Despite being a generally durable camera, the Sony a6000 is not weather sealed. While this doesn’t mean you can’t take it outdoors in inclement weather, it does mean that you’ll need to be extra careful when doing so.
The Sony a6000 is an entry-level and lightweight camera that was designed for use by amateur photographers. And I think that’s the reason why Sony didn’t bother to include any weather sealing in their design.
But don’t fret, even my more expensive Sony a7III doesn’t have any weather sealing either!
Alternative
If you want to shoot with your camera outdoors in the rain or snow, then consider looking at other options.
If you’re going for the a6xxx route, the Sony a6600 is not only newer but also has weather sealing. Sony claims that this camera has some protection against moisture and dust.
Personally, I’ve used my a6600 in the rain and it has performed just fine. I also think that the weather sealing found on the a6600 is the same as the sealing on the Sony a6300 and a6400.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative body then the a6300 or a6400 are both great options.
I also used both cameras in the rain, snow, and desert and I never had any issues with them.
However, I will definitely be really careful using these cameras in a heavy downpour.
Read the rest of our “Is the Sony a6xxx weather-sealed?” series here:
Is the Sony a6300 weather-sealed?
Is the Sony a6100 weather-sealed?
Is the Sony a6400 weather-sealed?
Is the Sony a6600 weather-sealed?
Can you use the a6000 in the rain? How does it perform?
I didn’t have any trouble using the Sony a6000 in the rain. During our trip to Thailand, we encountered some heavy rain.
Of course, I didn’t take a lot of photos but I was able to capture some nice shots. Also, I wipe the camera with a microfiber cloth after I was done, just to make sure that it was completely dry.
I honestly think that using the Sony a6000 in a light drizzle will never be a problem. However, I would not recommend taking it out in the heavy rain and trying to take photos with it for longer periods.
It’s also worth noting that you should always use a protective cover if you’re going to be shooting in inclement weather—but with that being said, it’s not like you need to stress about getting your gear wet either. In my experience, it performs just fine.
Using the Sony a6000 in cold weather
Last year, we went to Lake Louise for a hike. It was our first time in Canada and we were excited to explore the landscape. The temperature outside was around -5 degrees Celsius, but it felt much colder because of the wind.
We took a lot of photos for our personal project and the camera did not disappoint. It was able to handle the cold weather very well and we didn’t have any issues with the Sony a6000.
However, since its battery is not rated for cold temperatures, we experienced some weird jumps in its percentages. For example, it would show a battery of 80% and then suddenly jump to 60%.
This happened twice during our hike. A fully charged battery only lasted around 40 minutes in the cold. Good thing that we brought a few extra batteries with us.
But with the camera body itself, we didn’t experience any malfunctions and its performance was smooth as always.
How about in the desert
I only experienced using the a6000 once in the desert.
I was shooting an editorial in Alice Springs, and I brought my Sony a6000 along with me. The weather was hot, but not unbearably so. It was a dry heat, so if you were careful with your hydration, it wasn’t too bad.
But it was still hot enough that I knew how easily things could go wrong if I wasn’t careful.
I wanted to make sure that my camera could handle being exposed to such conditions for several hours at a time, so I decided to test it out before taking it on the actual shoot.
The best way to do this is by shooting photos and videos yourself! So that’s what I did—I took photos and videos of myself in different poses and under different lighting conditions (sunlight, cloudy skies, etc.).
The camera performed admirably throughout the test period—it never failed or gave me any issues whatsoever.
After seeing how well it performed during testing, I decided that bringing the camera along for the actual shoot would be okay too. And guess what? It worked perfectly.
Ways to protect your sony a6000 in harsh environments
To keep your Sony a6000 protected from the elements like water, dust, and snow, consider these three tips:
1. Keep it dry: If you’re in an environment with high levels of humidity, like a tropical rainforest, it’s essential to keep your camera dry at all costs. You can do this by storing it in a waterproof case, using a camera sleeve, or putting it on a camera bag when not in use.
It is also important to immediately wipe off any water that you may encounter, as this will prevent it from seeping into your camera and causing damage.
2. Keep it warm: If the temperature is extremely cold, like in a snowy area, try to keep your camera warm by storing it in your jacket, pocket, or camera bag. Fortunately for us, the Sony a6000 is really compact, so it can easily fit in our jacket’s pocket.
3. Make sure you don’t leave your camera out in the sun or on hot surfaces for too long, as this can cause issues with the internal electronics and the body itself.
Keep these tips in mind and you should be able to keep your Sony a6000 safe and sound.
Is the Sony a6000 water-resistant?
The Sony a6000 is not waterproof. It’s not water-resistant, either.
You shouldn’t use this camera without a waterproof case if you want to go swimming with it. But you can waterproof your camera by using a case that’s specially made for it.
The best thing about waterproof cases is that they allow you to take your camera with you anywhere, even if there’s water involved!
You can safely use your camera underwater in one of these cases.
The Seafrogs 40m/130ft Waterproof Underwater Camera Housing Waterproof Case is a highly recommended case for the Sony a6000.
This case is rated to be waterproof down to 40 meters/130 feet, which means that you can take your camera with you when you go scuba diving or snorkeling! The case has an easy-to-use design so that it won’t interfere with any buttons on your camera while underwater.
Additionally, even when you’re not going underwater, you can also use this case to protect your camera from rain or snow. It’s a great way to make sure that your camera stays safe even if bad weather hits unexpectedly.
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.