah, I know...), I had no overheating issue for stills or bursts (no video). Eye AF is pretty amazing when trying to keep someone in focus on a dance floor and tracking AF is actually useful now. It doesn't feel any different from the A6000 until I shoot with the A6000. As good as the A6000 is (and that is quite good), the A6300 is an obvious upgrade if you use both alternately.
Bottom line: I feel my money was well spent. I don't find myself wishing for the next upgrade or feel the need to jump to full-frame right now. The image quality is excellent and being able to carry two cameras and an assortment of lenses in a day pack makes this photographer smile.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
Color: BlackStyle: BaseConfiguration: BaseVerified Purchase
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