Sony a6100 review: Should this be your next family camera?
The Sony a6100 is a 24MP APS-C mirrorless camera, aimed squarely at beginners and people who want attractive photos but don't necessarily think of themselves as photographers. A new, powerful autofocus system makes it one of the easiest cameras to use, if you just trust it to do its thing and concentrate instead on what you're shooting.
The a6100's specifications aren't cutting edge, and it's priced accordingly. But that simple, effective autofocus system means it makes it easy to get the photos you want, and hence, arguably, it's better value than those less expensive rivals. On paper it looks a lot like the bargain-basement a6000 but in use this is a vastly better camera.
Our main doubts about the camera come if you want to get more involved in the photographic process.
Key features:
- 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- Advanced AF system with highlight dependable subject tracking
- 1.44M dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- 0.9M dot LCD tilting rear touchscreen
- Wi-Fi for image transfer to smart devices (with NFC for quick connection)
- 4K video capture
- USB charging
The Sony a6100 has a list price of $750, a $50 premium over the launch price of the original a6000, which suggests it may take a similar low-cost position in the lineup, long term. It has a list price of $850 with the small but uninspiring 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 power zoom. A two-lens kit adds a 55-210mm zoom for an additional $250.
What's new and how it compares
Image quality
Autofocus and Video
Conclusion
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The a6100 has probably the most powerful, easy-to-use autofocus systems on the market. But there are a few too many inconveniences, we feel.
Click here to read what we found
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Sample gallery
Gear in this story
Gear in this story
DPReview Silver Award
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May 3, 2021
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Jun 29, 2022
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Sony Japan has posted a notice on its website confirming that November 19, 2021 was the last day it accepted orders for its a7 II series, a6400 series and a6100 (black) camera systems, due to supply chain constraints.
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