Sony a6000: Superb Image Quality with a Compact and Portable Design

The Sony a6000 is classed as a hybrid camera – it is a mirrorless device that has an abundance of features that place it in line with mid-range full-frame DSLR cameras. This brilliant device is one of the best mirrorless cameras available and is great for either hobbyist or professional usage. At a glance, it provides high-quality photos, flexibility through its interchangeable lens mount, and portability due to its compact design.

Whether you want a camera for professional use, or if you are just getting started in the world of photography, the Sony a6000 is a top choice. It is affordable, and the Sony E-Mount lenses provide the option to branch into other types of photography. In this Sony a6000 review, we look at what this camera has to offer, and how it compares to other devices on the market.    

Main Features

Sony has a fantastic range of mirrorless devices like the Sony a6100. The Sony a6000 has a similar design and contains the standard features people come to expect from their mirrorless range. This includes aesthetic design, great image quality, and standout autofocus. The following are the basic specifications of this camera:

• Size: 120 x 66 x 45mm
• Weight: 344g (With battery & SD card)
• Sensor: 24.3MP APS HD CMOS Sensor
• Image Processor: Bionz X
• Raw Images: Yes
• Max Video Resolution: 1080p
• Connectivity: WiFi / NFC
• Touchscreen: No

The Bionz X processor and Exmor sensor are the latest in Sony’s image technology, therefore the a6000 provides 24.3MP quality images with excellent clarity. Furthermore, it has great connectivity – users can connect using WiFi or NFC one-touch. This means that you can download images straight from your camera to an external device.

Design

The Sony a6000 looks fantastic – it has a brilliant design that is both stylish and functional. On the right-hand side, there is a textured handgrip that allows you to hold the camera firmly. Furthermore, the EFV is logically placed and comfortable to operate.

Concerning button layout, the a6000 has a standard program mode dial on the top – this allows you to quickly change to different shooting modes. On the rear, there is a high-quality LCD screen (this doesn’t have touch screen functionality, unfortunately). You control this using the rear dials and control pads. There is a handful of different buttons on the rear of the camera which could be a little confusing at first. Once you get used to the button functions, however, the camera is easy to use.

This mirrorless camera is also highly portable – it weighs just 344g and can easily fit in a backpack or standard-size camera bag. Moreover, it has small dimensions and is a great handheld device, even with a sizable zoom lens.   

Performance

The Sony a6000 also has excellent performance. The autofocus system is one of the highlighted aspects of this device. It is advanced and offers excellent functionality for action shots. It has multiple sensor points, but also operates quickly and accurately. In addition to this, it has a range of specific features to aid the tracking of different objects like eyes and motion.

Aside from the autofocus, the general performance of the camera is brilliant. It allows users to take high-quality images with relative ease. Moreover, the different dials and control buttons or logical and intuitive, once you understand their purpose. You can use a myriad of different shooting modes including full manual control.

In addition to this, you can actually control the camera remotely from your smartphone – this means that you don’t have to purchase a remote shutter control. The WiFi remote shutter app is a great addition and allows greater flexibility with the Sony a6000.  

Sony a6000 vs. Canon EOS M50

A great comparison to this camera is the Canon EOS M50. This is a mirrorless device that has similar features and functionality. Both cameras use the latest image processors and sensors – the difference in overall image quality is minimal. Furthermore, both have advanced autofocus systems.

The Canon EOS M50 is possibly the better choice for video as it can record in 4K HD. Moreover, it does offer slightly better low-light image capabilities. Both cameras also have an ergonomic, compact design. They also both allow the use of different lenses.

Deciding on the Sony a6000

The Sony a6000 is undoubtedly a fantastic mirrorless camera. It combines a brilliant, compact design with useful features like fast autofocus and interchangeable lenses. You can utilize a myriad of different Sony E-mount lenses – this provides users with brilliant flexibility. The device is easy to carry, lightweight, and has an ergonomic design.   

Utilizing the Exmor CMOS Sensor, users can shoot at 24.3MP resolution, and the Bionz X processor means exceptional image quality. Moreover, this camera has fantastic low-light performance and can shoot up to ISO 25,600.

One of the best features, as we mentioned, is the autofocus. It’s extremely fast, but also has great functionality, like lock-on-AF, and eye-AF. This means you can capture action and movement easily. Finally, the design is stylish and sleek. The Sony a6000 is a beautiful portable device that is certainly a top choice in the mirrorless camera category.       

To choose the right lens for your needs, here are our top picks of the best lenses for the Sony a6000.