Is the Sony A6100 Worth It in 2025? Affordable and Powerful for Beginners
The Sony A6100, despite being released in 2019, continues to impress photographers, especially those just getting started. With its compact design, superb autofocus, and access to the powerful Sony E-mount lens system, this camera remains an ideal choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a smartphone.
Having recently revisited the Sony A6100 to hand it off to my son for his photography class, I was blown away by the image quality and performance it still delivers.
| Specification | Sony a6100 | Sony a6400 | Sony a6600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announcement Date | August 2019 | January 2019 | August 2019 |
| Sensor | 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS |
| Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ X | BIONZ X |
| ISO Range | 100 - 32,000 (Expandable to 51,200) | 100 - 32,000 (Expandable to 102,400) | 100 - 32,000 (Expandable to 102,400) |
| Autofocus Points | 425 Phase Detection + 425 Contrast AF | 425 Phase Detection + 425 Contrast AF | 425 Phase Detection + 425 Contrast AF |
| Real-Time Eye AF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 fps | 11 fps | 11 fps |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 120fps | 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 120fps | 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 120fps |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | No | No | Yes, 5-Axis IBIS |
| Viewfinder | 1.44M-Dot OLED EVF | 2.36M-Dot OLED EVF | 2.36M-Dot OLED EVF |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 420 shots | 410 shots | 810 shots |
| Price (Approx) | $750 (Body Only) | $900 (Body Only) | $1,200 (Body Only) |
Recommendation: If you can afford it, the A6600 offers the best long-term value with features that can last 5-7 years. However, the A6100 is still a fantastic, affordable option.
Why You Don’t Need the Sony A6700
While the Sony A6700 is the latest APS-C camera in this lineup, I don’t recommend it for beginners. It’s more camera than most newcomers need and far pricier.
Instead, I believe camera technology peaked in 2019. The improvements since then—like AI-powered autofocus or 8K video—are marketing-driven and rarely practical for beginner photographers.
The A6100, A6400, and A6600 still offer everything you need to take amazing photos and video.
Should You Buy the Sony A6100?
If you’re a beginner photographer or looking for an affordable entry-level camera, the Sony A6100 is a fantastic choice. Its autofocus performance, compact size, and lens versatility make it a camera that can grow with you.
For those willing to spend more, the A6600 adds key features like in-body image stabilization and better battery life, making it a great long-term investment.