Sony A6600 review: A rare misstep

As Sony's new flagship APS-C camera, the 24.2-meagpixel A6600 has a lot to live up to. First of all, it had to follow the A6500, launched in 2016 with innovative features like 4K 30 fps video, fast 11 fps shooting speeds, in-body stabilization and face- and eye-tracking. For a couple of years, nothing else on the market could touch it.

What's more, the A6600 arrived just after Sony's 61-megapixel A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera -- possibly the best camera I've ever seen. From a competition standpoint, Sony is also under pressure to top Fujifilm's X-T3, which has a higher-resolution sensor, more 4K video features and much better handling than the A6500.

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[khish]

For those in the sony ecosystem, the A6600 is awesome! same Z battery as the new A7/A9 models is game changing. I sold my A6000 only to purchase the A6600 for the battery, ergonomics, 4K, picture profiles, IBIS, dynamic range, color science, .... It's just flat out fun to use and easy to carry. Buying a different brand (fuji x-t3) for it's marginal improvements is not an option as i'd have to invest in and entire new line of glass. For me, the A6600 is the perfect backup to it's big brother A7iii.

[EMKWANREVIEWS]

This is like the ONLY negative review I’ve seen on this camera. The rolling shutter comment is legit because I can see it. But other points dunno 🤷🏽‍♂️

[joeygwood]

Every camera has drawbacks. It's really a game of which cameras' drawbacks are the least disruptive to your workflow.

[TheDutchTexan]

I am not upgrading until they get to 4K60. I have been waiting for years. I am still rocking the a6000.

[cvbattum]

Got mine used (in prime condition) for the price of a used 6400 and then it's worth it. The big battery won me over. That said, there will always be some lingering regret that I didn't get Fuji but honestly the camera is a monster of a machine and takes brilliant photos.

[karunverma]

Sony, Nikon & Canon all treat their APS-C line up as their step children

[JonathanBarrow]

If it wasn't $1400 people would not be as mad in my opinion. The rolling shutter warrants the anger but if the camera sold for $200-300 less, people not be as mad

[fantagaming]

I don't agree that canon is reliable Af than sony, are you kidding? the focus system of canon has dual af but slower and limited by its distance while sony can track even in a distance an can lock EA in real time and canon not good as that.

[nicetomtyou]

Rolling shutter being the biggest issue is such a niche comment. Those fast pans are real nice footage lol

[canadianvideos]

I had an A6500 and then updated/upgraded to the A6600. Like most people will say, the autofocus upgrade was simply spectacular! In the end, I want shots that are in focus and sharp and it delivers in spades. The new colour science was a big improvement as well and the larger battery was a huge win. I’ve committed to Sony glass because I trust the company’s ability to innovate and deliver class leading products. I’m confident that a new APS-C sensor and body will arrive before long and I’m certain it will be another class leading contender at the very least. I’ve committed to the brand because I trust they will provide us with many valuable gear upgrade options in the future.

[NickLVIN]

I bought the a6600 + 16-55mm f/2.8. After awhile I realized it's the same cost as a7 III + Tamron 28-75mm. I went with the a7III instead and was blown away by the difference in photos (I don't do video). The a6600 led me to go to full frame even though I never intended to go full frame (was an a6000 user for years!). Funny how life works.

Tell you what though, that a6600 AF live-tracking is amazing. Wish the a7 III had it!

[AdrianMartinez-srpm]

I have changed my Sony a6400 for a Fujifilm Xt-30 and I have to say that the X-trans sensor, despite having more megapixels, captures much less detail than the old Sony sensor at levels that Fuji photos sometimes seem like watercolors... As soon as I can I'm going back to Sony and I'm going to buy an a6600

[musicdefinesgravity]

micro usb on high end camera in almost 2020

[huwmorgan]

I upgraded from an a6500 to an a6600 and am delighted with the results. For me, it's a companion camera to my a7RIV and perfect for travel, street and for taking pictures of family. Unless you've used the new focus tracking feature in the a6600 and a7RIV (and a9), it's really hard to explain the attraction. It totally revolutionizes the way I shoot photographs. The camera is always in continuous focus with the focus point in the middle. Instead of moving the focus point around you just aim the middle point at the subject, acquire focus and then the camera tracks the subject relentlessly. It doesn't matter if it's a child running in a playground, an animal running in the wild or a musician making moves on stage. The a6600 just tracks the subject flawlessly. Unlike any other camera in its class. You lose the built in flash, but I bought a Godox TT350 and it's a perfect companion for on and off-camera flash.

[artem_r]

Considering switching to a6600 from Fuji X-E4. I'm fine with issue with electronic shutter movement. For me it's better that having half of my photos with missed focus

[pf]

I love the small compact size of the A6000 series and the small APSC lenses. When I travel and want great shots but don't want to carry or pay for full frame at my level as an enthusiast, this camera is a must have. It's smooth top and smooth small and even sides are, for me, far superior to the Fuji or other cameras with fixed knobs and viewfinders mounted on top. I appreciate the reviewer's comments and don't disagree with him as to the camera's weaknesses, but don't agree ultimately with a rejection of this camera for many of us who need quality images with a small form factor. Rolling shutter is easily resolved by not panning quickly and I've seen a fair number of videos using the A6600 on You Tube with my large computer screen and don't find that there is any noticeable difference at all in the image quality compared to other cameras. If you are shooting a professional video with thousands of dollars at stake, sure-rent or buy a pro-level camera. But for the 99% of enthusiasts out there APSC trumps full-frame mirrorless and the Sony is a great APSC camera.

[TheLifeofRon]

You’re so close to 1 million subs CONGRATS IN ADVANCE 👍🏽

[jm]

I can't argue with anything you said. I do think however there is a lot that went unexplored that might change your conclusion. I will preface this by saying that this is obviously just my opinion and observations, having shot both. 1st, rolling shutter, No doubt, the Fuji is superior in this regard, however, even though I'm not a video guy, I know that nobody pans the way you did in your example of the rolling shutter in the Sony. If you did, your friends would be obliged to take your camera away from you. ;-). 2nd, the Fuji zooms, in particula, r are huge compared to the Sony equivalents. Go to Camerasize and compare the Sony 18-135 and 16-55mm f2.8 with the Fuji counterparts. Compare the Sony 10-18 with the Fuji 10-24, and the Fuji 55-200mm with the Sony 70-350mm. The Sony 70-350 may be 40gm heavier than the Fuji, but it also gives you and extra 225mm in reach. Not to mention, with any of these larger Fuji lenses you will need at least an accessory grip for any semblance of balance. 3rd, being a birder, but this can apply to anybody, on my Sony, I have multiple different scenarios pre programed and accessible with the touch of one button. Instant. As cool as the Fuji analog controls are, this is not possible to the best of my knowledge. I won't even touch on the huge array of full frame native, and 3rd party lenses available to Sony shooters. There is no doubt that Sony a times makes me crazy. I have no explanation for not putting the new sensor in the A6600 or not having a fully functional touch screen or a front control dial. I have no explanation, except maybe spite, why Sony elected to remove the on camera flash and the in camera panorama feature to name a few. Had Sony addressed these issues with the A6600 they would be absolutely dominating the APS-C market, but the bottom line is that you are buying not just a camera body, but you are buying into a system. You can cherry pick specs where the Fuji is superior of course, but the big picture perhaps outweighs those. As I said, just my opinion.

[JamesErb]

Was so excited for this camera to be released, mega dissapointed when it was. Bought an XT3 instead and am so happy

[errolsmith]

this guy hails the AF on the SONY as the best in one breath 3:33 & 3:59 yet he tears it down as unreliable in another lol. Make up your mind bro! You have EyeAF, why even use Face detect?