Sony is one of the companies that has done the most to advance the mirrorless camera format. Almost its entire Alpha family is very popular among users, and as expected, keeping it updated is one of the Japanese manufacturer's priorities. We recently talked about the Sony A6100, a sort of intermediate model between the A6000 and the A6400, but it wasn't alone at launch. The Sony A6600 is the new leader of the 6000 series, and it puts on the table multiple reasons to make the leap, including excellent image quality, one of the best autofocus systems on the market, and battery performance that other mirrorless cameras can only envy.
The professional photographer has a more defined idea of what they need, and doesn't hesitate to add multiple bodies to their setup to adapt better to different situations. However, in the space of "demanding enthusiasts", some cameras apply the wildcard strategy or "jack of all trades". The problem... is that this is no longer enough. These models must take more and more functions from their older sisters, and manage to "come down to the mainstream" in the right way. That's what we find in the Sony A6600.
Sony A6600: More, and Better
Announced originally in late August 2019, the Sony A6600 features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, backed by the latest iteration of the Bionz X image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32,000 with a higher boost of 102,400, while the shutter speed extends from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds. Its 3-inch touchscreen is tiltable, with a basic resolution of 921,600 dots. On the viewfinder side, we find an electronic solution with 2.35 million dots and 100 percent coverage.
As with the A6400 and A6100, the Sony A6600 bets big on its autofocus system, with a respectable 425 phase-detection points and fast acquisition speed. Its tracking capability for both humans and animals hardly has a worthy opponent in this category and price range. In fact, the camera offers an additional function to follow animal eyes, but in the vast majority of cases, it isn't necessary to activate it. Real-time tracking is very easy to use. Select the element to follow, and press the shutter halfway. The Sony A6600 will switch from eye tracking to standard tracking (and vice versa) without additional intervention, an ideal behavior for capturing the little ones in the house as they run and jump.
When studying the interface of the Sony A6600, we notice that the Japanese giant didn't want to drift too far from previous models, but whether that's good or bad depends on each user. The overall design suggests near-total dominance of the right hand (freeing up the left side for the touchscreen and port access), with the thumb controlling both dials. Four customizable buttons (two on top, two on the back) help make good use of the "recalls" under special configurations, which will be very useful given that the menu system tends to be a bit overcrowded.
The mode dial presents no surprises. The options are dominated by Intelligent Auto, Scene Selection "SCN", Slow and Fast Motion "S&Q", Movie, Programmed Auto "P", Aperture Priority "A", Shutter Priority "S", Manual "M", and two custom entries "1-2". The rest of the details can be found in the official online guide.
Maintaining the reputation of its predecessors, the Sony A6600 delivers 4K video of extraordinary quality thanks to full sensor usage and oversampling. It isn't hard to imagine the A6600 becoming one of the most complete cameras for vloggers, but its natural virtues don't eliminate certain compromises. For example, its tendency to exhibit some rolling shutter at 4Kp25 and 4Kp24 is still there, though it can be reduced by shooting in 4Kp30 as long as we accept a sensor crop. Beyond that... impeccable.
Accessories for the Sony A6600
We won't deny it: With a price of 1,300 euros for the body, the Sony A6600 will carry its premium for a while, but seeing the response from its new owners, we're convinced it's worth every penny. And what about accessories? All good news, since you'll be able to supplement the A6600's resources and protect the camera with a minimal investment.
Batteries and Power
To be honest, the power situation of the Sony A6600 doesn't need fixing. With over 800 shots per full battery charge, this mirrorless walks comfortably into DSLR territory, and its USB charging enables greater flexibility with power banks and other similar accessories. However, it's good practice to have a secondary module as backup, and for just 20 euros you can buy a compatible NP-FZ100 battery.
Tripods and Supports
If the plan is to get video with as much detail as possible, record a timelapse, or simply extend your sessions without getting tired, you'll most likely need a tripod for the Sony A6600. And why reinvent the wheel here when we have a veteran like the Gloxy GX-T6662A at our disposal? Its maximum load of ten kilograms lets it easily support any mirrorless, and its legs combining anti-slip rubber and metal tips guarantee stability. On the other hand, if you prefer a more compact design, you can't go wrong with the Clampod Takeway T2. Lightweight, easy to carry, 40 kilograms of maximum load, tripod mode, and an unbeatable price.
Backpacks and Bags
Another aspect we can't ignore about the Sony A6600 is its factory sealing against harsh weather. Many mirrorless cameras tend to leave that advantage aside, but it's no surprise to see it in a 1,300-euro camera. That said, we can't neglect its transport and storage. The Gloxy Pro AW backpack is a great ally to take it anywhere, with a padded interior, the ability to customize it, and the inclusion of a waterproof cover. Alternatives? Then look no further than the Genesis Gear Orion bag. Compact, very comfortable, with a special space for tablets, and a nice design in green. Incidentally, you'll save a few euros.
Memory Cards
The goal here is simple: a memory card that helps reduce buffer flush times so the camera doesn't lose performance. The Sony A6600 has a single UHS-I slot, so we need something strong from the start. That something is the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC of 128 gigabytes with V30 certification. This card reads at 170 MB/s and writes at 90 MB/s, more than enough for 4K recording and taking full advantage of that burst mode.
Lenses
And so we arrive at the most economically demanding part of our list, but no less interesting. If you're just looking for a all-rounder for your Sony A6600, I recommend investing the extra 350 euros and getting the kit with an 18-135, but among the dedicated optics the Iris Firefly 15mm stands out, a wide-angle with what might be the best price-performance ratio. It's fully compatible with the E-mount, and its results are truly extraordinary.
Checkered flag... for now. The Sony A6600 is the best in its series, and there's no doubt about that. While it's true that some performance details exist, the most logical thing is that they'll be solved over time with new firmware updates. And if we have to consider its direct rivals, I think only the Fujifilm X-T3 has the necessary firepower. Even so, I dare to place the A6600 a step above. Compare, evaluate, and buy! Good luck!
