Sony A6000 Review in Iceland! By Jimmy Fok
While everyone is talking about the Sony A7s lately you don’t have to forget that another quite revolutionary camera is now shipping: The Sony A6000 with the worlds fastest af of any system camera yet! At least, that’s what Sony claims are 🙂
So let’s see the latest reviews:
On top you can watch the video of the A6000 tested in freezing Iceland.
Techradar posted the full camera review and writes: “Sony has come within touching distance of creating the perfect compact system camera, but it’s not quite there yet. Fantastic image quality, a small and sleek system, customisable buttons are all great to have, but there are a couple of niggles keeping it from true greatness.”
Gordon Laing added some ISO video tests on his Vimeo site (Click here).
Sony A6000 Image Quality Analysis—our take on how this hot camera stands up to the competition (Imaging Resource).
The video below shows you how much Tony Northrup loves the new A6000 🙂
Sony a6000 Hands-on Review: An $800 mirrorless camera with the world’s fastest AF by Tony Northrup.
Sony A6000 store link list with US and Europe links:
Sony A6000 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore. In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT, WexUK.
Silver A6000 at Amazon US, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sony A6000 with lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore, Sony Canada, WexUK.
Silver A6000 with lens at Amazon US, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sony 70-200mm FE at Amazon, BHphoto, SonyStore. In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT
0 Responses
ILCE-6000 works very well with the Leica M wide angles (unlike the NEXs). Post your good shots from this camera to our Flickr group.. There are also lots of great photos there from many talented people.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/ilce-6000/
I expected a little more:
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A6000/RAW_noise.shtml
Big difference in exposures (over half a stop), output size and wb.
I’ll wait for a real controlled one with Exif and downloadable RAW.
Imaging Resource comes close to those conditions (and the A6000 is cleaner) but even there the OM-D likely received more light due to its overstated ISO’s.
Panasonic gives it’s pre production cameras to Magnum photographers like Ian Berry, Sony gives them to this guy. I wonder if Sony realizes that when you release your pre production cameras to people who know nothing about photography, they will likely take bad pictures. Perhaps, by reason of deduction, people associate the bad pictures with the pre release camera, and also assume it is bad.
If you watch the trailer and its bad, are you going to see the movie?
That is actually a really good point… I have to admit that Sony couldn’t market itself out of a wet paper bag…They need great photographers promoting their cameras..It is hardly rocket science.
Thank you for saying so. Sony needs to realize that a camera can be an artistic tool, rather than sell us soulless gizmos. The NEX 5 and 7 had character, for all their faults, and were a significant milestone cameras. I don’t think A6000 is as well conceived. Looks like a company that has had enough of APS-C, got tired, and wants to move onto something else.
“Sony needs to realize that a camera can be an artistic tool, rather than sell us soulless gizmos.”
They even have the audacity to make presentations classifying the cameras as “gadgets”! There is something seriously wrong with that corporate think.
BTW, Have you seen their new 4K TV? 🙂
Having owned four Nex’s in the past this is the one that I found perfectly concieved (finally !). The only thing I can wish from here is a FF sensor in this camera.
I think NEX line is for casual shooters(that’s why they drop the name, so people don’t view A7 as an entry level camera) , so it is intuitive that it is reviewed by some average guys. For A7 model, maybe they can be picky on who’s going to review it.
Regarding to setting an AF-Point. Since the RX100II I’m quite used to just use Object Lock On in a similar way to “Focus and Recompose”. So you point at the Object and lock on it. Then you just recompose. Then (!) you half press the shutter and you will get perfect focus at this particular composition. With the RX100II it is a very easy one button press Operation. On the A7 it sadly needs a double press (when in AF-S).
Recomposing is a good way to get the subject out of focus.
That’s what the lock on is for… As mentioned
Exactly – It seems Zoran never thought about using that feature in this way or didn’t read my post carefully enough.
And let me add: I actually like this feature more than “Touch AF” because the point automatically follows the object
You focus on a subject, you lock the focus then recompose, right?
Yes, just as I said, it’s a good way to lose focus.
Here, read about it:
http://digital-photography-school.com/the-problem-with-the-focus-recompose-method/
The only one talking about locking the focus and recomposing is you. Please read the OP again. Its locking on an object and then tracking that object as it (or in this case the camera) moves.
So, no it is not.
I’m good, thanks.
The A6000 tries by a gadget AND a camera but falls short on both aspects. The menu system is unintuitive and confusing. Just the dial placement shows that Sony has fundamental issues understanding photographers’ needs.
You are just a little Winer. The menu system is now the same as the other a mount cameras, more intuitive and professional.
It’s not perfect further more, but it’s close!
It’s close? Seriously?
Just because it’s hundred times better than the NEX menu system doesn’t mean that it’s good.
Few examples:
MEMORY RECALL
There is a separate Memory Recall mode you can select using the Mode Dial. To save your current settings to one three available available slots, you need select “Memory” from the menu. Yes, “Memory”. This probably makes sense to some Japanese camera engineers, but not for me. Something more descriptive would have been nice. Why Sony limited the available memory slots to three is beyond me. This is absurd. Why can’t I save more configurations and give them a name as well? Also the shooting mode (A, S, M, P…) is saved with the settings and can’t be changed after the fact without resetting all settings. So if you for example save your favorite settings with the Program shooting mode and want to switch to the Aperture Priority shooting mode, you have to redo all the settings. This can be frustrating to put it mildly.
DISABLED OPTIONS
For example if you have Auto HDR enabled, the Drive Mode is disabled. By selecting the Drive Mode you get a message saying “This operation or setting not available as follows: DRO/Auto HDR – Auto HDR”. The only thing you can do do is to press any button to dismiss the message. Okay, so now you know, you can’t select the Drive Mode when you have Auto HDR enabled. Thanks Sony! How about giving me few options here, like disabling the Auto HDR mode? I mean, how convenient that would be. Come on Sony, you can do better!
CUSTOM BUTTONS
For some reason – there must be a good reason, right? – not all of the options that are available in the Function Menu can’t be assigned to the Custom buttons and wise versa. You can’t for example assign the C1 button to Shoot Mode or the Memory Recall function nor is the AF/MF Control Toggle available on the Function Menu. Why limit the customization possibilities like this?
PROGRAM (P) MODE
In the Program shooting mode you can control aperture and shutter speed with the Control Dial and the Control Wheel. You would think that one of them would adjust the aperture and one of them would adjust the shutter speed according to your settings for the Dial/Wheel Setup and the other one would be set automatically, but no. Both of them are adjusts the shutter speed. Wait, I know what you thinking now – you can’t set both of them in Program mode! Yes, I know that. But the problem is that when I’m used to have the Control Dial to change the aperture, now it changes the shutter speed and the aperture value goes to the opposite direction! In Aperture Priority mode I need to turn the Control Dial clockwise for a smaller aperture value but in the Program mode anticlockwise! You of course realize this quickly, but the time it takes can be enough to miss a shot. Not really thought through if you ask me.
And why on earth does these cameras need a Mode Dial? There’s no reason! And please don’t tell that it’s there for novices because the functionality it serves could be done hundred times better using other solutions. That’s how it has always been is not a reason – it’s an excuse.
And go and read the user manual, check the difference between Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes and come back and tell me why the hell the camera needs to have both of these modes?
You mean the kitchen sink menu system?
http://diglloyd.com/blog/2013/20131205_1-SonyA7R-menus.html
I bet you have Samsung Galaxy smartphone!
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-samsung-galaxy-s5-when-a-committee-builds-a-82236357298.html
Just because it’s hundred times better than the NEX menu system doesn’t mean that it’s good. Few examples to follow.
Memory Recall
There is a separate Memory Recall mode you can select using the Mode Dial. To save your current settings to one three available available slots, you need select “Memory” from the menu. Yes, “Memory”. This probably makes sense to some Japanese camera engineers, but not for me. Something more descriptive would have been nice. Why Sony limited the available memory slots to three is beyond me. This is absurd. Why can’t I save more configurations and give them a name as well? Also the shooting mode (A, S, M, P…) is saved with the settings and can’t be changed after the fact without resetting all settings. So if you for example save your favorite settings with the Program shooting mode and want to switch to the Aperture Priority shooting mode, you have to redo all the settings. This can be frustrating to put it mildly.
Disabled options
For example if you have Auto HDR enabled, the Drive Mode is disabled. By selecting the Drive Mode you get a message saying “This operation or setting not available as follows: DRO/Auto HDR – Auto HDR”. The only thing you can do do is to press any button to dismiss the message. Okay, so now you know, you can’t select the Drive Mode when you have Auto HDR enabled. Thanks Sony! How about giving me few options here, like disabling the Auto HDR mode? I mean, how convenient that would be. Come on Sony, you can do better!
Custom Buttons
For some reason – there must be a good reason, right? – not all of the options that are available in the Function Menu can’t be assigned to the Custom buttons and wise versa. You can’t for example assign the C1 button to Shoot Mode or the Memory Recall function nor is the AF/MF Control Toggle available on the Function Menu. Why limit the customization possibilities like this?
Program (P) mode
In the Program shooting mode you can control aperture and shutter speed with the Control Dial and the Control Wheel. You would think that one of them would adjust the aperture and one of them would adjust the shutter speed according to your settings for the Dial/Wheel Setup and the other one would be set automatically, but no. Both of them adjusts the shutter speed. Wait, I know what you thinking now – you can’t set both of them in Program mode! Yes, I know that. But the problem is that when I’m used to have the Control Dial to change the aperture, now it changes the shutter speed and the aperture value goes to the opposite direction! In Aperture Priority mode I need to turn the Control Dial clockwise for a smaller aperture value but in the Program mode anticlockwise! You of course realize this quickly, but the time it takes can be enough to miss a shot. Not really thought through if you ask me.
And why on earth does these cameras need a Mode Dial? There’s no reason! And please don’t tell that it’s there for novices because the functionality it serves could be done hundred times better using other solutions. That’s how it has always been is not a reason – it’s an excuse.
And go and read the user manual, check the difference between Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes and come back and tell me why the hell the camera needs to have both of these modes?
And why on earth does these cameras need a Mode Dial? There’s no reason! And please don’t tell that it’s there for novices because the functionality it serves could be done hundred times better using other solutions. That’s how it has always been is not a reason – it’s an excuse.
And go and read the user manual, check the difference between Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes and come back and tell me why the **** the camera needs to have both of these modes?
Whoa, several years old NEX7 is kicking butt of A6000 in terms of noise and dynamic range.
No leveling gauge, smaller evf, no dial for iso…
Sony, when is NEX7 successor comming?
We couldn’t care less about FF.
The NEX 7 is noisier.
It’s not, check the links!
Which links, links such as the Techradar nonsense?
The same Techradar that “measured” the A77 to be about a stop and a half to 2 full stops less noisy than a Canon 70D? I’m all for fair game and I love the A77, but I know when results are not to be trusted. And Techradar always manages to produce nonsense results. Noise and DR grapsh that jump up and down more than once? They are on it. One sensor used in 2 different cameras from the same brand that produces results up to 2 stops apart in both? They can show that. More DR in jpeg than RAW? They can deliver. 😀
If you’re referring to the Techradar results, stop and THINK for a moment.
Not only it goes against every other test, they have JPG as having better SNR and DR than “RAW”. At that, even the whiniest crybaby who wants it to be bad so they can keep on whining about “NEX7 successor” should consider that maybe, just maybe there’s something wrong with the test, not the equipment. They OBVIOUSLY fucked up the conversion to TIFF somehow, badly.
The A6000 is tempting… but I’ll wait for one with a silent (electronic) shutter.
This small, fast, discreet, ergonomic camera would make a good street shooter then.
For this kind of money, you’d expect a gadget, but you’ll receive a more than serious camera! I for the world I can’t understand the nitpicking. Find me another camera with these features at this price!
I think A6000 haters are just frustrated N7 successor waiters ;)… A6000 is a very good and serious camera and from Fujifilm bridge use, i really enjoy it… Now the ones complaining about lack of leveling gauge or tri navi ( you can customize Cx button to get the tri navi replacement) behave like childhish brats ;)… Try it before complaining and you will see it s a great alternative to N7.
However i won’t advice you to update from N7 either but i will tell it again to guys like Zoran, it’s has nothing to be ashamed of in comparison to N7, it’s more a younger twin of N7
The only problem I see is the lack of mic port but sound can always be recorded separate and synced up later plus they have that big ugly ass mic attachment that actually works pretty well. It is just bigger than it looks. I will be getting one in a few months when people that don’t know how to use a camera start selling them on ebay. I want the A7s but that may have to wait for next year.
BS. I own the camera and the custom buttons are not a replacement for Tri-Navi. Maybe you should try the camera yourself?
The new a77II may e
Just with extra air in the chassis so it can float when dropped in a lake
Might well be, probably with the mirror and properPDAF in addition. It would be great if they made the mirror movable, so that you can flip it up if you want to maximise light to sensor, or flip it down if you want the better AF performance of the A-mount PDAF.
This will be quite flexible and Sony will be able to develop only one set of electronics for A and E mount, just add the extra AF capabilities for the former bodies.
I have an A6000 on order, but I would not use the word “revolutionary” to describe a camera that at best is “evolutionary”.
Revolutionary would have had to include:
1. No AA filter
2. Touch Screen
3. Bigger, better EVF
4. New F2.8 kit lens
5. Fully articulate screen
6. 1-2 stops better high ISO
7. Silent shutter
However, if you can’t take art gallery worthy images, it is most definitely NOT the camera. This is a camera that is 80% more than what most users will ever need.
Well said, agree with you
” take art gallery worthy images” ? I dont think anyone will buy A6000 for EASY art gallery worthy images ONLY. Moreover even with the best camera most of users will never take art gallery images :p when a good photographer will take some artistic pics even with a sony cyber-shot RX100… Taking art gallery pics is nothing about ur gear but ur gift, isn’t it?
Point 1 is included on A6000 and Point 2 is included on ur smartphone 😉 you can link to camera ;). Point 3 and 5: better EVF and more articulated screen, i wonderwhy an art gallery photographer is so focused on articulate screen ?. Point 6 i will not complain as i did not expect A7x high iso performance in APS-C unless with 12 MPixels sensor like A7s. Point 7 is maybe a con if you want to stealthy take pics of sexy girls 😉 or you are a private investigator 😉 Point 4, u can buy camera body only and purchase your 2.8 lens afterwards
Sony doesn’t really do revolutionary… sad as that is.
A6000 has no microphone jack and doesn’t accept XLR-K1M XLR in spite of that is utilizes Multi-Interface
Shoe.
This is Sony Style revolution…
Probably the most annoying thing with this camera is the fact that you cannot use while you charging it. Imagine a computer or a smartphone that couldn’t be used while charging
anyone know if this camera will support a live view outside of the remote control app?