In this HD Video I put together various clips taken with the Sony Nex-6 and 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens (SEL1650).
The Sony Nex-6 is capable of taking full 1080 60/p AVCHD Codec Video as well as more web friendly .mp4 format which I often use. The AVCHD™ codec delivers very good picture quality at the cost of much larger file sizes. However, the color, shadow, and highlight detail is noticeable better in the AVCHD format as I imported it to iMovie. As I write this article iMovie supports the AVCHD codec, but not in the 60fps modes. AVCHD 24p works fine though if you import the video directly from the camera via USB cable.
Sony Nex-6 Courtesy of Sony
Tracking Focus continuously tracks a user-designated subject and is now more effective at tracking people. If the subject turns away from the camera, face-detection tracking automatically switches to subject tracking and continues tracking.
The camera can automatically detect up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Can prioritize children or adults.
- Video Format : AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive), AVCHD, MP4
- Video Mode : AVCHD: PS – 1920 x 1080/60p@28MbpsFX – 1920 x 1080/60i@24MbpsFH – 1920 x 1080/60i@17MbpsFX – 1920 x 1080/24p@24MbpsFH – 1920 x 1080/24p@17MbpsMP4: HD – 1440 x 1080/ 30fps@12MbpsVGA – 640 x 480/ 30fps@3Mbps
- Audio Format : Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
- Microphone/Speaker : Built-in stereo microphones / Built-in, monaural speaker (volume settings in 8 steps between 0 and 7)
Sony Nex-6 Camera Settings For HD Video Sample
I had the Sony Nex-6 with the 16-50mm power zoom lens set to Auto White Balance, Average Metering Mode, .mp4 format for most of the footage and 1080/24p AVCHD for the focus testing on the Mickey glass. I also was hand holding during the Layla footage and had the camera resting on the table for the focus testing of the glass. For the video of my face it was on my tri-pod all the way up!!
Be sure to select the 1080 HD Option in the player window, and then go Full Screen!! It make take a minute to load, but looks much sharper.
Closing Remarks
I have mixed reviews about the Sony 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens (SELP1650) for photography purposes, but for video it is great.!! The power zoom is smooth and somewhat predictable in my hands using the slider button on the lens itself. For video the Power Zoom makes a huge difference as manual zooming is very hard to keep smooth through out the entire zoom range. I always have to reset my grip and turn the lens zoom ring again for example. Not very good at all for video when the zoom stops suddenly and then restarts.
The Nex-6 Hybrid focus tracks faster than the older CDAF only AF system. Accuracy seems about the same and there is an initial delay before the focus changes from one object to another. Facial recognition works, and works well on the Sony Nex-6! The focus transitions have a smooth ease in/ease out effect that also makes for better video. It’s also one of the reasons I often recommend the Sony E-Mount lenses over the competition 😉
Thanks for checking out SonyAlphaLab.com and be sure to visit the Forum when you get chance!! It’s slowly building with user Blogs, and lots of photo sharing.
Jay
Nex-6 ~$848 US@ BHPhotoVideo >> | Amazon >>
