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Why You Can Trust CNET Sony's fifth entry-level ILC less than $600 debuts at CES
The company adds a fifth ILC under $600.
Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
3 min read
LAS VEGAS -- Piling on the interchangeable-lens models at the low end, Sony adds to its ILCE line of cameras with the Alpha ILCE-5000 (A5000). That gives the compay 5 models with kit prices between $350 and $600. And if it's not confusing enough, the older, similarly priced NEX-5T has notably better specifications almost all around.
Sony's current offerings less than $600:
Shop for Sony Alpha A5000 (with 16-50mm power zoom lens, silver)
See all prices| Sony Alpha ILCE-3000 (A3000) | Sony Alpha ILCE-5000 (A5000) | Sony Alpha NEX-3N | Sony Alpha NEX-5T | Sony Alpha SLT-A58 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor effective resolution | 20.1MP Exmor HD CMOS | 20.1MP Exmor HD CMOS | 16.1MP Exmor HD CMOS | 16.1mp Exmor HD CMOS | 20.1MP Exmor HD CMOS |
| 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm | |
| Focal - length multiplier | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 16000 | ISO 100 - ISO 16000 | ISO 200 - ISO 16000 | ISO 100 - ISO 25600 | ISO 100 - ISO 16000 |
| Burst shooting | 2.5fps 5 raw + JPEG/ 13 JPEG (3.5fps with fixed exposure) | 2.5fps n/a | 2.5fps 5 raw/9 JPEG n/a | 3fps 11 raw/15 JPEG (10fps with fixed exposure) | 5fps 6 raw/7 JPEG |
| Viewfinder (mag/ effective mag) | EVF 0.5 inch/ 201,600 dots 100% coverage 0.70x/0.59x | None | None | Optional | OLED EVF 0.5 inch/ 480,000 dots 100% coverage 0.88x/0.59x |
| Autofocus | 25-area contrast AF | 25-area contrast AF | 25-area contrast AF | 99-point phase detection, 25-area contrast AF | 15-pt phase-detection 3 cross-type |
| AF sensitivity | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | -1 to 18 EV |
| Shutter speed | 1/4,000 to 30 seconds; bulb; 1/160 x-sync | 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb; 1/160 sec x-sync | 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb; 1/160 sec x-sync | 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb; 1/160 sec x-sync | 1/4,000 to 30 seconds; bulb; 1/160 x-sync |
| Metering | 1,200 zone | 1,200 zone | 1,200 zone | 1,200 zone | 1,200 zone |
| Metering sensitivity | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV | n/a |
| Best video | AVCHD 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps; H.264 MPEG-4 1440 x 1080/30p @ 12Mbps | AVCHD 1080/60i/30p @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps | AVCHD 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps | AVCHD 1080/60p @ 28, 24Mbps, 1080/ 24p @ 24, 17Mbps | AVCHD 1080/60i/ 50i/25p/24p @ 24Mbps |
| Audio | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo; mic input | Stereo, mic input | Stereo; mic input |
| Manual aperture and shutter in video | n/a | n/a | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| IS | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Sensor shift |
| LCD size | 3-inch fixed 230,400 dots | 3-inch fixed 460,800 dots | 3-inch tilting 460,800 dots | 3-inch tilting touch screen 921,600 dots | 2.7-inch tilting 460,800 dots |
| Memory slots | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC |
| Wireless flash | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wireless connection | No | Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, NFC | No |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 480 shots | 420 shots | 480 shots | 430 shots | 690 shots |
| Size (WHD, inches) | 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.5 | 4.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 | 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 | 4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 | 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 14.2 | 9.5 (est.) | 7.4 (est.) | 9.7 (without flash) | 17.4 (est.) |
| Mfr. price | n/a | n/a | n/a | $449.99 (body only) | n/a |
| $349.99 (with 18-55mm lens) | $599.99 (with 16-50mm PZ lens) | $399.99 (with 16-50mm PZ lens) | $599.99 (with 16-50mm PZ lens) | $499.99 (with 18-55mm lens) | |
| n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Release date | September 2013 | March 2014 | April 2013 | September 2013 | April 2013 |
At this price, the camera competes with dSLR models like the Nikon D3200. The superior performance of the phase-detection autofocus and the faster startup of dSLRs makes them much more appropriate for typical kids-and-pets photography.