Beginner A6000 or A5100?

ren 74

ren 74

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Hello. I'm a newbie in photography world , willing to buy my first camera. I'm considering these two options (A5100 and A6000) but can't decide , which should I go for. Things to consider-
I have no interest in any feature related to video
Size matters (I prefer compact)
I wear glasses (-4.5) . I heard viewfinder doesn't help in my case
Being a newbie, I might take hundred photos to get a good one. So battery life matters.
For these reasons I'm really confused. But the main reason is viewfinder and brightness issue (I'll do street, nature photography mostly).

As i never used camera before, I don't know if I get rid of my glasses will I be able to see the viewfinder. Plus, it'll be a hustle to wear on/ off glasses every time to take photos.
How do you guys manage wearing glasses
 
ren 74 said:
Hello. I'm a newbie in photography world , willing to buy my first camera. I'm considering these two options (A5100 and A6000) but can't decide , which should I go for. Things to consider-
I have no interest in any feature related to video
Size matters (I prefer compact)
I wear glasses (-4.5) . I heard viewfinder doesn't help in my case
Being a newbie, I might take hundred photos to get a good one. So battery life matters.
For these reasons I'm really confused. But the main reason is viewfinder and brightness issue (I'll do street, nature photography mostly).

As i never used camera before, I don't know if I get rid of my glasses will I be able to see the viewfinder. Plus, it'll be a hustle to wear on/ off glasses every time to take photos.
How do you guys manage wearing glasses
Click to expand...
Are your glasses for general vision, or just for close ('Reading Glasses') - I now need glasses for reading, using the computer, etc, and am able to use the viewfinder on my cameras (A6000, A7iv) with everything nice and sharp, by adjusting the diopter control next to the viewfinder - but I know there's a limit to how much it can adjust (Google suggests -4 to +3), and it looks like it not quite able to reach your prescription - but may be close enough that it's still better than glasses + rear screen, particularly in bright light.

Battery life - Frankly, on the A6000 (and the A5100 uses the same battery) it's quite poor - but the batteries are small and light, so I simply carry a couple of 3rd party spares, and use a dual charger (batteries & charger bought as a bundle on Amazon), and the 3 will last me all day.

Other than the viewfinder, the A6000 also has a higher max frames per second in burst mode, and more importantly has better colour depth (IE maximum number of different colours it can record) and dynamic range (maximum difference in brightness between black and white).

I'd advise the A6000 over the A5100 - if you do find the viewfinder doesn't work for you, and always use glasses and the rear screen, the A6000 is still a better camera.
 
Faldrax said:
Are your glasses for general vision, or just for close ('Reading Glasses') - I now need glasses for reading, using the computer, etc, and am able to use the viewfinder on my cameras (A6000, A7iv) with everything nice and sharp, by adjusting the diopter control next to the viewfinder - but I know there's a limit to how much it can adjust (Google suggests -4 to +3), and it looks like it not quite able to reach your prescription - but may be close enough that it's still better than glasses + rear screen, particularly in bright light.

Battery life - Frankly, on the A6000 (and the A5100 uses the same battery) it's quite poor - but the batteries are small and light, so I simply carry a couple of 3rd party spares, and use a dual charger (batteries & charger bought as a bundle on Amazon), and the 3 will last me all day.

Other than the viewfinder, the A6000 also has a higher max frames per second in burst mode, and more importantly has better colour depth (IE maximum number of different colours it can record) and dynamic range (maximum difference in brightness between black and white).

I'd advise the A6000 over the A5100 - if you do find the viewfinder doesn't work for you, and always use glasses and the rear screen, the A6000 is still a better camera.
Click to expand...
  • I have problem seeing things in the distance. So if I take off glass i can't see subject but can see evf, again if I put on glass I'll see subject but not evf. Is there any way I can use evf while wearing on my glass?
  • How much time one battery take to get recharged again?
  • how much battery I'll save if I go complete evf mode and don't use lcd screen?
 
ren 74 said:
  • I have problem seeing things in the distance. So if I take off glass i can't see subject but can see evf, again if I put on glass I'll see subject but not evf. Is there any way I can use evf while wearing on my glass?
  • How much time one battery take to get recharged again?
  • how much battery I'll save if I go complete evf mode and don't use lcd screen?
Click to expand...
I think you should be OK to use the EVF without glasses - but if you can go into a camera shop (or a shop like Curry's and John Lewis also stock cameras) and try one (specific brand/model doesn't matter, any mirrorless uses an EVF and will have a diopter adjustment) to check.
I use a usb dual charger (so charges 2 batteries at the same time) - the time to charge will potentially vary with the power of the usb charger used, but I can charge all 3 in an evening (I've not measured the actual time, just stick the 2 with least remaining in and check back after a couple of hours and swap out any fully charged with the 3rd, or to see they need a bit longer.
I always use both evf and rear screen - the camera auto switches between them (there's a little sensor just under the evf to identify when you are using it), then switches off the rear screen on a power save setting.
The thing I found used most battery is video - which I don't use often, and you mentioned you don't use, so that helps.
 
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