Z5vs A6000
Sony
A6000 (2014)
Starting from £249 new
Best for Entry-level mirrorless & budget E-mount
View A6000
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Entry-Level Mirrorless & Budget E-Mount — A6000 (2014): 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
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
A6000 (2014)
- 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
Quick take: The a6000 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A6000 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £249 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 179 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~360 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 344g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 45.1mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, OLED 1.44M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A6000 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history