Right in this article is a detailed Sony a6000 vs Nikon D5600 comparison. You’re most likely here because you’re trying to decide between these two cameras and that’s what this review will help you with.
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
How? We’ve highlighted the features that are peculiar to each camera. In addition to that, we’ve compared one camera against the other using those features that they have in common. This way, you can see how each camera does individually and relatively.
However, because we know that going through the entire article could take some time and you might be in a hurry, we’ve condensed the information in this article into tidbits that form the comparison overview and the comparison table. We still recommend that you read the whole article if you have the time.
One more thing. Check out some other Sony-Nikon comparisons like the Sony a6000 vs Nikon D5500 and the Sony a9 vs Nikon 850.
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Comparison Overview
This is where we give you information in bite sizes for you to make that quick decision.
Overall Rating Of The Sony a6000 vs Nikon D5600
From all we’ve gathered, we believe it is safe to say that both cameras are really good cameras. With the features that they both come with, they are basically for the semi-professional and beginner photographer.
However, individually, they kinda hold their own too. The Sony a6000 has a good enough continuous shot that it could be a good one for capturing quickly moving subjects.
On the other hand, the Nikon D5600 has enough features that makes it the better camera for video recording for your vlogs and such.
Rating Of The Features Of The Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600
As for the features of each camera, we want you to keep in mind that the Sony a6000 is a mirrorless camera while the Nikon D5600 is a DSLR. The reason is that this particular factor influences a number of other factors.
For instance, while both cameras have a viewfinder, the Sony a6000’s viewfinder is electronic while that of the Nikon D5600 is optical. This is basically because of the kind of camera they both are.
Furthermore, the Sony a6000 (0.76 pounds) is significantly lighter than the Nikon D5600 (1.03 pounds). And this has something to do with the presence/absence of a mirror.
Moving on, the Sony a6000 does have a number of things where it one ups the Nikon D5600, chief among them being its continuous shot of 11 frames per second. There is also the fact that its ISO range can be expanded to 51200.
However, the Nikon D5600 looks to us like it has a few more interesting features. There is the microphone port, the battery life that allows for 820 shots per charge and the touch screen.
Furthermore, both cameras have an articulating screen, in-built wireless connection and can be controlled via a smartphone. However, they both do not have an image stabilization feature and are not weather sealed.
Price/Value Ratio – Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600
We consider the price that each camera goes for reasonable. The Nikon D5600 costs a bit more than the Sony a6000. However, it does have a few more interesting features than the Sony a6000, so, that is justifiable. So yes, you get what you pay for (probably even more) either way.
About The Brands
Sony
Sony is a Japanese conglomerates with its fingers in such ventures as electronics, gaming, entertainment and even financial services. Its products have, overtime, been known for the diversity in price ranges and quality too.
Nikon
Nikon is also a Japanese brand. However, its business ventures are more streamlined and are restricted to the optics and imaging sector. Nikon is a brand that has been around for quite a while and, in that time, has come to gather quite a following as a result of its quality products.
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Comparison Table
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 | |
| Weight | 0.76 pounds | 1.03 pounds |
| Dimensions | 4.7 by 2.6 by 1.8 inches | 4.9 by 3.8 by 2.8 inches |
| Battery Life | 360 shots per charge | 820 shots per charge |
| Continuous Shooting | 11.0 frames per second (fps) | 5.0 frames per second (fps) |
| Wireless Connection | In-built | In-built |
| Screen Type | 3 inch tilting screen | 3.2 inch fully articulating screen |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical |
| ISO | 100 to 25600 and can be expanded to 51200 | 100 to 25600 |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 — A Comparison Video
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Which Is Better Under What Circumstance?
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 |
| The Sony a6000 has a continuous shot rate of 11 frames per second. This makes it the better camera for shooting subjects that are prone to incessant movements. | The Nikon D5600 comes with a microphone port and a fully articulated screen. This makes it the better camera for recording personal videos. |
| Also, this camera is the more affordable camera. So, consider getting it if you are on a tight budget. | You might also want to take into consideration that this camera has a longer battery life than the Sony a6000. |
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Common Features
In this section, we’ll see how similar both cameras are to each other. To verify this, we’ll be looking at the features that are exactly the same on both cameras. This section will also include those features that are mostly the same but slightly different.
1. Viewfinder
The viewfinder is that little screen through which you see whatever it is you are about to capture. Now, not all cameras come with a viewfinder. Or more precisely, not all mirrorless cameras (we’ll discuss this later) come with a viewfinder. With those that do not, you’ll have to make do with the LCD screen.
Anyway, both these cameras come with an in-built viewfinder; the Sony a6000 with an electronic viewfinder and the Nikon D5600 with an optical viewfinder. This means, whichever camera you decide to go for, you’ll get good control and framing.
That said, the viewfinder on the Sony a6000 has a 100% coverage while that on the Nikon D5600 has a 95% coverage.
2. Flash
This feature is one of those that will come in handy when you’re in a difficult light situation; low light situation to be precise. Now, both cameras come with an in-built flash that you’ll definitely need if you are shooting shots in low light.
Furthermore, they also come with an external flash port. As the term suggests, that port is for you to attach an external flash to. Now because the camera has an in-built flash, you might wonder why you still need something extra. Well, you won’t be wondering that if you need to do flash photography.
3. Wireless Connectivity
It is no secret that the whole world is basically on the internet now. So, it will come as no surprise (and will probably be expected) that devices (including cameras) make provision for internet connection.
That said, both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D5600 come with an in-built wireless connection. This way, you need not bother about getting something extra. All you need, aside your camera of course, is a Wi-Fi connection.
Still on the issue of wireless connectivity (not internet, though), both cameras are NFC enabled. The Near Field Communication connection allows devices to be wireless connected to other devices that come with this feature. And via this feature, files can be transferred seamlessly.
We’ll quickly point out, though, that the Nikon D5600 comes with the Bluetooth feature which you can use in connecting to other devices that have this feature but are not NFC enabled.
One last thing, both cameras can be controlled via a smartphone. How does this work? You basically have to download the right app, connect said smartphone to the camera via downloaded app and you’re good to go. The smartphone can serve as both your LCD screen and your control panel.
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
4. Articulating Screen
This is something interesting. An articulating screen is a kind of camera screen that can be moved independent of the camera body. Now, there are two kinds of articulating screens; there is the partial articulating/tilting screen and the fully articulating screen.
The partial articulating screen, which the Sony a6000 has can basically only be moved upward and back down again. However, the degrees to which it can be moved vary from camera to camera. On the other hand, the fully articulating screen, which the Nikon D5600 has, can basically be rotated.
Whichever kind of articulating screen it is, the basic idea remains being able to take shots from certain angles without moving the camera body.
That said, a fully articulating screen does have its advantages. Because it can be rotated, you can easily use it to take videos of yourself while seeing exactly what the camera is doing. Coupled with the fact that the Nikon D5600’s screen is a touch screen, you can see how it makes for a convenient selfie camera.
There is one last thing you need to know; the Sony a6000 has a 3 inch screen while the Nikon D5600 has a 3.2 inch screen.
5. ISO Range
The ISO tells us, in numbers, how sensitive a camera is to light; that is, how much light it can capture. Hence, the higher the ISO number, the more light it can capture and vice versa.
Now, the question you need to be asking isn’t ‘which is better?’ but ‘when is which better?’ and that is the question we’ll be answering.
If you are taking shots and there just isn’t enough light, you’ll need to set your camera to a high ISO. The reason is, when a camera is set to a high ISO, it is able to take in as much light as the setting allows, balancing out the lack of light in the environment. However, with this comes the possibility of grains.
On the other hand, the low ISO doesn’t allow the camera take in as much light, making it the right setting for when the light is just too much. This comes with less possibility of grains.
Now knowing all these, we are sure you’ll agree with us that a wide enough ISO range is necessary, because who knows what situation you’ll be faced with?
That said, both cameras have basically the same ISO range; 100 to 25600. However, that of the Sony a6000 can be expanded to 51200.
6. RAW Support
This one is basically concerned with how photos are saved and printed. As against the jpeg format, photos saved in RAW format are saved in their original quality. However, these photos tend to take up a bit more space than photos saved as jpeg.
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
7. Picture Resolution
A lot of things go into taking the right picture and one of them is the max resolution of the camera in question. The higher the max resolution in megapixels, the better detailed the outcome (pictures) will be.
That said, both cameras in this review have a 24 megapixel picture resolution and this is really decent. You can be sure that pictures taken with either camera will come with more details and will be in larger prints.
8. Memory card Support
Digital cameras usually have provision for a memory card that they are compatible with to be slotted into them. These memory cards are where pictures shot with the camera are stored in the camera. Now, basically all digital cameras are compatible with the basic memory cards.
However, not all of them are compatible with the Ultra High Speed memory card. Thankfully, both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D5600 are compatible with this kind of memory card; the UHS-I to be precise.
Why thankfully? The UHS memory card allows for photos to be quickly transferred to it from the buffer. This frees the buffer up quickly, allowing you to take more photos without having to worry about the buffer lagging.
9. Face Detection
This is basically about a camera’s ability to identify human faces and focus on them as you prepare to take a shot. This neat little trick will definitely come in handy when you take portraits.
10. Time-Lapse Recording
This is a mode that allows the camera record videos in a low frequency. This way, when said recorded video is played back, it runs faster than a normal video would. This is a neat to capture the passage of time.
Anyway, you can time-lapse record with both cameras. However, while you can do this automatically with the Nikon D5600, you’ll have to download an app to be able to do this with the Sony a6000.
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – A Sony a6000 Demonstration Video
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Unique Features
In this section, the idea is to see how different these cameras are. Hence, we’ve included those features that you will find on one camera but not the other. We’ve also included those ones that are present in both cameras but are very different.
1. Mirrorless Vs DSLR
This is a major difference between the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D5600 and it accounts for a good number of the difference you have or will see between the cameras. The Sony a6000 is a mirrorless camera while the Nikon D5600 is a DSLR.
That said, what’s the difference? Well, the basic difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera is the absence/presence of a mirror and an optical viewfinder.
With a DSLR, light passes through the lens, bounces off the mirror and then splits; one part going to the optical viewfinder and the other to the Autofocus sensor. That’s the basic shot taking mechanism of a DSLR.
A mirrorless camera, on the other hand, does without the mirror. So, the light that goes through the lens hits the sensor straight up. The sensor then sends a digital image to the electronic viewfinder (which is the mirrorless camera’s optical viewfinder replacement) or the LCD screen.
Furthermore, not all mirrorless cameras come with an electronic viewfinder. Those that don’t usually come with a viewfinder port.
So, you can either get an external viewfinder or make do with the LCD screen. But just so you know, using the LCD screen as a viewfinder could be very frustrating if there is so much light.
That said, the absence/presence of a mirror sometimes influences the weight of a camera. Additionally, DSLR and mirrorless cameras are each known for certain things, as you’ll soon see.
2. Weight
AS we earlier mentioned, the absence/presence of a mirror usually influences the weight of a camera. And this is true for both these cameras.
Mirrorless cameras are kinda known for being the lightweight cameras and the Sony a6000 is not left out. At 0.76 pounds, this camera is pretty easy on the hands and makes for a good travel companion.
On the other hand, Nikon D5600 weighs 1.03 pounds and while it isn’t in the running for heaviest cameras, it is significantly heavier than the Sony a6000. It is solid on the hand and you sure will feel like you are holding something.
Now, in determining the weight of a camera, we do not only consider the weight of the body, the lenses also have to be put into consideration. These lenses have their own weight and that could be enough to tip the scales either way.
That said, we cannot exactly go through the numbers of lenses each camera has just to determine their weight. However, this will help:
Both cameras have an APS-C sensor. As a result, they will require lenses of the same weight and size for similar aperture and focal length. What this means is that, while the lenses could be weighty, they cannot be a factor in determining which camera is heavier.
We generally like our cameras lightweight but we also see the appeal of having a camera with a little bit of weight. Which do you prefer? That’s up to you to decide, of course.
3. Continuous Shooting
This is a mode that allows the camera take a more than one shot in one second with just one press of the shutter button. This mode will really come in handy if you are shooting subjects that tend to move a lot like toddlers and sports people.
This way, you can take as many pictures as possible in a short space of time and then calm down to sort through them.
That said, the Sony a6000 has a continuous shot rate of 11 frames per second and that is kinda impressive for a semi-pro. The Nikon D5600, on the other hand, has a continuous shot rate of 5 frames per second.
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
4. Battery Life
Mirrorless cameras are not known for having a long battery life and the Sony a6000 typifies that generalization. Also, the length of a camera’s battery life is measured by how many shots it can take before it needs to be recharged.
Having known those, with the Sony a6000, you get 360 shots and it is time to switch batteries. However, with the Nikon D5600, you get 820 shots. Now, 820 shots is not the longest a camera can go but you do see the significant difference in the battery life of the two cameras, don’t you?
5. Microphone Port
This feature is obviously not about taking the right pictures but about recording the right video. Cameras usually come with their own in-built mics. However, those mics tend to pick up way more than what you want them to, resulting in a lot of background noise in your video.
To get the best out of your video recording experience, it makes sense to attach an external mic which allows for more concentrated audio recording. That said, you can only attach an external mic if there is a provision for that. And of our two cameras, only the Nikon D5600 comes with that provision.
6. Lenses Available
We already told you that both cameras have a number of lenses available to them, but how many? Well, the Sony a6000 has 102 lenses available to it while the Nikon D5600 has 302. That is 200 more lenses than what the Sony a6000 has available.
Furthermore, neither camera has an image stabilization feature. This means that if not sorted out, pictures taken on either camera could come out looking blurry if said picture was taken when said camera was in motion.
Thankfully, you can check this little issue by getting optical stabilization lenses. The Sony a6000 has 23 of those available while the Nikon D5600 has 88 of them available.
Sony a6000 vs Nikon D5600 — A Nikon D5600 Demonstration Video
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Unique Pros
Pros Of The Sony a6000
- The Sony a6000 can get 11 frames per second in the continuous shooting mode and that is 6 more frames than you will get with the Nikon D5600.
- Also, the Sony a6000 is the lighter of the two cameras.
- Furthermore, the Sony a6000’s viewfinder has a 100% coverage as against the Nikon D5600’s 95% coverage.
- The Sony a6000 also has more focus points than the Nikon D5600; 179 vs 39 focus points.
- While both cameras have the same ISO range, that of the Sony a6000 can be expanded to 51200.
- Finally, the Sony a6000 is the more affordable of the two cameras.
Pros Of The Nikon D5600
- First off, we like that the Nikon D5600 has a decent battery life. 820 shots with one charge is definitely something to work with.
- Also, this camera comes with a microphone port making it the better camera for video recording.
- At 12 meters, the inbuilt flash of the Nikon D5600 has twice the reach of that on the Sony a6000.
- The fact that this camera’s screen is fully articulated and added to the fact that it is a touch screen make this camera the better option for selfies; pictures and/or videos.
- Finally, the Nikon D5600 has more lenses available than the Sony a6000.
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Unique Cons
Cons Of The Sony a6000
- The Sony a6000 doesn’t have a very impressive battery life. However, this isn’t really surprising seeing as it is a mirrorless camera.
- Also, the Sony a6000 doesn’t come with a microphone port so it isn’t exactly the better option for recording videos.
Cons Of The Nikon D5600
- The Nikon D5600 doesn’t have as fast a continuous shot rate as the Sony a6000.
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Common Pros
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 | |
| Viewfinder | The Sony a6000 comes with an electronic viewfinder which is a lucky thing seeing as not all mirrorless cameras come with a viewfinder in the first place. | The Nikon D5600, on the other hand, comes with an optical viewfinder. |
| RAW Support | Also, the Sony a6000 allows for photos to be saved in their original quality which guarantees good quality pictures. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
| Picture Resolution | The Sony a6000 also has a decent picture resolution that guarantees that pictures taken will be detailed. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
| Wireless Connection | The Sony a6000 has an in-built wireless connection that allows it be able to connect to the internet. Also, this camera is NFC enabled which allows it connect wirelessly to another NFC enabled device. Lastly, the Sony a6000 can be controlled via a smartphone. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
| Flash | The Sony a6000 has an in-built flash which will really come in handy if you are taking pictures in low light situations. Additionally, this camera comes with an external flash port where you can attach an external flash for more intense stuff like flash photography. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Common Cons
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 | |
| Image Stabilization | The Sony a6000 does not come with an image stabilization feature. This means that if the camera is shaken while you’re trying to take a shot, the pictures might come out blurry. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
| Weather Sealing | Also, the Sony a6000 is not weather sealed. This means that it is not dust resistant, water resistant or waterproof. So, you’ll have to be careful when and where you use the camera. | Same as the Sony a6000. |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – What People Think About Both
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 |
| People really seem to like the Sony a6000. Apparently, this camera is a good compromise for those who are looking to getting a camera that works for less. Even some professionals consider this camera quality because of its quality products. The continuous shot also comes up often when people are counting the pros of this camera. Some others include the weight and the wireless connection too. | One feature that a lot of people, especially people who do a lot of video recording of themselves, like the fully articulating screen. It can be flipped to face the user, making it easier to record yourself. People also like that the camera takes great pictures in quality print. Then there is the thing about the camera having a decent weight that it significant without being heavy. |
| However, it looks to us like people are only excited about this camera as regards taking pictures. When it comes to recording videos, not much is said about this camera. This is probably due to its lack of a microphone port. | It is generally agreed, though, that this camera is not exactly for advanced photography. This is probably because of its continuous shooting. |
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| Get the Sony a6000 now! | Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D5600 – Our Take
Sony a6000 |
Nikon D5600 |
| We actually really like the Sony a6000. We believe that it has just the right features to make it a good choice for beginners or even a backup camera for the professionals. The picture quality is good and remains that way when it is printed. The continuous shot rate is pretty decent, it has an in-built wireless connection and the LCD screen resolution is also pretty decent. | The Nikon D5600 also has its charms. It comes with a microphone port and its screen is both fully articulated and a touch screen. All these, for us, come together to make the Nikon D5600 a good camera for random video recordings (not exactly the professional stuff, though). This camera also takes good pictures and has an in-built wireless connection |
| Now of course, there are a number of things that might put a little damper on our excitement. However, we still think this camera is worthy of a chance. Get the Sony a6000 now! | There are a few issues with this camera too. But we think they are things you can work with if you are a beginner. Get the Nikon D5600 now! |
