Sony has one of the best mirrorless camera lineups out there, and with the constant release of their new mirrorless cameras, the Alpha series that combines professional functionality in a smaller compact body, each year, there are more options for you to choose from than ever before.
That said, with more options comes the overwhelming feeling of choosing the right Sony mirrorless camera that fits the type of traveler you are. That is why I have decided to write this guide. I've been shooting with Sony mirrorless cameras for more than a decade and I am here to help you choose the perfect Sony mirrorless camera for your needs.
Without further ado, here are the 9 best Sony cameras you should buy right now. Before we dive deep, let's take a look at a quick summary of all the cameras we will cover.
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๐ธ Quick Summary: The best Sony mirrorless cameras to buy
- The Cheapest Sony Camera to Buy
- The Best Value Sony Camera to Buy
- The Best Sony Vlogging Camera to Buy
- The Best Sony Camera for Enthusiasts to Buy
- The Most Compact Sony Camera for Enthusiasts to Buy
- The Best Sony Camera For Professional Photographer to Buy
- The Most Compact Sony Camera for Photographers to Buy
- The Best Sony Camera For Professional Filmmaker to Buy
- The Best Sony Camera Money Can Buy
- ๐ Why Choose Mirrorless Over DSLR?
- ๐ฅ Why Choose Sony?
- ๐ Differences Between Full-Frame and APS-C Cropped Sensor Cameras
- Understanding Sony Mirrorless Camera Lineup
- So Which Sony Mirrorless Camera is Perfect for Me?
- Further Reading for Resources
๐ธ Quick Summary: The best Sony mirrorless cameras to buy
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Cheapest
Sony a6100
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Features
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๐ฐ Great Value
Best Budget
Sony a6600
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Features
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Best for Vlogging
Sony ZV-E1
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Features
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Best Camera For Enthusiasts
Sony a7IV
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Features
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Editor's Choice
Most Compact
Sony a7C II
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Features
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Editor's Choice
Best for Photos
Sony a7R V
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Features
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Check PriceRead Our Review |
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Most Compact for Photos
Sony a7CR
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Features
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Best for Videos
Sony a7S III
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Features
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Best Money Can Buy
Sony a1 II
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Features
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Check PriceLearn More |
The Cheapest Sony Camera to Buy
- Extremely Cheap
- Great autofocus system
- Can shoot 4K
- Lack of built-in image stabilization
- Low resolution electronic viewfinder
- Bad rolling shutter
- Not the best in low light
The Sony a6100, released in 2019, is now the most affordable Sony mirrorless camera you can buy, especially with the Sony a6000 being retired and the recent discount that matches the price of the Sony a6100 and its predecessor of 3 years, the Sony a6000.
At first, I recommend the Sony a6000. However, ever since the discount I have been seeing on the Sony a6100, the Sony a6000 is no longer a good option. The newer a6100 has a much better processor, faster autofocus, a swivel screen for selfies, and costs less than a hundred dollars more, making it a better option right now.
If you can live without built-in image stabilization and LOG color profile, the Sony a6100 is the best you can get for $598. If not, then our next recommendation might be a better fit for you if you don't mind spending more than $598.
The Best Value Sony Camera to Buy
- Great for both photography and videography.
- Good autofocus system.
- Good low-light performance.
- Interchangeable lens, allows for more flexibility.
- No built-in vlogging features.
- Not as user-friendly.
- Low-light performance can be improved.
If you are looking for something more advanced and flexible that has an interchangeable lens system and yet is still lightweight and compact enough to carry around with you at all times, the Sony a6600 Camera is an excellent option for you.
I used to recommend the Sony a6400, but ever since Sony released the new flagship camera, the Sony a6700, the a6600 has seen a significant price drop to almost the same price point as the Sony a6400 once was at around 999 USD, which make it a steal.
The Sony a6600 has the same set of features the Sony a6400 has and some more. Features like image stabilization, a flip-up screen, and bigger batteries will significantly improve your experience with the camera opening you up to more opportunities in both lens selections and the ability to shoot in varying conditions, so if you are looking to buy a new camera, I highly recommend you check out the Sony a6600.
The Best Sony Vlogging Camera to Buy
- Small and Lightweight
- Great vlogging features.
- Affordable
- Easy to use.
- Not flexible.
- No advanced features.
- Not great in low light.
If you are looking for the very best vlogging camera you can get right now for Sony, the Sony ZV-E1 camera is the camera built for you. It comes with an awesome full-frame sensor, so you know it excels in low-light performance. Equipped with all the incredible vlogging-specific features such as product showcase, AI auto-framing, and one of the best AI-powered autofocus systems out there.
With its full-frame sensor and interchangeable lens system, you can be flexible with the way you shoot your vlog and adapt to whatever situation you find yourself in while remaining relatively lightweight and compact.
Combining this camera with the Sony PZ 16-35 F4 lens and a Sony Wireless Bluetooth Shooting Grip, you will have yourself an unstoppable vlogging machine.
Not to mention all the features that come with newer Sony cameras, such as a flip-out screen, an excellent built-in microphone, and, best of all, the ability to shoot videos at 4K 120p 10-Bit 4:2:2, which produces some of the highest quality videos you can get from such a small camera.
If you are looking for a great vlogging camera that is adaptable to different use cases, all in a compact form factor, you won't be disappointed with the Sony ZV-E1 camera. Click the link below to check its recent price.
The Best Sony Camera for Enthusiasts to Buy
- Shoot 33-megapixel photos and 4K videos up to 60p.
- Great autofocus system.
- Great battery life.
- Great in low light.
- 4K 60p is available in APS-C mode only.
- Bad rolling shutter.
If you are a hybrid shooter who loves shooting photos and videos equally, and you are looking for the best camera that can do both really well while also allowing you to use it for work, may it be freelance photography, weddings, etc., the Sony a7IV is the perfect camera for you. It is packed with features that will come in handy during your travel as well as work like an excellent autofocus system, can shoot 33 MP photos, 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 videos with 7K oversampling, and 4K 120 fps (in crop mode), and more.
Even though Sony already came out with the newer and more compact Sony a7C II, if you value features like dual SD card slots, handling, and high-quality EVF which are important features if you also want to use the camera professionally, you are still better off with the Sony a7IV camera. Hit the link below to see if any discounts are running at the moment.
The Most Compact Sony Camera for Enthusiasts to Buy
- Shoot 33 megapixels photos and 4K videos up to 60p
- AI-powered autofocus system
- Extremely small and compact
- Great in low light
- 4K 60p in APS-C mode only
- Rolling shutter
- Not the best EVF
If you are looking for a compact camera that is as advanced as the Sony a7 IV, even more so in some areas, but in a more compact size like the Sony a6600, Sony has just released a new camera that bridges the gap, the Sony a7C II.
With the Sony a6600, even though it is compact and small, you are sacrificing quality due to its smaller APS-C sensor when compared to the a7 full-frame series. However, with the Sony a7C II, you get the extremely high-quality a7IV's sensor with its excellent dynamic range, 33 megapixels sensor, and the ability to shoot 4K 4:2:2 10-bit movie recording, but in a compact APS-C camera body, which strike the perfect balance between form-factor and capabilities.
Not to mention its AI-powered chip that improves the reliability of the already great autofocusing system, better stabilization, and improved handling, which are things the Sony a7IV, its bigger but older brother don't even have. In order to reduce the size, you will be sacrificing the dual SD card slot, the quality of the EVF, and its comfortable grip, but those are things that aren't as important when it comes to choosing a travel camera.
If you are a light traveler looking to buy a new camera that will allow you to grow into a professional, or if you are just looking for a more compact version of the above-recommended Sony a7IV, the Sony a7CII is highly recommended.
The Best Sony Camera For Professional Photographer to Buy
- Excellent image quality with 61 megapixels sensor
- Excellent AI-powered autofocus system
- Can shoot 4K and 8K
- 4-axis articulating screen, great for both selfies and street photography
- Excellent stabilization, allowing you to shoot handheld even at a slower shutter speed and still retain crisp images.
- 4K 60p has a 1.2 crop factor
- Rolling shutter
- Expensive
If you have 4,000 USD to spare and you are looking for the best-in-class photography camera, the Sony a7R V is the camera best suited for you.
Priced at 3,800 USD, the Sony a7R V comes packed with a whopping 61 megapixels. That is a maximum resolution of 9504 x 6336, the highest resolution you can buy from Sony! It also comes with the new AI-powered, best-in-class autofocus system, shoots 8K videos, offers better stabilization, a new tilt-flip screen, and more features. All in all, it is an improvement in every aspect.
Nothing comes close to this camera, not even the best full-frame cameras from other competitors. So, if you are looking for the most advanced mirrorless camera out there for your travels and do not mind carrying heavy loads, the Sony a7R V is the one to get. If you are interested in a full review, be sure to check out this article: A Traveler's Review of the Sony a7R V.
The Most Compact Sony Camera for Photographers to Buy
- Shoot 61 megapixels photos and 4K videos up to 60p
- AI-powered autofocus system
- Extremely small and compact
- Great in low light
- 4K 60p has a 1.2 crop factor
- Rolling shutter
- Not the best EVF
If you love the idea of the Sony a7RV with its huge image sensor, but you do not like its bulkiness form factor and weight, you can check out the Sony a7C R instead, which is a compact version of the Sony a7RV with all its capabilities but with fewer bells and whistles.
The Sony a7CR utilizes the same sensor as the Sony a7RV with almost the same feature set except the ability to shoot 8K, which is more than enough for most people. You also won't get the same dual SD card slots, handling, and better EVF as the Sony a7RV, but these features aren't as important when traveling so if you prefer carrying a more discrete, compact, and lighter travel camera but still retain the ability to shoot 64 MP photos and 4K 60p videos, the Sony a7CR might be a better option for you.
The Best Sony Camera For Professional Filmmaker to Buy
- Excellent low-light capability.
- Can shoot 4K 60p and 120p without cropping.
- Excellent autofocus system.
- Excellent stabilization.
- No rolling shutter.
- Can only shoot 12-megapixel still photos, not great for hybrid shooters.
- High price
- No 8K support.
If you are a professional filmmaker and do not really need the photo-centric capability and all those megapixels from the Sony a7R IV but would rather have a camera that can take videos in every situation, Sony has just released their highly anticipated camera for filmmakers, the Sony a7S III.
Priced at 3,498 USD, the Sony a7S III is the best Sony filmmaking powerhouse money can buy. "S" stands for sensitivity, and the camera really delivers on that front with an ISO range from 80 to a whopping 102,400! Yup, a handheld camera that can shoot in the dark, making it the most versatile consumer filmmaking camera out there.
With its 12.1-megapixel full-frame sensor, the Sony a7S III may not be as great of a photography camera as the Sony a7R IV. However, with a smaller sensor, it offers better-quality video and a plethora of features that exceed anyone's needs.
You can shoot 4K 60 FPS uncropped videos with 10-bit 4:2:2 internal capture, and you can even go up to 4K 120 FPS for those crispy slow-motion videos. There is also no record limit with this camera, unlike other video-centric cameras from competing brands. It is highly reliable, comes with a more user-friendly menu system, and has a ton of video-centric features that will help you create better travel films.
If you are a travel filmmaker or a documentary filmmaker, the Sony a7S III is the best option for you.
The Best Sony Camera Money Can Buy
- Can shoot 51.1-megapixel photos.
- Can shoot 8K 30p and 4K 120p without cropping.
- Excellent AI-powered autofocus system.
- Lots of advanced features and improvements like pre-capture, 4-axis flip out screen, etc.
- Extremely fast burst rate, great for bird and sports photography.
- Extremely expensive.
- Lack of firmware updates.
If you are looking for the very best Sony mirrorless camera that is great for both photos and videos, and money is no object, the best Sony camera money can buy at the moment is the Sony a1 II, the most advanced hybrid camera Sony has ever released.
This second version of the beloved Sony a1 finally brings together the best features introduced in cameras like the photo-centric Sony a7R V and the video-focused Sony a7S III. It combines them into one powerful package, updating Sonyโs flagship camera with all the cutting-edge technology the brand has been working on. Since its release, it has become one of the most advanced and compact full-frame cameras you can buy right now. It's like Sony is showing off everything itโs capable of, packed into one body.
The Sony a1 II features a 50.1 MP full-frame sensor and an advanced AI-powered autofocus and tracking system that keeps subjects like birds, people, cars, and more perfectly in focus without you having to do anything. It offers continuous shooting at up to 30fps and introduces useful tools like pre-capture, which lets you grab the moment even before you fully press the shutter, ensuring you never miss a key shot.
And you will be happy to hear that the Sony flagship camera finally comes equipped with a 4-axis articulating screen, something I really love on my Sony a7R V. Inside, itโs powered by the latest processor, optimized for blackout-free high-speed shooting, perfect for professionals working in sports or wildlife photography. Best of all, it records 4K at 120p without any crop and even shoots 8K at 30p, which is currently among the highest resolutions available in a consumer-grade camera. Fun fact: the 8K footage is actually downsampled from 8.6K, making it incredibly sharp!
If you are looking to buy a Sony mirrorless camera that can do both photos and videos really well and a camera that will likely last you many years to come, you can't go wrong with the Sony a1 II camera. That said, with a great set of features comes a great price tag. The Sony a1 II costs about 6,500 USD, but if you are looking for a little discount, you can check it out with the link below:
๐ Why Choose Mirrorless Over DSLR?
There are two main things you need to learn about camera lens specifications that will help you pick the right lens for you: focal length and aperture.
This debate can take days to discuss, but to sum it up without going into technical details, it all boils down to the compact size and cheaper cost that comes with picking the mirrorless camera system over DSLR.
DSLRs used to reign supreme for ages when it comes to cameras of choice for professionals. However, with the new mirrorless technology and its fast-paced development spearheaded by Sony, mirrorless cameras have since caught up and even surpassed DSLRs on many fronts.
The mirrorless is also a new technology, with many companies investing heavily in its research and development. It is the future of photography, and since buying a camera is like investing in an asset, who wouldn't want to invest in a future-proof investment like mirrorless technology?
This is why I use a mirrorless camera and recommend anyone to make the switch, especially if you are a traveler looking for a professional-grade camera in a more compact size than DSLR cameras.
๐ฅ Why Choose Sony?
When you are buying a camera from a brand, you are also investing in its ecosystem by purchasing lenses and accessories, and it can be very expensive if you want to switch from one ecosystem to another.
That is why picking the right brand to invest your money in is one of the hardest decisions you will have to make when buying a new camera. There are quite a few options out there, but no brand has developed as fast as Sony when it comes to mirrorless technology.
Canon may be the #1 camera brand in the DSLR world, but no one can compete with Sony right now when it comes to mirrorless cameras because they have many years of experience developing and refining their cameras. On the other hand, Canon stuck to their guns until only recently when they caved in and released their mirrorless camera lineup.
It is this commitment by Sony at an early stage that has allowed them to propel and lead everyone in the mirrorless industry. With its fast release cycle, we are sure to expect more exciting features from them every year.
When it comes to lens selection, Sony used to lag behind the others, but not anymore. As Sony mirrorless cameras gained popularity worldwide, so did the lens selection. Manufacturers like Sigma and Rokinon have jumped on the bandwagon, along with the forever-expanding list of official lenses by GMaster and Zeiss that they have created for the Sony E-Mount system.
All in all, if you are looking to buy a new mirrorless camera, Sony is the way to go.
๐ Differences Between Full-Frame and APS-C Cropped Sensor Cameras
Without being too technical, the main difference between full-frame and cropped is the field of view that the sensor can capture. Full-frame refers to a sensor size equal to the 35mm format, a gold standard used forever, and any smaller sensor size is referred to as cropped.
Sony's cropped sensor on their a6XXX series is called APS-C, with a crop factor of 1.5X. This means that the field of view you get from the APS-C cropped sensor is smaller than what you will get from its full-frame counterparts.
Full frame cameras are generally better than cropped cameras, as they have a bigger sensor, allowing you to capture more. They also let in more light, resulting in higher-quality images and better low-light performance than cropped cameras.
But with great power comes great responsibility, which comes with the money you will have to spend on it. Full-frame cameras and their lenses are usually more expensive. They are also larger and heavier than cropped cameras, so they might not be ideal for travel light.
Cropped cameras, on the other hand, are more compact, much lighter, and more affordable than full-frame cameras. The sensor is smaller than the cropped sensor, so the image quality may not be as great, and low-light performance may not be as good as full-frame cameras.
That said, I have used the Sony cropped sensor extensively for the past 2 years, and I have to say that the quality is more than enough for traveling. The images are crisp, the videos are as sharp as it gets, and best of all, the size of the camera and its accessories is still manageable, especially for a light traveler/backpacker like myself.
Now that we have laid the groundwork for Sony mirrorless cameras let's explore more about what Sony has to offer in its extensive list of mirrorless cameras.
Understanding Sony Mirrorless Camera Lineup
The Sony mirrorless camera lineup becomes increasingly confusing with every new release. However, in all this madness, there is actually a pattern to it. Once you understand them, it becomes a little easier to grasp, which should help you decide which one to buy.
First, we can divide the Sony Mirrorless Cameras into the APS-C cropped sensor and the Full-Frame Sensor. You can easily recognize this by its naming convention, where the names of APS-C cameras start with a6XXX, whereas the names of their full-frame cameras start with a7.
The Sony APS-C Cameras (a6000 - a6700)
Let's begin with the APS-C cameras as they are the simplest ones to understand. There are basically three main cameras for the APS-C series: A6000 for beginners, A6300 for enthusiasts, and A6500 for advanced users.
These 3 cameras, released in 2014, early 2016, and late 2016, respectively, were the 3 base models that had been the face of Sony's APS-C cameras for years until they released the new and confusingly named cameras: Sony A6100, A6400, and A6600, in 2019 and another A6700 in 2023.
So the A6000, A6300, and A6500 have been discontinued and are replaced by the newer A6100, A6400, and A6700 respectively. At the same time, the A6700 becomes the flagship camera of Sony's APS-C lineup featuring all the new technologies Sony has cultivated over the years.
The Sony Full-Frame Cameras (a7, a7R, a7S, and a7C)
Now, if you think the naming convention for APS-C cameras is confusing, you are in for a treat. With full-frame cameras, Sony decided to use a different naming convention. Now, the camera lineup is divided into a7 (the basic model), a7R (high-resolution), and a7S (high-sensitivity).
The a7 is the balanced or basic model that is essentially the jack of all-trades full-frame camera, great for enthusiasts and advanced users seeking an affordable full-frame camera.
The a7R is the high-resolution model that offers the best-in-class resolution and image quality and a great all-around camera for most purposes.
The a7S is the high-sensitivity model that focuses on capturing great videos, especially in low light, but not much else.
The a7C is a series of a7 cameras that focuses on making the a7 series I mentioned above in a more lightweight and compact form factor. These cameras will have a similar basic feature as the other a7 series but with fewer bells and whistles. For example, an a7C R has the same 61 MP camera sensor and performance as the a7R 5 but without dual SD card slots, high-resolution viewfinder, 8K capability, etc. Basically, this series focuses on balancing high performance with compactness, which makes for an excellent option for travelers.
For every iteration of these Sony full-frame cameras, they will add a Roman numeral version number to it. For example, a7 becomes a7II, and a7R becomes a7RII, etc.
So, if you look at their current full-frame camera lineup, you would see that the latest balanced model is the a7IV (fourth generation), the latest high-resolution model is the a7RV (fifth generation), the latest compact model is the a7CII (second generation). Finally, the latest high-sensitivity model is the a7sIII (third generation).
The Sony Vlogging Cameras (ZV-1 - ZV-E10)
This is a new series of cameras Sony is releasing, emphasizing vlogging features such as product/person priority mode, flip-out screen, etc. They are built specifically for bloggers, and they come in a mix of other Sony camera sensors mentioned above, including the small 1-inch sensor used on their RX100 series in the Sony ZV-1 camera, the APS-C sensor used in the Sony a6000s series in the Sony ZV-E10 camera, and the full-frame version, the Sony ZV-E1 camera.
Other than its vlogging-specific feature list, the cameras in this series are also more affordable than all the other cameras in this article, which I would say are geared more toward enthusiasts and professionals. If you are looking for a camera to vlog with, the Sony ZV series is the best way to go.
So Which Sony Mirrorless Camera is Perfect for Me?
Everything in photography boils down to the budget you are willing to invest in your camera. You can expect to spend from 550 USD all the way to 3500 USD for a mirrorless camera these days.
With the equipped knowledge of the Sony Mirrorless Camera lineup, let's explore the best mirrorless cameras out there and find the perfect one that fits your needs the most. Let's begin with the cheapest Sony mirrorless camera you can get now:
Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:
Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:
- Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
- For the best hybrid travel camera to buy, the Sony a7R V with its 61-megapixel sensor and video capabilities is hard to beat. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7R V Camera
- If you are looking for a secondary camera to vlog or help you with time-consuming processes like timelapse, you might want to check this out: A Traveler's Review: DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
- Looking for the very best travel full-frame camera to buy for your next trip? How about the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
- For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
- Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
- Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
- Want to start a YouTube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy.
- Finding a great camera bag you can travel with is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
- Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
- Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
- For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
- If you are looking for gifts to buy for your photographer loved ones, check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Buy For Travel Photographers.
- Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
- After years of research, I finally found the most beautiful camera backpack of all! Check this out: A Traveler's Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack
- If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Are you looking for the best travel camera for your next trip? Why not consider the Sony a6500? Here's why the Sony a6500 is the best travel camera.
- If you want to carry just one lens when you travel, here is why the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the best travel lens to get for your Sony a6600 or a6500.
- This is the one lens I never knew I needed, but now that I have it, I canโt travel without it! A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.
- An ultra-wide lens is perfect for travel, and there is no better lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler's Review: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.
- Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
- Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscape? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
- If you are looking for a review of the first Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens and want to see if it is worth buying now, check out: A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens.
- The king of travel lenses has arrived. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is hands down the best travel all-purpose zoom lens I have ever owned. Here's why: A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens.
- Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS lens is, hands down, the best telephoto lens to get for your Sony cameras, but it comes with an extremely high price tag. Here is a complete traveler's review of the lens: A Traveler's Review: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS Lens.
- Looking for a lightweight and affordable landscape/architecture travel lens that is also extremely capable? Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens.
- Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for your next trip? You can't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
- Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Hereโs my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera.
- Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
- Picking a camera body is one thing. Picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
- Looking for the best street and travel photography lens? Here is why Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Travel Photography Lens for Sony APS-C.
- GoPro is good and all, but did you know that there are many other GoPro alternatives that are better and cheaper? Here are the 8 Best GoPro Alternatives You Should Buy in 2025.
- Looking for a great drone to travel with? Why the DJI Mavic Mini is the Best Drone for Travelers.
- The best travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler's Review of The DJI Mini 2 and why it is the best travel drone to buy.
- Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to buy one? Here are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
- For more travel drone options, be sure to check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Buy In 2025.
- Looking for the best travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Buy.
- You can't travel without a backpack, and if you are looking for one, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
- If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack To Buy.
- Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Travelerโs Review.
- If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
- Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
- Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
- If you are a lightweight traveler and are looking for powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely lightweight photography gear guide.
- Looking for gift ideas for your traveler friends or family members? Here are 16 Best Gifts to Buy for Travelers/Backpackers.
- Or, if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on 7 tech gadgets you should buy this year.
- Are you a Fujifilm camera user and currently looking for lenses to buy for your next travel? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Your Fuji Cameras.
- If you are a blogger as well and are looking for free travel images to spice up your content, check out the 9 Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
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9 Comments
I think your recommendation of the a6500 is unfortunately a little misinformed. The a6400 is 3 years newer and a significant upgrade on the a6500 at a lower price - don't let the naming convention confuse you, it would be like comparing a premium version of the iphone from 3 years ago against the standard version from today, absolutely no competition.
On the a6400 you have the newer premium processor from Sony's professional line up, which introduces huge benefits. The colours are better, the autofocus is literally the best in the world right now (way ahead of a6500 which doesn't give auto-eye focus), there's no record limit or overheating issues thanks to the processor being far more efficient (a6500 frequently overheats and is limited to 30 minute record time). You have a reversible touch screen which is huge for travel photos and vlogging. The screen itself is much higher quality and easier to view in bright sunlight (again - travel bonus). The menus are upgraded to match the professional full frame line and are more intuitive and customisable than all the prior gen cameras. It's an all round much more compelling package worth more than the a6500, but priced lower. Bear in mind the a6500 price was set in 2016, tech move fast!
The only advantage of the a6500 over the a6400 is the in-body stabilisation feature, which is not really useful for photos 99% of the time and while it benefits for video shooting most Sony lenses already come with their OSS stabilisation built in. You state in the view it's useful when photographing moving subjects - this is a complete misunderstanding, image stabilisation has nothing to do with the subject moving. In fact stabilisation can make streaking worse on moving subjects. It's useful in reducing the impact of handheld shake when shooting at faster shutter speeds or video when you don't have an OSS lens (Sony kit lens, the 30mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.8 etc etc all have OSS).
So yea, I think the article is quite misinformed on the recommendation front unfortunately. Maybe consider a revision.
Hey Mike,
Thank you for the comments! Yes, you are right. The article is definitely bound for an update especially with all the discounts the a6100, a6600 have been seeing since last year. I'll take those in consideration and update the article accordingly.
For the OSS, I still think it's important as a traveler as you (not just the subject) is always on the move, say street photography (your shaky hands which is especially noticeable with zoom lenses) and since I'm into filming as well, not having OSS is a dealbreaker for me. Sure, Sony has stabilizer built-in to their lenses but that just limits you to expensive lenses. I often recommend people to use cheaper alternatives like the Rokinon which are as capable and with OSS, you are no longer locked in to the pricier side of the lenses.
That said, since the price has dropped tremendously as Sony pushes to replace the old version, it is a good time to reevaluate the reviews. :) Thanks for the heads up!
First off - thank you for replying, it's always a good sign when a reviewer responds to feedback so I do appreciate that.
I think the age old conundrum that comes up with recommendations around cameras is that people need very different things depending on whether they use their camera primarily for photos or videos.
I'm very much coming at it from a photography perspective, but I can see what you're saying that from a video perspective that stabilisation is crucial and IBIS does open up your lens options (and even compliments OSS nicely for video).
From a photography perspective I'd take the phenomenal auto focus of the a6400 (literally best in world bar none) over IBIS every time, unless you're shooting in near total darkness it's plenty easy to use non-stabilised lens options with the a6400 - I exclusively shoot with the Sigma primes and mostly handheld. From a photography perspective, with the a6400 actually costing less than the a6500 it's no contest, the a6500 is now irrelevant.
However I concede from a video perspective if the footage is not stabilised some other way (tripod / OSS / gimbal) then the IBIS is going to be pretty darn important. If it is stabilised some other way, then you may find the eye AF on the a6400 to be a pleasant surprise in addition to the new video modes and improved colours - it's literally cheating it's so good - but appreciate that for walk around street videos IBIS may be the best way to stabilise and nothing detracts from a video as much as shaky footage. Also for vlogging travellers, consider the benefit of the a6400 flip up screen.
Unless you end up recommending the a6600 which of course wins everything if money is no object, perhaps consider drawing the distinction in what's best suited between photographers (#Instagram) and videographers (#YouTube).
Anyway that's my 2 cents - good to talk to a fellow enthusiast!
First off - thank you for replying, it's always a good sign when a reviewer responds to feedback so I do appreciate that.
I think the age old conundrum that comes up with recommendations around cameras is that people need very different things depending on whether they use their camera primarily for photos or videos.
I'm very much coming at it from a photography perspective, but I can see what you're saying that from a video perspective that stabilisation is crucial and IBIS does open up your lens options (and even compliments OSS nicely for video).
From a photography perspective I'd take the phenomenal auto focus of the a6400 (literally best in world bar none) over IBIS every time, unless you're shooting in near total darkness it's plenty easy to use non-stabilised lens options with the a6400 - I exclusively shoot with the Sigma primes and mostly handheld. From a photography perspective, with the a6400 actually costing less than the a6500 it's no contest, the a6500 is now irrelevant.
However I concede from a video perspective if the footage is not stabilised some other way (tripod / OSS / gimbal) then the IBIS is going to be pretty darn important. If it is stabilised some other way, then you may find the eye AF on the a6400 to be a pleasant surprise in addition to the new video modes and improved colours - it's literally cheating it's so good - but appreciate that for walk around street videos IBIS may be the best way to stabilise and nothing detracts from a video as much as shaky footage. Also for vlogging travellers, consider the benefit of the a6400 flip up screen.
Unless you end up recommending the a6600 which of course wins everything if money is no object, perhaps consider drawing the distinction in what's best suited between photographers (#Instagram) and videographers (#YouTube).
Anyway that's my 2 cents - good to talk to a fellow enthusiast!
Hey Mike,
No problem at all! I'm glad you brought it up! I finally have the time to update the article now with Sony a6100 and a6400 recommended in place of its older models. Thanks again for the reminder! :)
Hello, thank you for all the explanation!
Which lense do you recommend for the a6400 with optical stabilization similiar to the E 16-55 mm F2.8 G?
Hey Cam,
I'm afraid, your option is quite limited when it comes to pro-quality lens with the camera body that lacks stabilization. You won't find anything as fast for zoom lenses as F2.8. The fastest you will get is F4.
For zoom lenses, your options are:
1. Sony 16-70mm F4 (Great range, compact but expensive) - I had this one before I went with the new 16-55mm and I loved it
2. Sony 18-105mm F4 (Great for video, acceptable range with an advantage on the far end, affordable, but a little bigger than the 16-70mm)
3. Sony 18-135 F3.5-F5.6 (Acceptable range, very cheap, but doesn't have fast constant aperture like the 2 lenses above. )
This will depend on your budget. Many of these lenses are old so you maybe able to get it way cheaper than its retail price in the second-hand market. The going rate for used 16-70mm is only around 600 USD instead of its outrageous 900 USD retail price.
I hope this helps! I think the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is excellent but it seems like Sony released this lens for the future where all their camera bodies come with IBIS instead of the now. Might be worth getting the cheapest option for now and wait to upgrade the body when Sony releases its new APS-C cameras? After all, it's all about the lens when it comes to image quality, not the body.
This is a great, very informative article. I would like to ask, as a Sony APS-C shooter with plenty of gear on hand, which Sony full frame camera would best utilize those existing resources I own? Iโm not sure if I should get something similar in size to my a6400 (a7C) but drop down to 10 MPs in crop mode, or try to get something like an a7RIII that would drop to 18ish MPs when shooting in crop mode. Is this even a good idea?
I generally use my kit for days out with my family, vacations, a little astrophotography, and whenever going to interesting places. Still, Iโd like to future-proof any new camera purchase.
Thanks!
If you have the budget to get the A7RIII, that is the way to go as the extra pixels will allow you to get a similar image quality from what you would get using APS-C cameras + APS-C lenses in cropped mode. 10 MP is really not good enough to create nice sharp photos in my opinion.