Sony a6000 vs Sony NEX-7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a6000
57
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-7
55
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a6000 and the Sony NEX-7 are both mirrorless cameras built around the Sony E mount, so any E-mount lens you own fits either body. Both use an APS-C CMOS sensor with 24.3 megapixels, giving ample resolution for large prints or heavy cropping. The a6000 arrived in 2014, three years after the 2011 NEX-7, uses the newer Bionz X processor, and is the lighter body at 344 g against 400 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2014 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 67 x 45 mm | 120 x 67 x 43 mm |
| Camera weight | 344 g | 400 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a6000 is the stronger choice for tracking moving subjects, with 179 autofocus points against 25 on the NEX-7. That spread gives you far more focus positions across the frame when a child, pet, or athlete moves through it. Its 11 fps burst rate adds one frame per second over the NEX-7's 10 fps, helping you catch the peak of a fast sequence. For freezing motion the two match, with a 1/4000 second maximum shutter on each. Neither has in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work at slow shutter speeds relies on a stabilised lens or your technique. The viewfinders differ sharply: the NEX-7 resolves 2,359,000 dots against 1,440,000 on the a6000, 63.8 percent more, showing finer detail when you compose or check focus manually. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony E | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz X | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1790300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual clips the two are evenly matched on video limits, each recording with a Full HD maximum resolution and a 60 fps maximum frame rate. The 60 fps limit also allows slightly slowed playback of fast movement. Neither has a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external control on either body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWi-Fi for cable-free transfer to a phone is common to both, and neither offers Bluetooth, GPS, a touchscreen, or weather sealing. Location tagging therefore needs an external GPS device on either body, and neither is sealed against rain or dust. Both rear screens are 3-inch tilting LCDs, so waist-level and overhead shooting work on either body. The resolution differs by only 600 dots, 921,600 on the a6000 against 921,000 on the NEX-7. Both also have a built-in flash and support for external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard storage matches, with each body taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo through a single slot. For endurance the NEX-7 leads, rated at 430 shots against 360 on the a6000. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so spares and a charger serve either body, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 430 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The a6000 is the better choice for most photographers, above all anyone shooting movement. Its 179 autofocus points against 25 make it far better suited to sports, wildlife, and children who will not hold still, and its 11 fps burst helps catch the peak moment. Its maximum ISO setting also reaches 25600 against 16000 on the NEX-7, leaving higher settings available in dim venues.
Choose the NEX-7 if composition and endurance come first. Its 2,359,000-dot viewfinder shows more detail than the a6000's 1,440,000 dots when you check focus manually, and its 430-shot rating against 360 suits a full day of landscape or travel shooting. For everything that moves, the a6000 is the stronger choice.