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Sony A6500 topic, 4K, 5-axist stabilizer, touch screen
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    Specs:

    Site info - http://www.sony.com/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-6500

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  • PR

    NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced their new flagship APS-C sensor camera, the α6500 (model ILCE-6500).

    As the latest addition to Sony’s lineup of award winning mirrorless cameras, the new α6500 shares the same unrivaled 4D FOCUS™ system as the α6300 camera, which can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, the world’s fastest AF acquisition time. Also shared with the α6300, the new α6500 features 425 phase detection AF points that are densely positioned over nearly the entire image area – the world’s highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera. The new model can shoot images at up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus and exposure tracking and up to 8 frames per second in a live-view shooting mode that makes it easy to track fast moving subjects, as it combines all of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder with the immediacy of an optical viewfinder.

    The camera can shoot at these high speeds for up to 307 frames thanks to its expanded buffer, which, along with the fast response speeds described above, are all achieved with the support of a new front-end LSI chip that has been added to the camera. This new front-end LSI also serves to enhance both still and video image quality.

    Additionally, the new α6500 features Sony’s acclaimed in-camera 5-axis optical image stabilization, making it the first Sony APS-C sensor camera to offer all of the benefits of advanced in-body stabilization, which include a shutter speed advantage of approximately 5 steps. It also offers touchscreen AF capabilities for focus point selection and adjustment.

    “We are continuing to push the boundaries of modern innovation in digital imaging, in particular within the mirrorless space,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “By equipping the α6500 with 5-axis image stabilization and touchscreen AF, we’re offering photographers and videographers more control than ever before and a seemingly endless amount of creative possibilities. As our flagship APS-C camera, it far exceeds the performance threshold of any camera in its class, and many above its class as well.”

    Unmatched AF Capability

    Sony’s new α6500 camera utilizes the same 4D FOCUS system as the α6300 – a Fast Hybrid AF system that combines high-speed phase detection AF with extremely accurate contrast AF and allows it to capture and lock on to moving subjects in as little as 0.05 seconds. It also features 425 phase detection AF points and High-density Tracking AF Technology, which significantly improves subject detection and tracking performance.

    New for the α6500, thanks to faster internal processing capabilities enabled by the front-end LSI, the maximum buffer for high-speed continuous shooting is an impressive 307 frames, greatly increasing the chances to catch that decisive moment.

    The camera’s 425 phase detection AF points, focusing tracking and accuracy are also available when using non-native A-mount lenses5 with Sony’s LA-EA3 mount adaptor. Additionally, it includes silent shooting, Eye AF in AF-C mode, AF in focus magnifier modes, Expand Flexible Spot AF and more.

    5-axis Image Stabilization Provides 5 Steps Shutter Speed Advantage

    One of the most exciting developments in the new α6500 is the implementation of 5-axis image stabilization for the first time in a Sony APS-C sensor camera. Additionally, through a total revision of the internal design of the camera, this newly developed stabilization system fits entirely within a body that is nearly the same size as the α6300 model6. This innovative 5- axis system provides a shutter speed advantage of 5 steps, ensuring the full resolving power of the sensor can be realized, even in challenging lighting.

    The shake compensation provided by the system works with a variety of lenses, including E-mount lenses without OSS (Optical SteadyShot) stabilization and A-mount lenses when used with a compatible mount adapter. When an E-mount lens with OSS is mounted, pitch and yaw are compensated in the lens and horizontal, vertical and roll axes are compensated in the camera body, resulting in optimal 5-axis stabilization.

    Also, with a simple half press of the shutter button, the effect of the image stabilization can be monitored in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen, allowing framing and focus to be accurately checked and continually monitored. This is available even when a lens is attached that does not have built-in shake compensation.

    New Touch Screen Focusing

    The new α6500 comes equipped with touch screen functionality, allowing users to lock focus on a subject simply by touching it on the screen. This is a powerful compliment to its advanced AF system and video shooting capabilities.

    Additionally, in a first for Sony cameras, the α6500 features touchpad functionality. When utilizing the viewfinder for framing and shooting, the LCD screen can be used as a touch pad. Simply drag a finger across the screen to shift the focus point from one area to another.

    Powerful 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS Sensor, BIONZ X® Processor and New Front-End LSI

    The new α6500 features an APS-C sized 24.2 MP8 Exmor CMOS sensor that works together with a BIONZ X image processor and the newly developed front-end LSI to maximize processing power and achieve an impressive sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200.

    The image sensor employs a thin wiring layer and large photodiode substrate that maximizes light collection efficiency, plus copper wiring in its structure for outstanding read-out speed. The BIONZ X image processor and newly developed front-end LSI ensure superior image and video quality with low noise even when using higher ISO settings, in particular those at high sensitivity values where other cameras typically struggle. The LSI is also responsible for the expanded buffer depth for continuous shooting.

  • Catch out iceberg.


    PR next

    Professional Video Capabilities

    The new α6500 becomes the latest Sony interchangeable lens camera to offer internal 4K movie recording, as it can shoot 4K (3840x2160p) video in the popular Super 35mm format on the full width of the image sensor. When shooting in this format, the camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 6K of information – approximately 2.4x (20 MP equivalent) as many pixels as 4K UHD and then oversamples the information to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.

    Additionally, the α6500 will focus exceptionally fast during movie shooting thanks to its Fast Hybrid AF system, offers touch focusing for professionally smooth focus shifts, while also offering adjustable AF transition speed and AF tracking sensitivity. The camera supports the XAVC S codec during video shooting, which records at a high bit rate of up to 100 Mbps during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during Full HD shooting, ensuring maximum detail and clarity in both video formats.

    Other professional caliber video features include the ability to record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbps, which allows footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD (24p) resolution with AF tracking.

    New on the α6500 is the incorporation of a ‘Slow and Quick’ (S&Q) mode that supports both slow motion and quick motion. In this mode, frame rates from 1 fps to 120 fps can be selected in 8 steps for up to 60x quick motion and 5x slow motion recording. Footage shot in this mode can be previewed after shooting without the need for PC-based post processing.

    The camera also offers S-Log gamma recording for wide dynamic range shooting – approximately 14-stop latitude in S-Log3 gamma setting – and supports S-Gamut for a wider color space. Both options allow for greater creativity for processing video post-production.

    Shooters also now have the ability to select, extract and save still images from movie footage directly on the camera. Approximately 8 MP images and 2 MP images can be pulled from 4K modes and Full HD modes, respectively.

    Enhanced Operability and Reliability

    The new α6500 has a refined design, maintaining the mobility of the α6000 series while adapting much of the usability of Sony’s acclaimed α7 II series. The new model features the same high contrast, high-resolution 2.4 million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder as the α6300 that offers exceptional corner-to-corner visibility.

    New hardware features on the α6500 include a magnesium alloy body and a high-durability shutter with a tested life span of approximately 200,000 release cycles. It also has several design features that are borrowed from the α7 II series of full-frame cameras, which include a robust lens mount, a recessed grip to improve handling, a larger release button and ten total custom buttons including ‘C1’, ‘C2’ and ‘C3’. It also has an improved operation feel for its mode and control dials and rear face buttons, as well as a softer eyepiece cup for more comfortable usage.

    On the software front, there is a new overall user interface, which allows for a much smoother process for searching and adjusting menu settings, as well two new metering modes – Highlight, where exposure metering is focused on the brightest area of the frame, and Entire Screen Avg, which maintains an average metering for the entire image.

    The camera is Wi-Fi®, QR and NFC compatible and fully compatible with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ applications available for Android™ and iOS platforms, as well as Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps™. The α6500 also offers location data acquisition via a Bluetooth connection to a compatible mobile device and an updated menu structure to deliver a smoother navigational experience.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Sony α6500 interchangeable lens camera will ship this November for about $1,400 US and $1,750 CA. It will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

    There is also a new genuine leather body case (model LCS-EBG) that will ship in November and a new eyepiece cup (model FDA-EP17) that will be launched at a later date.

  • Sample

    Sony and Fujifilm near Canon corpse.

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  • This looks like one hell of a camera. Only things I'm curious about are the heat issue and rolling shutter! Sony FINALLY put a touch screen on there! Yay!

  • @Aria

    I think overheating will be around 2 time faster comparing A6300.

  • It seems that sensor are the same than A6300. If so, rolling shutter it will be the same.

  • Enhanced Zebra function is ideally suited to working with S-Log gamma profiles and aids in monitoring exposure values in high-contrast scenes. Video signal level targets can be set from 0 to 109, and specific ranges can be set to make exposure level adjustments easier.

    In contrast, a Gamma Display Assist function is also available that displays scenes with natural contrast when recording with S-Log settings. This function converts imagery to the ITU709 profile for easier on-camera monitoring.

    So you can look at normal picture while recording S-Log. And look at proper zebra.

  • LOL @ Canon corpse... Very nice specs, I wonder if the rolling shutter is improved via "new front-end LSI."

  • Wow! Pricey and 100% will be overheating like mad.

  • Sony's strategy is to put all it's competitors out of business lol. Sorry Panasonic, Olympus, fuji.

    I had the a6300 on a recent vacation to Europe, and it was a joy to use. My only problems were the overheating and non touch screen.

    With the inclusion of the touch screen and now image stabilization for $1400, I can deal with the overheating issue. There are ways around it. Who knows, maybe they will take care of it in A6500. Plus it will mostly likely be better than a GH5 or EM-1 in low light especially in video.

    Dear Panasonic and Olympus, I am not gonna wait until next year for a GH5 or EM-1 mark II when they A6500 can give me most and more of all you can give me.

  • Wow, that was a very quick cycle (even for Sony!) of: a6000 => a6300 => a6500

  • I don't think this is a replacement for the a6300, it's a top end model at a separate price point. It's really looking like a mini A7 to me. :)

  • Interesting to see first overheating tests.

  • "Sadly, Sony is making no promises of improved rolling shutter, compared with the a6300 (suggesting it's a sensor read-out limitation, rather than one of processing)." - dpreview

  • @fahrenheit

    Yep, sensor seems to be exactly the same.

    Memory Stick Pro Duo support.

    This thing again rise rotten leg from the grave.

  • And UHS-I support only :-(

  • It is kind of weird camera:

    • 4K, but still 30fps, for almost 3 last years no progress here
    • It is for video guys, but overheats, no headphone jack and pricey
    • It is for casual family video shooters, but offers only high bitrates and pricey, again
    • It is kind of for photo guys, but lack of APS-C lenses, bad controls layout and interface
    • It is priced for top 5%, but they better buy more classic Leica or Fujifilm.
  • I think $400 is worth the IBIS and touchscreen. With a proper cage and dummy battery, overheating seems to be less common with a6300. It is a shame about the lack of lenses though. So weird. I'll probably get one though in the next 6 months if nothing better shows up for the same price!

  • @Vitaliy_Kiselev

    Enhanced Zebra function is ideally suited to working with S-Log gamma profiles and aids in monitoring exposure values in high-contrast scenes. Video signal level targets can be set from 0 to 109, and specific ranges can be set to make exposure level adjustments easier.

    In contrast, a Gamma Display Assist function is also available that displays scenes with natural contrast when recording with S-Log settings. This function converts imagery to the ITU709 profile for easier on-camera monitoring.

    So you can look at normal picture while recording S-Log. And look at proper zebra.

    A6300 has this, as well. Interesting to note, the S-Log3 internal LUT didn't work properly until the first FW update. It was very overexposed for what it should have been showing. Now it's in line with the S-Log2 LUT, and the clipping level has changed, too.

  • European price is ridiculous... Esp since a new 6300 can be had for less than 1k. F#ck you Sony.