Olesch wrote:
Hello Jon,
Thanks alot for your reply.
You're welcome.
Yes, I know that it all could be due to me as a novice when it comes to photography. However, novice, pro or moderate, I am still a "user" which want to take photos. Some people go really into it, some does not. I have made my prioritizations and I have chosen to be noviceand I seek advice as such ...
Sorry, but then you'll continue to get "novice" results. ALL cameras metering, exposure, AF, etc. systems have limitations, as such one NEEDS to understand these limitations and use a camera within its limitations.
As a simple example of novice use of camera.
I loaned my FZ200 to one of my daughters to take some pics at a cheerleader competition. She's a novice P&S photog, so I set the FZ200 to shutter priority and relied upon FZ200's metering and JPG+RAW, to have the RAW images to insure getting some decent images.
Image below the JPG image; typical "P&S" quality shot.

Below is the PP (post processed) RAW image.

The only way for anyone to truly help you is NEED to post some images with the EXIF data intact, with comments as to what your unhappy with. Your verbal comments/ descriptions (e.g., "low light") are far too vague to evaluate image quality issues to provide any advice.
Also need to note which camera mode and auto-focus mode are you using.
...In the case of the A5000, I dont have any problem to take good low light photos. The problem is the autofocus The camera is struggling and I know that the "kit lens" is not one of the best in low light condittions with its f/3.5-5.6 but what are the options?
Be best posting this question in the Sony forum so someone who has experience with the A5000 who would know if the A5000's AF has problems, and what's the best (if any) AF mode to use in low lighting conditions.
As to lens options, I do quit a bit of low light/ high ISO lighting conditions (i.e., 1600-3200+ @ f/4) which I use EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and a EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L lenses.
Generally entry level DSLR and ILC cameras AF performance not the best choice for low light conditions, and if a camera's AF is slow in lower lighting a lens slow max apertures will compound the problem.
Get a prime lens? Then I will end up in carrying a couple of lenses in which I don't want to. I could also buy another allrounder lens but then it will add bulk and a hefty price tag.
Depends on the image quality you want. With slow max apertures you're going to have to use higher ISO resulting in lower image quality as the ISO increases; e.g.:
Panasonic ZS50 PP RAW 1600 ISO
60D PP RAW 3200 ISO
Or maybe I am doing something badly wrong....
Without posting images its impossible to for anyone determine the causes of your unsatisfactory image quality; camera, user, or both; and offer any helpful advice.
Cheers,
John