Sony Alpha NEX-6: A Perfect Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

Looking for a high-quality camera that can help you capture stunning pictures? Then, the Sony Alpha NEX-6 is a device that you may want to consider. From its innovative features to user-friendly design, this camera is perfect for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha NEX-6 article cover photo

Key Features

Mar 25 2013

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight345g
MSRP$1000USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Alpha NEX-6

Photography is an art form that requires the perfect blend of creativity and technology. In order to take amazing pictures, it is essential to have the right equipment that can help you translate your vision into reality. For this reason, Sony has come up with its latest camera model, the Sony Alpha NEX-6, which is designed to cater to the needs of photography enthusiasts.The Sony Alpha NEX-6 is an excellent choice for photographers who value high-quality images, speed, and convenience. This camera packs a powerful punch in a compact package, with a 16.1 MP sensor, a resolution of up to 4912 x 3264, and a built-in electronic OLED viewfinder. The device is adorned with several features such as Wi-Fi capability, built-in apps, and a Superior Auto mode, that make it user-friendly and easy to use.Moreover, the NEX-6 offers a range of lens choices, making it a versatile camera that can cater to different types of photography. Whether you plan to take landscape images or portrait photographs, the NEX-6 has got you covered.In short, the Sony Alpha NEX-6 is a perfect camera for photography enthusiasts. With its innovative features and user-friendly design, it offers the perfect blend of creativity and technology that can help you capture stunning pictures.

Sony Alpha NEX-6 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha NEX-6 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (16.1 MP)
Interchangeable lenses
Lightweight and portable
Wi-Fi enabled
Fast autofocus
Good low light performance
Electronic viewfinder
Tilting LCD screen
Good value for money

Cons

Awkward button placement
Short battery life
Limited lens options compared to other brands
No built-in flash
Slow start-up time
Mediocre video quality
No touch screen
Limited weather sealingNote: As an AI language model, I have no personal opinion or experience using Sony Alpha NEX-6, therefore these are based on data analysis and common user feedback.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Weather sealed
Dimensions120 x 67 x 43mm
Weight345g
Thickness43mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha NEX-6 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Alpha NEX-6 includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha NEX-6 has a 16MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Sony Alpha NEX-6 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Mar 25 2013

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4912 x 3264 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

78 / 102

Color Depth

23.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.1 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1018 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha NEX-6 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha NEX-6 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.5x

Full frame equivalent

36mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life360 shots
Battery ModelNPFW50
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 uses the NPFW50 model of battery pack. This is rated for 360 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 99 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha NEX-6?

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha NEX-6 weather sealed?

No the Alpha NEX-6 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha NEX-6 announced?

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 was announced on Mar 25 2013

Does the Sony Alpha NEX-6 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Alpha NEX-6 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha NEX-6?

The Alpha NEX-6 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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