Sony Strengthens APS-C Mirrorless Camera Line-up with Launch of Two New Models

Sony today announced two new additions to its α™(Alpha™) APS-C series of mirrorless cameras with the launch of the Alpha 6600 (model ILCE-6600) and Alpha 6100 (model ILCE-6100). These new additions to the range integrate Sony’s advanced technologies into compact and lightweight bodies including leading-edge autofocus performance, superb image quality and the very latest video technologies. The new Alpha 6600 has been designedtoaddress the needs of the most demanding photographers and videographers with its versatility making it suitable for multiple types of shooting scenarios and users. The Alpha 6100 is targeted at users who are looking to make the step-up to shooting with interchangeable lens cameras and wish to shoot high-quality photos and videos in a variety of different situations.

The Sony APS-C range has been further strengthened by the launch of two new lenses, the E 16-55mm F2.8 G standard zoom lens and the E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS super-telephoto zoom lens. With this announcement, Sony’s versatile E-mount system now features a total of 54 lenses.

“Our ‘One Mount’ strategy to continually expand the E-mount system, cameras and lenses with complete inter-compatibility between full-frame and APS-C, means that we want to offer the widest range of exciting products that customers can select from when choosing the right tool for their needs,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “The APS-C market is extremely important to Sony and the Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 are both cameras that pack-in the very latest technology breakthroughs and whether you shoot stills, video or a combination of the two, we are confident that users will be very happy with the results.”

At the heart of both the new Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 sit a24.2MP[i] Exmor™ CMOS image sensor, the latest BIONZ X™ image processor and a front-end LSI implemented in Sony’s full-frame cameras. This powerful trio combine to deliver all-round enhancements in image quality and performance across all areas of photo and video capture.

The Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 offer a lightning fast autofocus acquisition time of 0.02 seconds[ii]. With 425 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering approximately 84% of the image area and 425 contrast-detection AF points, the high density and wide coverage of the AF system ensure reliable AF, even in the most challenging light conditions. Both new models benefit from Sony’s ‘Real-time Tracking’ which utilises Sony’s latest algorithm including AI[iii]-based object recognition to ensure that subjects can be captured with excellent accuracy, even via the touch panel on the rear screen. In addition, the new models offer ‘Real-time Eye AF’, the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, which employs AI-based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real time, resulting in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of Eye AF for both humans and animals[iv], and allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on composition[v].

An Eye for Detail

Based upon feedback from users of existing Sony APS-C camera users, further features have been added to the Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 to fine tune the user experience. These include:

• Improved colour reproduction; Algorithms inherited from full-frame models deliver natural colour reproduction, particularly in skin tones
• Hi-resolution internal 4K[vi] movie recording with full-pixel readout without pixel binning in Super 35mm format with easy smartphone transfers via the Imaging Edge™ Mobile application[vii]
• Interval shooting[viii] for stunning time-lapse videos
• 180-degree tiltable, 3.0-type 921k-dot (approx.) LCD touch screen
• Integrated Microphone input for clear and crisp audio on video recordings

Alpha 6600

Across an ISO range of 100-32000 (expandable to ISO 50 – 102400[ix]), the new Alpha 6600 offers superb low-noise performance and delivers extremely high-quality images, even in low-light conditions. By applying noise reduction and sharpness processing optimally in each area, Area-specific Noise Reduction and Detail Reproduction Technology greatly reduce noise while preserving high resolution contributing to fine reproduction of subject textures and shadow details.

The Alpha6600 packs in many of the technology breakthroughs that are attracting praise on Sony’s high-end full-frame cameras. These include:

• Sony’s innovative 5-axis in-body image stabilisation system that results in a 5.0-step[x] shutter speed advantage
• Implementation of the industry-leading[xi] long battery life with Son
• Z Battery for the first time on an APS-C camera, enabling extended power performance; approx. 720 still images using viewfinder, approx. 810 images using LCD monitor[xii]
• A tough magnesium alloy design that is dust and moisture resistant[xiii]
• Real-time Eye AF for movie shooting[xiv]. When activated, the eye of a subject is automatically tracked with high precision and reliability, allowing the shooter to focus on the content itself as opposed to what is in focus or not in focus. Touch Tracking functionality will also automatically initiate Eye AF when a human subject is selected
• Integrated headphone jack which allows the user to connect high-quality headphones for accurate monitoring of recorded sound

4K Recordingvi

The Alpha 6600 boasts internal 4K movie recording in Super 35mm format with full pixel readout without pixel binning, to capture approximately 2.4x[xv] the amount of information required for 4K movies (Also available in Alpha 6100). This oversampling results in stunning footage, delivered in the XAVC S™ format with unparalleled resolution. The Alpha 6600 equips an HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)[xvi]picture profile that supports an instant HDR workflow. Recorded movies played back on an HDR (HLG)compatible TV will appear true-to-life, with no blocked shadows or blown highlights, without the need for colour grading. For users who want to colour grade their footage in post-production, S-Log3 and S-Log2 Gamma profiles are provided.

Pricing and Availability

The Alpha 6600 will ship in Europe in October 2019 priced at approximately €1600 body only or as a kit with the SEL18135 lens for €2000.

The Alpha 6100 will ship in Europe in October 2019 priced at approximately €900 body only, as a kit with the SEL1650 lens for €1000 or as a kit with the SEL1650 and SEL55210 priced at approximately €1250.

For full product details on the Alpha 6600, please visit: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-6600

For full product details on the Alpha 6100, please visit: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-6100

A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony α products can be found at

https://www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.

i]Approximate effective megapixels
ii]Based on Sony research, CIPA-guideline-compliant internal measurement with an E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens mounted, Pre-AF off and viewfinder in use
iii] AI (artificial intelligence) including machine learning technology is used
iv]Real-time Eye AF for Animals supports still images only and cannot be used in combination with tracking. Does not work with some types of animal. Focusing may not perform well depending on scene and subject conditions
v]Both right eye and left eye are selectable, either via the menu or by the touchscreen panel
vi]3840×2160 pixels. A Class 10 or higher SDHC/SDXC memory card is required to record movies in the XAVC S format. UHS-I (U3) SDHC/SDXC card is required for 100Mbps
vii] Imaging Edge Mobile Ver. 7.2 or later is required
viii] Wi-Fi does not work during interval shooting
ix]Only on still images
x]Based on CIPA standard. Pitch/yaw shake only. With Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA lens mounted. Long-exposure Noise Reduction off
xi]Among mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital cameras equipped with an APS-C image sensor. As of August 2019, based on Sony research
xii]CIPA standard compliant
xiii]Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof
xiv] This function does not track animal eyes
xv]24p recording. Approx. 1.6x at 30p
xvi] Connect this product to an HDR (HLG) compatible Sony TV via a USB cable when displaying HDR (HLG) movies