Sony A6600 Review: Great Hardware Complemented By Clever Software
June 21, 2020Sony is at the forefront of camera technology but can the A6600 live up to the hype?
Sensor type: APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), Exmor CMOS sensor
Number of Pixels: Approx. 24.2 megapixels
Monitor type: 7.5cm (3.0 type) wide type TFT
Lens compatibility: Sony E-mount lenses
Connection : HDMI / USB / Headphone and microphone jack
Resolution : High-resolution 4K (3,840 x2,160 pixels) HDR (HLG)
ViewFinder: 1.0cm (0.39 type) electronic viewfinder (colour)
Battery: Approx. 720 shots (viewfinder) / Approx. 810 shots (LCD monitor)
Rating: 9/10
Price: RM6,199.00 (Body Only)
Sony has an impressive line up of mirrorless cameras, and the A6600 exemplifies that notion. Despite having a similar look to the rest of the family, the disparity between them in terms of abilities, cannot be overstated. It is able to take crisp and clear photos with the help of fairly quick autofocus hardware.
It is an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals who want a user-friendly camera for photography. The A6600’s button placement is rather intuitive, and allows for easy navigation through various menus and functions. The circular centre button doubles as scroll wheel that can be used to zoom in, which is a nice touch.
The button arrangement allows for convenient and quick adjustments while on the move. And due to their relative proximity of each other, are easy to commit to memory. Though this isn’t rated as a professional camera, it certainly feels like it. The touch screen LCD and autofocus, respond quickly to the lightest of touches, a needed quality for bird watchers.
The rapid succession of shots that can be taken at any given moment, is incredible. In fact, Sony says the shutter speed is rated for 200,000 cycles. The noise and vibration created by the shutter movement is also incredibly low. This makes it an ideal choice for shoots that require subtlety.
The Quality
Our review unit was equipped with a 35mm FE1.8 lens, but despite the limited focal length, the A6600 was able to pull off some stunning shots. Working in tandem with this prime lens, the Sony was able to capture stunning portrait pictures. The autofocus could accurately keep the subject in focus, while blurring out the rest of the background.
The zooming abilities can be adjusted based on your preference. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the technology, because as good as it is, the software can’t guarantee that you’ll attain the required result. It’s a ‘hit or miss’ arrangement.
The colour recreation is just as phenomenal. It makes it a little easier for a photographer to capture realistic shots, without fine tuning the settings. And herein lies the appeal of the A6600. It massages your ego every step of the way, compensating your the lack of talent. Even a novice would be able to pick it up, and within minutes, capture half decent shots.
The same can be said of video quality because the A6600 is adept at capturing ‘the moment’ regardless of what or where that might be. The articulating LCD panel can be be positioned in a multitude of ways, enabling users to record at a height and angle of their choosing. The captured video is relatively smooth and devoid of stability issues.
However, the absence of an onboard flash and less than stellar low-light performance means that the A6600 is best suited to day use. Poor lighting conditions do not help it’s case. Photo quality is mediocre at best and the same is true of video quality. Mind, the term ‘mediocre’ here, is used to describe its potential relative to high-end mirrorless cameras of its ilk.
This doesn’t detract from the fact that the A6600 is a great camera, and the fact that I’ve run out of superlatives to describe it, speaks volumes of its capabilities. Vloggers and those who appreciate nature walks will be especially pleased with it. Unlike cheaper and more inferior cameras, this one does most of the work for you.
The Screen
And since it has a microphone jack and a hot shoe, the A6600 is an essential ‘everyday carry’ device of budding YouTubers who mainly shoot close-up and vlog style videos. The facial tracking and the speed at which the autofocus is able to adapt to situations, make it an ideal choice for action shots with constant changes in lighting conditions.
Should I Buy One
The A6600 is the Crème de la crème of Sony’s mirrorless APS-C cameras. It far exceeds most people’s expectations. And that is why we can’t recommend it to everyone. It’s a darn good camera that is also quite expensive. Therefore, it is best suited to those who are serious about photography or earn a living from it.
So, if your pockets are deep enough and that you have an appreciation for a camera that complements your photo taking skills, then this is the device for you. However, if you’re a casual photographer or vlogger, the A6600 is a bit ‘much’. More affordable options will allow you to accomplish just as much and with similar fervor, but without breaking the bank.
