Upgrade from NEX 6

[Imfor Umman]

Hello all,

Some years ago I switched from a the Canon EOS nnnD series (Rebel) to the Sony APS-C mirrorless series, at the time I switched to the NEX 6. Even though I did and still do enjoy photographing with this camera, I always missed the "direct" feeling of the DSLR, and always felt especially the auto-focus of the ie EOS 450D was quicker and more reliable than that of the NEX 6. I own the SEL50F18 35F18 16F28 30M35 and 18200LE (and would immediately buy an 85F18 or so if they made one), meaning three of my five lenses have OSS, and for one, the macro, it's not an issue.

What I would like input on, is what camera I should upgrade to...

a6400 with the best AF system

a6500 with IBIS and a better AF system, but then I could have upgraded over two years ago

or take a chill and wait for the

a6700? possibly integrating the best AF system and IBIS into one body.

I like taking pictures in low-light situations so IBIS is an issue for me (having an additive effect to the ILIS). As my subjects have shifted from landscapes and travel-street-motivs to also include two very fast moving children I sometimes wish I had the equipment for sports photography, but I'm not really wanting to go down that road and think it isn't necessary.

For the options currently on the market, do you think I will finally be able to forget my DSLR, or may I have to accept that a DSLR and a mirrorless will always be a world apart?

Your thoughts?

Thanks ahead of time...

 

[davelok]

Sounds like the a6400 or an upgrade to the a6500 might be better for you.

 

[C.Eaton]

I've had a NEX6 since 2012, prior to that I had a Sony 5n, so I'm well versed with the limitations of the NEX's focussing which is the main reason why I bought a A6400 a couple of weeks ago.

The A6400 is light years ahead of the NEX6 but the AF is so much more complicated that I'm still working my way through getting the best settings which work for me.

Bottom line is this is an awesome camera; the eye AF and object tracking put it right up there with the best cameras out there.

My A6400 with current favourite lens the Sony FE 70-300.

 

[G Rash]

For the kids, I'd get the a6400 as the AF is improved over all other a6xxx bodies. Add an 18-135 and you're reasonably well covered for their daylight activities. Your 50mm f/1.8 should be good for indoor shots.

 

[PhotoFactor]

I'd get the A6400 and be amazed at the difference in AF performance.

 

[Dr JLW]

I went from a Nex 7 to a 6000 when my Nex 7 died. It so much cheaper than than the other models and it auto focus is plenty fast and accurate for my needs.

The 6500 is a lot more expensive (as in three times the cost now) and the reviews on its IBIS were not impressive. I do a lot with vintage optics. With a high ISO, a monopod for travel, and a tripod for home with the remote app along with fast lenses let me use high shutter speeds to reduce blur.

How fast and how many AF zones more than a hundred does anyone really need? and I am not going to shoot 4K video,

My approach is to buy the 6000 and save my money for better IBIS. The downside is that I have be very careful with heavy lenses since I do not trust the 6000 lens mount for durability, but if I get a few years out of it, I can go to IBIS when it works better,

 

[Anders_Nilsson]

First, go get the 18-135. Second, go get the a6400 if you favor sports. Or get the a6400 if you favor anything else. The 18-135 ha OIS so IBIS is a moot point. If you really use the primes then I guess IBIS is relevant but after using the 18-135 I think you will stick to that lens.

 

[Craig Gillette]

While I wanted the rumored a6700. you can't take pictures with rumors.

I added the A6400 last week, The 18-135 was the tipping point, though. With the 12/2 I added a couple of months back, the A6400 and 18-135 really handles most of the "problems" the NEX-6 and 16-50 I have had. As likely would the A6500. I got the NEX-6 several years ago just before a trip to Italy (which happened just before the A6000 came out.) We didn't want to deal with the bulk and weight of much of my dslr kit.

OTOH, not ditching my D7200 kit. I've had it longer, so got more stuff, lenses, flash, etc. But not inconsiderable weight comes along with that functionality.

Harder to advise between A6400 and A6500. For me, I wanted the better focus system over the IBIS (and other factors) but the A6500 is a lot faster and has better focus than the NEX-6, too, so your style might lead you to the A6500.

I decided not to wait.

 

[Son Of Mustang Ford]

I own the SEL50F18 35F18 16F28 30M35 and 18200LE (and would immediately buy an 85F18 or so if they made one),

They do make one - or do you go along with all that rubbish that because its an FE lens its too big and expensive for APS-C (that would be the 85 F1.4 GM).

OK, with the lens hood fitted it looks huge - but the lens hood (a) is an option, and (b) weighs very little.

I bought one of these last December to replace my ancient (and MF) Pentax 85mm f2 and haven't regretted it for a second - it is my 'go to' lens accounting for around 75% of my pictures, and it is not out of place on Nex5n which is smaller than any of the a6xxx cameras.







Cheers

 

[Imfor Umman]

I own the SEL50F18 35F18 16F28 30M35 and 18200LE (and would immediately buy an 85F18 or so if they made one),

They do make one - or do you go along with all that rubbish that because its an FE lens its too big and expensive for APS-C (that would be the 85 F1.4 GM)

Well, size and weight matter, and despite that I do know and drool about that lens, but here it clearly is the price that prevents me from dipping in. A step down in maximum aperture and the reduced price (size, and weight) and I'm in.

Thanks for your input!

 

[isvana]

...

My approach is to buy the 6000 and save my money for better IBIS. The downside is that I have be very careful with heavy lenses since I do not trust the 6000 lens mount for durability, but if I get a few years out of it, I can go to IBIS when it works better,

Agree. Just did the same (albeit as a 2nd cam for a big trip wanting 24Mp). So go...

A6000 for value
A6400 for AF
A7riii if cost no option and foresee an FF future

 

[Son Of Mustang Ford]

I own the SEL50F18 35F18 16F28 30M35 and 18200LE (and would immediately buy an 85F18 or so if they made one),

They do make one - or do you go along with all that rubbish that because its an FE lens its too big and expensive for APS-C (that would be the 85 F1.4 GM)

Well, size and weight matter, and despite that I do know and drool about that lens, but here it clearly is the price that prevents me from dipping in. A step down in maximum aperture and the reduced price (size, and weight) and I'm in.

Thanks for your input!

Oh I'm with you on price, there's a reason I still use a Nex body. Getting the 85 1.8 was my first big photography spend for a fair while. This month I have replaced my slowly dying Nex3 with an ebay Nex5n for less than sixty notes - that's more normal.

Cheers

 

[REDunnLev]

There is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 and the Batis 85mm f/1.8. The Sony is much cheaper than the Batis and about 60% of the price depending on where you look.

As for your original question I love my a6500. I have a a6000 and I had a NEX 5R. The AF on the a6500 is much better than both of my previous cameras. The Sony 85mm is not stabilized so the IBIS helps with that issue.

 

[jam3sd121]

I upgraded from a NEX 6 to A6000 last year after buying a Sigma 30mm f1.4. I noticed the NEX 6 had quite slow auto focusing for such a fast lens. The A6000 was a HUGE improvement. At this point the 6400 was not released or heavily rumored.

All of my glass (16 f1.4, 30 f1.4, 50 f1.8, 85 f1.8, 135 f3.5 (vintage)) is non oss besides the 50mm so I kind of wish I had the A6500 but I think the next generation of that camera will be much better in IBIS. You'll definitely at least get faster AF from going to the A6000, but when another A6xxx model comes out the pricing for it will probably drop another $50-150 so if your planning to sell once a bigger upgrade comes out you may not recoup all the cost.

My plan is to wait for a A6500 successor and determine if I want to go full frame or stick with aps-c

 

[GaryW]

I also used a Nex-6 for many years. The AF is good, generally, but wasn't quite good enough for fast action. I ended up getting a used 6500 rather than a 6400, as, like the previous poster, I like to play with vintage glass, and the IBIS will likely come in handy.

The 6400 might be better if needing the best tracking. I'm still trying to work out how good the 6500 is, but at least it's a step up from the Nex-6. Buying new, I probably would have gone with the 6400, but the 6500 is a solid camera.

I didn't upgrade to the A6000 partially because I wanted to get more use out of the Nex-6 before upgrading (it's worked pretty well), but while the AF is much better in the A6000, there are a couple of things that didn't seem as good. Regardless, the A6000 is a great deal, if on a tight budget. It's really up to each individual as to how many improved features they like before upgrading. I found it a bit hard to decide.