The Costco Sony A6000 proves that when it comes to cameras, size does not always matter.
This compact camera captures super sharp images comparable to the ones taken by the bigger and bulkier digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
That just goes to show that Costco is not always about buying in bulk, get it?
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After all, I know more than a few folks who splurged thousands on a high-end DSLR only for it to end up gathering dust in a closet somewhere because it eventually proved too cumbersome to lug around all the time, especially when you’re traveling.
More than a small but mighty mirrorless (also called compact system camera or CSC) camera, the Sony A6000 is also affordable.
Even better, the Costco Sony A6000 bundle comes complete with the 16-50 mm and 55-210 mm lenses. So you’ll be ready to shoot close up or far away subjects, depending on your needs or mood.
The Review
A Closer Look
Just how compact is the Sony A6000?
At .76 pounds and with dimensions of 4.72 x 2.64 x 1.77 inches, you won’t think twice about bringing this camera with you wherever you go.
But thanks to its ergonomic design, the A6000 is able to cram in a whole lot of features in its compact size.
And at 24.3 megapixels, this bad boy goes head to head with high-end, high resolution cameras as far as image quality is concerned.
Sony makes its own sensors and as such, this camera’s image quality, even at low ISO situations, is pretty remarkable.
You get detailed images in natural-looking colors with minimal noise. Its ISO range of 100 to 25600 is just as impressive.
What You See Is What You Get
With a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Sony A6000 let you preview how an image will look like before you take it, so there are no surprises. This makes it perfect for learning and experimenting as you can play around with the aperture and shutter speed settings and see how each change affects the final image. Plus, the EVF can display more information like the image histogram. Its EVF is pretty fast and responsive, unlike other CSCs that tend to be laggy.
In addition to the EVF, the Sony A6000 also sports a large LCD screen on the back.
Fast and Furious
The Sony A6000’s autofocus technology is super fast. Just how fast? It takes about .06 seconds for the camera to lock in its focus. That’s because the camera uses the Phase Detection autofocus with an impressive 172 focus points as well as 25 contrast detect points. That means the focus area covers the whole entire frame, making the Sony A6000 ideal for shooting moving subjects.
It also boasts an 11 frames per second burst speed, making it a good bet for capturing lightning fast action. Think of a whale suddenly breaching out of the water or your favorite football player hurtling over an opponent into the end zone.
The Sony A6000’s movie recording abilities are not too shabby either. You can record up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. Even better, you can adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO while recording, giving you full control. Plus, you get pretty steady shots with Sony’s Optical SteadyShot.
Other Features
When switching to manual focus, the Sony A6000 becomes your fast friend. That’s because you don’t need to second-guess yourself with its peaking feature. The zoom feature also lets you get the focus right easier.
The camera’s exposure and metering are also pretty accurate, so you don’t need to rely so much on exposure compensation.
The camera’s built-in flash is perfect as a fill-in for bright backgrounds. Otherwise, you can mount a variety of flash accessories to the camera’s ISO standard hot shoe. Just note that the flash sync speed is limited to 1/160th of a second on this particular model.
Fond of shooting from different angles? The Sony A6000 comes with a tilting LCD screen that tilts up and down.
Less Than Perfect
The Sony A6000’s menu system is not the most intuitive and user friendly. But no worries. While it may be a bit complicated and confusing at the start, using it is a snap once you have the camera settings configured. Let’s just say there’s a bit of a learning curve involved.
Another issue is the camera’s short battery life, mainly due to the electronic viewfinder that’s constantly on while you’re shooting. You get about 360 shots on a full charge. So make sure you have extra batteries on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sony A6000 better for beginners?
While the camera is used by newbies and pros alike, budding photographers will likely find its simpler controls less intimidating. Plus, its portability makes it easy and convenient to use and practice often. Not to mention being less conspicuous when using it in a crowd.
How do you share photos taken with the Sony A6000?
With built-in wireless and near field communication (NFC) connectivity, you can easily transfer your photos to your smartphone or tablet using the Sony PlayMemories app. Shoot and share to your heart’s desire.
What lenses are compatible with the Sony A6000?
A common complaint about mirrorless cameras is the rather limited lens selection. But there are more than 73 Sony e-mount lenses available and it keeps growing, giving you ever more choices. The camera also takes full frame e-mount (FE) lenses, although these make an otherwise lightweight camera bulky. You can also use a lens adapter to use non-Sony lenses.
A Top Pick
If you are looking for a versatile yet powerful camera that won’t break the bank, the Sony A6000 is a great choice for you. Not only does it capture super sharp images, it offers a slew of features that would help take your photography to the next level. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or a seasoned pro looking to expand your gear, the Sony A6000 makes perfect sense.
With how in-depth and fast paced technology is these days, trying to figure out what camera is best for you is no simple task or easy riddles, but riddle me this, we have armed you with all the information above that you need to pull the trigger and make a decision and with this particular camera you honestly can’t go wrong.
