I didn't just wake up one day and say, "Screw it, I'm buying a new camera!" I actually spent quite a bit of time online reading and watching reviews from competent sources, including several who aren't known as Sony fans. The consensus seemed to be that it is a competent camera that performs well above its price range.
Following are my impressions of my new travel companion.
Look and Feel/Menus and Customization:
While it lacks the brick-like, all-metal build of the NEX-7, it feels solid and the fit and finish is excellent. the controls are enough different from the 7's to cause me a little fumbling at first but after a day or two, I wish the 7's controls could be updated. The custom function buttons are very useful and the Alpha-style menu is a huge improvement (NEX-7 firmware update please, Sony!)
The lower resolution viewfinder is listed as a negative on most of the review sites but I have to strain to see a difference and it handles dim light a bit better than the 7 with less color static. The rear LCD is the same as the 7 but here the new menu system is a vast improvement with a Fn button that allows direct interaction with the status indicators on the LCD sort of like the A700 DSLR. Very, very easy to access settings.
The pop-up flash features the same articulated setup as its predecessors that allows for bouncing within it power limits. My only gripe is that Sony abandoned theexcellent Minolta hotshoe for the newer "multi-interface" shoe. I will probably pick up one of the $30 adapters and a new small to medium flash that fits it directly but honestly, I seldom use flash while travelling and I am keeping my A77 (or its successor) for events and studio stuff. Come to think of it, my Alien Bees radio flash commander will fit the new hotshoe without an adapter! Ok...a small plus for the new shoe.
The only NEX-7 feature I miss is the dual rear dials while shooting in manual. Not a big deal since I use A-mode most of the time and I won't miss the inadvertent exposure adjustment caused by the outer dial when not in manual mode. Since we're back to controls for a moment, I have to praise the design genius that located a custom button right next to the shutter button. I have programmed it to control focus assist magnification and it has made using manual focus and fine adjustments much easier.
179 Point Hybrid Autofocus:
Wow. The NEX-7 is no slouch but was never noted for its blazing autofocus. The A6000 is noted for its blazing autofocus and rightly so. I shoot with the NEX cameras a lot more than the A77 these days and am always shocked when I pick up the DSLR and focus on something. Pop! it's in focus! Well, all I can say is that any new mid-range DSLRs had better have crazy-fast autofocus and huge burst buffers or mirrorless hybrid-focus cameras are going to start eroding their market share even more than they are now. Lightning fast with more focus area options than I care to write about. The three-zone multi-point focus like on the A77 has become my favorite but I will be exploring more during the months leading up to our next trip. It does hunt a bit in really low light but no worse than most and better than some DSLRs at and above its price range that I've played with. The autofocusing with the 16-50 PZ is pretty amazing and if it is any better with a lens like the 70-200 f/4 FE lens, it may lead to a lot of soul-searching before I spend any money on a new DSLR.
Burst Shooting:
Burst shooting? You betcha! I am used to really fast burst shooting from the A77 and wasn't disappointed. The A6000 is only 1 fps slower than the A77's 12 fps speed-priority mode and will maintain autofocus and metering for each frame. The A77 has to "slow down" to 8 fps to match that. The buffer is a lot larger than the NEX-7 and even larger than the A77. Unlike the A77, it needs 15-20 seconds to clear after a long burst (up to 49 JPEG/22 RAW) which may be an issue if you shoot a lot of action. If you only shoot heavy action occasionally or limit yourself to short bursts to catch the peak moment, the burst speed and its ability to track focus performs far above entry-level DSLRs and most-mid-range models.
Image Quality:
The NEX-7 was a incremental step up from the A77 in my opinion, probably due to not having the mirror stealing some of the light. The A6000 is at least one full stop better in low light and in my opinion, shoots acceptable (your mileage may vary) images up to ISO 12,800. At low ISO in good light, all three produce spectacular detail with excellent color. the A6000's AWB with CFL or incandescent lighting is hit and miss but that is true for almost any camera these days with 1000 different temperatures available in residential lighting. Fortunately, setting a custom white balance is ridiculously easy and the results are spot-on.
Bottom line? If you are coming from a NEX-7, you will be pleasantly surprised. if you are coming from a "Sweet-Sixteen" camera by Sony, Nikon, Pentax or any other that uses the Sony 16.1MP APS-C sensor, you're in for a bigger surprise. The detail captured with a good lens and normal care in how you shoot is pretty amazing.
Why I Now Need WiFi on a Camera:
'Cause this one has APPS! (See below.) Other than that, it is of marginal use at this time since I use a Windows phone. While I prefer the performance, desktop integration, awesome camera and intuitive interface, it's a bit of a pain to be last on the dev list for things like camera controls and smart home stuff. I will likely dig out my old RAZR Maxx and set it up as a camera remote control just to say I did. In practical use, I seldom (if ever) need a remote in a way the wireless Sony RMTDSLR2 can't provide.
Why I Now Need Apps on a Camera:
You know that convenient, inexpensive wireless intervalometer you use on your older NEX camera for time-lapse and astrophotography? Yeah...that one. The one that doesn't exist. Well, now there's an app for that. There are several apps available with many of them being free. Some of the paid apps have the same functions as those already on the A6000 and seem to be available as upgrades for the web-enabled models that don't have the option built-in. The Time Lapse app is really pretty cool. In addition to all of the interval settings, it can be set to create a movie automatically at the end of the sequence. There are also Motion Shot and Star Trail apps that look like they have some potential. The Time Lapse intervalometer app was only $10 (cheaper than the wired Chinese knock-off controllers) and has me smiling for now.
The Return of Tethering:
Absent from Sony/Minolta cameras I've owned since my Konica-Minolta A2, tethering has returned!
It's pretty limited but I'm hopeful that it will evolve. Hey, it's a step forward!
The New 16-50 Power Zoom:
My original SELP1650 that came with my NEX3 was a good walkabout lens with reasonably good image quality and was amazingly compact (for what it is) when powered down and retracted. I bought the A6000 with another 16-50 and a kit because of the sad little reminder sitting on the desk in front of me as I write this. During a recent trip to Disneyland, I snapped a picture in the courtyard between the two parks upon arrival then proceeded immediately into the park. Immediately. Quicker than the time-out setting on my camera. The time-out that would have retracted the lens and kept it from wedging between my hip bone and the turnstile as I went through. BlackRapid is still my favorite strap but I learned a valuable lesson involving strap length, clearance and the fragility of kit lenses. So how much better does the younger sibling of the permanently extended, slightly angled corpse sitting on my desk perform? Can't tell. My old copy was pretty good and this one seems to be at least as good. Focusing speed seem about the same so I would guess that any improvements were minor refinements. Not as sharp as the Sigma primes but as a travel lens with jacket pocket portability, it is hard to beat.
The Only Camera I'll Ever need?:
No. That camera doesn't exist yet. I will not be selling my A77 or NEX7 anytime soon. The 7 is still a workhorse and while it lacks some of the next-generation improvements, it is still the great camera that lured me into buying it a couple of years ago. It will also be a better second body than my trusty little NEX3N. The A77 is still superior in handling long lenses and its battery life with the battery grip is good for any day of shooting. I may replace it if Sony comes out with an A-mount version of the A7 family with Canikon-killer features but for now it still has a home.
That wraps it up for now. Having come from an A77 and a NEX-7, I am not "blown away" by the A6000 but I am very pleased with its performance and not at all regretful of the (reasonable) expense for what now appears to be a decent upgrade of several vital performance points.
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Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B)
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This Item  Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $558.00 | -20% $678.95 New Price: $848.00 | -13% $698.00 List: $799.99 | -6% $749.00 List: $799.99 | $689.00 | $1,998.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Aug 15 | Get it Aug 15 - 19 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Aug 15 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Aug 15 | Get it Aug 15 - 21 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Aug 15 |
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| Sold By | TONY'S Camera Shop | Video & Audio Center - Same Day Shipping | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Buzz-Photo | Amazon.com |
| display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | Tilting LCD | LCD |
| display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| lens type | Interchangeable | Zoom | zoom | Telephoto | Telephoto Zoom | standard-zoom |
| zoom type | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom | — | — | optical |
| shooting modes | Continuous Shooting | Automatic, Manual, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority | Auto, scene, and P, S, A, and M | Automatic | — | AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie modes |
| connectivity tech | NFC, HDMI, USB | USB | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Micro HDMI, USB | NFC, Wi-Fi | NFC, HDMI |
| video resolution | FHD 1080p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4320p | 4320p | FHD 1080p | 4K UHD 2160p |
From the manufacturer
Sony ILCE6000L/B Mirrorless DSLR Camera w/ 16-50mm lens
Test the limits of your creativity with the premium mirrorless DSLR that’s focused on speed. Every artistic shot you take—from fast-action to candid—benefits from 24.3MP detail and the world’s fastest auto focus6. For capturing crucial moments that go by in a blink, the a6000 can shoot 11 photos in one second. It’s compact and easy to use, too. Two quick-access dials let you change settings on the fly. Very intuitive.
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All the quality in half the size & weight of other DSLRsThe α6000 is a super compact Mirrorless camera that’s about half the size and weight of a typical DSLR, yet it has the same size APS-C image sensor as most DSLRs. The interchangeable lenses and E-mount system make the α6000 more versatile than almost any other camera on the market. |
World’s fastest auto focus6 with 179 AF points and 11FpsNever miss the moment - the α6000 captures 11fps frames per second in continuous shooting mode with AF (Auto Focus) tracking by making the most of the wide-area 179-point phase-detection AF sensor. Even when dealing with fast action the α6000’s superb moving-subject tracking performance ensures you get a great shot during still or video capture. |
Capture life in stunning high resolution with 24MP APS-C sensorGet incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements thanks to the newly developed 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS image sensor. It’s higher resolution than most DSLRs and adopts the same gapless on-chip lens structure as the α7R for ultimate image quality and light sensitivity. |
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Better Images through BIONZ X processingThe new BIONZ X image processor faithfully reproduces textures and details in real time via extra high-speed processing capabilities delivering true-to-life images - as seen by the naked eye. It enables greater natural detail, richer tonal gradations, lower noise and more realistic images whether you shoot stills or video. |
Instant sharing via smartphone with Wi-Fi and NFCSharing has never been so easy. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to control your camera with your compatible Smartphone or Tablet and the PlayMemories Camera Apps.5 Frame your image on your device’s LCD and control the camera shutter. You can even transfer the images taken directly to your mobile device for quick editing and uploading - Connectivity has been simplified to one-touch utilizing NFC (near field communication). Simply touch the camera to the compatible NFC enabled device to connect. |
Gorgeous low light photos with ISO range of 100-25600With 20% higher sensitivity than the NEX-7 due to the newly developed Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor, you get stunning detail in in low light from ISO range 100 – 25000. And for an additional burst of light, the α6000 features a pop-up flash and a standard hot shoe for additional flash accessories. |
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Easy and intuitive controls help you shoot like a proDespite its small size, the α6000 gives you full DSLR control and immediate access to the functions you need to shoot like a pro. Two dials on top and a rear-mounted control wheel allow quick selection of shooting modes and camera settings. In addition to the Fn button, there’s seven customizable buttons, which can be assigned any of 474 functions. |
Record Full HD 1080/24/60P video3Make movie magic with Full HD 1920 x 1080 video in cinematic 24p, or capture fast action at incredible 60p and 60i frame-rates.3 Made even easier with the α6000’s 179 point AF (auto focus) system – tracking moving subjects is not a problem. Selectable in-camera – Blu-ray quality - AVCHD or simple and easier upload to the web - MP4 codecs are available. For serious videographers, uncompressed clean-screen video files to external recording devices is made possible via the HDMI connection. |
What you see is what you get with an OLED ViewfinderThere’s never been anything quite like the Tru-Finder OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). The OLED EVF features a new optical system with four double aspherical lenses that deliver 100% frame coverage and a wide viewing angle (approx. 33°) for clear visibility from corner to corner dramatically improving visibility. View every scene in rich tonal detail and gradations on the high contrast 1.4M dot OLED EVF. The viewfinder faithfully displays what will appear in your recording, including the effects of your camera settings, so you can accurately monitor the results. There are many advantages to electronic viewfinders, including the ability to display the effects of various camera settings before you take the picture, the use of MF Assist, and Peaking function for fine-tuning focus and previewing the shot. |
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3.0" 921k dot LCD tilts for high and low angle framingThe tiltable 3.0” (921k dots) Xtra Fine LCD Display makes it easy to photograph over crowds or low to capture pets eye to eye by swinging up approx. 90° and down approx. 45°. Easily scroll through menus and preview life thanks to WhiteMagic technology that dramatically increases visibility in bright daylight. The large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation. Trademarks: 2014 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Footnotes: 1 Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras equipped with an APS-C image sensor as of February 12, 2014. Measured using CIPA internal measurement method with E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens mounted, Pre-AF off and viewfinder in use. 2 Not supported in some regions. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. |
Enhance your camera and creativity with Camera AppsPersonalize your camera by adding new features of your choice with PlayMemories Camera Apps. Find apps to fit your shooting style from portraits, detailed close-ups, sports, time lapse, motion shot and much more. Use apps that shoot, share and save photos using Wi-Fi Easily control your camera via smartphone. Post photos directly to Facebook or backup images to the cloud without connecting to a computer.5. Footnotes: 3 Records in up to 29 minutes segments.4 Some functions can only be assigned to certain buttons. 4 Some functions can only be assigned to certain buttons. 5 Requires an active 802.11 Wi-Fi network (802.11n recommended) or PlayMemories Mobile app installed on compatible Android or iOS device. PlayMemories camera apps require download with existing Sony Entertainment Network account. Download available in all countries/areas where Sony Entertainment Network is available. Sony is not responsible for typographical and photographic errors. |
Fast Hybrid AF (Auto Focus) with 179 phase-detection pointsEnhanced Fast Hybrid auto focus combines speedy phase-detection AF with highly accurate contrast-detection AF. Fast Hybrid AF has been accelerated through a new Spatial Object Detection algorithm, to achieve among the fastest autofocusing performance of any camera (0.06 second). First, 179 densely placed focal plane phase-detection AF points swiftly and efficiently move the lens to bring the subject into focus. Then contrast-detection AF with wide AF coverage fine-tunes the focusing in the blink of an eye. 6 Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras equipped with an APS-C image sensor as of February 12, 2014, based on Sony research. Measured using internal method with E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens mounted. CIPA guideline compliant. Sony, BIONX X, Exmor, Tru-Finder, PlayMemories Camera Apps and the Sony logo are marks of Sony CorporationHDMI is a mark of HDMI Licensing LLC. Wi-Fi is a registered mark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. |
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| SEL-P18105G | SEL-1670Z | SEL-1018 | SEL-55210 | SEL-35F18 | SEL-18200LE | |
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| Price | $548.00 | $798.00 | $358.00 | — | $423.00 | $848.00 |
| E mount Lens | E PZ 18–105 mm F4 G OSS | Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70 mm F4 ZA OSS | FE 85 mm F1.4 GM | E 55–210 mm F4.5-6.3 OSS | E 35 mm F1.8 OSS | E 18–200 mm F3.5–6.3 OSS LE |
| Body compatibility | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series | E-mount series |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.24 ft | 1.15 ft (0.35 m) | AF 2.79 ft, MF 2.62 ft | 3.28 ft (1 m) | 0.73 ft (0.22 m) | 1.64 ft (0.5 m) |
| Maximum magnification ratio(x) | 0.24 x | 0.23x | 0.12 x | 0.225 x | 0.24 x | 0.27x |
| Filter diameter (mm) | 82 mm | 55 mm | 77 mm | 49 mm | 55 mm | 62 mm |
| Weight | 31.25 oz | 10.9 oz (308 g) | 28.92 oz | 12.2 oz (345 g) | 9.9 oz (280 g) | 16.3 oz (460 g) |
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| NP-FW50 | BC-TRW | ECM-XYST1M | RM-TDSLR2 | HVL-F45RM | HVL-F60RM | |
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| Price | $58.00 | $48.00 | — | $25.25 | $358.00 | $528.00 |
| Accessory Type | Battery | Battery charger | Microphone | Remote Commander | Flash | Flash |
| Product name | W-series Rechargeable Battery Pack | Travel charger for W-series battery | Stereo Mic For Multi-Interface Shoe | Wireless Remote Commander | External Flash with Wireless Radio Control | High-speed flash |
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Reviews with images
My new everyday carry camera : )
Taken for what it is - which is not a full DSLR - this camera is incredibly impressive! Lightweight, compact, and just about on par with any other crop sensor camera I've ever owned, this thing has become my go-to everyday carry camera.Coming from the world of DSLRs, I almost dismissed this thing outright given how light it is. My background is in wildlife photography, and in that arena, a DSLR still reigns supreme - for my money, and just about every other serious photographer. But short of when I'm intentionally out with an active agenda, this is the camera that I will in all likelihood throw in my messenger bag to have handy when unexpected opportunities come up. This camera, 35mm and 50mm fixed lenses, and a zoom just in case - I bought a used 55-210 not long after - will cover 99.9% of the subjects you'll ever shoot. The power zoom that comes in the kit is by no means a bad option - takes adequate photos, and preserves the selling point of the tiny size of the camera. But fixed lenses will always help you take better, faster, and sharper photos. I guarantee it!One area in which I do think this truly does, from a fundamental standpoint, win out over a DSLR, is that it is mirrorless. It is the future; the technology gets better by leaps and bounds, and Sony did by most accounts get this one right. It's not touchscreen, the menu isn't really well laid out, and the placement of buttons and dials take some getting used to if you're coming from a DSLR background. But anybody looking to start in photography could do way worse than a Sony mirrorless. The real time changes that you notice from your manual settings adjustments are far more forgiving than trying to learn stops of light and the compensations of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on a DSLR. That immediate feedback on an LCD and in the viewfinder as well takes a lot of the guesswork out of the equations, and keeps you from having to constantly readjust to get things quite right. Learn here, and if you feel like progressing to higher end DSLRs, which still edge out mirrorless cameras as professional tools for the image quality they yield, you can certainly go that route. But in a camera like this, with more than enough megapixels you will ever feasibly need, and a perfectly fine sensor size for someone not looking to do huge blown up prints of their work, you'd be hard pressed to do better for the price.And like the saying goes - the best camera for any opportunity is the one you have on you. If you want better quality than your phone is capable of, this is a camera that is light enough and small enough to come with you wherever you go.
Top reviews from other countries
R J McD
Superb Camera; Compact, Lightweight, Fast Auto Focus, Great Quality and Easy to Use.
Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2016
R J McD
Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2016
I love:
Size - so small compared to the massive full frame DSLRs. it fits in a large coat pocket.
Weight - can hand around your neck no problem. In a backpack you barely notice its there.
Auto Focus - lighting fast. Also great at tracking moving objects
11 frames per second - great fun if you're capturing sports or anything action.
Control dials - I set on dial to aperture, another to shutter speed. ISO is located with one button.
Image quality - look at my photos on this review. Yes. I've tweaked and played around with them in Lightroom but the sharpness and quality to begin with is there. (Shooting RAW, of course)
I don't like:
Battery Life - The battery drains even with the camera turned off. Battery seems to depend how long the camera is on for instead of how many frames are taken. However the easy solution is to buy the secondary battery and wall-socket charger. Speeds up the charging time and allows you to keep shooting with a new battery.I bought both at same time on amazon and was very glad I did so.
Electronic Viewfinder - it's simply not the same as looking through the viewfinder on your DSLR. You can tell its computer generated and not looking down a mirror of a DSLR. At night or in low light conditions the you can see graininess in the viewfinder. Using the - LCD screen is also handy. However I like the way the camera senses when the camera is brought up to the eye and the LCD switches off and switches to the viewfinder.
ISO Noise - you can start to see it at ISO 800. If you're using Adobe Lightroom/photoshop or equivalent this can be easily cleaned up.
The kit lens is reasonably sharp. I'm sure with more the expensive E mount lenses it just gets better and better. Combine it with a pocket tripod and your all set for some stunning travel photography. I also think it is perfect for beginners to learn the craft in manual mode. Its also reasonably priced if you don't want to stretch out to top model DSLRs.
Overall, for me, (an enthusiast photographer with some paid gigs under my belt), it's a perfect leisure and travel camera. It won't replace my DSLR. But its my "go to" camera if I'm just hanging out with friends or the subject matter does not require the expensive top end DSLR accompanied by the full arsenal of lenses.
Images in this review
Marcio Travain
Câmera Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless
Reviewed in Brazil on July 4, 2023