A5100 vs A6000 vs A6300: A Practical Comparison

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[einzeller]

wtf man xD at 0:23 i thought my monitor or graphicscard is dying xD

[dvstec]

I bought a a6300 (twin lens kit) this week thanks to all your videos and lens reviews, It's my first camera and I'm loving it already! THANKS!!!

[GallaghersGrub]

I purchased the a5100 for my YouTube channel. The flip up selfie-screen makes it the best of the bunch for me. For lenses, I own the kit, the 55-210, the 50, the 20mm pancake, and the FE 28 full-frame. They're all good for different reasons. I do miss the electronic view finder at times and the hot shoe since there's nowhere for an external mic. For anyone starting a YouTube Channel, I would recommend the 5100.

[djremotion]

A5100: you press the selector dial from middle and it goes straight to changing shooting mode. No need to go to menus.

[Whittmike]

The best deal for photography in my opinion, is the a6000. The a6300 bonuses are more for people who want better video! I'm not a video guy, so I can't see any reason to spend more money on a body!

[gabithemagyar]

I really like the way you do these videos in that you focus on what is likely to be valuable to an ordinary (non-professional, enthusiast, casual) photographer as opposed to the money-is-no-object professional and/or fanatical gear lover types. I started mirrorless with an NEX-5 which I thought was great for the money at the time and had a form factor that was great for travel and casual use. Next I got the a6000, largely because it had a viewfinder, a standard hot shoe, and some buttons and wheels which made it easier to access the settings I changed most of the time. Lastly, I got the a6300 mostly because I liked the improved viewfinder (clearer, built in level etc), the extra buttons, the sturdier weather-resistant build and mount (good for travel), and the 120 fps video (for slow motion videoing of dance moves). To be honest, in most travel situations all three cameras produce similar good quality photos given the same lens and reasonable light. Nevertheless each upgrade to me was worth it based on what matters to me in a camera and makes me want to use it. Things which seem important to some others (4K video, mic input, IBIS, touch screen, overheating with long videos etc) don't really affect me - hence my choice of a6300 over the a6500. To each his/her own :-) Anyway - keep up the good work !!

[MeAMuse]

A wee tip for the 5100. You don't need to go into the menu to change the mode. Just click the button in the center of the scroller/touchpad - it takes you right there. I have A7, A6500 and A5100. The 5100 is great for portability. It's effectively my point and shoot that I can take in a pocket (and a spare lens in the other pocket). I picked it up used for about $300 (1.5 years ago body only). You just can't beat it for value. I can recommend it to anyone who already has a Sony system. It really is that useful.

[ConnorGMedia]

I've got the a5100 and have created all of my content on my channel with it. Super great camera for the money!! I've used it for lots of vlogs and edits!!

[ShivanthaRodrigo]

if you're not in a hurry to buy an a6000 and can wait till the holidays you can pick one up (body only) brand new for about $350 from amazon. that's how i bought mine. saved like $200!

[DriveByReviews]

It's amazing how fast technology in digital camera's is progressing. I just wish they'd stop pushing us to their expensive line ups to get the really sweet specs. I'll give sony a pass as they're pushing the industry with their innovation.

[terriplays]

The a6300 has one big advantage over the a6000 you did not mention: While at low ISO the noise of both sensors are comparible, the a6300 has a severe advantage at higher ISOs. At ISO 400 and above the a6300 even beats its fullframe brother a7 and a7II!

[turbotron]

4:57 the A5100 does have a shortcut to switch the shooting Mode, its an extra button press but the same options will appear on screen and the dial can be used to toggle between modes just as the manual mode dial

[FatxCatz]

hmmm, for some reason the a5100 photo looked more richer in color than the a6000 & a6300 when you compared the photos at 9:59

[Shambolicoholic]

A faster way to change shooting modes on the a5100: hit the center button in the wheel. It goes directly to to mode selection menu! :)

[j.r.regenold]

a5100 is great on gimbal. You can go to a selfie without changing the balance. When you flip up the screen it stays in the same plane as when it's in the normal position.
I bought my a5100 to live on my gimbal.

[manh-haimuller]

YES! Thx for the practical comparison!

Especially helpful for beginners! this helps big time on which item to purchase.
love it.

[Bunce]

I bought the a6000 last year for £400 here in the UK. The a6300 was over twice the price at that time. I agree with all your comments including the poor battery life, so always keep a couple of spares in my pocket. Results are brilliant even with the 16-50 kit lens, and the huge ISO range is great for indoor hand held shots where flash & tripods are not permitted. The viewfinder is very good for shots in bright light, and the compact dimensions make it a great travel camera. My Canon SLR is seeing less use as it's sheer bulk & weight makes it a chore to carry at times. My only regret is the price of E fit lenses which are so expensive compared with lenses for my Canon. Overall a great camera which is why Sony are still selling it.

[northernimagesphotography]

A5100 for me. Sold on the size, just to have on me all the time when I’ve not got 3 full frame Nikon body’s and multiple lenses strapped on my back. Nice to have in the pocket whilst doing wildlife for a few wide angle landscapes whilst walking around. I also hope to start a little vlogging. Only had it 3 days but loving it. Bargain on eBay for only £70 with 16-50 lens. Can’t wait to get out at the weekend and try it in anger.

[mia]

Patiently waiting for Sony to make an A6000 with a flip screen...

[BeerBellyDK]

Just FYI, you don't need to do a menu dive to switch shooting mode on the a5100, just push the center button on the wheel.
You do however need to do a menu dive to switch basic settings, as there's no function menu, at least not that i have found. :)

I ended up picking up a Kamerar QV-1M viewfinder for my a5100 (a5100 is my b cam, and pretty much my go to when it comes to macro photography), and that made the camera a 1000 times more useful when i have it out and about. :) Just don't get a viewfinder that attach via magnets to a metal frame around the screen, as many of the really cheap viewfinders do. Putting a magnet near the top of the screen, triggers it to flip the image, making these kinds of viewfinders pretty much useless.

I've been really happy with my a6000 which i've had pretty much since they were released. I find it astonishing that the very same model is still on the market so many years later. I've grown so much as a photographer with that camera, it's really quite amazing what it has allowed me to do so far, though there's still a ways to go before i'd be completely satisfied. :)
I've thought of upgrading to one of the bigger bodies a few times, but i always ended up just getting some glass instead. Imo, that is what will give anyone who shoots with an a6000, the biggest, most notable improvements, providing ofc. that they understand how their camera works to begin with.. :)

Great comparison, i agree with your conclusion, you really can't go wrong with any of these cameras.