Resolution: 1080p60 | Weight: 344g / 0.76 lb | Flip Screen: No | Stabilization: No | External Mic Port: No
The Sony a6000 is a tiny and portable mirrorless camera. It’s compact but powerful, offering superb image quality but looking almost like a toy. A very elegant toy, though.
It was released in 2014 but even today in 2020, it is still a pretty good camera thanks to its fast autofocus system and image processor— among other cool stuff, too.
But, of course, not all cameras are made for the same purposes, and when it comes to vlogging, there are a few things you should consider (like video performance, battery life and charging, flip-screen, etc.).
So, it’s time for the big question here: Is the Sony a6000 good for vlogging?
That’s what we’re going to find out!
Table of Contents
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Sony a6000 overview
Small, inexpensive, and simple, the Sony a6000 is mainly designed for entry-level photographers and videographers. Therefore, it doesn’t have any mind-blowing features but it’s a great camera for beginners and for those who want more than a compact camera but have a limited budget.
If you don’t have a lot of money, you can buy this camera with the 16-50mm kit lens, which is versatile, compact, and offers decent image quality for a low price. Plus, it’s equipped with image stabilization!
Generally speaking, the a6000 is a very capable camera that will fit most non-professional users, but it does lack some things that we would love to have. Especially when recording video.
Let’s get into the details.
Design and body construction
The body is compact, slim, and lightweight, which makes it a nice choice for travelers because it’s easy to carry around. It weighs only 0.76 lb (344 g) with the battery included. Not surprisingly, as this is a cheap camera, it’s not weather-sealed but it has a solid construction anyway.
Its physical design is far from the classic DSLR style as it includes an EVF located to one side instead of the center. It also includes a multi-interface shoe, a tiny pop-up flash, and a tilting LCD screen (not touch-sensitive). The grip is deep and all the basic controls are accessible for easy and comfortable handling.
Unfortunately, the rear screen is not fully articulated. You can tilt it upward 90° and downward 45° but you can’t rotate it to face forward. This is sad news for us vloggers because we wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on the frame while recording ourselves.
Besides all of that, the Sony a6000 is available in four different colors: black, silver, white, and graphite.
24.3 megapixels APS-C sensor
This camera might be small but it has a great 24.3 megapixels APS-C sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600. Additionally, it has an advanced image processor for better performance and high-quality results, even in low-light conditions.
Autofocus and image stabilization
According to Sony, this camera has a fast and reliable hybrid autofocus system with 179 focus points that cover almost the entire frame. This is especially useful for tracking moving subjects. And, just like the vast majority of cameras right now, it has Face Detection as well.
The autofocus performance is incredible in both photo and video. However, the Sony a6000 lacks in-body image stabilization, which makes things harder for vloggers.
So, if you want to record steady videos, you’ll have to invest in a stabilized lens and/or additional equipment to avoid shaking.
Video
Truth be told, the Sony a6000 is amazing for stills but not so much for videos.
On the bright side, image quality is stunning and autofocus works great, but it has limited video capabilities compared to most cameras on the market today. Remember this is a 2014 camera!
The a6000 can record Full HD 1080p video at 24, 30, and 60 frames per second, which is awesome for a camera of this class, but it can’t shoot 4K and it doesn’t have a microphone input to record high-quality audio.
I know that most vloggers won’t need 4K resolution, but the lack of microphone input is a shame because you’ll have to use the built-in mic (which is not the best choice for outdoor shooting) or record audio separately.
Sony Time-lapse App
Almost every camera has a time-lapse mode these days. Unfortunately, the a6000 doesn’t have a time-lapse mode included, BUT you can purchase the Sony Time-lapse App for $10 so you can create cool time-lapses easily with this camera.
Besides this function, there’s a lot you can do with the Sony PlayMemories App, but we will talk more about that later.
Battery
As this is a small, entry-level mirrorless camera, battery life is not so good. So, if you’re going to be recording video for a long time, you’ll have to carry a couple of extra batteries to keep the party going.
In-camera charging is allowed but you can’t keep the Sony a6000 on while charging. And, if you want to charge the battery outside of the camera, you’ll have to buy an external charger separately.
Connectivity
Luckily, the Sony a6000 has Wi-Fi and NFC, so you can connect your smartphone and use it as a remote control, as well as transfer images easily using the free Sony PlayMemories App (available for Android and iOS devices).
Additionally, you can buy other apps in the PlayMemories store. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can access the store right from the camera and explore new functions, like the time-lapse mode we mentioned before.
Besides the wireless connectivity options, the camera has micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports. And, for storage, it supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo cards.
Verdict
The Sony a6000 is, undoubtedly, a nice entry-level camera. It has a strong sensor that remains competitive even today more than six years after its launch.
It’s cheap, small, lightweight, fast, and it provides great image quality, but… it’s not made for vloggers.
I’m sure this is an amazing camera for amateur photographers and travelers. Nevertheless, it lacks three basic things that vloggers need to create content: image stabilization, microphone input, and a fully articulated screen.
This could be a good second camera if you want to record extra footage for your videos or if you want to shoot some stills. It is portable and easy to use. However, it’s not the best option to use as your primary camera.
If you are a Sony fan, you can take a look at the more recent Sony a6400. It includes additional functions and it’s a better choice for vloggers.
What’s the Best Lens for the Sony a6000?
To record from home if you can set it up on a tripod and have enough space to get away from the camera: Sigma 30mm F1.4.
This lens has the advantage of being fast, so it will give you a sharper result, even in low-light situations.
But it won’t give you enough wide-angle to record yourself if you’re walking and holding it in “selfie” mode.
For that, you’ll need a wide-angle lens. We recommend the Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS.
Will has been a full-time content creator since 2014. He’s an audio, video, and tech hobbyist dedicated to reviewing products and giving you the best tips he knows to grow your audience.