CAMERA

Sony NEX-6 Mirrorless Camera Review (Part 4)

10/21/2013 11:25:35 AM

Control dial

As well as the exposure mode dial, the NEX-6 also provides a top-mounted control dial which is placed around its base. This dial and the rear control dial are the main means by which the NEX-6’s key shooting parameters are adjusted. The function of two dials depends on shooting mode. It is likely to be used to navigate the options, or slide through images in the playback mode. After pressing the exposure compensation button you are able to adjust the exposure by rotating the dial. The functions of the two dials, top and rear, in each mode are listed as follows.

Top dial function

·         Program: Program shift

·         Aperture priority: Aperture

·         Shutter speed priority: Shutter speed

·         Manual control: Aperture

·         Panorama: Panorama direction

·         Scene modes: slide through scene modes

·         Intelligent Auto: -

·         Superior Auto: -

·         Drive behind the functional

Rear dial function

·         Program: -

·         Aperture priority:-

·         Shutter speed priority: -

·         Manual control: Shutter speed

·         Panorama: -

·         Scene modes: Slide through scene modes (after leaving the live view mode)

·         Intelligent Auto: -

·         Superior Auto: -

Exactly as we have seen on the NEX-5R, the problem here is that Sony has not actually taken advantage of the opportunity to create two camera dials of the NEX-6. Looking at the table above, it should be noted that in all modes except the manual control, the upper dial simply takes charge of the function that was controlled by the rear dial in the previous models. And annoyingly, the rear dial is just a useless stuff there. The dial functions are unable to be customized, which is out of luck. We cannot help but feel that it would mean a great deal to the rear dial to change the exposure compensation directly in the PAS modes. Instead, you are supposed to do your duty of first pressing the ‘down’ button on the four-way controller.

Function menu

The NEX-6 inherits the NEX-5R’s specialized function button. It is placed on the top of the camera to the right of the shutter button.

Description: Six shooting parameters on the screen

Six shooting parameters on the screen

Pressing the 'Fn' button brings you quick access to six shooting parameters that by default are AF/MF Select, AF mode, AF Area mode, White balance, Metering mode and Image Effect. However, the function menu is customizable and for each 'slot', you are able to select among the 16 options shown in the table below. You will take notice that the last option allows you to drop to the number of icons displayed along the bottom of the screen. The sizes of the dark gray border is unchanged, regardless of the number of icons displayed

These parameters can be attached to the Fn menu

·         AF / MF select

·         AF Mode

·         The AF

·         Face Detection

·         Smile Shutter

·         Auto Portrait Framing

·         Soft Skin Effect

·         Image Quality

·         ISO

·         WB

·         Metering Mode

·         DRO / Auto HDR

·         Image Effect

·         Creative Style

·         Flash Mode

·         Not installing (no function is selected)

Quick Navi menu

Description: Quick Navi menu

Quick Navi menu

With the NEX-6, Sony has reintroduced the 'Quick Navi' screen that was last seen on its pre-SLT DSLRs. Hidden away as a display option through the camera menu, you are likely to activate it as one of the information points that the DISP button slides through. Even on the screen, if you then press the 'Fn' button you are able to use both of the camera's two dials to control through the options and choices. This coupled with the top-mounted exposure mode dial means that you should spend less time in the camera menu - this is definitely a good thing.

Playback mode

The NEX-6 has the same playback mode as other NEX models, which makes it relatively unremarkable. It has the basic functions you'd expect, such as slide shows and image rotation as well as Wi-fi activated features such as View on Smartphones and Send to Computer (discussed later). If you wish to have the real editing functions, you will need to download the free "Photo Retouch 'and' Picture Effect +' applications, though there are not any options to add Raw files in camera or video editing that an increasing number of the Sony’s opponents offer.

Description: This image shows the three pages of information available about an image in playback mode, indicating exposure data and an RGB histogram.

This image shows the three pages of information available about an image in playback mode, indicating exposure data and an RGB histogram.

There are two annoying playback modes that Sony did not bother to mention in the NEX series cameras. Perhaps the most upset is that the still images and videos cannot be watched simultaneously. You have to manually switch between the two (three, in reality, because AVCHD and MPEG4 videos are separate as well) from the thumbnail screen or the playback menu. It's not that it does not have the technical ability, because other manufacturers, like Panasonic, can play everything sequentially.

Another thing that may cause disappointment is the lack of ability to move from one picture to another while the frame is expanded. This feature is useful for verifying the images, or checking to see the effect of things like HDR and D-Range Optimizer. Again, this is quite widespread in the competitive cameras, and saves time when reviewing a lot of similar images.

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