This week, Sony introduced its newest APS-C camera, the a6400. Of course, Chris and Jordan were on hand to take it for a spin and test out all the new features. Watch to find out what they think of Sony's newest model.
HA, I'm not going to watch all those videos. I'd rather skim the text for what I'm interested in. Just to be clear, they need my clicks more than I need to see their review.
Basically, there are only two ways to assess the AF of this a6400: to try it yourself, or to watch a video like the above. The latter does a pretty good job at it, section starting at 10:08 definitely makes me want my a6500 could do something similar. "Skimming the text" (however detailed) BTW is not a substitute for those who prefer to use own brains rather than to rely on somebody else's conclusions.
If state-of-the-art AF is not your among your interests, fine, just move on. No need to announce it to the world, really...
@vadims, wow talk about condescending, look at you: "those who prefer to use own brains". Give me a break, you'll listen to them blab on about a camera relying on their opinions. I don't have 10:08 minutes to waste watching this review, let alone all those videos. I would watch a 30 second clip on AF. I'll look at the image comparison (I never read their text, I use my own brain). I look at the still images of the camera in a hand. I look at the auto-focus sequences. I skip most of the text.
No, I don't want "state-of-the-art AF", yea, jeez, I like blurry photos. Read my comments. I didn't like the format of the review, it had nothing to do with the camera. If I want a bunch of videos, I'll go to youtube. I like the old style reviews, and I wanted DPR to know.
The DPReview TV episodes are for people who enjoy video reviews. The written reviews are still being produced, for visitors who prefer those.
No need to choose, what a great website!
@Kona Mike, who are you? The world's most interesting dumbass?? ...I don't watch videos but when I do, I don't read the review... What can I say? Thanks for the click.
@JordanDrake why the greyed-out DPR symbol close to your name instead of the colored one? It makes you look like a second class DPR employee. I move for Chris and Jordan to get the 'real' DPR icon next to their names. LOL
People have to realize that a new version of a camera is just that, an update. The camera is in a certain market, based on price and performance. A new version isn't supposed to bump it up to the next market level. If you want to bump up a level, get the next model up.
Everyone's treating this camera like it's a flagship or something. It's an APS-C midrange camera. Similar to a D7500. For what it is, it's absolutely incredible with AF, and top notch for APS-C IQ. Most of the improvements have been centered around the new processors inside and extra RAM buffer. But they're huge improvements, especially in such a low ranking camera. But that's what Sony does best: giving out its latest tech to whichever camera may be next in line for an update. Sony doesn't discriminate with its features like Canikon does, and it's one of the reasons they've attracted so much attention and so many sales.
Hi Chris, Jordan. I don’t know all the camera systems well. I watched this video and did not really know whether this camera had a fixed or interchangeable lens system. Reading the comments, I gather it’s an interchangeable APS-C system - please help some of your watchers and include this essential basic information. Thanks. John (more Nikon and Fuji guy)
A fair review, as expected. You can turn it anyway you like and of course it is a great family camera but it also costs 900$. My take is this: It's been 5 years since the A6000 and looking at the IQ, the 6000 still is a sgood as the 6500 (and presumably the 6400 won't be better). After 5 years! Also we're still stuck with the crappy kit lens and not many good and affordable and sensible lens choices for the APS-C E-mount. So kudos for addressing AF, a huge factor, but otherwise....boring and expensive. Or...to be positive: The 6000 was a milestone camera 5, yes, 5 years ago.
Yes A6x00 has better IQ than A6000, no doubt. But is it 5 years ahead ? Hell no. Compare how A7III improved on the A7 and put that into perspective. In the end Sony is just reheating old parts and added new software (good one though). At least for me as European it's a hard sell for the asked € price, but I might be willing to spend more on A7000 or whatever it's called if it's a real step forward in more regards than just AF algorithms.
As to IQ between 6000 and 6x00: I looked at the comparison here and at ISO 3200 or 6400 there seems to be very little difference in the jpgs (which is what I'm interested in, granted). Don't know how they can be worlds apart but maybe other people have other priorities (RAW?).
"Compare how A7III improved on the A7 and put that into perspective."
Actually, the A6300 compares favorably to the A7 and A7 II. That's some pretty decent perspective, APS-C catching up to FF in the same generation of camera.
"In the end Sony is just reheating old parts and added new software (good one though). " Considering the A6300 sensor is still class leading (only challenged by the X-T3's Sony sensor), there's a lot of life left. The next sensor, most likely in either the A6600 or A7000, will be insane.
"at ISO 3200 or 6400 there seems to be very little difference in the jpgs"
You'll find that with most cameras. JPGs barely scratch the surface of what the camera's capable of. They basically play it safe, keeping the image corralled in fear of showing any kind of weakness. You get vastly more detail, in sharpness and color, a couple stops more DR, and the ability to reduce noise much more effectively, in RAW.
If you want JPG, you're better off with an RX100, as the IQ is very close, despite the tiny sensor:
@MILC man - I'm "clearly" not an engineer because I chose not to invest money into what has been termed a "test bed" or more specifically, a beta platform for Sony engineers??? That presumption is nonsense. "Clearly", you have a misunderstanding of how an electrical engineer's mind works, especially one that has an understanding of how money works as well.
@ Photomedium - Oh for sure, the EOS-R may prove a disaster. Apart from it's excellent sensor and AF (stolen from the 5D Mark IV), it has little to show for all that cash. Another Beta camera being foisted on the unsuspecting types to test it's new lens mount.
They only get excited because they get a free holiday. Dunno how you can produce a proper review after only a weekend while being wined and dined by the company that makes the product.
@Paul... didn't you hear what they said? a completely unbiased review despite all the perks.
what's funny is that I bet they actually mostly believe this.
Read a bit about the history of the medical drug/device industry for a great lesson on how misguided this notion is. Even tiny perks like dinners and pens and donuts have been shown to influence doctors' decisions.
it is foolish to believe these bribes don't work. it's no surprise that the other manufacturers followed sony's lead when they saw how effective it was (which is not to say they aren't good cameras Also).
M H S The medical profession has this down to a fine art. I worked at an acute mental health hospital where all the consultant psychiatrists were invited to attend a two day conference in South Africa. Tacked onto this trip was an all expenses paid 2 week safari for them and their families. Without a word of a lie all of them said they would not be swayed by this, but when they got back every single patient in the hospital had their medication regimes switch to the products of that company.
A very good friend who used to lecture in medicine at one of Australia’s top universities reckoned you tell when a doctor trained by the drugs they prescribe.
@Paul Amyes - it will be interesting to see if these comments survive.
In the past, when I have pointed out DPR's conflict of interest, and poor understanding of the effect this conflict has on their views, my comments were taken down. Go figure!
@ Paul Amyes - I was in technical sales for many years and it never ceased to amaze me how my closing rate jumped dramatically with just one lunch that I would pick up the check for. At least Chris had the ethical decency to point out his "full disclosure" before he reviewed the camera. Many of these so-called 'reviewers' don't do even that much.
It prioritises the face that is initially nearest to the centre of the frame, and then tracks it across the frame. Other faces in the scene that are nearer or further away will be defocused unless there is sufficient depth of field to cover them.
With the new AF System, you lock on the subject, you like to follow. Then the AF will find the face and eyes of that subject. And if it can't find the face or eyes, it will follow the body... And that's what the reviewers are raving about. And as before, you can do a face registration and prioritize. But I guess, it's not anymore necessary, since you just need to lock once on the person, and keep your shutter half pressed.
So whether you're using the A6400, or CaNikon's MILCs, you're going to have low battery life. But at least the A6400's batteries are small and light. I use an A6000, and I don't mind carrying a couple extra Sony W batteries because they are so small, light, and compact. And a battery swap takes seconds. People act like changing the camera battery is like changing the battery in your car! It's not that big a deal, really. I just think of all the rolls of film I've changed when I was a film shooter, every 36 shots! That was far more tedious.
T3, I don't read too much into the CIPA rating, there is also the issue with how well the battery behaves at different temperatures and how fast it ages. These key factors are not measured at all. Taken at face value they all seem > or < the same.
I find that 2 or 3 batteries is plenty for a day of shooting. And if you can't keep a battery charged and ready for use, that's on you. Don't blame the camera for that. Preparedness is the responsibility of the user. These days, it seems like no one wants to take personal responsibility for anything. Plus, I have a battery charger that connects to a powerbank. I can literally charge a battery in camera as well as one in an external charger while driving to wherever I'm going.
If you're anyone who actually used a Canikon new ML and an A6x00, you would never ever ever say they're similar in battery life. Nothing could be farther from the truth in real-world shooting numbers. It's SO obvious.
@Ebrahim Saadawi - They're all quite similar. People have all kinds of anecdotal "evidence" that they are getting different battery life than is reported by CIPA. But CIPA performs controlled tests so that all cameras are measured under the same conditions. That's more reliable than so-called anecdotal claims from users. You can't just rely on anectodal impressions. It's like saying, "I don't care how much the reviewers measured the weight of the camera to be, the Canon camera feels waaay much lighter than the Nikon camera in real world use!"
@T3 What you call "anecdotal" evidence is literally EVERYONE who has ever used the Sony W battery saying that you need several for a full day of shooting. Chris says 10 in this review. I use the a6500 now and can back this up too. And literally EVERYONE who has used the Nikon Z or Canon EOS R cameras say the battery life is no issue.
On the other hand, the "theoretical" CIPA rating is wildly different than real-world usage for each camera, and it is clearly inconsistent across different cameras too.
"Chris says 10 in this review." But he didn't say that he uses ALL of them on a single day, LOL! I've been using the A6000 for years, and I've NEVER had to go through anything close to 10 batteries in a day! I'm typically fine with just 2 or 3 for a day, max 4. And I certainly would not choose a Z6 over a A6400 simply based on the battery currently in use. Also, the reality is that in real world shooting, the difference is probably going to be equivalent to just one extra battery change between one camera or another. Wow, big deal! And that's assuming that each battery is exactly at its full strength. There are various variables involved when it comes to battery life so it's very shortsighted and ill-adviced to, say, choose a Canon EOS R over an A6400 solely based on battery life. Besides, changing the battery is not the horrible ordeal that many people seem to be making it out to be. People act as if it's equivalent to gouging out there eyes, lol.
Yes, Chris said a Sony user will have 10 extra batteries lying around. Misquote by me, but still supports the point that the W batteries don't last very long. Whether it's an inconvenience or no big deal really depends on individual users. I would also pick a Sony a6xxx over any full frame camera in some situations for the size and certain features.
I own both the a6300 and a7r3. W battery is not so bad. Canon R is just as same as W. Nikon Z is worse in comparison. In the other hand, Sony spoiled us big time with Z battery. It’s incredible technology just that battery is. Leaves Canon R and Nikon Z out in the water. New Sony APS-C System is coming very soon with the new Z battery. Patience.
When I had my a6500 I used 3 batteries in a heavy day of use. I also had a USB battery charger so I could always have a battery charging from a pack.
Real world use is different for everyone. The reality is that different cameras burn battery at different rates doing different things. My a6500 sucked the battery down at a prodigious rate shooting in UHD. My a7iii is far more efficient at this task. One Z battery outlasts 3 W batteries for me with a 60/40 stills/video mix. I have a spare Z battery, but I've yet to need it and that's including photo filled days at WDW. At this point it's just there if I forget to charge mine. Its not just the added capacity of the Z battery, the A7iii is just more efficient. Perhaps the 6400 will see some of that as it shares the chipset with the 3rd gen FF bodies IIRC.
With my A6000 I use 3 batteries (1 Sony 2 off-brand) and have only pulled the third battery on very long days of photographing (e.g. a full-day trip to Mount Fuji). Given how small they are, it's not an undue burden, and you can charge in-camera with a battery bank to make things even easier.
That said, I wouldn't mind a larger battery in the same form factor!
This is exactly what this type of reviews should be conducted. First-hand experiences described clearly to cut through what the manufacturer offers as 'information'. No amount of sloganeering and sound biting by Sony would convince the audience that the AF is really improved. Less than a minute of Chris talking with example action - voila. This type of reviews need to tell beyond what everyone reading the spec sheet can decide for themself, and this is exactly what has happened with this review.
I would wager they decided to reuse the old 24 mp sensor found on the A6300 so the sensor would still have all the disadvantages of that sensor including rolling shutter.
Sony has reused a lot of existing hardware including its older body and processor which means older uhs 1 speed support and no headphone jack. I think the higher end A7000 or whatever it will be called will have a newer body and hopefully newer existing tech with a brand new sensor.
The slow SD write speeds seem more for power savings with the tiny battery. The A77II back in 2014 had faster SD write speeds but pretty poor battery life.
You know the 18mp APS-C sensor in the 7D/550D that you claim was crappy from day one, is a sensor that was released in the days of Nikon/Sony D90's with 12mp, 720p 30p video? And that sensor literally drove an entire revolution of filmmakers creating 1080p video with manual controls at 24p under 2500$ for the first time ever then and was the highest resolution APS-C offering then. That can HARDLY be called crappy in anyway.
Using it today is WRONG. Sony is the best sensor manufacturer in the planet. The A6400 "old" 24mp chip is absolutely brilliant, and I thoroughly still get shocked from it in the D3400 (no other manufacturer makes a better one, how can we call that old or crappy?) But come on give credit where it's due.
"You know the 18mp APS-C sensor in the 7D/550D that you claim was crappy from day one, is a sensor that was released in the days of Nikon/Sony D90's with 12mp,"
Yes, and I've owned cameras with both sensors (D90 and EOS M). The Canon sensor was horrifically bad in comparison. Was an absolute no-go for me. Good thing I got the EOS M on the fire sale, so I didn't lose much of anything.
"The A6400 "old" 24mp chip is absolutely brilliant, I thoroughly still get shocked from it in the D3400"
You'd be floored, then, if you actually used the sensor, because it's not in the D3400. ;)
"I guess this is a signal that they are giving up on the consumer APS-C market..."
Eh, you wish. I guess that's the argument that the desperate folks are now using: they are claiming that Sony is giving up on the consumer APS-C market. LOL. These people are really grasping at straws now.
The 18 MP canon sensor may have been good for video but its DR was horrible. Anything clipped would be unrecoverable. I still remember that my friend had a 7D when I was using the 16 MP Sony A55 and just how different my photos looked as his photos had a white blown out sky while mine had a good amount of detail.
Not to mention the banding in the shadows that made Canon famous. Coming from even a modest DR camera like the D90, Canon's 18MP sensor was very limiting and frustrating.
As a A6000/A5100 owner I've been waiting for an upgraded body for going on 5 years now. This isn't it ($1000 is not a mass market consumer camera like the A6000/5100 and the body is even worst than both the A6000/5100 somehow.... a frankencamera)
Seems no one is worried about ancient aps-c lens line up by sony ...no body is worried about a fast 17-50 2.8 and 70-150 2.8 ...or anything similar by 3rd party makers !
No use churning out model after model axxxx .... .
What you are saying is very true. The Sony system is more geared towards prime usage as the tiny bodies don't handle well with heavy lenses. The Sigma series of lenses for example are a very good set for the Sony APS c system. High quality fast zooms are unfortunately not available nor are any 3rd party equivalents available
yes give me a 17-50 2.8. I occasionally use the Sigma 18-35 mm f1.8 with MC-11 adapter on the A6300. Great IQ, but really unbalanced when I use a flash or LED light in my left hand. The SIgma 1.4 primes are great, but sometimes I need the flexibility of a zoom. I wish Tamron would make a APSC version of their 28-75mm 2.8 zoom, lightweight and compact.
It's only recently that Sony has moved into the upper-level of APS-C cameras. As the Sony APS-C system continues to attract higher-level APS-C users, higher-level APS-C lenses will follow. Sony will be introducing a flagship APS-C mirrorless body later this year. That will obviously create a bigger market for flagship APS-C lenses to go with it, such as a 17-50 2.8 and 70-150 2.8. Lens systems never appear out of thin air fully formed. They take time to grow, especially when systems are catering to both APS-C and FF users.
T3, the NEX-7 was at that time the upper level of APS-C camera's. Some are still waiting for it's successor the A7000. It can come any time soon...... But the NEX-7 came out way back in 2011. 8 years ago. That isn't recent. So please stop the BS.
T3 - that is my hope. I was considering the A7iii + Tamron 28-75, but the Eye AF of the A6400 is more advanced and it is also more useful with the way I shoot. I will buy the A6400, hope in a new lens that could make me sell the heavy Sigma 18-35. I may wait and see if the A7iii gets a Eye AF upgrade via FW update. I think Sony wanted to push everyone to FF, but it seems there is renewed interest for the APS-C. Hard to beat the A6400 for street / travel photography. At some point I considered Fuji, but it is pricier for equivalent features, and the AF does not seem as fast and reliable. But without Sigma, the lens options would be definitely poor. I actually would prefer a native e mount 17-50mm 2.8 from Sigma or Tamron closer to 600 USD than a Sony costing 1000 USD
"the NEX-7 was at that time the upper level of APS-C camera's. Some are still waiting for it's successor the A7000"
What made the NEX-7 "premium" was the premium build, which was restored in the A6300. It also had Tri-Navi, which is what the A7000 hopefuls are looking for. The actual A7000 will be a D500 competitor, not an NEX-7 successor. Already confirmed by Sony they'll have a pro APS-C camera.
@Thorgrem - I'm talking about upper performance levels.
Everything hinges on supply and demand. The NEX-7 had nowhere close to the performance levels that today's bodies have, so it didn't garner that much interest in the market. With the higher performance of today's bodies, the system is drawing much more interest, bringing in more demanding and higher-end users, creating more demand for lenses like a 17-50/2.8.
Canon's first APS-C DSLR was introduced in 2000. The Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 wasn't introduced until 2006. And the user pool/demand for Canon APS-C DSLR gear was *much* higher. But even with very high Canon APS-C popularity, it still took Canon 6 years to introduce the EF-S 17-55/2.8. And they've never produced an EF-S 50-150/2.8 or any other EF-S f/2.8 zoom for that matter.
"And they've never produced an EF-S 50-150/2.8 or any other EF-S f/2.8 zoom for that matter."
That's the thing nobody seems to realize. Only Fuji has created modern APS-C 2.8 zooms, and only because APS-C was the only system they had to manage at the time. Canikon's last/only APS-C zoom was around 15 years ago. Same with Pentax. How many other brands make APS-C cameras?
Samsung made an NX 16-50/2-2.8 and a superb 50-150/2.8 and a set of compact and affordable primes, even the kit zooms were good (not that it did a lot of good in the market).
So, it's certainly possible for bigger players to do (remember, NX mount had the longest flange distance and smallest throat of all MILCs).
@otto k - Things are obviously different when you only have a single format to support. Fuji X and Samsung NX are exclusively APS-C systems, so they could focus all their efforts solely on APS-C.
The MF system is a very recent development. Fuji had 4 years previous to make lenses solely for X-mount. With their MF being such a niche camera, tons of lenses aren't expected for it. Then again, MF isn't as difficult to design lenses for, as the sensor is much more forgiving than even FF, and people don't expect lenses to be compact.
@Thorgrem - "T3, Fuji also has a MF system to build"
...which only went into production in 2017. Up until then, Fuji just had the XF APS-C system. In comparison, Sony had the A-mount and E-mount systems going concurrently, and each system had both APS-C and FF formats!
@Thorgrem - Yes, and Fuji had the XF system in development for years before they started working on their GFX system.
But you're missing the point. The point is that if the Fuji XF and the Samsung NX systems had both APS-C and FF, they would find themselves in the same position as the Sony E system: deciding which lenses to offering for APS-C and which lenses to offer for FF. You simply can't offer every lens in both APS-C and FF, and certainly not all at once.
Thank your for this review covering pros and cons as well as showing impressive samples. Why didn't you upload the samples to a gallery of its own this time?
@QuietOC - what in a lens design make it properly supported with a hybrid-AF system? I was under the assumption that hybrid-AF is a camera feature, not a lens feature.
A poster below said sand doesn’t get inside his a6300. I happen to have one handy, and my friend and I poured a little sand on top and bottom and set it down on the sand. To make a long story short we are now using a shop vac to get sand out of the battary compartment which was completely shut during the test. Sand got everywhere and my friend is not happy. Try this at home at you own risk with water or sand. I’d avoid salt. Report back. Disclaimer, the only sand we had was white sand and it’s not coarse. Someone said put a light in the battery compartment and close it to see how unsealed it is. That would be a safer test.
@SidneyVision - The rest of us take pictures with our cameras. We don't sit around pouring sand on our cameras. In all my years of shooting, I've never poured sand on any of my cameras. And even when I set the camera down on sand, I made sure that there was something between the camera and the sand, like a towel or something.
I think this camera would be a much better fit for you if you're the kind of guy who enjoys pouring sand on his camera and tossing it around in the sand::
SidneyVision - Call that a real test? The least you could have done was to drive over the camera with a tank, set fire to it, throw it over a cliff, let it sit in saltwater for 3 weeks, and *then* pour sand over it. Try harder!
I only wanted to see if what BlueBomberTurbo was true or false. That was the only goals. His post proved to be demonstrably false. My friend was suprisednat just “open” the Sony bodies are. A cheap baggie fixes the flaw.
I've been to the beach at least 100x with my cameras. No sand, nothing rattling around inside. Swapped many a lens at the beach, but never poured sand on them. That's certainly not a method to reproduce real life experiences.
A baggie helps doesn’t it. On a windy beach day your camera will get covered with sand if you don’t have that baggie. And because the Sony’s have open gaps in them, sand can get in side.
But I was clear. I dropped and even cheaper made camera in the snow and used it in rain and it survived. It can happen. But a baggie with the Sony makes good sense.
I actually slipped and fell on my camera in the snow once. I've had my camera caked with snow and eventually ice as the snow melted and refroze. Not a problem.
PS: here are Nikon's official baggies for their D5 and 400/500/600 lenses:
You poured sand on a camera in order to prove an anonymous poster on the internet wrong? Sounds like something a kid would do on a dare or something an internet troll would post. Neither is a good look.
Someone who's not here anymore dared me to pour saltwater on my camera last year. Didn't happen. Despite being sealed, things like the lens mount, hot shoe, and strap lugs are all exposed metal. On ALL ILCs. Nothing good could happen with direct exposure to saltwater, even if all the seams were duct taped shut.
@Azathothh, A light chuckle is what Canon gets these days. Everyone has pretty well absorbed and accepted that Canon is finished innovating. Their load was blown even before the a6000 came along.
Actually, the A6000 AF'd as well as any midrange DSLR, like a Nikon D5500. It was the A6300 that took it to the next level, competing favorably with enthusiast cameras like the D7200 and D750 (which I previously owned) that had high end AF systems.
@Azathothh - You mean Canon Rebels that only have a few pathetic little focus points in the center of the viewfinder and don't have Face AF tracking capabilities?
I have a Sony A6000 and a Canon 60D (my last DSLR that I ever bought). In normal light, I easily prefer the AF on my A6000, thanks to its wider coverage area and face AF tracking capabilities. It's only a low light that it falls behind, but I just use a small hotshoe flash that has a focus assist light, and that allows me to focus even in very low light. Of course, newer generation A6XXX bodies perform much better, but I still prefer the AF capabilities of my A6000 over my 60D. I just can't stand having a camera with limited focus coverage and lacking face AF anymore. I like having my camera lock onto a face, and track it wherever it moves througout the image frame. And I also like having a focus box around the face that the camera is tracking. DSLR focus systems just seem so primitive to me now.
Did the first gen rebel had eye-af and almost 200 af points covering 90% of frame like the A6000? Why did they take that away and put a worst AF system on all other canon cameras after that?
@Azathothh - Small price to pay for the performance I get elsewhere with this camera. I'm so done with the limited focus coverage and lack of face AF that I get with DSLRs. And like I said, I just attach a small flash with a focus assist light and I get solid autofocus performance even in candlelight. Not to mention that newer models perform a LOT better in low light.
" but I just use a small hotshoe flash that has a focus assist light,"
Fake news.
Focus assist flash AF lamps do not work on the A6000. The only thing that will work is constant lighting. Perhaps your flash has an LED lamp? If so.... I'm glad I'm not your friend/family..... So annoying.....
Very good shots Chris, some really good to be "spontaneous" shots (without preparing an hour of the day with a specific lighting ...). I still do not agree with Sony's policy in this release, but the photos look so good ... if the successor of the a6500 is so good but with IBIS and the improvements in the battery of the A7III they may sell it to me, Especially if you give me a decent Zoom, the 18-105 f4 is huge and not very clear, the 18-135 is maybe a bit sharper but it is not very bright and none of them reaches 24mm equivalent, my 16-50 is what és, and I have a good copy. Is it so difficult to get a decent standard zoom ?. All available for the A7 series are good, even the one in the kit is decent. I do not ask for the 24-70 f2.8 G Master, but something like the 24-105 f4 G would be ideal ...
Clearly you're a comment-only warrior. Anyone who has read reviews will find that the A6400 does not suffer from the same video overheating as its predecessor.
Competitors can get near if they buy sony sensors, as what Nikon and Fuji are doing. Of course, they still have to customize it and put in their own twist. I doubt if Sony will bundle their eye-focus tech and AF-C performance, and other features. The sensor is also as good only as the processor and software/algorithms the buyer will put into it.
Canon can only "catch up" if they swallow their pride and buy Sony sensors. But they are not going to do that, till it's too late. 2019 is going to be a big year. If they don't do anything significant, Sony will pull away and their 1DX2 and 5D series will start looking anemic for the price they are charging.
Sony's not the only player in imaging sensor manufacturers. If Canon didn't want to enable Sony any further, they could speak to Samsung about sensors too, Samsung is quite advanced (remember the NX) and they've exited out of the photography market too.
But Canon won't do it because Samsung is Korean, and Canon has their own fab that they want to keep limping along with. And Canon is very stubborn.
@tonywong - Canon won't even consider anything not in-house. Well, maybe they will swallow their pride once Sony or others basically out-tech them. Even if Canon has it's own fab, basically it's still in-house use. Sony sensor fab is independent and is out to make money. They are pouring billions of $ to it. And they are making sensors not just for them but for others. Not just for cameras but for security cams, auto/cars, drones, smartphones, industrial, cinema, ENG, etc. use. That has a great impact on their R&D thrust and need to mass produce quickly, cheaply, to service all these markets.
Canon only posts news of their sensors, Sony announces availability for ordering their sensors w/ matching specs. That shows you where both stand. But Canon will fall because they are way behind now in technology. For them to go 14fps shooting, they need 2x digic processors. Sony needs only 1 and maybe an LSI for minor tasks. In time, even the most die hard will find that the emperor is nude.
I watched the beginning with the smiling reviewers attending Sony's latest party. (The guy who wished for more complex menus probably won't be invited back and no swag for him.) Then I skipped to the conclusion where Chris says, yeah, it's basically a slightly updated 6300.
the af capability alone makes it far more than just a "slightly updated" a6300... that af re-defines the aps-c segment, with better af than the d500 and the xt-3.
What Chris missed is that there were a lot of changes under the hood going from A6300 to A6400. A new, faster main CPU (also responsible for no overheating ever) and an additional fast LSI coprocessor (first introduced in A6500) makes the huge AF improvement impossible to be distributed via firmware update alone. This is a hardware and software improvement.
>99tollap Will X-T30 have F-Log, FHD 120p, Zebra? Will it have bigger EVF - like A6400 (x70 magn.) or tiny like X-T20 (x62 magn.)? Will it also have decent AF-C/Eye?
I would also like it to happen... but if Fuji does not put in X-T30 F-Log and FHD 120p slow motion, it will be waste of money in 2019 considering it as video cam. If Fuji puts same tiny EVF with short eyepoint and x62 magnification, it will be even more unimpressive ILC for the 2019. Hope you are right.
Could someone point me to on Sony’s site where Sony says this camera is weather sealed? It is my understanding from watching tear downs of previous versions that this camera lacks some gaskets and seals throughout the camera to make it truly weather resistant. And some drops of rain water is not a real test. I bet most people have used cheaper cameras in the rain with no issues. My smartphone even fell in water and I was able to dry it off and get it working.
My issue here is there are cameras where the manufacturers take the effort to seal their cameras, and DPR is rewarding a camera where there was little effort, and was incomplete . So why should anyone bother if DPR is going to set the bar so low for “weather sealing” and praise a camera that is not really weather sealed? Do we want manufacturers to do a better job? I fear DPR is helping to cause the opposite.
DPR just mention whatever the manufacturer claims, and the manufacturer can claim whatever they want as long as there isn't any real standard like IP rating. I couldn't find where they say its "weather sealed" but they do state it has a "Sturdy, durable construction for robust operation" and "Major buttons and dials are sealed, and casing components have an interlocked double-layer structure to resist dust and moisture"
All Sony cameras are weather sealed, and from the presentation of this new model it was said that the A6400 is better sealed and more robust build than previous A6xxx models.
Reports on damaged Sony cameras due to environmental forces seems to be very low. Sony even sold A7III and A7rIII cameras with five years warranty, so they must trust the construction. Here you can see the sealing map for the A7rIII - plenty of gaskets and seals:
That said, I am impressed with the amount of harsh coastal climate, rain, wet snow, biting cold, etc. my old "poor" built A7 has taken during five years with a lot of use. Still working flawless.
Click on the + on the LCD on the rear view of the camera, 3/4 down the page.
"My issue here is there are cameras where the manufacturers take the effort to seal their cameras,"
No cameras are sealed except GoPros and things like Olympus Tough cameras. All ILCs are only resistant to water and dust. Water can get in if it hits the right way, as my weather sealed to D800 level (as per Nikon), full magnesium-bodied D7100 found out the hard way.
That was part of my point. I can’t even find where Sony says the camera is weather sealed. I am fairly certain they make no such claim. And we know from past tear downs there were many necessary seals and gaskets that were missing or incomplete.
So why is DPR making this claim when Sony probably does not? (Please post a link if they do)
And why should any manufacturer bother when review sites like DPR are willing to proclaim cameras like this are weather sealed?
Look I get it. My cheapest camera has gotten wet before with no issues and I even once dropped it in the snow with no ill effects, but I would never mislead anyone by saying it is weather sealed. We remove the incentive for companies to make better built, weather sealed cameras, when reviews sites say something like this is weather sealed. There are cameras built better, that are really weather sealed. There are companies that make the real effort. We need to praise them. Not incomplete efforts like this.
@ SidneyVision: Oh, you meant water proof? Hard to find a system camera that is water proof. Even the user guide for high end Nikon and Canon cameras say that they are not water proof, and so say the Olympus and Pentax user guides.
I clicked on the link above. There is no claim of complete weather sealing sealing. It only says some button and dials are sealed. Nothing more.
No honest review would look at this camera and a D850 and E-M1 mark II and say they are equally sealed. I doubt anyone would even say the A6xxx series come close to those to cameras. In fact, most would say the past Sony’s were incomplete.
As I said I dropped a cheap camera in the snow with no ill affects so it is easy to think that no seals and missing seals are OK. But we remove the incentive to hold manufacturers to a higher standard, by pretending unsealed cameras are fully sealed.
Magnar I never said waterproof. Introducing a “straw man argument” is not helpful.
Magnar, I just read the Roger Cicala A7iii tear down posted on this site. He expressed disappointment that the A7iii is not weather sealed, and moisture has easy access to the inside of the camera. He in another article said that despite the previous 8 or 9 Sony models, the best built FF mirrorless camera he tore down was the first Nikon he looked at. If you follow this site then you are familiar with these criticisms of the A7iii. We need to be honest here, and hold manufacturers to a high standard when we make claims of weather sealing and resistance. And we know Sony has a low standard. Thanks to Roger for making the effort to slow their low standard.
I am done reading through this site today. I hope no one claims Sony standard is anywhere close to Nikon or Olympus. It just isn’t. And when review sites say something like the A6400 is weather sealed it very disappointing, what’s next saying my cheap camera with no seals is too. It did survive the snow, so it must be!
@ SidneyVision: So you think a Sony will not take a drop into snow? Well, after using Sony cameras professionally in harsh environment since 2006, exposing them for much more than a drop into wet snow, they have never let me down. From my real world experience, also at arctic destinations in winter cold, weather sealing is good. Maybe not best in class, but good enough to get the job done.
The OP isn't talking about waterproof (i.e. submersible) cameras. He's talking about weather sealed cameras like the D5, 1DX II, E-M1 or most Pentax DSLRs. I believe Sony uses the term "dust and moisture protection" because their cameras aren't as fully sealed as cameras that are claimed to be weather sealed. There's no standard regulating these designations, though, and none of these cameras should be treated as 100% protected against the elements.
I have to call out Magnar on his very dishonest and deceptive posts. First he tried to fake people into thinking I said “water proof”. I never did. He was being deceptive. I NEVER said or implied water proof.
Next after I several times said even my cheap camera with no seals was able to survive a drop in the snow, Magnar deceptively said I must be claiming the A6400 could not survive a drop in the snow. I never said such a thing. I basically said the opposite, several times. He was being dishonest.
I don’t know if Magnar works for Sony or something, but his posts saying I said the opposite of what was really said is down right dishonest and deceptive, probably meant to be deliberate distraction.
@ Revenant: It doesn't matter what the sealing is labelled as, since there is no standard. What matters is that a camera stand real world use.
From my experience, I will continue using Sony cameras in harsh climate with confidence. I trust long term experience way more than what those who never have used a system camera from Sony think or believe.
@ SidneyVision: I asked you a question. With a question mark! How can you interpret this as "he tried to fake people into thinking I said “water proof”?
What do you think of the tear downs showing some cameras lack proper and basic sealing? Are they unnecessary? Just because my cheap camera survived cold rain and snow, does that mean it is as good as the best weather sealed cameras? Does that mean we should ignore it when cameras have seals? And do you really think an unsealed camera will consistently survive, dirt, dust, and moisture as often as a properly sealed camera?
Correct me if I am wrong (I don’t wish to be as deceptive as you were about and put fake words in peoples mouths), are you saying complete weather sealing doesn’t matter?
Oh and Magnar, let me try your tactic...So Magnar you say you still love to kill puppies? I used a question mark so it is OK.
There is no practical way to check for moisture or dust resistance by the end user (until it is too late).
This is why manufacturers can claim limited moisture and dust resistance but they don't adhere to standards for their claims and all results are thus 'anecdotal'.
Waterproofing is relatively easy. Dunk 'waterproof' camera in a filled container or sink. If air bubbles leak out you have a leak.
@ SidneyVision: I don't care which camera is best sealed when there is no trouble with what I use for my photography. Where do you find unsealed cameras, by the way?
A teardown of my A7 would probably look like a nightmare, still this camera takes more than most people would think, and more than most people would ever do with their cameras. Well sealed is good enough for me, for a camera that is replaced after some years anyway.
I've used my A6000 out in the rain with no problems. I'm not sure what everyone is so freaked out about. Watch The Camera Store TV's hands-on video about the A6400. At 6:09 into the video they talk about using the A6400 out in the rain:
It handled the rain just fine. And I agree with what the reviewer said: "the only thing I would worry about is water pooling underneath of it because the battery door is probably the weakest sealing point." Seriously, you'd have to let the camera sit in pooled water for there to ever be an issue...and who the heck does that? Is anyone really letting the camera sit in a puddle of water?! That's just plain stupid. In regular use, I don't see there being any issue. Like I said, I've shot with my A6000 in rain with no problems at all. I don't dunk it in a bucket of water, I don't soak it with a garden hose, I just shoot with it like a normal person would, and I've never had any issues with rain or moisture.
@ T3: We have a bunch of A6000 cameras at work (and many Canons and some other brands too), daily use, and I am impressed with how much beating the A6000 cameras can take.
Sure, we all want well sealed cameras, but I think the need for sealing is overblown by many forum readers - an easy argument to throw out when brand wars break out, though. :-D :-D
The only thing we can do is look at reviews and teardowns if weather sealing is an important consideration. DxO rating for toughness anyone? Pentax really number 1 but never tested? :D
@Magnar: We could, but then we would have to take the posters word for it. I might trust review sites that clearly show all their testing more than someone that says, "My Pentax died from a few drops of rain!".
Any pros that care about their gear in less than ideal situations puts a rain jacket on their camera and lens, anyway. And this is $10-20K+ gear that has the best weather sealing available. You see it at football games all the time. Water doesn't touch the gear unless a random storm comes in, and in this day and age, everything can be predicted by within a day or so, so there's no excuse not to be prepared.
It's interesting how people define weather sealed. If a website opens the camera and posts that it isn't sealed, people take that as a fact. The only test that I've seen that actually involved water was one that put the cameras on a wet table, and the sony had no problem with water falling on it.
Sony writes "dust and moisture resistant", not "weather sealed". Even Sony doesn't claim that A6400 is not as sealed as other brands but somehow fanatics are... well...
@ ozturert: Actually, "dust and moisture resistant" is defined as some better than "weather sealed", since the first also include moisture, and the user guides for the latter term say that those cameras don't take water or even not high humidity for many of them. :-)
Magnar, there is no standard for "dust and moisture resistant" term. Sony actually said first A7 was weather sealed but after a short period they removed "weather" from brochures and web sites. Sony actually introduce an Xperia phone (I think it was M5) as waterproof and after some time they warned users not to take the camera under water. It may be the marketing department who is doing this but then don't call it "water"proof just to sell it. The best way is to assign an IP code, I think (like phones are doing now).
I recall the only reason I purchased Canon 5DM4 over 6DM2 was the poor autofocus of 6DM2, and the price difference was more than a thousand. Canon intentionally defeatured cheaper models like 6D series so they can sell the so called pro body. After trying a friend's A7III, I was blown away by how much better it focuses than my 5DM4 and Canon's R for most applications, and the new firmware from Sony would improve AF further. The only reason I still use Canon cameras is because of the L lenses that I already own. But switching to Sony seems more tempting everyday.
@Insmr - I switched from the 5d2 to the A7-3. My canon lenses work well with the AF working just fine. Even the 70-200 f2.8L IS works well + the IS works too. Past 150mm AF tends to be slower and may hunt a bit in low light. But my 50 stm, 85 f1.8 usm is as fast as the sony lenses and they get the benefit of IBIS! The only limitations is the AF-C or Ai-servo where it struggles, but it should be better with the new firmware and then the upcoming April FW upgrade.
If you don't need 35FF, the a6400 is a good alternative, though you lose IBIS. But then again, that is a U$900 vs U$2000 A7-3.
IBIS on Sony cameras is really bad, even on Sony FF cameras, you cannot walk with them... so I think it is not a big of a deal... now for low light performance, I really wanted to know if the A6400 low light is better than the A6500... how it stands agains the new low light queen A7 III
Nay. With all the fight Sony brings it's still a half-done system. And they are over-changing for a software update. Missing combined IBIS. And the idea of affordability (because they are not a billion) is a joke.
I like the good thinking idea of new systems comprehensively selecting custom settings for different "types" of photography situations. However that would require a more well rounded total value and benefits camera(system) that we've still yet to see; wounld't it?
NEVER get stars in your eyes for one new feature. It depends on all the rest.
Wow, it seems like Sony with the new a6400 & A7III is really pulling away from the competition when it comes to fast & accurate AF. Even the $900 a6400 AF is better (faster, more accurate, efficient) than ALL of the high-end Pro Nikon & Canon cameras. The new and improved, easy to use (almost AI type) AF of these new Sony cameras is now a game changer. Especially for their the mid-range APS-C & FF cameras. If you dispute that fact, name one Nikon or Canon camera that even comes close in either specs, price, or IQ ;)
Eye tracking and better hardware is a great feature; but there are many more comprehensive parts including the cons.
Also; for non-eye tracking the good "old fashioned" DSLR does AF better.
Once again; most of the comments you see are folks supporting the over prices they have paid. Because no one wants to say they had stars in their eyes for their new toys. What about the balance?
The fewer giddy first adopters we have; the better systems they will make. And they are not even combining the pros that are possible yet. Just this years new gimmick.
Any credit due for improvement in some combination; but when the smoke and mirror-less clears it's still just less bad. I wish makers would finish mirror-less cameras.
"Also; for non-eye tracking the good "old fashioned" DSLR does AF better."
Actually, this AF update actually directly addresses the non-Eye AF part of the equation, significantly improving AF and tracking in all shooting situations. Eye AF is also improved, but far from the only improvement.
When I look at the af tracking presented in video, I have to admit that I'm not impressed how it tracks, I see a lot of missed shots. I really cannot get this hype about this camera. I mean, when I look at the images, they just don't look pleasent, image quality and dynamic range are behind e.g. D7200. Nothing new seen but the hype is like the AF was invented first time. Sony brought to camera world the hype existed only in mobile industry where they present the upgrade from iphone 6s to 7, like it is miracle...
The D7200 uses a Toshiba sensor, the second generation of that sensor, after the first generation in the D7100/D5200 failed so badly. Here's the IQ comparison:
nope, i think some missed shots are understandable. It is still not perfect, but can any camera track AF automatically like that? Even now the user don't have to manually hold Eye AF button, freeing one button slot. It's a great development of AF.
So much for the haters saying that this was dead on the water right? With this price and this good AF this is insane.
And by Tony Northrup tests this is killing the XT3 and previous Sony cameras in successful hit rate. I would imagine cameras with even poorer AF systems like the GH5 or EM1 will be left even more behind.
When it is released for the A9 is going to be crazy.
The Sony cameras are nice and I especially love that they have an open lens protocol.
But they are also super boring, uninspiring and feel like a 1995 windows machine. Yeah, they can track the eyes of your house rat and shoot with a million fps. Doesn't change the fact that the grip of the cameras gives me arthritis and walking around with one makes me look like Milton from Office Space.
Let's keep it real, Sony is for dorks, gear heads and paid Youtube shills.
Dear dpreview, I really like what you are doing and appreciate it. I am sure somebody said this before, but 6 posts for a midrange sony product in a such short time...
@Barney Britton Nice one :) I must apologize that my first comment on DP sounds a bit negative. The reason is, I'm kinda feeling bored recently and I check this site dozens times a day. Yes, I tried to go out and take some photos. I'm desperate for more of your good works :)
It's just milking the subject. Get as many clicks out of it as you can. I prefer the old format of announcement -> silence -> FULL REVIEW, but it generates a lot less traffic.
Robert Spanjaard, what is wrong with 'milking' exactly? It's exciting for the people to try the new products out and report on them. It is done for every camera that comes out. It also gives you a chance to come here and say something silly like that and everybody's happy.
Looks to be just what we are looking for - intelligent AF that can recognise a subject and lock on to the appropriate feature - eyes, face or general shape. Promises to be very versatile.
But as Chris implies, the basic camera is uninspiring - same sensor, same burst speed, same single card slot, same ergonomics (but a welcome improvement in the menus).
The new firmware for the a9 seems to offer simlar improvements in AF, and that is where things get more exciting - a decent sports camera with state-of-art AF subject recognition and tracking.
Hopefully firmware updates for the a7Riii will be equally efficient, and if so we'll have almost everything we need - a decent burst rate, high MP count, good dynamic range and the best AF recognition and tracking on the market.
So, just a few more refinements in ergonomics (larger body, more widely spaced controls), and better weather-proofing/durability - and then I'll be ready to switch from Canon to Sony.
I do agree improved weather sealing would silence most of the critics. (oh who are we kidding. Critics will always be critics.) Truth is the menus are totally fine. People are used to bigger cameras. It’s not hard to get used to the form factor, but some just don’t want to make the effort and that is their right.
Weather sealing is helpful for those 1-5% of the time when most of us are shooting in tough conditions. (Not that often.). I think twice I used my A9 in substantial rain this year. Some shoot in weather more often. But I suspect that’s a very small percentage of shooters. Many more people complain about it than actually need it.
The excuses people seem to give for not wanting to change are dwindling.
Admittedly, a very small percentage of shooters use their cameras in tough conditions because a very small percentage of cameras have dependable weather-sealing...
I think the main points of concern are as they always have been with these cameras: poor ergonomics, lack of good AF lenses with focal lengths suited for APS-C, and a combination of no IBIS, poor rolling shutter, and iffy battery life that makes what should be a home run hit for bloggers just another option to put on the pile of camera choices.
If you don't water hose the body and let it sitting in a puddle the weather sealing is fine with the new models. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ric_RH-Xm1Q&feature=youtu.be&t=11m9s Canon failed, Sony worked. I'm sure we can find the opposite - in fact these cameras do fine in harsh weather.
If someone doesn't like compact cameras - Sony is the wrong company. They explicit stated in an interview they will value compact bodies. I have big hands and use my A7iii with the Meike grip extension - that feels very good.
I never didn’t take my A9 because of the weather. The truth is I don’t like hanging out in the rain myself. As I said, I think very few people find themselves shooting in severe weather where the difference between Sony weather sealing and Canon weather sealing make or break the camera. I just don’t think it’s that big a deal unless you’re a sports pro who shoots outdoor all-weather sports.
@Fly18 I watched Tony's video and I think he was speaking about the A6XXX series when he said the eye-AF wasn't reliable (now with the A6400 it's much better). It has always been quite reliable with the A9, A7RIII and A7III which is what most people have been talking about recently.
MikeRan - My comments about form-factor were intended in regard to the a7 and a9 series, not the a6xxx series.
I'm not interested in spoiling anyone else's party - Sony can keep the current form-factor for those who like it, *but* I'd also like them to offer a larger pro body for those who need it - serious sports & wildlife photographers (more people take wildlife photographs than any other subject, according to a recent survey).
Durability and weather-sealing may be absolutely fine for 95% of users. I just happen to be in the 5% of users who need the very best weather sealing, durability and larger bodies.
I disagree with your premise that Sony is only for those who want compact bodies. There is absolutely no reason why they can't cater for both markets - there is certainly plenty of demand from Canon, Nikon, Pentax DSLR users who would like to switch to Sony, but want a larger & more rugged camera.
Now it rather looks like Panasonic might grab that slice of cake from them.
@entoman: It's just a Sony thing that they WANT to do small bodies. I can't cope with the A6x00 series for photography - I really need a front wheel for how I like to shoot and I don't want to adapt for my 2nd body. It's fine for video (other workflow). But the A7xxx are fine in ergonomics. If the grip is not long enough there are plenty of options.
You saw the video link I posted? No weather sealing is perfect, the D850 got water in the viewfinder during the water hosing test, Canon quit working and the A7iii did not in the video. These cameras are tough but you CAN make them quit working.
(p.s.: it's silly from Sony not to seal the bottom as the rest. I understand it's rarely the case that rain comes from the bottom ;-) but it wouldn't be a big thing to do one more seal. At least for the A9!)
IamJF - Yes, that appears to be the case, but Sony do seem to listen to their customers, and they do seem to listen to reviewers and pros who use other systems, as they'd obviously like to grab as large a slice of the market as possible. I believe that if enough people demand a change to a product, or a new additional product, they will eventually respond.
For me personally, I think the wisest way forward is simply to wait. There are several cameras from Sony and Nikon that do certain things better or faster then my current Canon gear can do, but whether the advantages are significant enough to justify jumping systems is very questionable.
My feeling is that Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic will all have exciting new models by the end of 2019, so I'll try to keep my money in my pockets until then, and make a decision accordingly.
In my opinion thy should make the A9 bigger and keep the A7 as they are. And beat the guy who designed these flabby plastic doors of the A7iii with a wet towel *g*
There is a lot of movement in the market - if you can wait it's for sure a good option. But it will take quite some time until CaNikon have the lenses. And feature wise they will be behind Sony for quite a time. Thanks god we are not photographing with features but lenses and a brain ;-)
You get used to it. I have large hands and the body without grip doesn’t bother me at all... change. People don’t like change...
I’m glad the A9 isn’t bigger. I can take it on vacation and I’m no more a target than the guys with the cheap Canon DSLRs. I saw a guy lugging a D5 walking around Venice with his girlfriend... It was hilarious!!
MikeRan - True, but do you photograph in icy conditions wearing gloves? Do you photograph in tropical humidity when your hands are sweaty?
For these circumstances you need large widely-spaced controls with precise tactile feedback, and which can't be accidentally nudged from position.
And if like most sports and wildlife photographers, you need to hand hold a camera for hours at a time, a large comfortable grip that doesn't pinch your fingers, is a far more important consideration than having a couple of hundred grams shaved off the body weight.
I'd absolutely agree that people don't like change, but that's for a very good reason - "muscle memory". If you're shooting professionally, or shooting once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, you can't afford to miss frames due to unfamiliarity with controls during the often lengthy phase when you are adapting to a new camera.
Muscle memory can be reprogrammed over time. It doesn’t take long actually. Biggest challenge is for people who will use two systems at the same time. But this is also a problem for guys shooting Nikon and Canon at the same time too.
I do shoot in the cold. Left hand wears a glove. Right hand wears a glove with the fingertips cut off. Works very well and warm enough.
This grip doesn’t pinch my fingers. And if I need pinky support there are many options...
The time taken to reprogram muscle memory depends on the person. I've worked all my life with cameras of every type, but to be familiar enough with a camera to be sure of getting shots in fast-moving situations, it takes me several weeks to fully adapt. That's a lot of potential lost shots.
Yes the problem is worst for people using two systems in parallel. Which is why I like to have a single system with familiar controls. And is why I wish Sony would bring out a larger more rugged camera, with "a9" layout but more widely spaced controls.
I've used Sony a7Riii several times. These are practical issues that I've encountered, not imaginary ones.
By all means let's keep the existing Sony cameras for those who are comfortable with them, but there are many of us who find their ergonomics considerably inferior to DSLRs.
Panasonic has clearly recognised this, by producing the S1R, which seems to have exactly the features and ergonomics that sports and wildlife photographers seek.
With the given size (and price!), I don`t see huge possibilities to do something really new. And apparently the folks buy it. :) Don't change a winning team.
Don't you prefer a lower price for an "old tired looking body" than paying 3k for an EM1x monstrosity of a camera or an unusable "Touch Bar" on the EOSr.
@mario GT - That same "tired old body," is the same body in the a5100 and a6000 that still sells well after 5 years, fronting against the latest every 6 month release of Canon M series. If that body is not as good, then Sony would have changed that years ago.
Remember too that not everybody is as big as westerners. And that ergonomics can be a function of muscle memory or what you are used too. A canon dslr shooter will still find a nikon dslr odd and vice-versa even if both bodies are big and hefty. And Sony knows this. The thing is, most people "get" that form factor and design. Same with the old school Fuji cameras. We don't hear too much ergo issues about that. I also had the Canon M6 till I sold it. That too was small and by stds, "poor" egonomics too! I suspect many just want to find fault with Sony.
Meanwhile, Canon can't even do 4k video, AF-C, etc., without compromises. For Consumers go, IQ, DR, eye-focus, IBIS, AF-C have more the selling points rather than ergo.
...speaking of Canon, when they got into digital Canon stamped out 100 millions Mg shells derived from the EOS 1 film camera and still using those for the 5D.
A nice balanced review. Really interesting to see how the AF system works on this as well as the Full Frame cameras. Seems this AF is a brand new platform for Sony, and I expect them to continue to improve it. Really good stuff.
Also liked the review a lot! Don't hold back with your opinion Chris & Jordan, you get a lot of cameras to test and we value that!
The interesting thing is that it's actually no new platform, it's the A9 system chip. Sony already anounced a new sensor and chip generation (8k ready) - really looking forward how this will continue.
Class leading for sure. Industry leading applies to the A9 with the same algorithms on a sensor that processes AF 60 times per second and has AF sensors that can still see the scene during the exposure.
Actually, the A9 is behind in this department. Sony doesn't hold back features on older models. The A9 will receive these features in the next FW update.
Yes. And when that FW is released, there’s a reasonable chance it becomes industry leading.. Perhaps the A9 with FW5.0 will beat the 1DX and D5 in AF tracking. (Some say it already does... I’ll say perhaps, but probably not in every scenario.)
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This DIY project uses an Adafruit board and $40 worth of other components to create a light meter and metadata capture device for any film photography camera.
Scientists at the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia have used a transmitter with 'less power than a microwave' to produce the highest resolution images of the moon ever captured from Earth.
The tiny cameras, which weigh just 1.4g, fit inside the padding of a driver's helmet, offering viewers at home an eye-level perspective as F1 cars race through the corners of the world's most exciting race tracks. In 2023, all drivers will be required to wear the cameras.
The new ultrafast prime for Nikon Z-mount cameras is a re-worked version of Cosina's existing Voigtländer 50mm F1 Aspherical lens for Leica M-mount cameras.
There are plenty of hybrid cameras on the market, but often a user needs to choose between photo- or video-centric models in terms of features. Jason Hendardy explains why he would want to see shutter angle and 32-bit float audio as added features in cameras that highlight both photo and video functionalities.
SkyFi's new Earth Observation service is now fully operational, allowing users to order custom high-resolution satellite imagery of any location on Earth using a network of more than 80 satellites.
In some parts of the world, winter brings picturesque icy and snowy scenes. However, your drone's performance will be compromised in cold weather. Here are some tips for performing safe flights during the chilliest time of the year.
The winners of the Ocean Art Photo Competition 2022 have been announced, showcasing incredible sea-neries (see what we did there?) from around the globe.
Venus Optics has announced a quartet of new anamorphic cine lenses for Super35 cameras, the Proteus 2x series. The 2x anamorphic lenses promise ease of use, accessibility and high-end performance for enthusiast and professional video applications.
We've shot the new Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2R WR lens against the original 56mm F1.2R, to check whether we should switch the lens we use for our studio test scene or maintain consistency.
Nature photographer Erez Marom continues his series about landscape composition by discussing the multifaceted role played by the sky in a landscape image.
The NONS SL660 is an Instax Square instant camera with an interchangeable lens design. It's made of CNC-milled aluminum alloy, has an SLR-style viewfinder, and retails for a $600. We've gone hands-on to see what it's like to shoot with.
Recently, DJI made Waypoints available for their Mavic 3 series of drones, bringing a formerly high-end feature to the masses. We'll look at what this flight mode is and why you should use it.
Astrophotographer Bray Falls was asked to help verify the discovery of the Andromeda Oxygen arc. He describes his process for verification, the equipment he used and where astronomers should point their telescopes next.
OM Digital Solutions has released firmware updates for the following cameras to add compatibility support for its new M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO lens: OM-D E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 Mark III, E-M5 Mark III, E-M1X, and OM-5.
Micro Four Thirds has 'size benefits, and a shooting experience that can’t be matched by a smartphone,' says the director of Panasonic's camera business, as we talked about the system's future, the role of video, the adoption of phase detection and the role his dog played in the development of the S5 II.
Today's modern cameras are armed with sophisticated autofocusing systems. They can focus anywhere in the frame, track multiple subjects, and switch on the fly. But what good are these advanced tools if you can't see where the camera is even focusing? It's time for the autofocus box to upgrade from its single-color status.
Topaz Labs' flagship app uses AI algorithms to make some complex image corrections really, really easy. But is there enough here to justify its rather steep price?
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II is a powerful mid-range full-frame stills and video mirrorless camera that introduces on-sensor phase detection, 6K 'open gate' video, LUTs for still mode and more. We put the camera through its paces during a hands-on trial run in the real world.
The new FE Sony 20-70mm F4 G has an extremely versatile zoom range, but how do the pictures look? Check out these full resolution 60 megapixel captures!
Sony has confirmed it’s developing a high-end 300mm F2.8 telephoto lens for its E-mount camera systems. The lens will be a part of the company’s high-end G Master lens lineup.
Apple's new high-end M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets are here and being debuted in the company's 14” and 16” MacBook Pro models. Meanwhile, its Mac Mini is now available with the company's M2 and M2 Pro chipsets.
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