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Sony Introduces a6300 With Fast Autofocus
3 February 2016
Sony has announed its mirrorless a6300, an update to the a6000, with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, BIONZZ X image processing engine, 4K video and "the world's fastest AF acquisition time" in this class. The company said its 4D FOCUS system "can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, the world's fastest AF acquisition time."
The company released a short video showing off the 4D FOCUS system with 425 autofocus points, 0.05 second acquisition time and high-density tracking technology:
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the new model include:
- 24.2-Mp APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- 4D FOCUS with 425 Phase-Detect Points
- XGA Tru-Finder 2.36m-dot OLED EVF
- 3.0-inch 921.6k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- Internal UHD 4K30 and 1080p120 Recording
- S-Log3 Gamma and Display Assist Function
- Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
- Up to 11 fps Shooting and ISO 51,200
- Kit lens: Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Zoom Lens
SPECIFICATIONS
The main specifications for the a6300 follow:
SONY A6300 SPECIFICATIONS Sensor 24.2 effective megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor Lens Mount Sony E-Mount File Formats Stills: 14-bit Raw, JPEG
Movies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC S
Audio: AAC LC, AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)Dust Reduction Yes Memory Card SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo Display 3.0-inch" Rear Screen Tilting LCD with 921,600 dots ISO Sensitivity Shutter Electronic and Mechanical
Speed: 30 to 1/4,000 second, Bulb ModeImage Stabilization Lens based only Continuous Shooting Up to 11 fps at full resolution for up to 21 frames in Raw format
Up to 11 fps at full resoution for up to 44 frames in JPEG formatFlash Guide Number: 19.69' ISO 100
Max Sync Speed: 1/160 second
TTLBattery NP-FW50 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1080 mAh Dimensions 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9 inches Weight 14.25 oz. with battery and memory card PRICE, AVAILABILITY
Sony said the a6300 will be available in March for about $1,000 body only or $1,150 with a 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens.
B&H has the body only and kit lens configurations available for pre-order now.
For more information see the news release below.
Sony Introduces New a6300 Camera with World's Fastest Autofocus
NEW YORK -- Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world's largest image sensor manufacturer, has introduced the latest addition to their award winning lineup of mirrorless cameras, the a6300 model.
Sony a6300 Camera
The camera boasts an unrivaled 4D FOCUS system that can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, the world's fastest AF acquisition time. Additionally, the a6300 has an incredible 425 phase detection AF points that are densely positioned over the entire image area -- the world's highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera and can shoot images at up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus and exposure tracking.
The impressive new mirrorless model also has the ability to support full live-view continuous shooting on the Tru-finder or LCD screen at up to eight frames per second, ultimately producing a real-time shooting experience that combines all the benefits of an electronic viewfinder with the immediacy of a through-the-lens optical viewfinder.
The versatile a6300 is equipped with a newly developed 24.2-megapixel APS-C sized Exmor CMOS sensor that works together with a BIONZ X image processing engine to produce outstanding image quality throughout the entire ISO sensitivity range ISO 100 to 51,200. It can also shoot and record high resolution 4K video with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in the popular Super 35mm format.
"The a6300 is yet another example of the dominant innovation that Sony continues to bring to the industry, especially from the mirrorless space," said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. "With this new model, we've combined the world's fastest and most extensive AF system with a superb image sensor and many of our most advanced imaging and video technologies, creating a package that can far exceed the performance of any dSLR in its class. This camera connects you with the action like never before."
Unrivaled AF Performance
Sony's new a6300 camera builds upon the acclaimed 4D FOCUS performance of the a6000 model, utilizing a Fast Hybrid AF system that combines high-speed phase detection AF with extremely accurate contrast AF and allows it to capture and lock on to moving subjects in as little as 0.05 seconds. The camera's High-density Tracking AF technology positions 425 phase detection AF points over nearly the entire field of view, allowing it to accurately focus throughout a wide area -- even on small, fast objects that other cameras would fail to recognize.
In addition to the extensive AF coverage, the a6300 debuts a new High-density tracking AF technology that significantly improves subject detection and tracking performance. This new technology can quickly activate a large number of AF points surrounding a subject -- approximately 7.5 times more density than the a6000 -- and intelligently adjust them in accordance with the subject's motion. This is a particularly powerful feature when used with high-speed 11 fps continuous shooting or the new 8 fps continuous live-view mode, which provides 100 percent accurate framing for fast moving subjects on the LCD screen or viewfinder.
Of note is the fact that the camera's 425 phase detection AF points, enhanced tracking and focus accuracy are all available on the a6300 when using A-mount lenses with a mount adaptor like the Sony LA-EA3. This is a first for Sony E-mount interchangeable lens cameras with an APS-C sized sensor, as the only other cameras to feature this capability are the full-frame A7R II and A7 II models.
Other enhancements to the a6300 include silent shooting functionality the ability to use AF in focus magnifier mode, expanded flexible spot AF, Eye AF in AF-C mode and more.
Powerful 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS Sensor and BIONZ X Processor
In order to maximize efficiency and overall camera performance, the a6300 features a new 24.2-Mp sensor that is an ideal match for its BIONZ X image processing engine.
The new image sensor employs copper wiring in its structure, which improves light collection efficiency and significantly accelerates readout speed. The BIONZ X processor features an upgraded image processing algorithm designed to maximize the sensor's overall capabilities. Together, the two key components work together to produce images with low noise and exceptional resolution in sensitivity settings up to ISO 51,200, in particular in the mid-to-high sensitivity range.
Ultimate 4K Resolution and Other Professional Video Capabilities
In another first for non-full-frame Sony interchangeable lens camera, the new a6300 offers internal 4K movie recording in Super 35mm format. When shooting in 4K, the camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 20 megapixels of information -- approximately 2.4x (6K equivalent) as many pixels as 4K UHD and then oversamples the information to produce high quality footage with exceptional detail and depth.
The camera utilizes the XAVC S codec during video shooting, which records at a high bit rate of 100 Mbps7 during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during standard Full HD shooting, ensuring maximum detail and clarity in both video formats. Additionally, the camera will focus approximately twice as fast as its predecessor during movie shooting thanks to its new and improved AF system. AF speed and AF tracking sensitivity are also adjustable for expanded creativity.
Other professional caliber video features include the ability to record Full HD at 120 fps at 100 Mbps, another first for interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C sized sensors. This mode allows footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD (24p or 30p) resolution with AF tracking. The new a6300 also offers S-Log gamma recording for wide dynamic range shooting -- approximately 14-stop latitude in S-Log3 gamma setting -- and supports S-Gamut for a wider color space. Both options allow for greater creativity for processing video post-production.
Also included on the new camera is a microphone line input that accepts external microphones and also supports XLR input with Sony's XLR adapter kit, as well as Gamma Display Assist, a new function that allows users to monitor images or check focus when recording S-Log movies. The new model has enhanced Zebra functionality for greater exposure control. Picture profile settings are available, as well as Time Code/User Bit and much more.
Enhanced Operability and Ergonomics
The a6300 camera is equipped with a high contrast, high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 2.4 million dots that offers exceptional corner-to-corner visibility. There is also a new mode available for the viewfinder that allows display of images at 120 fps, ensuring that action is displayed smoothly with very few afterimages, making subject tracking through the Tru-finder easier than ever.
Aesthetically, the new a6300 camera features an extremely solid feel in hand thanks to its robust, magnesium alloy design. It can be customized to fit nearly any shooting style or preferences, with nine customizable buttons that one of 64 different functions can be assigned to. The camera adds a digital level gauge as well as upgraded dust and moisture resistance10, a reinforced lens mount structure and a new shutter release button and mode dial with improved operability and grip.
The new a6300 camera is WiFi and NFC compatible and fully functional with Sony's PlayMemories Mobile application available for Android and iOS platforms, as well as Sony's growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps", which add a variety of creative capabilities to the camera. It also supports QR code for easy connection to non-NFC smart phones.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony a6300 interchangeable lens camera will be available in March for about $1,000 for the camera body or for about $1,150 paired with a 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens (model SELP1650). Prices for the Canadian market will be about $1,350 CA for the body and about $1,500 CA for the camera kit. It will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout each region.