• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony A6000 advantages over Nikon D780

  • Less expensive
    $648 vs $2097
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A6000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Amazing image quality for the price; Blazing-fast hybrid autofocus; Swift burst shooting with generous buffer depths; Good battery life with LCD monitor; More compact than a DSLR; In-camera Wi-Fi wireless networking

  • Continuous autofocus can't match its burst rate; High-ISO JPEGs can look overprocessed; Sluggish startup; No touch-screen display; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A6000
Samsung NX3000
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
Nikon D780
Samsung NX3000
  • $1947
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6000
Sony A6300
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
Nikon D780
Sony A6300
  • $1947
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A6000
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1947
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony A6000
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • NFC
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D780
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $1947
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A6000
Pentax K-1 II
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1947
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
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