Thoughts on the Sony A6000 Mirrorless Camera

Roberto Blake

Mirrorless cameras have been both a hot topic and a subject of some debate. During my trip to Washington D.C. over the summer I borrowed the Sony A6000, an entry-level mirrorless camera and I got to shoot with it quite a bit.

I can understand the attraction to this type of camera when compared to a DSLR camera. The weight difference was immediately noticeable and I feel like I got some of the best shots I’ve ever taken in terms of building and landscapes, which is not my typical subject matter for photography.

Jefferson Memorial- Photograph by Roberto Blake (Unedited)

See also: DSLR Camera Prime Lenses Explained

What is this Camera All About?

Mirrorless cameras don’t go through the process of traditional SLR cameras and DSLR cameras of using actual mirror and instead function very similarly to point and shoot cameras and the cameras in smartphones. This gives them the some unique abilities, but it also means there are some trade offs. Typically these cameras can shoot more frames per second continuously, and have great ISO capabilities for low light with reduced noise. In terms of video quality they tend to be sharper than DSLRs but have a shorter battery life and still have the limitation of 20-30 minutes of recording.

The camera I used is capable of shooting 24MP RAW files as well as 1080p HD video. It weighs roughly two-thirds as much as the common entry-level DSLR camera, making it ideal for travel or for a shooter with a smaller build like myself. The camera feels great in the hand, and while the button layout takes a little getting used to if you’re a Nikon or Canon shooter, it is still very simple and comfortable overall.

The auto-focusing on this camera was very fast, and I shot with the 35/mm F/2.8 lens, which produced tremendous shots with great overall color and sharp details. The camera was able to maintain good quality even in low light situations when shooting at higher ISO ranges as well.

The overall battery life on mirrorless cameras is still an issue, so make sure you are packing plenty of spares and being conscious of not overshooting. When you’re not going to shoot, switch the camera off to conserve power. DSLRs may be bulkier, but that build helps them avoid this particular issue.

Washington Monument- Photograph by Roberto Blake (Unedited)

See also: 5 Tips for Beginning With DSLR Video

Who is this Camera For?

This camera is lightweight, compact and not lacking in features. It has WI-FI and NFC for syncing with mobile devices, a built in pop-up flash and a great LCD display. This camera is impressive in terms of quality, but you likely won’t be booking wedding gigs with it, even though it could handle a budget wedding shoot on the weekend and deliver better results than someone shooting on an old Nikon D200 or D90.

This is the biggest struggle for the mirrorless camera market currently. Consumers have gotten used the idea of what a professional camera looks like and value that disproportionately to the fact that it’s about the results the photographer can produce. Designers face a similar issue when the “Mac vs PC” comes up.

See also: Is Mac or PC Better for Graphic Designers?

War Memorial Statue- Photograph by Roberto Blake (Unedited)

This camera is great for a photo enthusiast or those looking for a first camera that is easy to use and produces great images. It is also for professional photographers in need a of lightweight travel companion or a camera for training an apprentice/assistant.

The Sony A6000 is great for outdoors, landscapes, and portraits, as well as shooting high quality HD video. It has solid build quality and it is a great all around camera for enthusiast and professionals alike. The main downside is the overall battery life and the fact that there are still a limited selection of mounts available for the Sony camera system, since they rely on E-mounts.

The cost of this camera is comparable to an entry level DSLR from Nikon or Canon, but it packs more features and might out perform them on certain specs. You can watch the video below for my full hands-on review of this camera.