Before The Coffee » Photography

Sony A6000

If you are considering investing in a small compact camera with very good image quality and fast snappy auto focus the Sony A6000 is an excellent choice. The menu system was adopted from it’s bigger brother, the A7(R) but a few added features on the A6000, like the pop up flash, improved auto focus and no “hump” may tip the scale in the direction of the A6000 – AND save you a few hundred bucks! For a comparison of the A6000 and the A7R see my other page: A6000 – A7R Comparison.

The A6000 is not a professional camera but in many shooting situations you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between this camera and a top level DSLR.

The Sony A6000 performs well in low light with reasonable noise control. This image: f/13,  3.2sec. ISO200, E 10-18mm F4 OSS.

The Sony A6000 performs well in low light with reasonable noise control. This image: f/13, 3.2sec. ISO200, E 10-18mm F4 OSS.

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Unfortunately the A6000 does not have the useful electronic level for images like this. It possible to get very close by lowering your eye line across the top of the camera and the horizon. A6000 with E 10-18mm F4 OSS. F/13,  1/15sec, ISO200.

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In the range of ISO800 you’ll find images are very high quality. The higher ISO will give you the extra speed to stop action yet very good quality images. A6000 with E 10-18mm F4 OSS. F/13, 1/250sec. ISO800.

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This is they type of image where you want good dynamic range. In PS CS6 I was able to raise the shadows and lower the highlights for an overall well exposed image.

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Ya gotta love those tilt LCD screens! Placing the camera on the ground and composing images like this is possible with the tilt screen. Of course LCD’s don’t perform well in bright light but it’s enough to get the job done.

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The E 10-18mm F4 OSS lens at F/18 1/125sec. ISO400 worked well for this low angle.

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Pop on the FE 55mm F1.8 ZA and you’ll be very pleased with image sharpness and contrast. The 55mm on the APS-C sensor will result in an 82mm focal length.

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Quick Auto Focus and Continuous 11fps shooting give a good selection of images at full resolution RAW.

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You can get an idea on dynamic range of the A6000 sensor. Even with the “cave effect” (inside the shop) you can pick up some details. In post I used Alien Skin Exposure for a film effect. There are many options, lots of control for grain for a film look.

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Slowing down the shutter picks up a nice effect in the surf. The E 10-18mm F4 OSS is a light weight lens for wide shooting. F/11.0 1/4sec. ISO100.

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I have tested the A6000 in many action-shot situations and it does stand up to the hype. I took this image into Alien Skins Exposure and applied the Ektachrome-VS film effect.

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Focus is fast and with 11fps it

Focus is fast and with 11fps it’s easy to track a moving subject.

A6000 with FE 55mm f/1.8 @ f1/8, 1/1250sec, ISO100.

I prefer to use the small focus area with continuous shooting rather than the dancing squares with the zone or wide area. The small focus area gives the photographer the choice as to where focus is needed. A6000 with FE 55mm f/1.8 @ f1/8, 1/1250sec, ISO100.

 

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In CS6 I raised the shadows and pulled the highlights and then processed the image in Alien Skins, Exposure 5. I used GAF 500 film emulation.

In CS6 I raised the shadows and pulled the highlights and then processed the image in Alien Skins, Exposure 5. I used GAF 500 film emulation to add contrast and warmth.

  • Mick Anderson - May 24, 2014 - 10:11 pm

    I am weighing the differences between the A7, A6000 and the new A77ii. I now own the A57 which I absolutely adore, so it will be my backup camera when I purchase the new camera. Your comments and observations are a great resource to me 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Franck - June 3, 2014 - 5:36 am

    hello !
    this camera is really great.
    I’m thinking to replace my NEX 7 for a better AF, maybe this one could be a good option.
    Thank you for your test and for your beautifull pictures.

    Best regardsReplyCancel

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