Is the Sony a6000 still good for filmmaking? The Sony a6000 is an excellent choice for filmmakers, especially for those who are just starting out. It features fast autofocus, zebra, LOG footage, focus peaking, and a Full HD at 60 fps capability.
Its 24 MP APS-C sensor provides plenty of detail and decent low-light performance. This small mirrorless camera is also great for amateurs in the world of filmmaking since it has a wide range of features that can be utilized for various situations.
Join us on a trip that defies financial restraints, demonstrating that the appropriate instrument may occasionally reinvent the possibilities of cinematic narrative.
Sony a6000 key features for filmmaking
- 24.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- Hybrid AF system with 25 contrast-detect and 179 phase-detect points
- Focus tracking
- 3-inch tilting LCD with 921,600 dots
- OLED electronic viewfinder with 1.44M dots
- Diffraction correction, area-specific noise reduction, and detail reproduction technology
- Full HD video recording at 1080/60p and 24p
- Wi-Fi
The Sony a6000 has a wide range of frame rates, allowing you to record at 24 and 60frames per second, all in full HD. Its 24fps slower frame rate is great for slow-motion scenes.
Plus, the camera has a low-pass filter feature that helps remove moiré patterns and minimize the appearance of aliasing in video footage.
Advantages and benefits:
The Sony a6000 stands out as a strong alternative for filmmakers, providing a slew of benefits that cater to the demands of both rookie and experienced filmmakers. Here’s a rundown of the essential features that set the Sony a6000 apart in the world of filmmaking:
- Beginner-Friendly: The Sony a6000’s straightforward design and user-friendly interface make it a great partner for beginners beginning into filmmaking. Its user-friendly controls and menu interface shorten the learning curve for newbies, enabling them to concentrate on improving their narrative abilities.
- Impressive Autofocus Capabilities: Filmmakers can trust on the a6000’s rapid autofocus mechanism to capture important moments with accuracy. This capability is particularly useful in dynamic settings and circumstances where manual focus may be difficult.
- Versatile Frame Rates and Full HD Recording: With a broad range of frame rates, including 24 and 60 frames per second in Full HD, the a6000 allows filmmakers to capture a variety of moods and styles. The 24fps frame rate is very useful for generating enthralling slow-motion scenes.
- High-Resolution APS-C Sensor: The 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor provides excellent detail and low-light performance. This sensor size finds a compromise, delivering enough resolution for cinematic photos while remaining small.
- Innovative Filmmaking Features: The addition of zebra, LOG footage, focus peaking, and Full HD at 60 fps capacity raises the a6000’s filmmaking potential. These tools enable filmmakers to experiment with diverse approaches while still producing professional-looking results.
- Wide Range of Compatible Lenses: The Sony E-mount system provides filmmakers with a plethora of lens possibilities. Users may adjust their setup to meet the needs of various shooting circumstances, with options ranging from inexpensive and versatile to more specialist lenses.
- Declick Aperture Ring for Smooth changes: Filmmakers will enjoy the declick aperture ring on select lenses, which allows for smooth f-stop changes without adding unwanted noise. This degree of control helps to the footage’s overall professionalism.
- Compact and portable design: The a6000’s tiny and lightweight mirrorless design makes it an ideal companion for shooting on the road. Whether filming in tight quarters or outdoors, its mobility allows filmmakers to adapt to a variety of shooting settings.
In essence, the Sony a6000 is a filmmaking tool meant to empower artists of all skill levels, ensuring that the emphasis stays on the craft of narrative rather than technical challenges.
What Lens to Buy for the Sony a6000 for Filmmaking
In the past, we only have limited choices for filmmaking, especially for achieving that cinematic look. Nowadays, there are lots of options for us to choose from and we can create the look we want with our own hands.
If you have a budget in mind, it’s best to stick with lenses under $500. They will get the job done while still being affordable enough that they won’t break your bank. Here are some lenses that are worth considering:
1. Rokinon 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Wide Angle Cine Lens
This lens is a great option for filmmakers who are looking to create cinematic-style films with their Sony a6000.
It’s a wide-angle lens that can be used with both full-frame and APS-C cameras and it has an aperture of F1.4, which is nice and bright so you can shoot in low light situations without losing too much quality.
It is a manual focus lens which is very useful for filmmakers because you can easily control the focus of your shots.
The feature that we really like about the Rokinon 35mm F1.4 is the declick aperture ring, which makes it easy to adjust the f-stop on the fly without making any unwanted noises.
2. Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS
This zoom lens for Sony is great for general filmmaking. It’s very versatile and the zoom range is great for wide shots and establishing shots.
Its aperture is also fast enough to shoot in low light situations and it also allows you to shoot cinematic shots with shallow depth-of-field. The bokeh it produces is also creamy and pleasant.
The lens is not too expensive either, making it a great choice for beginners and amateurs alike who want to experiment with different focal lengths and styles before investing in higher-end gear.
3. SIRUI 50mm F1.8 1.33X Anamorphic APS-C Lens
The Sirui 50mm F1.8 1.33X Anamorphic APS-C Lens is a great choice if you want to experiment with the anamorphic look without having to spend too much money on it.
It’s not as expensive as compared with other anamorphic lenses on the market but it still produces high-quality cinematic shots. Its bokeh is oval and looks creamy as well.
Check out our other articles about Sony a6000
Drawbacks
Now, there are three things that can turn you off from the Sony a6000. First, it doesn’t have a mic input for better audio recording. It has a built-in mic, but it will pick up a lot of unwanted noise and the sound quality is not that great.
If you want to improve the sound quality of your videos, then you need to get an external mic such as the Sony ECMXYST1M Stereo Microphone.
Unfortunately, the Sony a6000 is a bit limited when it comes to audio options for filmmaking.
Another drawback is the lack of 4K video recording and lastly, because it is a small camera, it can suffer from overheating issues.
The former is not a deal breaker since many people don’t need a 4K resolution for their work. But the latter issue can be quite significant because it affects your shooting experience.
But given its age and its affordable price tag today, it is still one of the best options out there for making films or videos.
And also remember this, because it is really important, a great film, whether a short or music video is more reliant on its story, lighting and sound, actors, and editing more than the camera itself.
If you incorporate all of these in your films and videos, you will still be able to make a great film even if you are using an old and affordable camera. The most important thing is that you have passion for what you do and not just the tools.
FAQ
Can the Sony a6000 record 4K?
No, but it can record 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second. For some, this quality may be enough to satisfy their needs.
However, if you’re looking for a camera that can record 4K video you should consider getting the newer Sony a6500 as it can shoot UHD 4K videos and Full HD at 120fps.
How long can you film with a Sony a6000?
The Sony a6000 has a recording limit of 30 mins. Also keep in mind that if it reaches a total of 2GB of file size, it will automatically stop recording. Although, you can hack it using a software to record much longer than 30 mins.
Does Sony a6000 shoot 120fps?
No, the camera’s highest frame rate is 60fps. The Sony a6000 only offers Full HD/1080P at 60fps which is a good starting point for most filmmakers.
How do I shoot cinematic videos on a Sony a6000?
The Sony a6000 is cinematic enough to shoot any type of scenes. Here are quick settings to get you started:
1. Set the file format to XAVC S
2. Picture profile to Neutral, -3, -1, -1 (Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness)
3. Set the framerate according to your needs
4. Shutter speed around 125
5. Set to auto iso between 100 – 3200
6. Focus mode – Manual or Continous AF
7. White balance – Auto
8. Aperture – depends on the scene
Now, with these settings, you can get a decent starting point. For a more cinematic look, you can color grade or edit it according to your liking and consider using a cinematic or anamorphic lens.
Conclusion
Sony a6000 is still a great camera today for still photography, video, and filmmaking. I know a lot of pros use it for weddings, film shorts, and even sports.
Emma Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Emma Lucy Photography. She has over a decade of experience shooting weddings and other intimate events. She also tests the latest digital camera bodies, lenses, analog cameras, and other gear from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands. She is From London and currently lives in the United States of America, where she spends most of her time as a self-employed professional photographer and writer.