Sony Alpha NEX-6 fills prosumer camera niche

Sony's extending its interchangeable-lens camera line, bumping up from three to four product tiers with prices going up in steps of about $200. The newest segment arrives in the form of the Alpha NEX-6, which combines much of the best from the older NEX-7 and the new 5R. The company is targeting "dSLR intenders" with this model -- people who are thinking about getting a dSLR but are open to being lured away by the promise of a smaller package. Those are the people every manufacturer is hoping to attract with its EVF-equipped models, though.

Sony NEX-6 displays a thoughtful design (pictures)

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On the plus side, the NEX-6 uses the same sensor as the 5R, which incorporates both phase-detection and contrast autofocus systems for (hopefully) improved AF performance. It also has the same Wi-Fi connectivity options as the 5R, including support for Sony's proprietary PlayMemories Camera apps, along with a similar touch-operated tilting LCD (though it doesn't have a similar self-portrait mode). Note that the hybrid-specific AF features will not work with all older lenses at launch and will require firmware updates.

Although I only got a brief chance to play with it, I like the design touches, with more direct-access controls and dials than the lower-end models in the series. They had me at a dedicated AE lock button and a physical mode dial. As on the RX1, the movie record button is oddly placed to the right side of the thumb rest, but I think I'll still prefer it over having it on the top. And the camera is compact with a good solid grip.

There are a couple of aspects I'm not thrilled about. For one, the NEX-6 can automatically switch between phase-detection and contrast AF during burst shooting, but only in its Speed Priority Continuous mode, which fixes exposure on the first frame. And the camera has incorporated a feature from camcorders called "Auto Slow Shutter" that reduces the shutter speed when shooting in low light -- but this feature usually drops so low that it gets special-effects slow. And the battery-life rating is just miserable.

Here's Sony's current NEX lineup:

While the NEX-6 encroaches on the NEX-7's territory a bit, that model is almost ready for replacement; I think there's sufficient differentiation in the line, as long as the only other camera Sony adds in the future is an interchangeable-lens version of the RX1. In fact, if it adds that, it may not even need one in the NEX-7's price range anymore.

Things are a bit odder when you compare the NEX-6 with similarly priced competitors: there really aren't any. Everything's either cheaper, but lags behind in features in some way, or more expensive, with better continuous-shooting performance, build quality, or an odd sensor. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is around the same price, but ripe for replacement.

Probably equally important, along with the camera Sony announced three new lenses. The 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 power zoom, which will be offered in a kit, operates similarly to Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds analog; it automatically collapses to provide a more compact profile for the camera, with a switch on the side for electronic zoom operation. But it seems better designed than Panasonic's, with a bigger switch and a manual focus ring. It will be priced at $350 when it's available for standalone sale in January.

A $450 35mm f1.8 fills the hole for a fast midangle prime, but I'm most looking forward to trying out the $850 10-18mm f4. Though I wish it were faster, I guess I'm just a wide-angle kinda gal.