Sony A6300 Overheating - Test Results

https://vimeo.com/159173964 (If you decide to watch it, please playback in 4K!) ...
Right from the opening 5-sec shot, it looked awesome. No. Make it, effin' awesome. 6K oversampled into 4K is more than any camera does right now and that includes the entire Sony Cine Alta series. (I know, NX1 claims to do it off 6K too but IMO, they're fudging the secret sauce a lot). And you get this for $1,000 + the external recorder. Did I say "unbelievable"?
 
Thank you! I've used SO many different cameras and knew this one was special (for the price) the moment I saw the images it produced (in 4K at least).
 
Thank you! I've used SO many different cameras and knew this one was special (for the price) the moment I saw the images it produced (in 4K at least).

Man, that looks great, I was all-in on the a6300 till I saw the overheating and RS and cancelled my order. But the more I see, the more I want.

Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in...
 
Thank you!

I would really love to see a more expensive version of this camera that has the RS under control and possibly 4K/60P in a FS5 body.
 
I'm sure this has been asked but any issues in 1080p?

There have been quite a few complaints about the 1080 quality. There is a video at YouTube that compares the A6300, G7, and NX1 in 4K and 1080 at different settings. Here is screen shot at 1080P, 24 fps. Full frame and zoomed in.

Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbsA7cKBGo


There are other threads where folks have been testing the different in camera settings to try to get better 1080.

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http://www.eoshd.com/2016/03/sony-a6300-review-rolling-striking-image-but-nagging-issues/

"With the new cooler running copper sensor Sony had the chance to fix this since the A6000 suffered from it too – in 1080p – but instead the 1080p of the A6300 is pretty mediocre and the 6K to 4K pushes the camera too hard with inadequate cooling. Very very questionable decision! Might a 2.8K mode with less rolling shutter and a better heat sink been preferable?
Sadly pros can’t even rely on the A6300 as a B-camera due to the overheating, especially not for any kind of live filming or interview work at all.

Rolling shutter is the next thing to be aware of, it’s the most unsuitable camera yet for action or fast handheld movements. The good news here is that the 1080/120fps mode minimises the rolling shutter and the slightly cropped 4K 30p modes lessens it a tiny bit although you won’t find me shooting 30p!"
 

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Thank you!

I would really love to see a more expensive version of this camera that has the RS under control and possibly 4K/60P in a FS5 body.

Yes. Too bad Sony already made an Fs5. Maybe a MKII version. I question the thinking for ANY company to release products that shuts down in 20 min. Are we clamoring for 4k so much that tripping along the way is acceptable? Just seems like we need the keep our collective feet on the ground.
 
Just a thought, has anybody tried powering the camera with an AC adapter or external battery? Seems like folks are talking about the heat coming from the battery area. I power my RX100 II with an external USB battery. I don't know if the a6300 uses the 5v USB or if you need the dummy battery connected to a battery with the correct voltage. Would be nice to know if it helps or not.
 
I mentioned powering the camera all day long with a dummy battery/d-tap, and recording externally all day long without any issues, but you're probably wondering about powering externally and recording internally, which would be a good test. I'll try it out.
 
So about an hour ago...

I turned the camera on, formatted the card inside, and started rolling immediately. The camera was powered by a V-mount battery via dummy adapter. About 27 minutes in, the temperature icon went on. The recording finished the 30-minute limit. 4K/24p.

I didn't do any further testing, but from experience with the other Sony cams, it would probably shut down soon.

The last time I used the camera before this test was around 6pm yesterday. It was stored in a Pelican overnight in a room probably a bit cooler than normal room temperature. The test was done inside with the kit lens set to manual (once initial auto-focus was locked off). Pretty quiet so the mics weren't really working.

This was not a scientific test by any means, and I recommend everyone does their own testing, but this could be an interesting observation/result to consider even if it helps a little bit. This thing sucks battery power, so I don't doubt the regular internal battery gets super hot. Maybe I'll put one in the refrigerator for a few hours, and try to run the camera with it and see what happens, haha.
 
As I just posted the above...the camera shutdown. It wasn't recording, but it was still on from the test and the temperature icon was on the entire time.

Internal recording (4K/24P) is just too much for it.
 
Hey thanks for the test. Too bad as even though the cost is only $1,000 it will be quite a loss if you ever wanted to sell the thing unless Sony finds a way to fix it with firmware. But if the manual refers to 20 min. in 4k recording mode the chances of a firmware fix are slim.
 
Thanks for the test NorBro! :)

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It is frustrating. Even if I bought a 4K external recorder, there are times when I would still need to record 4K internally for longer than 20-30 minutes. Which means also keeping my Panasonic G7 or Samsung NX500.

I was really hoping to simplify my life, and reduce the number of different kits I use for stills & video. I do like the AF in stills mode though, and Sony Log would be useful at times.

I had been planning to go down to Canon + Sony. Or Canon + Nikon + Sony, until we see what the Canon 5D4 looks like. (I even bought a Sony 16-70 4.0, 70-200 4.0, 16 mm, and 20 mm to add to my A6000 kit in preperation.)

The Canon 5D4 and the Sigma MC-11 capability might be the final determining factor(s.) I am sure I will buy it eventually either way though ....

Arg blarg argle bargle f*.
 
haha, it never ends for sure...I'm interested in checking out the 4K video from the 1DX Mark II and the two new Nikons myself.
 
I find hair dryers kind of annoying, haha, so that wouldn't work for me....I wonder if it actually works though?!
 
I find hair dryers kind of annoying, haha, so that wouldn't work for me....I wonder if it actually works though?!
It should. So might a bucket of ice in front of a fan.

PS. Three years ago, Nikon patented a removable heat sink. It was roughly the size of a media card but made of some sort of a metal.
 
haha, it never ends for sure...I'm interested in checking out the 4K video from the 1DX Mark II and the two new Nikons myself.

The Nikon D500 looks like a great stills camera for wildlife & sports. The 4K video could make it a great, all around camera. That is one of teh reasons I am hanging on to my D810. A D810 & D500 would make a great combination.

Then the questions is whether the D500 can auto focus in video mode, for wildlife. That is one thing the Canon 7DII is great for. With an 1800 mm, full frame equivalent lens (600mm x2), even touching the lens creates some crazy vibrations in video mode. Where 4K would also help a lot in post. Back & forth, pros & cons ... :)

What might really push me one way or the other is a full line of mirrorless cameras from either Nikon or Canon. It looks like Samsung is using Canon's Dual Pixel AF on their newest smartphones. Maybe there is a Samsung NX technology swap somewhere in Canon's mirrorless future? (That is pure speculation, of course.)

It should be an interesting summer.
 
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