Is The Sony a6000 Still Worth It in 2022? Everything You Need to Know

Sony a6000 camera was primarily launched as a replacement for the NEX cameras, but soon it gained the attention of camera enthusiasts. Despite Sony releasing successors to this camera, people are still hooked up on this particular device. Many people question if the device is still worth it. So, is the Sony a600 still worth buying in 2022? Let’s get started. 

Overview

The Sony A6000 mirrorless camera comes with a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor. It has a Bionz X image processing unit that can handle up to 11 fps of continuous shooting. It is fitted with a 3-inch tilting display allowing you to navigate the camera.

The electronic viewfinder is a 1.44 million dots OLED. This gives you an accurate image in terms of brightness, contrast, and the color gamut far better than LCD viewfinders. The OLED display is almost a thousand times faster than an LCD.

This unit was the fastest autofocusing camera at the time. Hence, it boasts a hybrid autofocus system with 179 phase-detection points as well as 25 contrast AF points. 

Moreover, the autofocus lag is just 0.06 seconds which is hardly perceivable. The iso ranges from 100 to 25600. You can record 1080p HD videos at 60 fps. For connectivity, the Sony a6000 comes with built-in NFC and WiFi support.

Initial thoughts

The A6000 is packed in a retro-style form factor with a somewhat bulky design. It is made from a durable plastic composite with a mix of magnesium alloy to increase the frame’s durability. The camera build feels good to the touch and can tank some damage as well. Overall the build looks very durable.

However, it does not feature a waterproof design or any weather coatings. That’s why, even though it can handle some rough situations, you should be careful operating this in extreme climates. It offers a decent grip.

There is a notch to rest the fingers, as well as a dedicated indent for the thumb in the back. The camera is enclosed with a layer of rubber that feels like textured leather. This avoids any risk of accidental slip especially when you are shooting from a high altitude. Sony A6000 has a very compact size and weighs just below 350 grams. Overall, you will feel very comfortable using this camera.

Release Date

This camera was released in 2014, hence the specifications may fall a little behind by today’s standards. However, the most important factor in a camera is performance and image quality.

A badly-tuned camera with more impressive specifications isn’t going to give you better images. The 24.3-megapixel shooter may look less, but it offers plenty of details for most use cases. 

Ultimate Selling Point

The USP of this camera was the hybrid auto-focus system upgraded from 99 phase points to 179. It covers more than 90 percent of the entire sensor and provides a fast focus translation across the scene. The performance is improved even more by its 25 contrast-detection points.

In terms of usage, it means that the 11-fps burst shoot mode supports real-time tracking making the images exceptionally focused. This makes the camera a good buy in terms of performance and feature sets even today. The decrease in the budget due to it being an old model makes it a great value for money proposition.

Controls and Layout

The controls are all packed on the right-hand side. This allows for a single-handed operation with focus and capture dials on the top and the main set of control buttons in the back. This is a standard layout used by most digital cameras.

The menu and settings are very detailed and meant for seasoned photographers. As much as this helps the experienced users to get accurate images, beginners may find the menu a bit difficult to navigate. To enhance the functionality, the camera buttons are adjustable. You can map different functions to each button manually. 

One good thing is, that you won’t have to adjust the image after the capture. The electronic viewfinder is this time equipped with a large 1.44 million dots OLED which gives you a real-time sample of what the image looks like, with very high accuracy.

Hence, the image you shoot is the image you get. On the other hand, the three inches LCD isn’t the most accurate or brightest when compared to other cameras. However, you can increase its brightness from the settings to make it more usable. With the great viewfinder, you will not feel the LCD restricting you on a bright day.

Lens and Images

The lens quality and the software optimization of this camera are really good. The images are super crisp and clear, which is better than what you usually get in this price range. Every image shot is equipped with a satisfying shutter sound to let you know that the precious moment is successfully captured.

The Crop Sensor that comes with the Sony a6000 captures great, but the dynamic range is a bit lacking. However, this is not something that you will easily notice. You can shoot in a RAW file format as well, for manual tunings.

Without post-processing, you can choose across the color profiles present in the camera. This will give you a high-contrast image with rich and vivid colors. The fastest autofocus is equally valid to this day.

There is a manual focus for pro users. But the AF-A, AF-S, AF-C, and DMF automatic focus modes meet the requirements of a modern-day user easily. So, Is the Sony a6000 still worth it in 2022?

Is The Sony a6000 Still Worth It in 2022?

In 2022, there are many high to mid-range cameras with better on-paper specifications. They also cost significantly more, even going upwards of two thousand dollars, for the camera of the same series. Considering the budget that you will be spending for this unit and the performance you’ll get, it is an easy recommendation. It is worth buying still in 2022. 

Sony A6000 is still worth it in 2022. You should definitely go for it if you are looking for a value-for-money offering. This camera will also be suitable for young enthusiasts, who are looking to enter the world of high-end photography.

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