Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens

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.

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.

I recently set out to find a good camera capable of DSLR quality images but in a compact, lightweight, and easy to carry around design. After carefully reviewing this camera as well as several others in its class, I settled on the a6000. I am pleased to say I love this camera. The quality of images is outstanding with the large sensor and high mega pixel count. The camera packs a lot of features to it. I love how fast the focus is and the amazing fps. My only major criticism of the camera: The lack of being able to use the auto bracket and timer mode simultaneously. This is a serious flaw that Sony needs to address and hopefully will with a firmware upgrade. It is possible to get the results you need but in a harder work-around. So if you do a lot of HDR photography for example, this is something you will want to consider. I have a few non-serious nitpicks: -Some have criticized the battery life of the camera. While it could definitely be better, for the type of shooting I do (mostly travel photography and occasional high speed continuous shooting for action shots), I have been able to deal with it. But I also ordered two non-Sony brand batteries to use as back up which helps a lot. I recommend obtaining extra batteries to have on hand. The camera does feature a battery life meter on the display (indicated in %) to help you know when the battery is getting low. - The camera doesn't come with a body cap. While these are inexpensive and easy to obtain, it is nice to have a cap on hand, especially being a mirrorless camera where the sensor has nothing in front of it when a lens or cap is not attached. - A wall battery charger would have been nice. Instead, you must charge the battery via the camera and plug that in to the wall. Lame. Do yourself a favor and order separately, a wall charger and extra batteries for this camera. There are some non-Sony brand chargers/batteries on amazon you can get inexpensively. I ordered two non-Sony brand extra batteries and a wall charger bundled for about $25 and they work well and the charger also charges the real Sony battery. - Hopefully there will be more choices of Sony E mount lenses in the future. The ones I have used so far are good though. If rating this camera a 4.5 were an option, I would choose it. Only because of the issue of not being able to use the bracketing and using the timer simultaneously. But it wasn't enough to dock it a full point as it is something I am hopeful Sony can fix with firmware changes and is something I can live with if they don't. All in all, this camera has exceeded my expectations and is a joy to shoot with. You will especially love this camera if you don't want to carry a big heavy SLR around but still want excellent quality pictures. For my needs, this the best camera I have ever owned and I imagine it will last for a long time!

It's a great camera. It is made very well and it didn't cost very much. I did a lot of study, before making my decision. When I heard professionals were using this camera, I was sold. The more I read about cameras, most experts would say that the greater the Megapixels the better the camera. This camera has 24.3 Megapixels and the images are phenomenal. Amateur photographers would be overwhelmed over all the technology that went into the Alpha a6000. They might even say, it would be beyond their intellect. I disagree, it is a great camera for idiots and for professionals. You can grow into its capabilities at your own pace. But for the Amateur, it can become a simple point and shoot camera with using the proper settings. I have read very little dislikes for the camera. One critic didn't like the fact that it had no audio jack. It's true, but have you heard the audio from the built in microphone? It's great! It sounds like its coming from a very expensive microphone. Another critic didn't like the fact that the small screen didn't flip up to the front of the camera for selfies. If you want to see yourself during self portraits, use your tablet or smart phone. You can get free apps that makes your phone into a remote with viewing capabilities. If you use your tablet, you must be connected to the internet. I discovered after using the USB cord to transfer photos to my PC that you can very easily transfer them wirelessly with the free software that Sony supplies. If you have a internet connection, you do not have to connect by USB cord to your PC. This camera is Wi Fi certified. When you buy the camera, buy some extra batteries and a charger. I also bought a UV haze filter for lens protection 40.5 mm. I also bought a hand strap instead of using the included neck strap. I don't like the way the neck straps sometimes get in the way. Make sure you get a screen protector, and a SD card. You'll want to keep your camera in the best shape, you'll be wanting to cherish your Sony Alpha a6000 for many years to come.

Very unhappy right now - one of the key functions of the camera is dead. I upgraded from Nex 5T to this model instead of Nex 6 because Nex 6 does not have NFC. With Nex 5, i was using NFC all the time to transfer pictures form camera to my phone via Sony PlayMemories app, it worked great and was very convenient when travelling. A6000 does have NFC, but the camera I've received was not able to connect to my phone - Sony Xperia Z2, which is newest flagship Sony smartphone - how funny is that! I was also not able to connect to my wife's HTC One, whereas my Nex 5T is connecting to both phones with no issues. So I went online and read reviews in Google Play store - a lot of users of Sony PlayMemories app is complaining about the same thing - they can't connect camera to the phone using NFC. The problem is not limited to particular phone model, but rather this is camera related issue - I've seen people with Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Sony Xperia Z, Z1, Z2, Motorola, etc, being unable to connect after purchasing Sony Alpha A6000. I called Sony service, they kept me on the phone for an hour insinuating that I'm not able to connect to the camera because my NFC or Wi-Fi on the phone is disabled, but after multiple tests they made me do and when I demonstrated that I'm able to connect to the same phone with Sony Nex 5T, I was told that it is hardware problem that is quite common on this model. I'll return this camera to Amazon. Revised on 6/26/2014 I've purchased another A6000 from different seller on Amazon - NFC on this one works just fine. My overall impression of this camera - I like it a lot. I'm enthusiast amateur photographer for 20 years, you can find 1D series full frame Canon cameras and L lenses in my closet, and I know how to use it. For many years I have not used any other camera but DSLR because there was huge quality difference between DSLR and regular compact camera, and I was used to the results DSLR and high end lenses were giving me. But those cameras are big and heavy, L lenses even more so, so as much as I love to use it when I go out with sole intention of taking pictures, those are not really handy to carry around for anything else. For example, when I go with my family for weekend trips, to the beach, etc - places you go to have fun, but not necessarily for photo session. This is especially true when you have small kids to take care about, their stuff to carry, etc. A6000 (and Nex 5 for the matter, I only upgraded to A6000 because of viewfinder) with kit lens (SEL1650 PZ) is giving me enough quality that I can be very happy with pictures taken with it. And it's so small I can carry it around all the time. Please mind that I'm talking here about casual family shots, landscapes, etc, not shallow DOF portraits taken with 85mm f1.8 lens or sports shots that require 70-200 f2.8 lens. I know A6000 limitations and never tired to use it for this kind of photography. Also, SEL1650 is not super sharp lens (which is normal, because it is small zoom lens and you can't beat the laws of physic), if you are pixel peeper you will see it right away, but this is not the point here. What is important is the fact that A6000 with kit lens gives you picture quality of regular APS-C DSLR with kit lens, but is almost as small as regular compact camera. As long as you understand this, you will be very happy with it. Plus, it gives you RAW format, so if you know Photoshop or Lightroom like I do, you can really do magic - APS-C sensor in A6000 is doing very good job, so you have enough pixels for cropping, sharpening, etc. To sum it up: - if you are upgrading to A6000 from regular compact camera, you will be amazed by picture quality and the very smart intelligent automatic picture taking mode - if you are buying A6000 in addition to DSLR, you will not be disappointed with the quality and you will be very happy with A6000 size. Either way, it is win-win, I can really recommend this camera. 4 star rating is based on the fact that there is not many cameras I rate at 5 - like Canon 1DX or 5D MKIII.

I did not purchase this camera for video. If I wanted video, there are plenty of other options. This is a great camera for what I want, a step up from a point and shoot but better quality than a iPhone 5. Plus, a full manual mode. Six hours to charge the battery seems excessive but ha, the battery life once charged is pretty good. I love how the same cable that charges the battery also connects to the computer. Less things for me to lose. Plus, Sony has a battery exchange program if there are any issues. Pros for me: AF is amazing. Has "eye" tracking for when people move. The subject can leave the shot and reenter. The camera will refocus on the person. Customizable function buttons. Think AF, Zoom, B&W, white balance at the touch of one button. Pancake style lens. Zoom lens is fab! Powers up quickly - great for catching moving kids/action. Talks with my Mac - does have delete issues. Plenty of lens options and other accessories. Works with all other 3rd party lenses with adapter. LOVE the lack of weight. So much easier to hold and focus when weight is not literally holding you back. I wear it messenger bag style and it does not bump against my hip. Great auto everything feature for non-camera guy, hubby. The "perfect setting." Wireless sends photos to my phone - amazing feature, just download the app and ready to go. Photos go straight into my photo library not app library. Huge USP in my book. Plus phone can control camera for remote work. Try that with another camera! Pop-up flash works surprisingly well for something so small but great. I tend to shoot w/o flash. Others complain it has a plastic feel but after almost a year of use, it holds up very well. Never had an issue. The EVF is wonderful to check your shot before pressing the shutter button. The built in histogram is a time and shot saver. Love the Zebra and grid lines settings. Cons: High learning curve coming from a point-n-shoot but that is me. Manual and menus are not user friendly. I wish Sony had more tutorial videos for the a6000 line. Here is a good tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYXwCGWb7Yg Wish for a touch screen for zoom feature. Think iPhone pinch after taking a shot to ensure edges are clear. Does NOT play well with Mac computers. I need to dump the iPhotos trash each time in order to delete off camera. I prefer iPhoto over the Sony software. Because of the lack of size, many people think it is a point-n-shoot. Which is fine but be prepared not to be taken seriously as a photographer. All in all, I still love this camera. The lack of weight, AF and lens options put Canon and Nikon's entry level DSLRs to shame. One day they will enter the mirrors revolution with two feet. Until then, this camera works. For the nay sayers, Sony makes the Nikon sensors.

I've had the a6000 for two years now, and never a moment's buyer's remorse. The camera's many functions and features are well covered in other reviews so I won't re-invent the wheel here. This is usually my go-to camera, and my first choice for a travel camera. My favorite lens, the one that's usually on the camera, is the Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS . If I don't get a good photo with this camera/lens combo, it's my own fault. As I've pursued my hobby of photography more intensely, I've acquired two full frame cameras - one Nikon and the other Sony (a7). I appreciate the depth of detail and dynamic range those cameras can deliver. But the Nikon's big and heavy compared to the Sonys, and so far I'm not delighted with the full frame lens lineup for the Sony a7. At the moment, there's not really a lens for the a7 that's equivalent to the 18-105mm APS-C lens. I've taken some great shots with the a7 and its 28-70 kit lens, but it's nowhere near the effective 150mm reach of the 18-105. If I want to get beyond 70mm on the a7, I have to use the big, heavy, *white!* Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G Lens . Which is a fine lens but way too big and obvious for a walking-around travel lens, at least for me. I tried the Sony SEL24240 FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens but its performance wasn't up to its price. (I've used Nikon lenses with both the a6000 and a7, with adapters, with good results, but for travel especially I prefer native e-mount lenses to keep things simple.) I recently went on a trip with a photography group, and though I was happy with my photos taken with the a7, I regret not also taking the a6000 as a backup/secondary camera. If I didn't own the a6000, I'd consider buying the a6300 or a6500. In my experience and opinion, it's hard to go wrong with any of them if you're looking for a small, light, interchangeable lens camera that won't weigh you down while still taking really good photos.

I just received this camera from Amazon yesterday. I am still evaluating it but there are a couple of points people should be aware of. If you take raw format photos on this camera you will not be able to processing them with Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 (or maybe other versions). I understand Elements 12 does processing the Sony ARW raw format files. My Adobe Lightroom does work with the ARW files. Unfortunately, these files have a cloudy tinge at the edges of the photos which to me is very bad. I wish Sony can correct this with a firmware update. The JPEGS files look fine. Also, at the time of this review the detailed instruction manual is not yet available for this camera on-line. This is bad planning on Sony's part if you ask me. I do like the panorama shots this camera takes. When taking the panorama shots the camera makes a loud machine gun sound which according to Sony Support cannot be silenced. The videos look pretty good too. Still need more time to evaluate yet the major features of the camera. Addition: Through Adobe Lightroom there is a "camera correction" option under the "Develop" tab that allowed me to select the Sony camera lens I am using. By doing so the cloudy edges of the photo went away. I just wish I didn't have to upgrade my Adobe Photoshop Elements to version 12 to work with the unique Sony ARW raw files. Although Sony has not released an owner's manual in the USA there is a European version that I came across and referencing. Not sure it is 100% compatible but it seems to be. Here is the link to it... [...] There is also a free Adobe DNG Converter that will convert the Sony ARW raw files to DNG raw files which the Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 can work with. I have used it and it works just fine. You can convert all ARW files in a specified folder to DNG type files. It is an extra step but at least it works. Just got back from a three week trip to Ecuador. Worked wonderfully. The size is perfect for a small fanny pack I wore in front which was so accessible for photo taking. Bought a nice wrist strap for safety in using it. The panorama mode was great. Used the video mode a bit but the record button was awkward to use (caused jerky start and stops). Loved the auto HDR mode which worked great inside churches, etc. Loved it for traveling about.