Which Sony mirrorless camera is best for you?
With the introduction of the a6100 and the a6600, Sony now has seven mirrorless cameras targeted at beginner-to-prosumer photographers. All have 24-megapixel APS-C image sensors, and all will work with Sony’s range of E-mount lenses, but that’s where the similarities end. Here’s a rundown of each of Sony’s mirrorless cameras, and who they’re best for.
Sony’s mirrorless cameras are good for more than just photography: The company released software that lets you use your Sony mirrorless camera as a webcam. For more details, including compatible cameras, here’s how to use your camera as a webcam.
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Which Sony mirrorless camera is best for you? Specs at a glance
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Sony A6000Sony A6100Sony A6300Sony A6400Sony A6500Sony A6600Price (body only)$448$848$748$898$1,198$1,398Sensor size (MP)24.324.224.224.224.224.2AF (phase/ contrast)179/25425/425425/169425/425425/169425/425AF featuresLock-on AF, Eye AFReal-time tracking, Eye AF, Animal Eye AFLock-on AF, Eye AFReal-time tracking, Eye AF, Animal Eye AFLock-on AF, Eye AFReal-time tracking, Eye AF, Animal Eye AFVideo resolution1080p4K4K4K4K4KStabilizationNoneNoneNoneNone5 axis5 axisViewfinder1440K SVGA1440K SVGA2359K XGA2359K XGA2359k XGA2359k XGADisplayTilting LCD180-up/74-degree down touch screenTilting LCD180-up/74-degree down touch screenTilting touch screen180-up/74-degree down touch screenBattery life (CIPA)360420400410350810
(Image credit: Sony)
Mục lục
1. Sony a6100
Advanced autofocus features and 4K video make this the best Sony mirrorless camera for most people.
Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
425/425
AF features:
Real-time tracking, Eye AF, Animal Eye AF
Max video resolution:
4K
Image stabilization:
None
Electronic viewfinder:
1440K SVGA
Display:
180-up/74-degree down touch screen
Battery life:
420 shots
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$748
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at Amazon
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$848
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at BHPhoto
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$849.99
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at Best Buy
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Reasons to buy
+
Superfast, AI-driven autofocus system
+
Sharp HD and 4K video
+
Bright, clear OLED viewfinder
+
External mic jack
Reasons to avoid
–
Sprawling menu system
–
Poorly placed video-record button
The Sony a6100 is the best Sony mirrorless camera for most people. Price-wise, it falls in between the more basic a6000 and the pricier a6400, a6500, and a6600, yet you get a good number of features found in the more expensive models.
For instance, the a6100 has real-time tracking, Eye AF and Animal Eye AF, as well as a touch screen that can tilt both up and down. It can also shoot video in resolutions up to 4K.
The chief limitations of the a6100 are its lower-resolution viewfinder, a body that’s not as resistant to the elements, and no in-body image stabilization. But for the price, it’s the best value.
Read our full Sony a6100 review.
(Image credit: Sony)
2. Sony a6000
The best Sony mirrorless camera for beginners
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
179/25
AF features:
Lock-on AF, Eye AF
Max video resolution:
1080p
Image stabilization:
None
Electronic viewfinder:
1440K SVGA
Display:
Tilting LCD
Battery life:
360 shots
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$574.95
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at Walmart
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$817.63
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at Amazon
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$998
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at Target
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Reasons to buy
+
Fast continuous shooting and autofocus
+
Compact
+
Multiple custom control options
+
Above-average image quality
Reasons to avoid
–
Vast array of camera settings
–
Noise reduction can be excessive
–
Clunky adjustment of focus point selection
Now that the a6100 is out, the Sony A6000 is showing its age — it can only shoot video at a max of 1080p, and its rear tilting LCD is not touch-enabled — but for a starting price less than $500 — including the lens — it makes for the best Sony mirrorless camera for beginners.
That’s because the a6000 takes great images for the price, and though its menu structure — as with all Sony cameras — is Byzantine, it has a good number of in-camera tutorials for novice shooters.
Read our full Sony a6000 review.
(Image credit: Sony)
3. Sony a6600
Headphone jack, image stabilization and a long battery life
Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
425/425
AF features:
Real-time tracking, Eye AF, Animal Eye AF
Max video resolution:
4K
Image stabilization:
5 axis
Electronic viewfinder:
2359K XGA
Display:
180-up/74-degree down touch screen
Battery life:
810 shots
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$1,397.39
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at Walmart
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$1,399.99
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at Best Buy
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$1,798
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at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Empty List
Reasons to avoid
–
Empty List
The Sony a6600 is the successor to the very capable a6500, and not surprisingly has many of the same features that made its predecessor so good: A 24.2MP image sensor, in-body, five-axis image stabilization, which is great not just for low-light handheld photography but also for shooting videos, and a magnesium-alloy body that can withstand dust and moisture.
However, the a6600 has a faster processor, a more robust autofocus system, so it’s better able to track moving subjects, and its battery life is more than double that of the a6500. Additionally, the a6600 has a headphone jack, so you can hear what the camera’s audio is recording.
Read our full Sony Alpha a6600 review.
(Image credit: Sony)
4. Sony a6500
Image stabilization built in
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
425/169
AF features:
Lock-on AF, Eye AF
Max video resolution:
4K
Image stabilization:
5 axis
Electronic viewfinder:
2359K XGA
Display:
Tilting touch screen
Battery life:
350 shots
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$1,499
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at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Excellent image and video quality
+
Tough construction
+
Can shoot 11 fps for more than 30 seconds
+
In-camera image stabilization
Reasons to avoid
–
Awkward on-screen menus
–
Some noise at higher ISO
The a6500 was Sony’s first mirrorless camera in this series with built-in image stabilization, which greatly helps when shooting video as well as photos in low-light conditions. Now that the a6600 is available, Sony is starting to phase out the a6500, making it harder to find, but it’s at a lower price.
It’s still a great camera, with a sharp electronic viewfinder, 4K video, and a tilting touchscreen. It also has a magnesium alloy body, making it better able to withstand the occasional bump. If you want image stabilization for less than $1,000, this is the camera to get—while supplies last.
Read our full Sony a6500 review.
Sony a6400
(Image credit: Sony)
The a6400 was Sony’s first mirrorless camera with a display that could flip 180 degrees vertically, which makes it easier for those taking videos or photos of themselves to compose a shot. However, we found that this feature isn’t all that helpful, as the camera’s body and lens blocks a good portion of the screen.
The A6400 also lacks in-body image stabilization, making it less of a value than the a6500, which can currently be found for less. However, we found that the a6400 produced excellent photos, good 4K video, and overall was a very good performer.
Read our full Sony A6400 review.
Sony a6300
(Image credit: Sony)
6. Sony a6300
An older, less sophisticated model with 4K video
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
425/169
AF features:
Lock-on AF, Eye AF
Max video resolution:
4K
Image stabilization:
None
Electronic viewfinder:
2359K XGA
Display:
Tilting LCD
Battery life:
400 shots
Today’s Best Deals
$854.95
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at Amazon
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$1,199.95
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at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Stellar photo quality
+
Razor-sharp 4K movies
+
Extremely quick autofocus
+
High-res OLED viewfinder
Reasons to avoid
–
Confusing menu system
–
So-so, nontouch-screen LCD
The a6300 has been one of the best Sony mirrorless cameras for a few years, but it’s showing its age, and is being phased out by Sony. It takes excellent photos, can record 4K video, has a high-resolution viewfinder, an external mic jack, and a solid alloy body.
However, this camera is lacking in some newer niceties. For instance, it lacks the same number of contrast-detection points and has a less-capable subject-tracking autofocus than the less expensive a6100. And, while the a6300’s LCD can tilt, it’s not touch sensitive.
Read our full Sony A6300 review.
Sony A5100
(Image credit: Sony)
7. Sony a5100
The original
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Sensor size:
24 MP
Autofocus points (phase/contrast):
179/25
AF features:
Lock-on AF, Eye AF
Max video resolution:
1080p
Image stabilization:
None
Electronic viewfinder:
None
Display:
Tilting LCD
Battery life:
400 shots
Today’s Best Deals
Check Amazon
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Visit Site
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Reasons to buy
+
Pocket-size design
+
Fast, accurate autofocus
+
Smooth video
+
Built-in tutorials for novices
Reasons to avoid
–
Important settings buried in menus
–
Doesn’t take external flash or microphone
Sony’s first foray into mirrorless cameras, the a5100, is now very inexpensive, but it lacks a lot of features many have come to expect, including an electronic viewfinder, touch-screen display and 4K video. Still, at less than $500, it could be a good model for kids who want to learn more about photography.
Read our full Sony A5100 review.
- More: Sony a6000 vs. a6100 — which is best for you?
