SONY A6500 Improved Functions

UI/function improvement of SONY A6500 

(compared with A6300)

Good morning. Today we will look at the improvements of UI / UX of A6500 following the first impression of last week. In addition to simply improving the specs, the A6500 is equipped with a different user interface (UI) than the existing A6300 and A7 series, and has improvements in detail metering and AWB settings. It is a part that can be overlooked in some ways, but let's look at how it is improved and how it is necessary for the 'completeness as a camera'.

01 Improved Menu Structure

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As mentioned earlier, there was an improvement in menu structure. The overall menu configuration is tied almost so that previous users can adapt quickly enough. But let's look at how color and status indicators provide a more intuitive UI.

As you can see above, the overall top icon looks the same, but the icon is color-coded to make it more beautiful. Under the icon, you can easily see what you can do in the current menu.

In addition, there is an indicator in the space at the bottom to make it easier to know where the current menu is located in the submenu belonging to the top icon. Overall I feel a little more polished. In the future, it would be better to upgrade the existing A7R II to the improved menu.

02 Metering method

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As mentioned in the previous review, there was an improvement in the metering system. Once the range of spot metering is adjustable, highlights and average metering are added.

As you can see from the above, there are 3 kinds of metering methods such as spot metering with big area, full screen average, and highlight priority metering. Let's take a look at a description of the added metering method according to Sony's manual.

1. Spot Metering (Large): The larger spot area can be tolerated somewhat compared to conventional spot metering, depending on the size of the spot area. In some ways it is similar to central metering, but the difference is that lighting outside the spot circle is not considered at all.

2. Full-screen average: This is a metering method that is more averaged than multi-metering, which provides stable exposure even if the composition changes within the frame or the subject moves.

3. Highlight (priority): This is the function already in the camera of other company. It is possible to take a picture without the part where the so-called image is pushed shallowly based on the highlight. It is an excellent light metering method to obtain extreme corrective usability.

Below is a sample taken with each metering method. You can see that the highlight metering corresponds to the strong light source at any position.

03 Spot metering with AF points

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It is a feature that does not have a reason not to do, but our Sony users are now available. In case of spot side interlocking, as you know, when using the [Flexible Spot] or [Expandable Flex Spot] side, the metering area moves according to the side point when spot metering is used. You can set the following from the menu.

[Exposure 1 - 8/14]> When [Spot Metering Position] is pressed, you can set the [Center] and the newly added [Focus Position Link] as shown on the right. It can be used like highlight metering. If you move the subject only in the same frame / frame, you can use spot metering while tracking, which is very useful for portraits.

This is the result of taking the actual focus point to the smartphone flash. The photo on the left shows that the metering area is set to [Center] and the metering area is set to the white card. However, when the [FOCUS LINK] is selected as shown on the right, the smartphone flash is very bright.

04 Default exposure correction

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This function allows you to arbitrarily adjust the amount of exposure determined by the camera for each metering function. In short, it is the function that can set the offset about exposure. In fact, you will not be able to say something like "A certain camera will be dimmed" when you use this feature. If it looks dark, you can take advantage of this feature so you can raise the default value slightly.

[Exposure 2 - 9/14]> [EXPOSURE STANDARD] menu, you can adjust the exposure default value. You will get a nuance message that you do not have to do anything when you get there, but you can simply ignore it. You can adjust the exposure standard value by the metering method. The corresponding adjustment value can be set in a very detailed manner in 1/6 stop increments. If you think you are getting a little darker or brighter than usual, you can adjust the exposure as you would think by adjusting this area.

05 AWB priority setup

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It is a feature that has started on cameras nowadays. In fact, when you take a digital photo in an atmospheric café or bar, you will be in a dilemma. Whether it is normal to come out as yellow as a light, or just white should be exactly white. This is a function that you can use to select AWB as you like.

[COLOR / WB / IMAGE PROCESSING 1 - 11/14]> [AWB Priority Setting] menu, you can set the AWB type in incandescent or yellow light. As you can see from the above, even if you set the AWB priority, you can see that there is almost no color difference in general natural light or fluorescent light. Let's take a look at a sample taken from incandescent light.

My bathroom ... (two lamps light up). As you can see from the above sample, it shows a distinctly different white balance feeling. STD default setting is rather close to WHITE. The difference between WHITE and AMBI settings is so great that you can set it up according to your preferences. Personally, it seems that WHITE fits my taste.

06 Simple Conclusions

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Overall, the A6500's improved features compared to the previous A6300 and A7 series in this review were very satisfying because they were good features as a camera. Especially with regard to metering, I think that this is a pretty good option. I would like to upgrade some existing products (A7R II, A6300, and etc.). I would also like to add more detailed options in the AF section. Let's finish this review with a quick sample shot..