Is a $200 Sony Camera a WASTE of money? -Sony A5000 Review

Today, I am reviewing the Sony A5000 and finding out if it is a good way to spend $200. I have a lot of small qualms with the Sony ecosystem personally, so I'm explaining those and sharing my opinion on it. Whether or not you agree with me on that I think this camera is still pretty good value for $200. Better than the EOS M at least.

[WolfQuantum]

I have a6000s, A7RII, and some Canon DSLRs in both FF and APS-C. I also have the a5000 I picked up because it was so small. I've really found it to be a heck of a handy little camera. I shoot in raw most of the time. I get some nice images out of and it is handy to tote around. I've been trying to talk myself into an older compact like the Ricoh GR I or II or similar. Then I look at the little a5000 and realize it can be a great little street camera. I also remind myself I live in two stoplight town so not a lot of major street action. LOL. I actually used the Sigma MC-11 EF to Sony adapter to mount my big Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 on the a5000. Okay, more like mounted the camera to the lens. The little camera looks funny on the end of that lens. Kind of like a mouse trying to have sex with an elephant. But, it works! Love that little camera. If you are actually a photographer, you can make solid images with it.

[CommentRodent]

You're capable of adjusting the ISO, shutter speed, an aperture completely through that one dial without going into the menu... I personally think that the Sony a5000 can keep photos clean up to 3200 ISO and 1600 ISO for video. If you have an electronic lens you can change all of it on the fly really quickly without going into the menu and it's really easy to use, the Sony a5000 had been really easy to use for me. Pairing the Sony a5000 with the 7artisans 50mm f0.95, it is a capable and fun setup.

There's actually a way to make a flat profile on the Sony a5000... You can go to standard mode and lower the contrast and sharpness all the way and you'll get a pretty decent flat profile that is also as color accurate as you can get in camera... I don't really recommend using the other picture profiles to make a flat profile and that also includes the portrait color profile because that doesn't really have super accurate colors and it puts a warm somewhat yellowish orange tint over the image and it's not good because it isn't color accurate and makes it harder to color correct. I don't recommend using DRO to get some extra dynamic range because it can add quite a bit of noise to the image and it lifts shadows which means that I actually adds fake exposure to the image causing more noise because DRO is just like lifting the shadows in editing but in camera except it just adds a little bit dynamic range and looks more natural. Using DRO, when you underexpose in a dark area it actually lifts up the entire exposure because if things all of it is shadow which is not a good thing because it adds alot of noise.

[calvinewilliams]

Nice video. I just buy this camera 2 weeks ago and really like it. especially for human interest and street photography because the size.

[kurisuchiinathecrocodile]

i had better camera before this (nex5 something), but when that got broke i only could replace it with this one cause i needed a camera ASAP and nearby shop only had this one... i always see people criticizing heavily it online, for right reasons, but i still decided to keep it anyway and try my best. Thanks for vid.

[briandipierro]

I wonder if it can hold a candle to my little Samsung NX 3000. Such a tiny thing, such a light little camera. 20.3MP too! And the RAW files are extremely flexible.

[simon]

I reluctantly sold my canon g12 and bought this with 2 kit lenses for 200 bucks CAD. It’s a great travel camera with an APC sensor. I love this puppy! I have a 70D for more serious stuff but, they both have the same sensor so……

[liamjewell]

Nice little camera, although I would miss having an evf. I love shooting with vintage lenses on my canon m50, great vid!

[Willisaga]

Hi! I discovered that with am Amazon Capture Card and with a little hack that cleans out the HDMI signal to a PC this camera could be use for streaming. What do you think about this idea? I would go for a a5100 but the price is 2.5 times what a5000 costs

[graphicc]

Hey! If you don't mind, I've a question: how can I see ads if you have under 1k subs?
Great vid BTW, very professional

[joncandyfliprecords]

I actually love jog dials - but I'm an old school dude, so ignore my opinion. 😆
Pana G6 user here.

[MEMORYdotCOM]

You can attribute focus magnification to a button, menu/custom key setting/center button (for example)/focus magnifier".... Or just read the manual ;)

[lazdafilms]

Its good Idea to buy used camera for 150$? I want to use as C camera for wedding ceremony.

[yayoeva]

I found this very cheap online and was wondering if it'd be a nice B-Camera to my a7III that gets bulky just to take out for a quick walk. Found out exactly that with the video. Thanks!

[EXZEDofficial]

What camrea would you recommend for streaming? Something that doesn't cost thousands. Thank you?

[minna]

Hey! Thanks for the vid. I'm looking for a little help here. I've always shot photos in my life but i never really had to deal with settings. I used a small digital camera (canon i guess), then my smartphone. I (and others also) think i have a really good eye for photoshooting, so i decided to take a small step into this world by buying a camera. Now, what i look for is a small camera to just bring with myself on walks, maybe on a workday also (so i really like that this sony a5000 is small and compact), but i also need this flipping screen - it has been always annoying for me if i tried to be a model to my own photos and cant see the result in the same time, only after (my mum wont be able to help me by looking at the screen xD). I'm fine with learning the controls, maybe i'll need that knowledge later as well. I'd like to take photos that look professional.
I know nothing about lenses. Im about to buy the camera with its original/basic lens, idk if its ok for me or i'll have to buy another too. Actually the question is will i be able to use the camera with the basic lens or i'll have to buy another immediately.
I like that it makes decend videos, cus i think i'd use it for that too.
Sorry i may sound confused, it can be seen that i dont know much about photography. ':D
For me it seems like this would be a good choice, but as a laic i cant really decide cus i dont understand anything XD
Sorry if taking your time but can u help me a little? ^^

[kurisuchiinathecrocodile]

what pancake lens you could recommend for it, btw? to make it the ultimate "compact" tiny camera :D

[TopTierTicker]

Hi mate, thanks for the video. I was hoping you could help me (as you seem to know what you're on about). I'm looking for a camera to record a-roll. Looking to spend around $200, I need it to have a flip screen so I can frame up easily, good auto focus and a tripod mount. Any suggestions for me? Best I have so far is this a5000.

[emreaydin]

Planning to buying my first camera. Is the A5000 or the canon powershot g16 better?

[sonnydeleon]

Should I get the Sony A5000 over the Fujifilm a-x3?

[christinekhamo]

Is this a good blog camera for beginners? I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a vlog camera right now. I just want a cheap one.