Last week we took a look at the Sony Alpha A68, one of the most affordable and interesting options from the Japanese manufacturer in the DSLR space. But if there's one thing that keeps coming up among the specialized press, it's the apparent superiority of its mirrorless cameras. The only one we've seen in that category so far is the Canon EOS M5. However, Sony managed to offer more for less with the Sony Alpha A6300. Its body weighs just 361 grams, the autofocus is very solid, and it can also record in 4Kp30 at 100 megabits per second.
A common question among beginners is why point-and-shoot compact cameras ended up in such a poor and isolated place. In the first place, smartphones absorbed the vast majority of their functions. Second, these compact units never fully inherited the advantages of their bigger siblings. And third, the price of some DSLR cameras is very competitive (for example, the Canon EOS 4000D). Now, that doesn't mean everything is bad about compact cameras. In fact, many users appreciate their small designs and lighter weight, which makes them easier to carry. Fortunately, there's a solution that combines the best of DSLRs with the physical advantages of point-and-shoots, and that's the mirrorless camera. Today we'll look at one of the most solid: the Sony Alpha A6300.
Sony Alpha A6300: Speed, precision, and excellent 4K
Announced in February 2016, the Sony Alpha A6300 is based on the so-called E-mount and features a 24.2-megapixel Exmor sensor accompanied by a BIONZ X image processor, an ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 25,600 with a boost of 51,200 for stills, and a shutter speed from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds. Its one-centimeter electronic viewfinder uses OLED technology and reaches a respectable 2.36 million dots with a special 120 fps mode, 100 percent coverage, and 1.07x magnification. Its three-inch LCD screen has a resolution of 921,600 dots, and its angle can be adjusted 90 degrees up or 45 degrees down, but Sony decided not to include touch support.
The autofocus system on the Sony Alpha A6300 leaves nothing to chance, using a hybrid system with 425 phase-detection points and 169 contrast-detection points. Burst mode offers four levels: 11 fps (High+), 8 fps (High), 6 fps (Medium), and 3 fps (Low), with a buffer of 44 extra-fine JPEG images and 21 RAW images. The user has some room to experiment here, but it's most likely they'll lean toward 8 fps (to minimize the viewfinder blackout), depending in part on the performance of the lens used. Storage is handled by SD cards (the camera is compatible with UHS-I in higher standards) or Sony Memory Stick, and in wireless connectivity we have both Wi-Fi and NFC.
The good news is that the manufacturer has managed to simplify the controls on the Sony Alpha A6300 to a point where it becomes extremely tempting for beginners. The bad news is that this places more pressure on the on-screen menus, and the lack of touch support complicates things a bit, but it's possible to compensate through good customization of the controls, the Fn button (which registers twelve functions), and the '1 and 2' modes on the mode dial. The mode dial holds no surprises and includes Full Auto, Programmed Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Video, Panorama, and Scene 'SCN' modes (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports and action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night scene, Handheld twilight, and Anti-motion blur). Any additional details can be found in the manual (starting on page 118) or in the help section.
The XAVC S video compression lets the Sony Alpha A6300 record 4Kp30 video at 100 megabits per second, but if we keep the same bitrate there's the possibility of recording 1080p at 120 fps and getting some very interesting slow motion. Sony warns about time limits set to protect the camera from overheating, but with an average of 29 minutes in 1080p and 20 minutes in 4K, there shouldn't be major restrictions once you get a good feed. Just make sure you use large cards.
Accessories for the Sony Alpha A6300
The body of the Sony Alpha A6300 is priced at 740 euros at the moment, but you can buy it as a kit and add a 16-50mm lens for just 72 euros more. Personally, I think that 16-50 is a decent all-rounder; however, the market offers very interesting E-mount lenses that extend the potential of this mirrorless even further. At the same time, we find solid options in general accessories, starting with a critical aspect like power.
Batteries and power
Under optimal conditions, the Sony Alpha A6300's battery lasts about 400 shots, and between 70 and 115 minutes depending on the video mode. The battery charges directly via USB (using either the included adapter or a computer), and while that's convenient in many cases, it limits options a bit when it comes to adding a second battery. That's where Gloxy modules compatible with the NP-FW50 format come in, along with the Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car. This way you can carry more than one battery and not be tethered to the camera every time they need charging. Look for the product code "DI884,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-145".
Flashes and continuous lights
Compatibility between cameras from the same company isn't always guaranteed, and we know Sony likes to do things its own way, but in the realm of flashes and continuous lights we're in luck. The same recommendations for the Sony Alpha A68 apply to the Sony Alpha A6300. If you need extra light or a good flash to rescue the built-in unit when it falls short, you can get the Nissin Di700A on one hand and the Rotolight NEO 2 on the other. The compatible accessories are listed under SKU "IM712565958,0714591609".
Tripods and supports
The Sony Alpha A6300 is a featherweight, and that opens up a wide range of possibilities. Buying a tripod for outdoor shoots and low-light situations is natural, but it's not mandatory to have a tower when the plan is to start recording videos for YouTube or social media. Today we'll make three suggestions: the Gloxy GX-T6662A as a workhorse (with a 35 percent discount you can't pass up), the Clampod Takeway T1 that attaches to almost anywhere without sacrificing maximum weight, and the Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod that, with a one-kilogram load, will welcome the Sony Alpha A6300 with its standard lens.
Backpacks and bags
This mirrorless has dust and moisture resistance, plus a body made of magnesium alloy that gives it extra robustness without compromising its final weight, but being lightweight can expose it to more abrupt movements and, by extension, greater risk. That means we should add a good backpack for the Sony Alpha A6300 to our gear, and the first on our list is the Gloxy Pro AW, available in three different sizes with a customizable padded interior. If you prefer something more compact, the Lowepro Toploader Zoom 50 AW II bag is an excellent alternative at a formidable price. You can find a dedicated backpack for Sony Alpha A6300.
Lenses
The range of lenses compatible with the Sony Alpha A6300 may be a bit more limited in certain regions due to the E-mount, but that doesn't mean we can afford to ignore this category. In fact, we've found some very interesting models that should cover all the demands of enthusiasts. The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 EF ED wide-angle delivers exceptionally high-quality images and begs to be tried in video. The official Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 all-rounder is the way to go if we only buy the camera body, and a good Gloxy 650-1300mm telephoto will do all the heavy lifting in astrophotography and nature for 250 euros.
In summary: 4K video with high bitrate, an ultra-light design, an autofocus that makes others envious, and a more reasonable price than we imagined. The Sony Alpha A6300 checks all the boxes, and if for some particular reason the available DSLRs don't convince you, it's not a bad idea to make the leap to this mirrorless. Good luck!
