I started my photography journey 6 years ago. As an avid traveler, I wanted to document my travels and show off on Instagram and other social media. Of course, simply taking pictures on a phone was fine for a while. But looking at amazing picture content on Instagram, I knew I had to step up my game.
So I started learning about editing and soon realized that I needed a better camera that can capture raw details. I was new to photography and didn’t know much about taking photos. As a traveler, I knew I wanted something light, small, and easy to carry. I took the plunge. I decided to invest in a professional camera and started looking for a good entry-level camera for beginners in photography.
This was at the beginning of the mirrorless camera revolution. New technology was coming out and DSLR to mirrorless transition was just beginning. I wanted something simple to operate and affordable. I was researching between Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Fuji and was overwhelmed by the choices. As I was mostly used to point and shooting, seeing how the picture looks in mirrorless cameras was an instant seller.
I knew I wanted a mirrorless camera, and only a few brands were offering mirrorless at the time. Sony was a pioneer in this sector and was offering bigger APS-C lenses in a small body. And with the marketing sony had at the time and me being a bit of a PlayStation fanboy, the choice was easy. Sony it was. And their most affordable lens-changing camera at the time was the Sony a6000. And since it came with a 16-50mm kit lens and a 55-210mm zoom lens, I went for the bundle which was about $800 at the time. Sure there were more affordable camera choices, but most were DSLR cameras. Sony a6000 in my opinion offered the best value and most convenience.
And for the next couple of years, I learned everything I know about photography with this amazing camera.
Why choose a mirrorless camera for beginners?
Mirrorless, especially the A6000 at the time, was a breeze to use. The digital viewfinder makes it easier to shoot since you can see the adjustments you make live before the shot, therefore you can focus only on the composition and your story. You can travel easier with the camera, as the lack of a mirror makes the body smaller & lighter. A smaller APS-C size sensor gives enough RAW data, as well as keeps lens sizes smaller. You can make a dash for the perfect picture at any time and blend in as a tourist, without looking out of place in a crowd like a professional photographer. Above all, you remain a traveler first. It was truly the best budget starter camera.

What did I like about the Sony a6000? Pros and Cons.
I love the lightness and the look of the camera. I could pack the body and a couple of lenses without taking much space in my backpack. This was especially helpful on flights when you need to take all your electronics with batteries in your carry-on without going over the weight limit. And it didn’t break my back when I’m hiking or strolling around a city. I bought the silver body because I wanted something different than the normal black. And that made the camera much different. I didn’t want to look like a typical photographer. Of course, the simplicity of seeing your aperture, shutter, & ISO changes made it easy to use on the go. And the price didn’t break the bank. Add to that the built-in flash. Not recommended, but great when there’s no light source available at a darker location.
What I didn’t like on the a6000? Cons
Battery. This was a big one. Due to the electronic viewfinder, the a6000 used up a lot of energy. And because of the small body, the battery size was small as well. So if you are getting the a6000; don’t forget to stock up on batteries. The smaller body also had fewer controls. I could adjust my aperture and shutter speed with the two scroll wheels but had to press extra buttons to adjust ISO. And don’t expect to take quality videos. It will do just fine, but nothing a current cellphone can do. Another con is the back screen. It only tilts up and down and does not flip forward. This makes selfie shots a bit annoying.
Should you still buy a Sony a6000 today?
To be honest, even technically, with a snappy hybrid focusing system, the versatile E-mount, Wi-Fi with NFC, and a manual photography control at this unbeatable price range, you have to say this camera is still worth its weight in gold. It is still popular for beginners and amateurs. I bought the bundle with the a6000 body, kit lens, & the 55-210mm zoom back in 2015 for about $800. Even now the kit costs the same amount. That’s how popular this camera is. But you can find one in the used camera market easily. If you are looking for an affordable camera to get into photography, this still holds great value and is a great camera for beginners.
Are there Other choices and should I buy a newer version?
Of course. The mirrorless market has come a long way in the last few years with every camera manufacture moving to the mirrorless world. For APS-C cameras, the Sony series is still the best in my opinion. The a6000 has seen plenty of successors. A6100, a6300, a6400 a6500, a6600 have all improved on the a6000. Better video capabilities, better battery life, better viewfinder & screen, stabilization. Etc. And not all of them are that much more expensive than the a6000. If you can afford it, go for it. About $200 extra can get you a better version. Mind you, it’s best to spend your money on quality lenses than the body. There’s also a better selection of lenses that have come out since then. And if you are into videography, newer APS-C cameras offer that as well.
Also, competitor brands have come up with newer options as well. Do your research and my advice is once you decide on a brand, stick to that ecosystem.
What lenses should I get for the Sony a6000?
There are plenty of lens choices for the a6000. To start off, any full-frame lenses will work on this APS-C frame. But those lenses tend to be more expensive and defeats the purpose of having a budget-friendly camera. Also, with an adapter, most lenses from Canon & Nikon can work on the a6000. But this will affect autofocus speed.
Since the a6000 came out in 2014, there has been plenty of lenses that have come out for the Sony APS-C lineup. First, don’t be afraid of the kit lens. The 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 is cheap and good enough to get started on photography. For a zoom lens, I recommend 55-210mm 4.5-6.3. This was one of the first lenses I bought and it provides enough range for travel photography.
But my favorite is 18-105mm f4. This is a very versatile lens with an excellent range that takes sharp pictures. This was great for general photography as an all-around lens. The f4 didn’t quite give the bokeh for portrait photography at the short-range. But at the long-range(70-105mm), you can get some nice field of depth for portraits.
If you are looking for a good entry-level camera for photography, the Sony a6000 is still a great budget camera for a newbie photographer.