Decision tools · Compare
Coolpix P520 vs A6000
Quick take: The A6000 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the Coolpix P520 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6000 — Entry-Level Mirrorless & Budget E-Mount: The Sony that started a generation of E-mount loyalty — 11fps, 24MP, and 179 phase-detect points in a compact body that remained excellent value for nearly a decade.
Who should buy what
A6000 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- First-time mirrorless buyers who want a capable, proven body at the lowest price
- Sony E-mount users who want a compact backup or second body
- Parents and travellers who want good image quality without a large camera
- Anyone curious about APS-C mirrorless who wants to try the system affordably
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Coolpix P520Nikon · 2013 | A6000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £79 usedBest | £125 used |
| Sensor | 18MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS |
| Resolution | 18.1MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 (1080/60i) | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face detection and target tracking | 179 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | Lens-shift VR (optical, in the lens) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 11fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~200 shots (CIPA) | ~360 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 550g (with battery) | 344g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 125.2 × 84.1 × 101.6mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 45.1mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 0.2", 201k dots | EVF, OLED 1.44M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Fixed 42x Nikkor 24-1000mm equivalent f/3-5.9 | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, AV out, mini HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Coolpix P520
A6000
Portrait
3.8/10
6.3/10
Street
4.6/10
7.6/10
Travel
4.5/10
6.5/10
Wedding & Events
2.2/10
4.6/10
Vlogging & Video
2.9/10
—
Documentary
2.5/10
4.0/10
Sports & Action
4.3/10
6.2/10
Landscape
3.3/10
4.8/10
Wildlife
5.0/10
6.7/10
Casual
2.9/10
4.4/10
Food
4.2/10
5.5/10
Macro
3.1/10
5.0/10
Architecture
3.8/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
2.1/10
4.6/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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