All about Sony a6300, a6500 and a6400.
Choosing a camera is hard – often you’re comparing slight improvements in one area against another. How much does format matter, versus speed of autofocus or clarity in low light when compared to straight-up pixel rate? Does 4K video matter if you’ll probably never take video or if it’s too hard to switch to video mode? And it doesn’t help much when camera brands are continually releasing newer shinier versions of the same camera.
So without further ado, here’s the rundown on the Sony Alpha mirrorless a6XXX series.
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In brief:
Any of these cameras are great options for photographers looking to take high-quality photos with high-quality lenses but looking for a lighter price point and a more compact system than a full-frame mirrorless system. Being APS-C mirrorless cameras, they’re significantly smaller and cheaper than the popular full-frame mirrorless options on the market.
A6300 – Fewer features but cheaper.
A6500 – Introduced image stabilisation; has the fastest buffer and better battery life.
A6400 – UW white balance mode, Animal EyeAF. Updated easier-to-use menu.
The price:
The latest camera, the a6400, bundled with a 16-50mm lens, is in the same price bracket as the RX100VI, which is frankly an incredible deal.
EyeAF:
EyeAF's been around on Sony's Alpha systems for a while now (and people are crazy for it), but at long last EyeAF for animals is here thanks to a firmware update (v2.0). Kind of a big deal for underwater photographers or portrait photographers alike. Currently only available on the a6400 (and a select few others in Sony's Alpha line-up).
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EyeAF is without a doubt one of the best features available for Sony's Alpha cameras.
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“If you tend to shoot large and quick pelagic animals requiring a large buffer and quick focus tracking, then yes - an upgrade is a good idea. However, if you are looking for an all around improvement in image quality, battery life, and video, you still may want to take a look at the Sony α6500 over the Sony α6400.”
…
“I had multiple macro shots saved by the animal eye AF tracking, when I was able to capture the eyes of a fish that moved at the last second. It doesn't work 100% of the time, but if you're on the correct focusing plane to begin with, it works.”
– Underwater Photography Guide
“I was extremely pleased with how the camera performed as a macro rig. Despite the close working distance imposed by the super macro wet lens—where changes in distance of mere fractions of an inch result in shifts in the focus on your subject—the α6400’s autofocus was so good, once it locked onto the subject, it didn’t let go.”
– Dive Photo Guide
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Our favourite housings:
Fantasea FA6500 (which fits the a6300 as well as the a6500) and the new FA6400.
It no secret that we are big fans of Fantasea Line over at Sea Tech. Their housings are ergonomic and compact (seriously, there is very little wasted space in these housings), with all the bells and whistles you could want, while maintaining an excellent price that is especially enticing to new-comers to the world of underwater photography (though no less appropriate for you more experienced photographers).
The new FA6400 and the FA6500 V2 housing introduce Fantasea’s new hybrid vacuum safety system (also equiped with a leak detector that has a moisture sensor - if any moisture gets into the housing an alarm will sound, alerting you to the leak). Early reviews are reporting the system as easier to use than a lot of similar systems available currently.
There are also kits available that include ports for the 16-50mm lens commonly packaged with the body for both the FA6400 and the FA6500 as well as V2. We currently have a few FA6500 housings available at a special price – get in quick before we sell out!
Our verdict: A slick but affordable housing for a like-minded camera.
Runners Up: Want something fancier? Try the Nauticam NA6300, NA6500 or NA6400 housings. Interested in the old faithful? Try the Ikelite housing 6911.64, which fits all three cameras, or the 6910.65, just for the a6500.
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Shades of Colour Photo Comp.
Send us your pictures from your summer diving adventures! You can win Sea Tech vouchers and get published in Dive Pacific magazine!
You can find info about entering here (note deadline changes). Just make sure to send us large files – we need 300dpi for printing in the magazine! Old galleries of photos are here – check 'em out, there're some stunners.
Or just send us some pictures now! The next comp closes August 5th.
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Clockwise from Top Left:
Advanced Winner: Simon Pierce: 'Friendly loggerhead turtle'.
Advanced Runner Up: Mark Blomfield: 'Blenny on Canterbury Wreck'.
Novice Winner: Stephen Hopkins: 'Donut Protective Clownfish'.
Novice Runner Up: Sarah Milicich: 'Confrontation'.
Above images cropped - see originals and other entries here.
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Happy to help.
Need anything? You can find us over at our website! Email or call, we're happy to help!
www.seatech.co.nz
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