Sony Alpha 6000 Mirrorless Camera With Super-Fast AF

Sony is busy replacing its NEX camera line with a new set of Alpha-branded models. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras have long since proved that they can match the picture quality of SLRs, so the Alpha 6000—due to replace the successful NEX-6—is taking things to the next level with a super-fast focusing system to beat the average DSLR.

The NEX camera range may be a thing of the past, but Sony’s E mount is alive and kicking with a new line of “Alpha” models in store to replace former NEX cameras. Note that Sony’s SLT cameras are also part of the Alpha line, but these use the A lens mount and their product names comprise two numbers rather than four (e.g. A77, A55). Got that?

The new Alpha 6000 won’t feel too unfamiliar to Sony users, as it effectively blends the angular body of the NEX-6 (that the A6000 is due to replace) with a new take on the “TriNavi” control set-up seen in the NEX-7 (that the A6000 isn’t due to replace). Build quality is as good as ever and the new Alpha feels nicely balanced in hand.

Otherwise, the A6000 feels pretty familiar. The interface has progressed slightly, falling more in line with the Alpha 7 (with customisable “C” buttons and an “Fn” button for the quick menu) and the menus now have the same orange and black design seen Sony’s RX expert compact series. The PASM dial is back again, now joined by a second customisable dial. There’s an OLED 1.4-million-dot viewfinder, still located in the top right corner of the camera’s rear face, and a 3″ 921,000-dot “White Magic” rear screen that tilts to 45°. There’s still no sign of touchscreen controls though, which is a shame since the Alpha 6000 has both NFC and Wi-Fi.

To help it beat DSLRs on speed, the Alpha 6000 gets Sony’s Bionz X image processor twinned with a 24-Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. This is slightly different from the one used in the NEX-7, as the RGB filter has been slightly modified, the low-pass filter has been removed and, above all, it has on-sensor phase-detection pixels (179 points) covering 90% of the scene (91% of the height, 92% of the width). That’s accompanied by 25 points for contrast detection. With that kind of hybrid autofocus and the right kind of processing algorithms, the A6000 should be able to keep track of subjects at all times and focus at least as quickly as a Canon EOS 70D or a Nikon D5300. Those are pretty lofty ambitions, and we can’t wait to get the Alpha 6000 into our test lab to find out if it’s up to scratch.

On paper, the Alpha 6000 looks like a very promising DSLM, and our first hands-on with the camera proved a very positive experience. Landing at a competitive €650 or approximately £550 for the body only and €800 or £670 with the 16-50 mm OSS kit lens, it could give other camera-makers a few sleepless nights.

Sony Alpha 6000 Mirrorless Camera With Super-Fast AF