I found a way around the lack of a mic. input for video. For less than $200 Sony offers a shoe mount wireless mic kit. It's transmitter is very small and adequate for an on body or boom pole mount, but the secret weapon is that it has a mic input jack. I've used both boundary and lavalieres plugged into it with good results. Actually provides better range and diversity than camera body input.
The a6000 may be fitted with almost any older lens, such as a US$40.00 Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens with a US$10.00 FD/NEX adaptor. I have several older primes but I still prefer the 3.5-5.6/16-50 OSS kit lens for the following reasons: 1-very fast and precise Autofocus 2-very small when powered down (camera w/lens fit in a large pocket) 3-very lightweight set, can be carried a whole day by an older 4-OSS (stabilization) eliminates the need for a tripod under low lighting. I can literarily dance around my subjects. I just compose and shoot. 5-The 16-50 is a very good lens (exceptional at times), way better pictures than my retired Canon D50 with their "ultrasonic lens". With the Canon, photo keepers where about 10% and now, with the Sony, around 80-90% of all shots are "album quality"
Say what you like about Sony...but they are raising the bar in the camera world. Incredible innovation and a fantastic line up of products...what more could you ask for.
Love your review. It's technical, but also in plain language. You also know Sony very well and for a Sony fan, it's important. Also important for non-Sony fans.
You are completely wrong about the so called downgrade in build quality it is outstanding in my eyes I mean how well built do u want it? Like a tank? great video all in all though. Keep up the great work
I'm not really familiar with the a6000 but the NEX 6 was step down in the body compared to the 5N metal. The 6 was so plasticy, not cheap, feeling coming from metal. From my testing the EVF is weaker than the 5N attachment, 6 and A7 series which all feature very similar 2 million dot displays. I really like the EVF in the OMD-EM1/5 for it 120hz refresh rate.
i hate it when people say the camera has good low light performance, i jumped on the band wagon cause of comments like that with the nex 6 .the nex6 was horrendous in low light autofocus was not reliable in low light and anything above iso 800 was unuseable. but in daylight the camera is amazing.
I'm very interested in this camera I now own a nikon d200 with three lenses but compared to what I'ved seen this sony a6000 do and all the comments I WATCHED, this will be my next camera.
The technology did change a great deal from the NEX-6, which I previously owned. Was never happy with the NEX-6. The difference is night and day between the NEX-6 and the A6000.
Great video!! Thanks for posting..iv had the a6000 for almost two weeks now and im loving it..great easy to use camera with well detailed photoes and exslant video also..
Had my a6000 for a few weeks and loving it so far. Not sure I agree with your comments about moving the EVF. I am happy with it on the top left corner. I have no need to stick my nose all over the screen as I would have to if the EVF was central
Would like to see if you could revisit the A6000 to clarify a statement made by a recent blog from someone in another reveiw. Who stated, that the A6000 had a firmware update to support XAVCS. If it would'nt be too improbable, it would be great to see the Olympus OM-D EM5II, for comparison with the A6000. It would help me make my final decision on which one to purchase in the next few weeks. Your reviews are really chock full of details as you review all the nuances of any camera. Thank you! Continued success!!
My A6000 with SEL1670Z lens just arrived yesterday so I have had not much time to play with it yet. I set the C1 button to toggle between AF/MF and the AEL button for eye focus. I set the dial to Ev Comp so that frees up the down button on the wheel which I set to Zoom just in case I need it. I would like to change the C2 button so something else but then it can no longer be used for help when in a menu. I think it would be an easy firmware update for Sony to have it continue to be "In-Camera Guide" when in a menu and whatever the user wants when the camera is in shooting (no menu) mode. I would also have liked one of the option when the Fn button is pressed to change the brightness of the display but it is not available. Maybe you can say something about this should you have an additional video on the A6000? You never know if Sony is watching. :) PS, the A6000 is replacing my original NEX 5 I got when Sony first started the NEX line of cameras.
I bought mine from Best Buy for $750 (a6000). I also bought a 35mm prime for $400 (I think). The 35 prime is better than the zoom kit lens. If I need to use the 16mm from the zoom lens, I'll buy the 16mm prime lens. I am over zoom lens, now that I know how much more quality you can get by using a prime lens, but I do want to get the 55mm to 210mm for when I'm at the Zoo. I'm saving up for a full frame a7 camera. I might as well. The a6000 is great for now but I need the best since I love photography!
Can't compare the little 1" sensor to the giant aps-c in the rx-II or nikon 1 etc. micro 4/3 is a lot larger and still the detail is not enough for aps-c(imo). If you take a picture of a fixed area with the three. It is divided up and the smaller sensors have to fit that same size area into smaller sensor than the aps-c or larger full frame. Also that why their is a limit right now on 4/3 megapixel because the smaller size. Same with even smaller 1" sensor.
I really don't see a lot of difference with this camera and the Nes 7 except it has a sound port !!! Works about the same...I just don't see a lot of difference...
Hi Love the reviews you put out. I have a question about which camera to buy. I knows it’s such a generic question and so many variables play into that. I will give you some background and try to answer basic decision variables so you can advise me. Firstly I’m not a professional or amateur photographer. I belong to the lot who have been shooting pictures with point and shoot cameras but love a nice snap. Try out interesting angles and try to capture great architecture with my family in the frame on vacations. Love taking pictures during my travelling and also love taking pictures of my 19 month old daughter playing and doing random stuff…I love the DSLR results that people take and share with me, but I don’t know much about ISOs or aperture etc. plus I don’t like the bulky body in terms of carrying it around. I think I would like to learn more to make my photos better but I don’t see myself being a advanced photographer with multiple lenses. My budget is under $800 dollars. As I don’t want to spend too much but yet want DSLR type results (especially low light photo results). With the research I did I came up with the Nikon D5300 with 18-55mm VRII lenses, Nikon 1 AW1 (as its water & Shock proof and not bulky) and Fuji film XM 1 (cause not bulky and amazing pictures I think cause it has the best sensor??) or Sony Alpha A6000. Some say A6000 is the best entry level mirror less camera out there! Does it have a better sensor than Fuji M1? Are the pictures as good as the M1??? . other two that came higly recommended are Olympus OM-D E-M10 and Samsung Galaxy NX What would you recommend out of these? Based on my user profile please suggest best 2 out of these. Will highly appreciate your support for me to make this decision.
I usually don't have negative comments & I don't consider this a negative comment just an observation, but this guy saying something about "Fanboys" is like calling the Kettle Black...I believe calling any brand definitive in the sea of cameras is a little nearsighted & yes, I use a Sony camera. Also as u stated the 6000 isn't an "Ideal Situation" r u saying it can't handle even standing up to tracking your hand & a camera? I would really like to know since I'm contemplating buying one. Money where your Mouth is please, thanks.
You say you get 400 pictures out of the battery. I was wondering if you switch off the screen in between pictures. I've the feeling I can take much less pictures with one full battery.
Thank you for a thorough well done video. If this camera doesn't have an external mic jack, does that mean it doesn't take good video? A stationary external mic added to the hot-shoe doesn't seem like the brightest idea. Also, I don't quite grasp Wi-Fi, (seems like it's only useful if you have a smart phone or tablet). I wonder if Wi-Fi could be used to connect accessories like lighting and microphones wirelessly? I also wish Wi-Fi would let the camera communicate with a laptop for tethering (live view on laptop of what the camera is recording). The last thing I need is more cables. Camera shopping is destroying my brain cells I think, so please forgive me for sounding ignorant.
You're not ignorant at all! Completely valid concerns. The WiFi is great for connecting the camera online - you can automatically upload photos to services such as FLICKR. More importantly, the WiFi can allow devices such as iPad tablets to be used as an EXTERNAL VIEWFINDER. This is incredibly useful.
I ended up buying the P7800 Nikon. The Sony is nice, but I decided I didn't want another camera with extra lenses. I tried the Olympus version of the style like the Nikon P7800, but it felt so delicate, like it could break easily. I did like the touch screen, but I can't have everything. The little Nikon feels like it's built like a tank. Probably when I'm ready to get a smart phone or tablet, I'll get the little accessory for the camera that enables it to have WiFi. You'd think Nikon would have just built that into the P7800. Shooting with a basic DSLR (Nikon D50) for the past 8 years spoiled me with its auto settings. I'll probably get a replacement lens for its broken general purpose lens, and learn more about photography. The little Nikon I recently bought does a whole lot of things and is forcing me to really learn about SLR camera settings. So far, its picture quality is really good and the video is too. It does have a mic jack, but its on-board mics are surprisingly good, I may not need an external mic. We'll see - it depends on what all I end up using it for. I think taking an in depth photography class is something I should do.
How are you dealing with premature shutdown when shooting video.Do you find that a problem with the a6000? I discovered that when shooting videos through the viewfinder, which is a great advantage, the heat from my face, increases the temperature of the sensor and is a factor in the premature shutting own of the Nex 7, even with the fastest SD cards on the market and the screen extended.
is there a way to set a minimum shutter limit for auto iso. i've read there isn't and that is a feature i use all the time on my nikon and it would prevent me from switching. my rx100 doesn't let me do it, and keeps me from shooting the way i want.
How does the build feel compare to the NEX 6? People used to say the nex 6 felt plastic-y. But when I got it, yes it was plastic but it felt like good quality plastic similar to mid-range DSLR's. Does the build feel better than the nex 6 or about the same? Thanks.
Have you evaluated Multi Frame Noise Reduction (MFNR) for noise reduction? I shoot my A6000 at 25,000 to 50,000 with MFNO and am seldom troubled by noise, but it is hard to quantify exactly.
Thank you for the great reviews. I need some help, I am just a home photographer doing grandkids pictures and videos. I already own the Sony a3000. I have no problems with the digs on this camera regarding the evf and the lcd screen. It means nothing to me, I only care about the final quality of my pictures or videos. I ended up buying the a6000 from BestBuy for the great price of $549 with the kit lens a few days ago. Your help comes in on whether spending the $549 is worth anything reagrding the two cameras? Am I going to be getting that much of better photos and videos from the a3000 to the a6000? Everyone have said that the final product of the a3000 is very good overall. So, is the a6000 a good upgrade for me or the difference between the two very insignificant? Thank you for your time.
enjoying your videos keep them coming please, great work! Going to Disney and Universal in Florida later in the year and wanting a camera that will cover most events, ie low light, fireworks, night, landscape, character/family pics etc. Would you say the a6000 would be best option and if so, what lenses would you recommend in purchasing too if you think the kit lens would struggle? or would the Sony RX100iii be better? Also been looking at the following, canon 700d, the canon g7 or g3 or possibly one of the Panasonic Lumix models or even another brand? In the uk prices are more expensive than the states I think. I can get A6000 new for £495 UK£ the RX100 Mk3 is new at £598 UK£ and the Canon 700d for £570 with £50 cashback,,,bringing it down to £520 UK£ after purchase Hope you have the time to reply and can help with my question/s. Thanks in advance.
Hey, man! Nice video :D Very organized and helpful. Would you recommend this over the rx100m3 for someone who knows little (but learning everyday!) about photography and wants to enter that world with no really big compromise? Your answer would help me millions, thanks!!
Thanks for this video. I got mine too. Just few question on the remote control which I already updated mine. For stills it works but for video remote..... It does not work whatever mode dial I choose. Can you help pls. Thanks man.
Patrick, I'd say it depends on how close you want to get to the subject. 70-200mm is the nice starter range, but considering more wouldn't be unusual at all.
I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AS I AM ON THE EGE OF BUYING A QUALITY 24MP SENSORDOES THE a6000 have an AA low pass filter as I personally want the best image quality possible i have 3sonys I love them but i might have to jump ship if it doess posses a filter to Nikon D5300!? THANX FOR YOUR HELP
Can it take the new sd UHSII cards which have faster read and write times? And does the buffer clear faster with those UHSII cards in comparison with the UHSI cards? I was wondering because I will get the A77II which has the same BIONZ X processor.
Have the 18-200 with the a6000. Love it would never take it back. The kit lens nothing to write home about in my newbie opinion. I tried many camera's for several months all $1500 and below. Finally settled on a6000 and have not once been disappointed. All the errors were simply human not camera. The only camera I tried over that that was a full sensor Sony and I certainly do not miss not spending the money on the higher end Sony. Maybe someday I will but right now for the size, picture quality, and ease of use. This a6000 is definitely the camera for me. I do wish Sony carried longer lens though for wildlife and birds. Enjoy!!!
I am considering this camera but I am not willing to change my operating system away from XP because of all my compatible software needs.. Would I be able to use this camera with XP if I were to use some conversion software to convert from .raw to .tiff or other? What about video file formats? If I used some other software for converting, would this camera work? I'm not worried about Windows not being able to read the .raw files (not curently able to with my Canon either.) I am also fine with using a friend's computer for running any firmware upgrades to the camera. I just want to use the camera and I don't typically use the software that comes with the camera anyway. I just want to make sure I will be able to convert the files before purchasing.
+supra2k8 Oh ok. Thank you for the clarity. I have this camera and I want to start vlogging with it soon. So I am getting to know it slowly. Thank you again.
+Boss LadyLaLa I know you can attach mic to the hot shoe but I was wondering what else you can attach to the hot shoe at the same time? Does that mean you can not attach a monitor and lights at the same time as the mic?
+Sean T Meagher I have no special sources but my own research and estimation is it will be announced Jan 5 at some big event (forgot the name) or in February (after CMAS refund period is over). Then it will be released in April at the start of the Q1 for Sony. Presells will start sometime in Jan or Feb. I dont think they want to interfere with the CMAS rush or previous sales of a6000 or the A7 series releases last year. Im waiting also.
+Aryan Bhatia I am certain it is not water proof ( immersed in water) but I dont know how water resistant (sprayed with water) it is. My guess is it can tolerate a LITTLE water spray but dont believe me on that . I just saw a photo somewhere on the internet with it covered with a water spray. I
Hi, thanks for the video. I am thinking of buying this camera or the samung nx 500. I am gonna use just the kit lens and i do not care about video or sport shoot. is there any big differences in the image quality? Something that i will notice on my computer screen i mean.
+Vasilis Karaman The kit lenses will degrade the shot no matter what camera you use. I seriously recommend you go for the a-6000 and get a better lens. But if you can't do that the kit lens for the A-6000 is better then Samsung's. Might I add that the A-6000 is overall a better camera.
***** Hi! Sony A6000 is an E Mount lens! The kit lens that comes with this camera is a 16-50mm. So you can get the A6000 body + that lens , or you can buy just the A6000 body, and purchase other E Mount lenses. Now Sony isn't the only company to sell E Mount lenses. Sigma and Minolta are two others that I can think of off the top of my head that are specifically made for Sony E Mount lenses, and are very nice especially Sigma. So with the Alpha series they will be E Mount. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
+LiveForPanda Sony also has FE lens (for full frame cameras). If you can afford it buy FE lenses so its cheaper and faster to upgrade later IF you plan on buying a full frame mirrorless camera ( The trend is full frame for more and more cameras and less price) In operation your camera actual resultant focal length will be 1.5 factor times the lens focal length indicated right on the lens itself.
Sam Ng what I am saying is that I like the 6000 but I bought the nex 6 due to the incredible price difference .. $800 verses 260 for the 6 including the lens this does not make any sense to you??
Mark Davis Is that how much the nex 6 kit goes for or did you just happen to find a really good clearance sale or something like that? It sounds like you did and are trying to mislead people about the price difference... I could be wrong.
Great video!! Thanks for posting..iv had the a6000 for almost two weeks now and im loving it..great easy to use camera with well detailed photoes and exslant video also..
