Sony Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 Announced with Two New Lenses

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by Jeff LochAugust 28^th, 2019

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Sony has just announced two new APS-C mirrorless cameras: the Alpha 6600 and the Alpha 6100. In addition to that, Sony continues to expand its APS-C line of E-mount lenses with the launch of the E 16-55 F/2.8 G and E 70-350mm F/4.5-6.3 G OSS lenses. Let’s take a closer look at these new APS-C products!

Sony Alpha APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

The Sony Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 are two new APS-C mirrorless cameras that have some things in common. For example, they feature the same 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, the latest BIONZ XTM image processor and a front-end LSI implemented in Sony’s full-frame cameras.

Also, Sony improved the autofocus speed and accuracy of both cameras. The autofocus acquisition time is incredibly fast at only 0.02 seconds. The Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 features 425 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering approximately 84% of the image area and 425 contrast-detection AF points.

Image credit: Sony

Another good news is that both cameras have Sony’s “Real-time Tracking” and “Real-time Eye AF” capabilities. This algorithm includes AI-based object recognition, including eyes recognition to make sure humans and animals are perfectly sharp. Also, this new algorithm should be faster and more precise than the previous ones.

Here is a quick summary of all the features both cameras have in common:

• Same 24.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor.
• The same AF capabilities in photo mode.
• Both cameras can shoot 4K UHD videos at up to 30 frames per second, and Full HD at up to 120 frames per second with a full-pixel readout of the sensor. Videos are recorded in a XAVC-S format.
• Videos and photos are stored onto a Memory Stick Duo and/or SDHC and SDXC memory card.
• Sony improved their color science, algorithms inherited from full-frame models deliver natural color reproduction, especially in skin tones.
• Built-in intervalometer for shooting time-lapses.
• 180-degree tiltable, 3.0-type 921k-dot (approx.) LCD touch screen. There is also a 0.39-type electronic viewfinder.
• There is a 3.5mm jack microphone input. The HDMI output is an HDMI micro connector.
• Both cameras are WiFi and Bluetooth compatible.

As you can see, both cameras are very similar feature-wise. Otherwise, the Alpha 6600 gets a few more features.

Sony Alpha 6600

The Sony Alpha 6600 packs a few more features that the Alpha 6100 doesn’t have. These features include:

• 5-axis in-body image stabilization system.
• Can shoot HLG (Hybrid-Log-Gamma) picture profile as well as S-Log3 and S-Log2 gamma profiles.
• The Alpha 6600 uses Sony Z Batteries that should run the camera longer.
• A robust magnesium alloy design that is dust and moisture resistant
• The Alpha 6600 benefits from real-time Eye AF for movie shooting, which the Alpha 6100 doesn’t have.
• It features a 3.5mm headphone jack to monitor your recordings.

The Sony Alpha 6600 features a 3.5mm headphone jack

You guessed it, the Alpha 6600 is more “video-oriented,” whereas the Alpha 6100 is more of an entry-level mirrorless camera. To go with these new cameras, Sony also unveiled two new APS-C zoom lenses.

Sony E 16-55mm F/2.8 G

The Sony E-mount lineup of lenses is growing fast, in both full-frame and APS-C categories. There are 54 Sony E-mount lenses available, which is pretty incredible.

The Sony E 16-55mm F/2.8 G (codename SEL1655G) is a standard zoom lens which is 35mm equivalent to a 24-82.5mm. This lens features an F/2.8 constant aperture and should be a great “everyday lens” for Sony shooters.

The lens design features two AA (Advanced Aspherical) and two aspherical elements to suppress aberration and ensure constant sharpness through the entire image. There is also three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements to help reduce chromatic aberration and color bleeding. On top of that, there is a Nano AR coating to suppress flare and ghosting. Finally, a fluorine coating is applied to the front element to resist dirt and fingerprints.

The Sony E 16-55mm F/2.8 G is dust and moisture resistant. Internally, there is an XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motor – the same that can be found in G Master series lenses – for fast and precise AF performance.

The aperture diaphragm consists of nine circular blades, and it weighs 494 grams. Also, there is a user-customizable focus hold button on the lens barrel itself. Unfortunately, this lens doesn’t feature image stabilization.

Sony E 70-350mm F/4.5-6.3 G OSS

The Sony E 70-350mm F/4.5-6.3 G OSS is a super-telephoto which is 35mm equivalent to a 105-525mm making it an excellent lightweight (625 grams) and affordable lens for wildlife shooters. Also, it features optical image stabilization that is useful with such a long focal range.

The lens design consists of one aspherical lens to suppress optical aberration and three ED glass elements to reduce chromatic aberrations. Like the E 16-55 F/2.8 G, it is dust and moisture resistant and also features an XD linear motor for fast and precise autofocus.

Finally, there is an AF/MF focus mode switch on the lens, as well as a zoom lock switch to prevent the lens from extending on its own during transportation.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony Alpha 6100 retails for $748/900€, and the Sony Alpha 6600 is $1398/1600€. The Sony E 16-55mm F/2.8 G will cost you $1398/1300€ while the Sony E 70-350mm F/4.5-6.3 G OSS is $998/900€. All four products will be available on October 2019.

What do you think of these new Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras? Do you consider buying one? Let us know in the comments below!