Sony A6600
Can Sony’s flagship APS-C camera see off a competitive field?
Sitting right at the top of Sony’s
APS-C lineup for enthusiast
photographers, the Sony A6600 is
aimed at those who want a
top-spec camera, but can’t quite
stretch to full-frame options like
the Sony A7 III.
Sony is known for releasing
similar cameras in quick
succession, and the A6600 comes
not too long after the Sony A6400,
and shares the same 24.2 MP
APS-C sensor, along with the
Bionz X processor that’s also
found in the flagship A9 II.
The A6600 has inherited quite a
few features from the A6400, but it
also brings some new features,
including in-body image
stabilisation and a bigger battery.
A 24.2MP sensor sits at the
heart of the Sony A6600. It’s the
same sensor as the one in the
Sony A6400 and the Sony A6100,
which was the entry-level model
announced at the same time as
this camera. There’s also the same
Bionz X processor as found in the
full-frame A9 II, and this helps to
enable an impressive burst speed
$2,099.95, http://www.sony.com.au
of 11fps, again in the A6400.
And the similarities don’t end
there. Another like-for-like spec
is the 0.39-inch, 2.36 million-dot
viewfinder, which is joined by a
3-inch tilting touch-sensitive
screen. A hybrid autofocus system
boasting 425 phase- and contrast-
detection points, which cover 84%
of the scene, is another shared
spec. 4K video, up to 30fps, with
full pixel readout and no pixel
binning, is also present across
both the A6400 and the A6600, as
well as the A6100.
As we’ve seen with all the other
cameras in the line, the A6600
uses a flat design, with the
viewfinder over to the left.
Compared to other APS-C models,
such as the Fujifilm X-T3, Nikon
Z50 and Canon EOS M50, it’s quite a
big differentiator – and in our
opinion, not for the better. One
plus point is the addition of a
deeper grip compared to the one of
the A6400, which houses the larger
battery for impressive stamina.
One area where Sony excels is
sports and action photography,with its class-leading A9 II
full-frame camera in particular
earning plaudits.
Naturally, what’s on offer here
isn’t quite as dazzling, but the
A6600 does offer a lot for the
enthusiast or amateur with a
penchant for photographing
moving subjects. The camera can
muster 11fps, or 8fps if you wish
to shoot silently. There’s a buffer
capacity of 116 shots in JPEG, or 46
in raw – so you should find that
short bursts for capturing
fast-moving action are easily
achievable.
The 18-135mm kit lens is a solid
all-round performer, and gives
you good scope to capture a
diverse range of subjects.Sony has resolutely stuck with a
form factor that’s not as
comfortable as rival cameras, with
a convoluted menu system, and
options that don’t always work as
you’d expect them to.
Amy DaviesThe A6600
boasts some fine
features, but
does not sit well
in the hand.2020EDITOR
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