Sony’s a6100 is a super-fun mirrorless camera that’s perfect for beginners and aspiring photographers. It’s like a level-up from your phone camera, with a bigger APS-C sensor for awesome image quality, super fast autofocus that keeps up with your action shots, and a tilting touchscreen to make framing selfies and vlogs a breeze. Plus, it’s compact and comfy to carry, so you can take it anywhere!
Key Features
Model No: ILCE6100/B
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
- SVGA Tru-Finder 1.44m-Dot OLED EVF
- UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p Video
- 4D FOCUS with 425 Phase-Detect Points
- 3.0″ 921.6k-Dot 180 Tilting Touchscreen
- Up to 11-fps Shooting, ISO 100-32000
- Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Real-Time Eye AF and Subject Tracking
- Unlimited Video Recording Limit
- REVIEW
- SPECS
Sony Alpha a6100: A Well-Rounded Mirrorless Camera for Aspiring Videographers and Photographers
The Sony Alpha a6100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera that builds upon the foundation of the popular Sony Alpha a6000. It offers a compelling feature set for aspiring photographers and videographers seeking a balance between good image quality, improved performance, and user-friendly operation.
Image Quality and Processing
The a6100 features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers sharp and detailed images, especially in well-lit conditions. The sensor size is smaller than full-frame cameras but offers a good compromise between image quality and portability. The camera’s BIONZ X image processor ensures improved image processing speeds compared to the a6000, making it more responsive for everyday shooting.
Fast Hybrid Autofocus and Continuous Shooting
The a6100 boasts a fast and accurate hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detection points, covering a wider area of the frame compared to the a6000. This system offers quicker and more reliable focusing, particularly beneficial for capturing moving subjects or fast-paced action. The camera also offers continuous shooting speeds of up to 11 frames per second for capturing bursts of action.
Compact and Lightweight Design
Similar to the a6000, the a6100 maintains a compact and lightweight design, making it ideal for travel, everyday carry, or situations where you don’t want bulky gear.
Tilting Touchscreen LCD and Built-in Flash
The a6100 features a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD screen that allows for comfortable framing from various angles and intuitive touch controls for navigating menus and selecting focus points. The camera also includes a built-in flash for adding extra lighting when needed.
Enhanced Video Capabilities
One of the key improvements over the a6000 is the a6100’s video capabilities. It offers 4K UHD video recording at up to 30 frames per second, making it a more attractive option for videographers who want to create high-resolution videos for social media or personal projects.
Is the Sony a6100 Right for You?
The Sony Alpha a6100 is a solid choice for beginner photographers and videographers who want a versatile camera that excels in both stills and video. The improved autofocus system, faster image processing, and 4K video capabilities make it a step up from the a6000. However, photographers seeking the absolute best image quality or professional-grade features might want to consider higher-end Sony mirrorless cameras.
Summary
Since its release, the a6100’s price has become more competitive. This, along with the improved features compared to the a6000, makes it an excellent value proposition for budget-conscious photographers and videographers. It’s important to note that newer Sony models exist, but the a6100 remains a capable and well-rounded option for its target audience.
Specifications
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Sensor Type | 23.5 x 15.6 mm (APS-C) CMOS |
| Sensor Resolution | Actual: 25 Megapixel Effective: 24.2 Megapixel (6000 x 4000) |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Image File Format | JPEG, Raw |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit |
| Image Stabilization | NaN |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 32000 (Extended: 100 to 51200) |
| Shutter Speed | Mechanical Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode 1/4000 to 1/4 Second in Movie Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Multi-Zone, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -2 to 20 EV |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 33 Frames (Raw) / 77 Frames (JPEG) Up to 8 fps at 24.2 MP Up to 6 fps at 24.2 MP Up to 3 fps at 24.2 MP |
| Self-Timer | 2/5/10-Second Delay |
| Recording Modes | XAVC S UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [50 Mb/s] AVCHD Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/50i/59.94i/59.94p [17 to 28 Mb/s] |
| External Recording Modes | 4:2:2 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24.00p/50i/50p/59.94i/59.94p |
| Recording Limit | Unlimited |
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
| Audio File Format | AAC LC, AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo) |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 425 Contrast Detection: 425 |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | -2 to +20 EV |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 32000 (Extended: 100 to 51200) |
| Shutter Speed | Mechanical Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode 1/4000 to 1/4 Second in Movie Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Multi-Zone, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -2 to 20 EV |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 33 Frames (Raw) / 77 Frames (JPEG) Up to 8 fps at 24.2 MP Up to 6 fps at 24.2 MP Up to 3 fps at 24.2 MP |
| Self-Timer | 2/5/10-Second Delay |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) |
| Viewfinder Size | 0.39″ |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 1,440,000 Dot |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 23 mm |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 1 |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.7x |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +3 |
| Size | 3.0″ |
| Resolution | 921,600 Dot |
| Display Type | 180 Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
| Built-In Flash | Yes |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Fill Flash, Hi-Speed Sync, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Wireless |
| Maximum Sync Speed | 1/160 Second |
| Flash Compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Dedicated Flash System | TTL |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe, Wireless |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo Hybrid (UHS-I) |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Microphone, HDMI D (Micro), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi Bluetooth |
| GPS | NaN |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 104F / 0 to 40C |
| Battery | 1 x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 1080 mAh (Approx. 420 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.72 x 2.63 x 2.34″ / 120 x 66.9 x 59.4 mm |
| Weight | 0.87 lb / 396 g (Body with Battery and Memory) |
| Package Weight | 1.43 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 6.2 x 5.65 x 4.55″ |