Speed, more speed, and higher-resolution video are the name of the game early in 2016—and Sony’s announcement today of the Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera boasts an upgraded super-fast 4D FOCUS system, as well as the ability to record UHD 4K video internally, among a plethora of other major improvements over its predecessor. One of the critical components of the a6300 is a redeveloped 24.2MP APS-C Exmor sensor, featuring thinner copper wiring and enhanced processing with the BIONZ X processor that will improve low-light performance up to ISO 51200 and allow for 4K recording with full pixel readout—without binning—and Full HD video at up to 120 fps.
4D FOCUS was the feature that put the a6300’s predecessor on the map, and the upgrades are outstanding. Starting off, Sony has increased the number of phase-detect points to 425 and contrast-detect points to 169 with almost full coverage of the sensor. This system is about 7.5 times denser than before, and enables High-density Tracking AF Technology, which activates more AF points around the subject to grant more precision to the focusing algorithm. The a6300 also claims to have the “world’s fastest AF speed,” with a tested 0.05 second lock-on using the Fast Hybrid AF system.
Focusing has received a variety of smaller firmware-related updates, including the ability to capture shots continuously at a rate up to 11 fps with full AF/AE, or up to 8 fps when monitoring the image using the LCD screen or EVF. This 4D FOCUS system will even work with adapted A-mount lenses when using the LA-EA1 or LA-EA3 mount adapter. Users will be able to autofocus while using the Focus Magnifier setting and they will have access to the Expand Flexible Spot function and Eye AF modes found on Sony’s other recent cameras. Another nice addition is Silent Shooting, which uses an electronic shutter to silence the camera completely.
Moving on from stills and into the almost standard UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) video specs, we find that it is very much in line with Sony’s latest a7S II in terms of capabilities. This includes the XAVC S format at up to 100 Mbps at 30/25/24p, S-Log3 and S-Log2 gammas with Picture Profile control and Gamma Display Assist, and Full HD 120 fps shooting along with time code/user bit and the Enhanced Zebra function. An advantage of the a6300 turns out to be the higher-resolution sensor, which leverages the full 20MP (6000 x 3376) resolution of the Super35mm image area for 2.4x oversampling, resulting in greater recorded detail and resolution in the final UHD 4K image.
Compared to its predecessor, the a6300 also implements a standard stereo 3.5mm audio input jack for external microphones while still being compatible with Sony’s XLR-K2M and XLR-K1M XLR Adapters via the Multi Interface Shoe. Also, due to the enhanced Fast Hybrid AF system, users will see an improvement of up to two times in AF speed and accuracy during video. Additionally, the camera has the ability to output uncompressed UHD 4K footage over the HDMI port for using an external monitor or recorder.
In addition to improved internals, the body of the a6300 has been made more durable and more comfortable. It has a magnesium-alloy body that will ensure reliability over long periods of use. The body is sealed to protect against moisture and dust while shooting outside to prevent damage to critical components. The OLED Tru-Finder EVF has received a major boost, as well, with increased 2.36m-dot XGA resolution and a mode to display at 120 fps for better tracking of fast-moving objects. Also, the lens mount has been reinforced for better rigidity and strength when using longer and heavier telephoto lenses, and the grip and shutter button have been enhanced for a better overall feel during operation.
Many other features have found their way into Sony’s latest mirrorless camera, including QR code compatibility, in addition to Wi-Fi and NFC, for quick connection to a mobile device, more precise white balance control, Bright Monitoring, and ISO Auto Minimum Shutter Speed. Users can also extend battery life by providing a power supply over the USB connection, much like the a7S II and a7R II. The a6300 will be available as a body only or in a kit with the 16-50mm lens.
| Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera | Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera | |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Image Sensor | APS-C Exmor CMOS (23.5 x 15.6mm) | APS-C Exmor CMOS (23.5 x 15.6mm) |
| Effective Pixels | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Total Pixels | 25.0MP | 24.7MP |
| Maximum Resolution | 24MP: 6000 x 4000 | 24MP: 6000 x 4000 |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2, 16:9 | 3:2, 16:9 |
| Still Image File Format | RAW, JPEG | RAW, JPEG |
| Storage Media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo |
| Card Slot | 1 x SD (UHS-I) / Memory Stick Duo multi slot | 1 x SD (UHS-I) / Memory Stick Duo multi slot |
| Viewfinder Type | 2.36m-dot 0.39" / 1 cm XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF | 1.44m-dot 0.39" / 1 cm OLED Tru-Finder EVF |
| Frame Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Magnification | 1.07x (35mm Equivalent: 0.70x) | 1.07x (35mm Equivalent: 0.70x) |
| Eyepoint | 23mm at -1m-1 | 23mm at -1m-1 |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +3m-1 | -4 to +3m-1 |
| Shutter Type | Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse focal-plane type; Electronic | Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse focal-plane type |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 to 30 sec., bulb | 1/4000 to 30 sec., bulb |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/160 sec. | 1/160 sec |
| Drive Modes | Single, continuous (Hi+, Hi, Mid, Low selectable), self-timer, bracketing | Single, continuous (Hi, Mid, Low), self-timer, bracketing |
| Top Continuous Shooting Rate | 11 fps | 11 fps |
| Self-Timer | 10, 5, 2 sec. | 10, 2 sec. |
| Exposure Metering System | 1200-zone evaluative metering with Exmor CMOS sensor | 1200-zone evaluative metering with Exmor CMOS sensor |
| Metering Method | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Metering Range | -2 to 20 EV with f/2 lens | 0 to 20 EV with f/2.8 lens |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter speed priority, Manual | Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter speed priority, Manual |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV in 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps | ±5 EV in 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps |
| Exposure Bracketing | 3 or 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV increments 9 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV inctrements | 3 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV increments 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, or 2/3 EV inctrements |
| ISO Sensitivity | Stills: 100-51200 Movie: 100-25600 | Stills: 100-25600 Movie: 100-12800 |
| Autofocus System | Enhanced Fast Hybrid AF with 4D FOCUS | Fast Hybrid AF with 4D FOCUS |
| Number of Focus Points | Phase Detect: 425 Contrast Detect: 169 | Phase Detect: 179 Contrast Detect: 25 |
| Focus Modes | Automatic, Single-shot, Continuous, Direct Manual Focus, Manual | Automatic, Single-shot, Continuous, Direct Manual Focus, Manual |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | -1 to 20 EV with f/2 lens | 0 to 20 EV with f/2.8 lens |
| Built-In Flash | Yes, Guide Number: 19.7' / 6 m; Coverage: 16mm | Yes, Guide Number: 19.7' / 6 m; Coverage: 16mm |
| Flash Control | P-TTL | P-TTL |
| Flash Modes | Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, High-speed sync, Wireless with compatible external flash | Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, High-speed sync, Wireless with compatible external flash |
| Flash Compensation | ±3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps | ±3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
| Flash Bracketing | 3 or 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV increments 9 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV inctrements | 3 or 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV steps |
| External Flash Interface | Multi Interface Shoe | Multi Interface Shoe |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White, Cool White, Day White, Daylight), Flash, Color Temperature (2500-9900K), Color Filter, Custom, Underwater | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White, Cool White, Day White, Daylight), Flash, Color Temperature (2500-9900K), Color Filter, Custom, Underwater |
| Movie Recording | XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160: 30p, 24p, 25p XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080: 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 24p, 25p AVCHD: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 24p, 25p MP4: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p; 1280 x 720: 30p, 25p | XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 30p, 24p AVCHD: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 60i, 24p MP4: 1440 x 1080: 30p; 640 x 480: 30p |
| File Format | XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4 | XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4 |
| Compression | XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 | XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
| Audio Recording | Yes, built-in stereo microphne or 3.5mm audio input | Yes, built-in stereo microphone |
| Audio File Format | XAVC S: Linear PCM, 2ch AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch | XAVC S: Linear PCM, 2ch AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch |
| External Microphone Input | Yes, 3.5mm stereo input | None |
| Headphone Jack | None | None |
| Maximum Recording Time | 29 minutes 59 seconds | 29 minutes 59 seconds |
| Monitor | 3.0" / 7.5 cm 921k-dot tilting TFT LCD | 3.0" / 7.5 cm 921k-dot tilting TFT LCD |
| Interface | 1 x Micro-USB (Multi Terminal) 1 x Micro HDMI (Type D) 1 x 3.5mm stereo audio input | 1 x Micro-USB (Multi Terminal) 1 x Micro HDMI (Type D) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, built-in with NFC & QR Code function | Yes, built-in with NFC |
| GPS | None | None |
| Power Source | 1 x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Pack | 1 x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Pack |
| Battery Life | Viewfinder: 350 Shots LCD Screen: 400 Shots | Viewfinder: 310 Shots LCD Screen: 360 Shots |
| Operating Environment | 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C | 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9" / 120 x 67 x 49mm | 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.8" / 120 x 67 x 45mm |
| Weight | 14.3 oz / 404 g with battery and Memory Stick | 12.1 oz / 344 g with battery and Memory Stick |
