A Beginner's Guide to Sony E Mount Mirrorless Cameras
- History of Sony E Mount Cameras
- How Sony E Mount Differs from Sony FE Mount
- Top Sony E Mount Camera Options
- Try One of These Sony E Mount Lenses
- Sony Alpha a6500 vs Sony Alpha a6100: Which is Best?
- Pre-Owned Camera Comparison: Sony a6400 vs a6600
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 179 focus points
- Video: 1080p/60p & 1080p/24p
- Size/Weight: 120 x 67 x 45 mm / 344 grams
- Battery Life: 360 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: No
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 102,800)
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 425 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 120 x 67 x 60 mm / 403 grams
- Battery Life: 410 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 425 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 120 x 67 x 69 mm / 503 grams
- Battery Life: 810 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS
- Sony E 24mm f/1.8 ZA Zeiss Sonnar T*
- Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS
- Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ART - Sony E Fit
Sony Alpha a6600
In recent years, mirrorless cameras have exploded in popularity, and the unquestioned king of the mirrorless universe is Sony. With that in mind, if you are new to photography and need a crash course on Sony mirrorless cameras, you’ve come to the right place.
In this beginner’s guide to Sony E Mount mirrorless cameras, we share a brief history of the company, the differences between the E lens mount vs Sony FE mount, the most popular E mount cameras, and more! Moreover, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today. Plus, you can sell the gear you aren’t using anymore and get cash to buy a new-to-you camera!
MPB is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. All their Sony E mirrorless cameras are carefully hand-inspected by highly-trained product specialists and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We have bought, sold, and traded in tons of photography equipment using MPB’s online platform and have always been blown away by the result. That’s why we are excited to recommend them to you here today. Considering that, now it’s time to jump in and learn everything there is to know about Sony E Mount mirrorless cameras!
Table of Contents
History of Sony E Mount Cameras
Sony Alpha NEX-5R
The first Sony E Mount camera was the Sony Alpha NEX-3. It debuted in 2010 and revolutionized the camera industry. It was the very first mirrorless camera to be released by any major camera company – Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc. The most successful cameras in the NEX lineup were the Sony Alpha NEX-7 and NEX-6.
In 2013, Sony announced they would rebrand their mirrorless cameras from the NEX series to the “a” series. The first camera to hold the new name was the short-lived Sony Alpha a3000. A year later, the a5000, a5100, and a6000 were released. Remarkably, the a6000 is still in production today.
The a6xxx lineup is the present-day series and consists of entry-level, enthusiast, and semi-professional APS-C cameras. The latest generation includes the a6100, a6400, and a6600.
How Sony E Mount Differs From Sony FE Mount
Sony Alpha a6600
There are two types of Sony mirrorless cameras. Sony FE mount cameras and E mount cameras. Sony FE mount cameras feature full-frame imaging sensors, while E mount cameras have APS-C sensors. For those who don’t know, full-frame sensors are 1.5x larger than APS-C sensors.
Sony FE fit lenses are designed to be used on FE mount cameras, and Sony E fit lenses are meant to be used on E mount cameras. Having said that, you can use both types of lenses on both bodies. In this article, we will focus on E mount mirrorless cameras since they target new photographers.
Learn More:
Top Sony E Mount Camera Options
A Good Sony E Mount Camera
Sony Alpha a6000
The Sony Alpha a6000 is an entry-level camera and the most-sold mirrorless camera of all time. Its small and compact body takes up almost no space, making it a great choice for traveling and everyday use.
Furthermore, the average price of a used a6000 in excellent condition is now under $400. For beginners, kids, and people on a budget, there’s absolutely no better camera to learn on currently on the market!
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony E mount camera:
A Better Sony E Mount Camera
Sony Alpha a6400
Suppose you have more experience and want newer features like a touchscreen display, 4K video, and a built-in intervalometer for creating time-lapses. In that case, the Sony Alpha a6400 is a fantastic option. It’s a mid-range mirrorless camera that launched in 2019 and has been flying off the shelves ever since.
It’s an ideal camera for action, adventure, and wildlife photography because of its weather-sealed body, fast burst shooting, and advanced autofocus. Its current price sits around $750.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony E mount camera:
The Best Sony E Mount Camera
Sony Alpha a6600
Hands down, the best Sony E mount camera is the Sony Alpha a6600. It was released in 2019 and replaced the Sony Alpha a6500 as the company's flagship APS-C camera. Courtesy of its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and industry-leading autofocus, it’s the perfect camera for hybrid photographers/videographers.
Other professional features include slow-motion 120p Full HD video, excellent battery life, and a flip-up screen. The screen makes filming yourself super-easy and is a must-have feature for YouTubers and vloggers.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony E mount camera:
Check out the video above by Arthur R to compare and contrast every Sony E Mount mirrorless camera available in 2023.
Try One of These Sony E Mount Lenses
Sony Alpha A1
Once you decide upon a Sony E Mount mirrorless camera body, the next step is to invest in quality lenses. Taking that into account, here’s a short list of our favorite Sony E-fit lenses currently in stock at MPB:
