![\"\"](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/NEX-6_wSELP1650_BK_1_wEyepiece.jpg\" "\\"NEX-6_wSELP1650_BK_1_wEyepiece\\"")
<\/a>Sony’s newest NEX camera is the NEX-6, and it really is the little brother of the NEX-7. \u00a0(Which, by the way, I have in my hands for the next week, along with the Zeiss 24mm f\/1.8…stay tuned for reviews of both along with some interesting comparisons). \u00a0The NEX-6 has almost the same body as the NEX-7, including the same high resolution viewfinder in the corner. \u00a0They’ve even made some welcome additions by adding a dedicated mode dial on top (thank goodness), and replacing the proprietary Sony hotshoe with a standard ISO hotshoe that will now thankfully accept a host of existing flash accessories. \u00a0These are very welcome additions.<\/p>\n
What they’ve taken away is a second top control wheel and the NEX-7’s higher resolution 24MP sensor. \u00a0Instead, the NEX-6 gets the same (or very similar) 16MP APS-C sized sensor that has proven itself in the NEX-5N and NEX-5R cameras. \u00a0This is a high quality, low noise sensor with great dynamic range, so there’s nothing to worry about on the imaging side.<\/p>\n
They’ve also added built in wi-fi and the ability to download some camera apps as well as connect to your smartphone. \u00a0If you read my article on the Galaxy Camera<\/a>, you’ll see this functionality is pretty much exactly what I’d rather have, though I’m not sure if it’s as smooth as what I have pictured in my head. \u00a0Still, the ability to take pictures with a real camera and then upload them to services like Facebook is a very nice advancement. \u00a0I expect we’ll see similar capabilities on most cameras within a few years, but good on Sony for including it now.<\/p>\n However, there appear to also be some small oversights with the NEX-6. \u00a0For instance, the rear control dial doesn’t function as an exposure compensation dial in the aperture and shutter priority modes, which basically means the camera functions as a one wheel camera. \u00a0Disappointing to say the least. \u00a0They also have not made use of a touch screen, which is somewhat baffling given the use of camera apps, which will be much harder to navigate as a result. \u00a0Plus, I’ve found having a touchscreen on my mirrorless cameras to be a wonderful addition, if only for the ability to quickly tap on the screen to set an exact focus point.<\/p>\n Overall, though, it appears that the NEX-6 fixes a few issues that the NEX-7 had while retaining its best features and the great 16MP sensor from the 5 series. \u00a0And for $850, they’re certainly hitting a great price point that will put some pressure on Olympus and Panasonic. \u00a0Looks to be a nice camera.<\/p>\n In addition to the new cameras announced, Sony also announced three new lenses for the NEX system. \u00a0NEX owners are breathing a sigh of relief and saying ‘Thank you’ today. \u00a0Finally added to the system are a fast normal lens in the 35mm f\/1.8 OSS (which is optically stabilized), as well as the 10-18mm ultra-wide angle lens (equivalent to 15-27mm on a full frame camera). \u00a0The 10-18mm has a constant f\/4 aperture and looks to be a pretty hefty lens, though I think NEX users will just be happy to have the ultra-wide. \u00a0Interesting to note is that the 10-18 is also optically stabilized, which is rare in an ultra-wide angle lens. \u00a0I think that it’s possible they are feeling the pressure from the OM-D’s excellent in-body stabilization, and so are producing more OSS lenses accordingly. This is a good move by Sony.<\/p>\n Also announced is a 16-50mm (24-75mm equivalent) collapsable power zoom lens, in the same vein as Panasonic’s 14-42 X PZ lens for Micro 4\/3. \u00a0It’s great to see a small zoom for NEX, though given Sony’s cheap zoom track record, I probably wouldn’t expect optical perfection out of this lens.<\/p>\n So, overall, I think that Sony finally addressed a few weak points in the NEX system, and it’s starting to grow into a more fully fleshed-out camera system. \u00a0The mirrorless market is definitely heating up.<\/p>\n10-18mm Ultra Wide, 16-50mm Pancake Zoom and 35mm f\/1.8<\/h3>\n
<\/a>