a6000 Firmware v2.00 available - Adds XAVC-S @ 50Mbps (same as a5100 now)

[JuanDiaz]

Like the title says...

Sony have FINALLY updated the a6000 firmware to include XAVC-S high bit rate recording. Finally.

Easiest way to find it is to go to your country's Sony site, the support section, and search for "ILCE6000", which is the proper name for the a6000.

USA English site here:
Win: http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/swu-download.pl?mdl=ILCE6000&upd_id=10403&os_group_id=6
Mac: http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/swu-download.pl?mdl=ILCE6000&upd_id=10405&os_group_id=3

I can confirm the update installed, and XAVC-S is now selectable in the menu. Still dark here, so no comment on quality at the moment.

There does not appear to be any check for the type of SD card you are using, so if you plan to record XAVC-S, make sure you are using something fast. They say Class 10, but there are some real crap class 10 cards out there. PNY Elite 32/64/128/256 are good, inexpensive, and only marginally slower (measured) than SanDisk Elite Pro. That's the kind of card you want for high bit rate recording.

So the a6000 video recording specs are now identical to the a5100:

NEW
XAVC S
1920 x 1080p / 60 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 30 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (50 Mbps)

No Change
AVCHD
1920 x 1080p / 60 fps (28 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 60 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 60 fps (17 Mbps)

AVCHD
1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (17 Mbps)

MP4
1440 x 1080 / 30 fps (12 Mbps)

MP4
640 x 480 / 30 fps (3 Mbps)


You're welcome...

 

[Samuel H]

Have you actually tested the 32 GB card? Because the a7S requires 64 GB or bigger in order to shoot xavc-s...

Also: this should be merged with this

 

[North Utsira]

It does check the card. It won't allow you to record X-AVCS unless you have an SDXC card (which start at 64gb).

 

[IvanF]

Please can someone tell me if the A6000 is PAL/NTSC switchable?
( I want 60p...)
thanks

 

[Erik Naso]

Please can someone tell me if the A6000 is PAL/NTSC switchable?
( I want 60p...)
thanks

I dont believe it's a world camera.

 

[Simon Shasha]

Please can someone tell me if the A6000 is PAL/NTSC switchable?
( I want 60p...)
thanks

Yes, it's a world camera. I switch between PAL and NTSC on my A6000 all the time. And just to give you peace of mind, it still allows choice of PAL or NTSC after the 2.0 update.

 

[Samuel H]

From the previous two posts, I guess it's just like the a7S, where there are three different models: one model that is only PAL, one model that is only NTSC, and an Asian model that is switchable PAL/NTSC.

 

[Erik Naso]

I just got mine today and I don't see a PAL option. I'm in the US.