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Sony A5000 Digital Camera + 16-50mm Lens $424 @ JB HIFI

550

As per title.

Review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX0xfA9Gpz4

Thinking of going with this rather than the RX100 III given this is 1/3 of the price with better image quality.

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  • Better image iq with the kit lens?
    a5100 is coming out soon
    a6000 is best overall for a5000/6000 series yet i'm getting LX100

    • Someone after the a5000 wouldn't consider the a6000. and vice versa. They are different lines.

      • +1

        or the a7 line :)

    • The A5100 is already available. it is a Good (A5000), Better (A5100), Best (A6000) breakdown (ignoring the A3500 and the A7 series). Sony wants us to believe that the A5000 is here to stay, replacing the NEX-3N which will finally sell out soon™. You can't really fairly compare the A5000 with a RX100, the sensor size is too different, even with the 16-50mm the A5000 will be better than the RX100 in low light.

      • +2

        I agree with the "Good, Better, Best" synopsis to a certain degree, but I reckon Sony has muddied the waters somewhat with the α5100.

        The α5100 basically packs the α6000's guts (including sensor) into a smaller, lighter, and cheaper body. So in that respect, the α5100 gives you the image quality of the α6000 at a discount price.
        And whilst they removed a few features on the α5100 to make it cheaper and smaller, including notables such as the viewfinder and the hot-shoe, they also gave it some extras compared to the α6000, most notable of which are the touch-screen (great for focusing & also flips 180°), and higher bit rate, better quality video…

        So rather than a better/best scenario, I would more likely say that, with basically identical still image quality for the α5100/α6000, it comes down to a choice between paying less if you prefer a smaller lighter device with touch-screen and better quality video, and paying more if you prefer a viewfinder and a hot-shoe.

        (I, like many other α6000 owners, remain optimistic that the video "issue" will be rectified with a firmware update on the α6000 at some point in the near future)

  • +2

    Sony RX100 can be had for around the same price or cheaper. Not saying pick that over this, just putting it out there in case anyone is considering the RX line. It's still a damn good camera if you want something that'll fit in your pocket.

    • the rx-100 mk3 is around $800 (i think you are referring to the mk1/2)

      • mk2 has hotshoe too.. I don't get this but why cant anyone make a pop up flash that can bounce off the ceiling… some guy on youtube demonstrated that the nex7's opup was flexible enough to bend it upwards and the results look ok…

        • I have an RX100M3, and while I haven't bothered trying, the popout flash mechanism is effectively Z shaped, and the centre part of the Z can easily be collapsed backwards to point the flash directly upwards.

          No idea how it'd look in practice, but given that the RX100 can be operated in fully manual mode, I assume it could be fairly pleasing.

          Edit to add a forum post I found of some guy doing exactly this: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3251537#forum-post-422…

        • The popup flash on the mk2 can be bent back to bounce off the ceiling you know

        • They've already made it, it's called the RX100

  • +5

    +'d because I've owned this camera and loved it, plus the price is superb. $400 used to get you a good ixus camera but it's crazy how good something so compact and (relatively) cheap has become.

  • +2

    Thanks OP - I decided to get one. I wasn't really looking for a new camera but decided to get one as I've got a trip coming up. Cheers.

  • Bit more expensive than the DCW deal
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/155549#comment

  • Good price! But just missing the super fast hybrid auto focus on a5100 and a6000…

  • Great price for a really good camera.

    I bought it 2 weeks ago from JBHIFI in Perth city, they matched the price at another shop for $419 while their advertised price was $499. There was none in stock in the city, so it had to be brought in from another store.

  • I have been using my sisters NEX-6 and I love it. Which of the sony range is similar or better than this?/

    • +1

      A6000 replaces the nex6

      • Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for any A6000 sales then. At the moment my sister doesn't mind me taking her NEX-6 for weeks at a time so there is no immediate urgency anyway.

        • Best price I can find online for the A6k w/ SELP1650 at present is $842.60 @ Videopro. Haven't been in-store to haggle a price yet though. Saw another thread mention ~$700 around in Sydney…

      • and a6000 replaced NEX7 as well.

        • so NEX series are completed replaced by A series?

        • @alwayseric:

          so NEX series are completed replaced by A series?

          The NEX series are largely considered to have been replaced by the α5000, α5100, and α6000 cameras.

          Calling them "A series" could be confusing because the α5000/5100/6000 are "E" mount like the NEX, not "A" mount, as per some of Sony's other cameras.

        • Would the a6000 be significantly better than a NEX-7?

          I just sold my 5N, and am using a NEX-7. Not sure if theres any point upgrading to the alpha line at the moment?

    • +3

      This is not 4/3 - not even m43 - it's Sony E-mount. It uses same APS-C sensor as your D5300. Mirrorless like Fuji XT1, Sony A6000 are equally good as your D5300 and Sony A7/r/s produces better IQ than your Nikon D5300.

    • +3

      Sigh. Probably shouldn't feed the troll but:
      * The A5000 is mirrorless, but has an APS-C size sensor, same as the Nikon D5300
      * There is nothing wrong with the concept of mirrorless - a rangefinder like a classic Leica is mirrorless. Frankly it's one less thing to go wrong in a camera, and also means less noise and vibration when shooting. It also means less dust being blown around inside by a mirror flapping.
      * The D5300 is indeed a better camera in many aspects, but it is nowhere near as compact as the A5000 that is also better in other aspects
      * The kit lenses for both cameras are good, the Nikon probably better as it doesn't do the collapsing party trick of the Sony, but both benefit from putting better glass on the front

      Personally, I had the older Nikon D5200 with assorted lenses. I sold it all and bought an A7 - also mirrorless, but with a full frame sensor. I also recently got an A5000 that I will be taking with me on a holiday this week. As for thinking ahead, I can use the same batteries with the two cameras, as well as lenses…. and with adapters can use virtually any lens from any manufacturer on the cameras (focus peaking is a wonderful thing) in aperture priority mode - such as my old Zeiss Contax kit and old Nikon lenses that could only be used on the D5300 in M mode (http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5300/compatibility02.h…).

      • only problem is this camera has no knobs… I need my knobs

    • +1

      gr8 b8 m8, i rate it 8 out of 8

      • +1

        lol sony bought Minolta.. the Minolta who invented modern AF SLR system… what other credentials do you need? I smell a troll.

        • …And those "proper dslr system" camera manufacturers are also known to trust Sony to provide them with a rather important part of their package - the imaging sensor ;-)

    • -1

      Nikon is better, because when Sony makes sensors for Nikon, they give all the good sensors to Nikon, and keep the bad ones for themselves :p

  • Would this be much improvement over my. Olympus e-pm2

    • +1

      No, probably similar image quality.

    • +2

      @ paulaus
      The Sony has a bigger sensor (APS-C) than the Olympus (Micro-4/3), making the Sony similar to most of the mainstream DSLRs on the market.
      The Sony has greater colour depth, greater dynamic range, and better low-light ISO performance, with more pixels, but it does have a slower burst rate (The Olympus beats the D5300, mentioned above, for burst as well).
      Both cameras are good (I have actually used both), but I reckon the Sony trumps the Olympus in most respects.

      • +2

        The difference is minor, and does not warrent a change of camera if you already own an e-pm2, If u owned an E-pm1 or E-pl3, then i would recommend you get this camera. Personally, Sony colour and white balance are less reliable than the olympus. I own an EP5 and Sony a7

        • +1

          I agree, I don't think it warrants a change of camera if money is tight, I was merely stating that I think the Sony is "better" in most respects (not entirely surprising considering it's a comparison between 2012 tech vs 2014 tech)

          Indeed, the difference in specs between most modern cameras is relatively minor, compared to the difference a skilled photographer can make to the pictures ;-)

          I also have the Olympus E-PL3 ($162 New, from Dick Smith), and I would have to say that, considering this Sony is about 2.5 times more expensive, it certainly isn't 2.5 times better, and probably not worth the upgrade in that respect :p

        • Thanks for replies i was lucky to get the e-pm2 for less than $200 on sale after $100 cash back from Olympus about 6 months ago .I really only use it on auto for point and shoot shots of my 1 year old ,i get many blurred shots because she keëps moving but i dont think any camera will stop that.

        • +1

          @paulaus:
          You could try shutter priority mode instead of auto, and use a high shutter speed to freeze the action. :)

        • @paulaus:

          also try a prime lens (fixed zoom).. I use one for taking shots of the kids (someone correct me but 50mm on apsc will be about right)

          and yeah a camera that focuses quickly will help with that.. and that's where SLR are a bit better with phase detection focusing which is much faster. but the new a5100 with hybrid focus may be a bit better.

        • set your iso limit to 6400 instead of 3200. Or get a prime lens which is faster.

        • @paulaus:

          Flash ?!?

      • Also the Sony would be superior in capturing video than Olympus.

  • +1

    Good price (although who buys a RX100 for $1200?), but is it better image quality? I've heard so-so things about the Sony kit lens, in particular the compromises needed to make it so small.

    • RX100 series is amazing (I have the mark1 and it is unbelievable), don't forget the lense is f1.8-f2.8 on the Mk3. The obvious reason you buy a RX model instead is size. Sony is killing it at the moment.

  • What is the kit lens like? I've read it's average and you need to upgrade right away if you want to get some decent quality

    • no idea but go buy the SEL5518Z FE lens… best lens ever tested and its a sony E mount :)

  • This or GM1 ? Had a look at their video rec abilities and prefer the GM1, but unsure…

  • I'm interested in getting one for myself and did some googling and found that CameraSky selling it for $374.35 + $34 postage, which comes to a total of $408.35. http://www.camerasky.com.au/sony-alpha-a5000-ilce-5000l-with…
    Is this the same camera? If so, would it be better buying it from them as opposed to getting it from JB?

    Thanks for this post OP - definitely will end up getting this camera, suits my needs.

    • +4

      Camerasky sells imported stuff/ parallel import from Asian market. So you don't get the local warranty from the manufacturer.
      I would say buy it local with piece of mind, pickup option and save you with trouble dealing with online retailer and paying for the postage when sending back.
      Edit:
      Just noticed that the delivery for mirrorless cameras is $68. So no point of getting it from them.

    • +2

      You rather spend $16 less to deal with an online possibly grey retailer ? If it was a $100 less then probably…

  • Thanks guys! This is the reason I love this community!
    Lots to learn!

  • +1

    NB this ends tomorrow. There's a current sale of 15% off all cameras, hence $424. Regular price is $499.

    So tempted to get it… but accessing various modes is a bit of a hassle. Gah!

    Would you say IQ/ease of use is better than a D3100? The portability of the A5000 is really attractive but still tossing up whether it's worth it or not.

  • Color me ignorant, but when these cameras talk of having no evf does that mean you have to shoot blind and the screen doesn't show what you are shooting at? Or does it mean no retro style eyepiece, where you physically stick your face to the camera?

    • +1

      You can see on screen like most of the digital cameras but are missing the eyepiece. eyepiece is also different in mirrorless camera. They are digital screens. But you see actual picture being taken in both.

      • OK thanks. I am pretty tempted by this one.

  • Bought a NX300 thats got same specs as this and regret ever since.
    http://www.samsung.com/levant/consumer/camera-camcorder/came…
    Problems try and take a picture with small lcd screen or even worse on bright sunny day. If your going to get into it and start buying lenses by the time you have a bag of lenses you may as well bought a DSLR or at least something with view finder.

    • Different kettle of fish… Besides, the NX300 has a 3.3" LCD screen. I hardly call that small. It's the biggest screen of all Mirrorless cameras and any DSLR that I know of currently. Sure, it has no OVF/EVF but that's why people buy these, for it's compactness. Not everyone wants to be old school and lug around a DSLR.

    • Surely no screen is too small for Hawkeye? ;)

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