The Only Camera You Need: Sony a6000 Review
In May a couple weeks before my 19-day quasi-round the world trip, I bought a Sony a6000. As a long-time Nikon girl, this was a huge decision for me. It wasn't one I went into lightly. But my health depended on it. Here's my Sony a6000 review.
Sony a6000
I take a lot of photos all the time, especially when traveling. Because I can't get good low light photos with my iPhone, I bring a camera.
Specifically, I bring one of my Nikon DSLR cameras, either the D50 with the 18-200 lens or the D7000 with 18-300 lens, aka the big cameras. If I'm shooting a lot, like when I went to Iguazu Falls, then I bring the Nikon D7000 because it has two SD card slots and a battery pack. But if I'm only shooting 500 or so pictures each day then I'd bring the Nikon D50.
A Nikon D50 with an 18-200 lens weighs a little over 2 pounds. And a Nikon D7000 with an 18-300 lens and battery pack weighs about 5 pounds. While that might not seem a lot, that's 2 to 3 pounds on your back, hanging from your neck, or in your hand all day.
Plus a large camera takes up room in your backpack or carry-on bag and adds extra weight. Not what you want when you're traveling internationally and they weigh bags, including backpacks, that look heavy.
But the bummer about having big cameras, because they are so heavy I left them at home on some trips like when I went to Milan, Dublin, and the first time I visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
So I needed a camera that was small, light enough to bring with me all the time, and takes great pictures. In other words, the Sony a6000.
The Sony a6000, also known as the Sony Alpha a6000, is a mirrorless camera. DSLR cameras (digital single-lens reflex) like my Nikon D50 and D7000 have a mirror which bounces the image so that you can see it in the viewfinder. A mirrorless camera, like the Sony a6000, doesn't have that mirror.
Sony a6000 specifications
- Image sensor: 24.3 Megapixel Exmor® APS HD CMOS sensor with BIONZ X™ engine
- Max resolution: 24 Megapixel: 6000 x 4000 resolution
- ISO sensitivity: Auto, 100 - 25600
- Sensor type/size: CMOS, 23.5 x 15.6 mm
- Lens mount: Sony E-mount interchangeable lens system
- Autofocus points: 179 phase detection; 25 contrast detection
- Still image file formats: JPEG, RAW
- Movie file formats: MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC S
- Exposure modes: Aperture Priority, Intelligent Auto, Manual, Memory Recall, Movie, Programmed Auto, Scene Selection, Shutter Priority, Superior Auto, Sweep Panorama; Metering Range: EV 0.0 - EV 20.0; Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in ⅓ or ½ EV steps)
- Shutter: Electronic & Mechanical; Speed: 30 - 1/4000 second, Bulb Mode; ¼ - 1/4000 second in Movie Mode
- Continuous shooting: Up to 11 fps
- Built-in flash
- Flash modes: Auto, Fill-in, Off, Rear Sync, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Wireless
- Max sync speed: 1/160 seconds
- External flash connection: Hot Shoe, Wireless
- Video: 1920 x 1080 - 60 frames per second, 24 frames per second; 1440 x 1080 - 30 frames per second; 640 x 480 - 30 frames per second
- Built-in microphone with video, stereo
- 3" tilting LCD widescreen
- Shutter lag: 0.02 seconds
- Self-timer: 10 seconds, 2 seconds
- Remote control: RM-DSLR2 (Optional)
- Memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro HG-Duo
- Wi-Fi
- Connectivity: HDMI D (Micro), USB 2.0, Wired Remote Port
- 1x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1080 mAh
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.8" / 120.0 x 67.0 x 45.0 mm
- Weight: 12.13 oz / 344 g (with battery and memory card)
The Sony a6300 is the newest version of their E-mount mirrorless cameras.
The difference between the Sony a6000 and Sony a6300:
- Image sensor: 25 Megapixel
- Autofocus points: 425 phase detection and 169 contrast detection
- Video: 4k video
- Audio recording: Built-in Mic: With Video, Stereo, Optional External Mic: With Video, Stereo
- Self-timer: 10 seconds, 5 seconds, 2 seconds
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9" / 120.0 x 66.9 x 48.8 mm
- Weight: 14.25 oz / 404 g (with battery and memory card)
Pro-tip: For the same price as the Sony a6300, you could buy the full-frame Sony a7.
Weight
Although the Sony a6000 doesn't have a mirror, it doesn't make it any less capable than a DSLR camera. All of the photos in this post were taken with my Sony a6000 (except for the photos of the camera).
What it does is make it significantly lighter. Light enough to eliminate that extra weight and avoid neck and back pain.
The Sony a6000 only weighs 1 pound. Yep, 1 little pound. Half the weight of my Nikon D50. And one fifth the weight of my Nikon D7000. That's a huge weight off my neck (pun totally intended).
Size
Because the Sony a6000 is a small camera, it looks like a point and shoot camera. Which makes it totally low profile.
So low profile that I can take photos without attracting attention to myself. Which if you lug around a giant DSLR, you know that's totally impossible.
When I traveled with my big cameras I was often mistaken for a professional photographer. Which was both good and bad. It meant that I could take photos when others couldn't. But I couldn't take photos when others could. "Hey, no professional photographers." "Do you have a permit?"
With my D50 and D7000, I couldn't snap those unobtrusive photos without anyone realizing it because I had a big honkin' camera in front of my face or attached to my arm. Oh sure, I've taken many shots where I'd raise my arm snap away from waist high. So it wouldn't look like I was taking pictures.
But sometimes you want or need a different angle. Or the shot just isn't right that low. You need a better vantage point.
And that's where the Sony a6000's size comes into play.
You look like you're using a point and shoot camera. And you can take as many photos as you want without being bothered. Plus it fits in my cross-shoulder body bag. And I even have room for my glass case, passport, wallet, chapstick, and keys.
Why I Chose the Sony a6000
Everyone Had One
Being a Nikon girl, I wanted to stay true to Nikon but the Nikon 1 didn't have as many great reviews as the Sony a6000.
I spent countless hours researching all mirrorless cameras, including the Fuji X-T10, Fuji X-A3 (because it's cool and retro looking), and the Leica X (out of my price range).
And I saw the Sony a6000 everywhere: traveling, on press trips, etc. There was always someone who had a Sony a6000.
So I caved and went Sony. And I haven't regretted it for a moment.
Bring it Anywhere
As I mentioned earlier, it's so much smaller than a DSLR. I love that it fits in my bag. I can bring it with me at all times. All those moments when you're like, "Oh, I wish I had my camera." Nope, not gonna happen anymore. Because you've got your little amazing camera with you.
Compatible With Nikon Lenses
You can buy an adapter and use your Nikon lenses or Canon lenses (if you play for the other team) on your Sony a6000. So if you already have a wide angle lens or 35mm lens, you'll have some money.
Wi-Fi
Because Wi-Fi is built-in, you can send your photos to your smartphone instantly. Which means you can upload to your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, etc. without having to wait until you get back home or to your hotel.
I haven't used this function yet because I use an Eye-Fi SD card which does the same thing and transfers the photos to my iPhone instantly. But I like that I have an extra option if my Eye-Fi card is full or if I'm using a different SD card.
Pro-tip: Use the Wi-Fi function to back up your photos. Just in case anything happens to your camera before you get a chance to download your pictures.
What I Don't Like About the Sony a6000
Noise
The shutter noise aka little beep it makes when it takes a photo. You can't turn it off.
While it's just a little beep, it's annoying none the less. No more secret shots snapped off.
So when that cabin crew tells you to stop taking pictures, you can't keep taking them like you could with stealth cameras like the X or Y. You have to stop taking photos. 🙁
Battery
You can't charge the battery outside of the camera. Meaning the battery has to be in the camera to charge. Which means you can't use your camera while the battery is charging. 🙁 This is my least favorite thing of the Sony a6000.
But you can buy a compatible battery charger like one of these.
Not Weather Sealed
So you don't want to take the Sony a6000 out when it could get wet like in the rain or during water sports. Instead bring your GoPro or buy a water housing.
Video
The video quality is great. But I can't download the files automatically to my iPhone or Mac. I have to use a separate program. 🙁 Not an issue if you are a Windows user.
Not Full Frame
When you take a photo the image you saw on the screen or through the viewfinder will not be the same final image. Because it's cropped.
It's a small crop but none the less, you lose a little bit. Not enough to matter to most people.
But if you're a serious photographer, you're probably not going to buy the Sony a6000. Because you want a full frame camera like the Sony a7R II or Sony a99 II.
Lenses for the Sony a6000
Sony 35mm
My low light images come out fine with the 16-50mm kit lens but for higher quality images, you'll want to get a lens like the Sony 35mm.
Sony 55-210mm
The Sony 55-210mm telephoto zoom lens will cover the gaps from the 16-50mm kit lens.
Sony 18-200mm
You avoid having to bring multiple lenses with an all-in-one lens like the Sony 18-200mm.
Sony 10-18mm
If you take landscape photos, you'll want to get the Sony 10-18mm wide-angle lens.
Gear for the Sony a6000
67mm German Optics UV Filter
Buying a UV Filter is like waxing your car. It adds a layer of protection that helps keep your lens safe. And it's cheaper to buy another filter than a lens. This 67mm German Optics UV filter is similar to the one that I use on my camera.
SanDisk Memory Card
I buy a lot of SanDisk memory cards. Because they're reliable and you can usually get them on sale via Amazon or Staples. 🙂
Zomei Z818 Camera Tripod
You'll want a tripod for landscape photos. They also work great for food photos (if you're a food blogger). I like the Zomei Z818 Camera tripod.
Conclusion
I'm really glad that I switched from a DSLR to a mirrorless camera, specifically the Sony a6000. It's so light, compact, and I can bring it anywhere.
Taking photos is so easy, just a click of the button. And I can upload them instantly via Wi-Fi.
And the price is incredibly reasonable. The Sony a6000 is available for $548 for the body only. But I recommend buying it with the 16-50mm lens for $648. Because you save $150 buying the lens with the camera over buying the camera and lens separately.
Remember you can buy an adapter and use your existing Nikon and Canon lenses.
What camera do you use when you travel?
Related posts about my 19-day quasi-round the world trip:
- Review: Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Los Angeles to Frankfurt
- Park Hyatt Mallorca Review: How to Get There
- Review: False Damage Claim and Why You Should Not Rent From Sixt Mallorca
Pin this to your travel gear, travel, vacation, or camera boards:
Comment, tweet, or share this post.
Get the best credit card signup bonuses.
Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube
Got a question? Or want help, suggestions, travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Use the subscription box below to sign-up and get post updates by email.
Sounds like a great camera! I love SONY too, that was my first ever purchase but now mostly use canon and others.
Such helpful information! I poured over camera reviews for weeks before I bought my camera a couple of months ago.
Wow - that looks like a really awesome camera! I've only used Canons, but it looks like a good camera. 🙂
Thank you for the review! I am eager to get my hands on a new camera! This one sounds wonderful!
I just love how lightweight it is, yet it still takes such amazing photos. It sounds like the perfect travel camera!
This looks like a cool gadget to have,. I have a Nikon D3100 and love it for my everyday captures.
Wow!! This is an eye-opener for me as a total Nikon Girl.. I would have never thought of a SONY at all. I currently have a Nikon D5300 and Coolpix B500 but I am still looking for another addition to my camera family. Perhaps I will consider a SONY...
Sony's A6000 is better that D5300 ,excellent clarity and so many options for photo with electronic view finder s really very useful.
Ooh this camera looks amazing. I just got into photography last year. My kids are getting older and I don't want to miss any of their moments. This camera looks like a great starter for me!
I have been using a Sony Digital Camera for past 5-years and it has been my best companion anytime during travel. But Sony A6000 is even more amazing as the pictures look more crisp, clear & detailed too. The built-in Wi-Fi and other features sounds really great as well!
Sounds like a great Camera to capture high quality pictures! I need to check it out. Thanks for your review!
I always love sony so I know this camera will definitely be the bomb. Thanks for the detailed review.
I'm a Canon girl myself, but I'd be interested in trying this camera. I was Nikon girl before I was a Canon girl so there's always room to move in other directions haha. I like that you can send the photos directly to your camera or other devices via wifi. That would be useful sometimes.
This looks like a great camera. Major bummer that you can't turn off your beeping noises, though. I thought I couldn't on my Lumix, but I just recently figured out how to do it. Woot!
Looks like a great camera. Is it fairly durable? I'm really rough on gear, that's the main reason I just stick to my phones' camera.
THis sounds great! But yes, the battery thing would get a little annoying especially if you're like me and you always forget to charge it until the moment you need it!
Buy a second battery and there are chargers that do the job outside of the camera!
As a military wife who could barely handle her busy schedule I am truly glad I came across your post. I love checking out new things and this A6000 sounds so incredible. Im hearing a lot of good feedback on this.
As handy as our cellphones are now, it's still fantastic to have a reliable camera. Thank you for your review! I will check it out 🙂
I've heard good things about this camera but was wondering if it was a crop sensor. Good to know. I like that I can adapt my Canon lenes.
I'm a die-hard Nikon fan as well, so I can understand the hesitation with buying another brand. I love my DSLR, but it can be a pain for travel. Luckily, the new iphones have better lighting and options so for now I will stick with that. Though this Sony does sounds like a great buy.
My husband bought this camera almost a year ago and loves it! Wonderful for travel because of the light weight and the video quality is great for school programs, etc.
Looks like an awesome camera! And not too bulky to travel with it - it takes amazing photos for sure! I love this camera, wish I had one like this one!
This looks and sounds like a great camera. I love how the photos turned out. I am looking for a smaller cam as well due to chronic back pain. My DSLR has been retired because it's too much to lug it around.
This is great review on this Sony camera I would love to have one. Great pictures I really need good camera and this looks great ! !
Thanks for sharing this review.. I always wanted to purchase a Sony Camera but always end up with Canon. Sounds like a great product.
I am saving up for a new camera. This look reaaly nice and I love that it's not too big. I will check this out.
These cameras are so confusing for me! But for the type of blogging photography I do, I don't think it's necessarily for me. But if I did more traveling, I for sure would look into it
These are great photos. I was considering getting another Canon, but I've added this to my list of options now.
Thanks for sharing this. I love it. Its seem like very good for capturing image, I will buy this sooner or later.
My niece told me about this mirrorless camera and it's on my wish list. I love my DSLR, but it's just too bulky to carry. I didn't even take it with me on our holiday trip. I just used my iPhone. 🙂
Ok I really think that I need this in my life. I wonder if my hubby would splurge!
I'm looking into picking up a camera to try my hand on photography! I think my favorite feature is the fact that it has wifi built in! That is such an amazing feature is absolutely useful!
Any camera that allows me to automatically send photos to my smart phone is awesome to me. Save me time and makes me efficient.
We are on the lookout for a new travel camera, so we really appreciate all of the information you have gathered here. The built in wifi is a pretty cool feature. We often resort to just using our phones to take pictures, and they really don't cut it sometimes. I think it is time we make the investment 🙂
I'm also a Nikon DSLR gal, but I agree that sometimes it is nice to have something that isn't so huge, harder to lug around and doesn't scream "TOURIST!"
I've always been on Cannon, but my mum is planning on upgrading so I might switch to her micro four-thirds olympus.
Wow, you captured some great pics with the Sony! I agree, you can't depend on iPhones for high quality photos, especially in poor lighting conditions, so it's great to have the option of a light mirrorless camera.
We have a small Sony that I sometimes use although we're fans of the Lumix. Thanks for such a complete review, it's certainly a camera that I'd bear in mind for the future
I'm getting seriously into my photography, and this post was super helpful. I've actually just invested in an Olympus Pen + Lenses so I'm not in the market for a new camera, but if I ever am, I know where to find the right info!
This is a really thoughtful and honest review. Thank you for mentioning the beeping sound it makes when you snap a picture, that would definitely make me nuts although not a deal breaker seeing as it has a lot of other benefits. But being smaller and more compact does mean lower profile, so maybe it balances out!
I don't think camera purchase should be taken so lightly because it is an expensive purchase. I myself have never used a Sony Camera before but loved your detailed review. I can see you are very happy with it and why not? If it is giving you excellent photos and a good return on investment, you should enjoy it. I find it not so unhelpful when you can't use a different manufacturer's lens on a different camera and vice versa. Otherwise, I would use a few different options.
I've never played with a Sony before since I'm a Nikon shooter. Looks like a decent camera though!
This seems like a camera I would love to try. It's lightweight appeals to me so does its sleek look. Also not many cameras can take good low light pictures. You know why I am impressed.
As a Canon man I don't normally look at Sony products, however another traveler once had one of these and was boasting about it's features, it seems they were right! I didn't really understand the mirrorless feature, I got it now! The point you make about carrying a heavy camera around all day and needing a lighter option is 100% true. I am a bodybuilder but still get aches around my shoulder / back / bicep after a long day shooting. This is a great lighter option to give the body a rest.
I admit I have a hard time carrying around a DSLR camera! I traveled for 4 months in SEA and only used my IPhone....lol! But I like that the Sony A6000 is really small and lightweight - definitely a plus!
That is a great review of your product! I am in the market for a new camera, so this is a great big help for me. I am generally a Canon person, so this is great.
I have to admit I don't use my SLR much especially when I am scrambling up mountains because it will smash and it is cumbersome. I do like the looks of this camera and your photso are great especially one of Melbourne my home country 🙂 I like your write up on the camera I would definitely give this a look next time I update.
Amazing image quality for the price; Blazing-fast hybrid autofocus; Swift burst shooting with generous buffer depths; Good battery life with LCD monitor; More compact than a DSLR; In-camera Wi-Fi wireless networking. Great camera!
Wow that is such a lovely and detailed review of Sony. I like the sound of it, as it seems to be compatible with Canon and Nikon. And you say that it is quite light and handy. Will definitely be checking this out seriously
A very balanced review. I am not that much into the technical details of the cameras but one thing I can say is you pointed it right that when the camera takes up a lot of space, it gets annoying. And that is what is happening somewhat with my current DSLR. At times we think about dropping the idea of carrying it along because of the sheer size thing. And this sony - a 6000 really looks like a compact one for all the features that it has.
I have the same issues as you, but with my Canon. The camera with the lens is huge and it would take a bag just to carry it around. I do take it with me but only in longer trips. An alternative like this Sony would be great for short weekend get aways. I like that it acts well in low light, that's a plus.